Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $609
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Price History
Based on price data from 2 merchants for "Danelectro 56 U2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Danelectro 56 U2, a true legend in the world of electric guitars that artfully blends vintage charm with modern playability. This iconic instrument hails from a prestigious line of Danelectro hollowbodies, tracing its roots back to the original models from 1956 to 1958.
The Danelectro 56 U2 is crafted from a hardboard/plywood body, lending it an attractive lightweight profile and a distinct midrange tone that's the perfect blend of punchy and warm. The solid maple neck and pau ferro fingerboard contribute to a delightful playing experience, responding beautifully to every touch and nuance of your performance.
The heart of this guitar is its twin Lipstick pickups, a significant feature that separated the original '56 U2 from the pack. These single-coil passive pickups provide a unique, vintage tone that's rich in midrange punch and treble kick, creating a sound that's as compelling as it is timeless.
From surf rock to blues, this versatile instrument has attracted a myriad of rock legends including Ronnie Wood, Steve Perry, and Mark Knopfler. With master volume and tone controls, and a 3-way pickup selector, the Danelectro 56 U2 ensures you have all the control you need to dial in your personalized sound.
Key Features:
- Original guitar design from a groundbreaking company
- Hardboard/plywood body for lightweight feel and unique midrange tone
- Solid maple neck with pau ferro fingerboard for great playability and response
- Twin Lipstick single-coil passive pickups for a vintage tone
- 3-way pickup selector, master volume and tone controls for versatile sound shaping
- Adjustable bridge for precise intonation control
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Semi-hollowbody |
| Body Shape | '56 U2 |
| Body Material | Plywood |
| Top Material | Hardboard |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyester |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | C |
| Neck Joint | 5-way Bolt-on |
| Radius | 14" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Dots |
| Number of Frets | 21 |
| Scale Length | 25" |
| Nut Width | 1.650" |
| Nut Material | Aluminum |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Adjustable |
| Tuners | Die-cast |
| Neck Pickup | Lipstick Single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Lipstick Single-coil |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | D'Addario, .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Danelectro 56 U2 suitable for?
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The Danelectro 56 U2 is known for its distinctive vintage tone, making it well-suited for genres like rock, blues, and surf music. Its unique sound comes from the Lipstick single-coil pickups, which offer a bright and jangly tone.
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What is the neck profile of the Danelectro 56 U2?
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The Danelectro 56 U2 features a C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable and familiar feel for most players. This profile is versatile, catering to both rhythm and lead playing styles.
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Does the Danelectro 56 U2 have a solid or semi-hollow body?
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The Danelectro 56 U2 features a semi-hollow body design, which contributes to its lightweight feel and resonant tone. This design is part of what gives the guitar its distinctive sound character.
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Are the pickups on the Danelectro 56 U2 suitable for high-gain music styles?
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The Lipstick single-coil pickups on the Danelectro 56 U2 are better suited for clean to moderately overdriven tones. They may not provide the output level typically required for high-gain music styles like metal.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Danelectro 56 U2's body?
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The body of the Danelectro 56 U2 is constructed with plywood and topped with hardboard, finished in gloss polyester. This combination contributes to its unique tonal qualities and lightweight design.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
LEMMO DEMO: Danelectro Coke Bottle ’56 U2 Reissue for $399 | "My Affordable Favorites"
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro 56 U2.
Features and functionality
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The U2's fixed bridge with a rosewood saddle is a unique feature that offers a distinctive jingly tone, integral to its raw garage sound.
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Mods and upgrades
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A user replaced the original rosewood bridge with a Schaller flat-mount bridge for improved stability, highlighting customization potential for enhanced playability.
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Some owners modified the original soft wooden bridge by cutting a slot and adding fret wire for added durability and sustain.
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User experience
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Owners appreciate the '56 U2 for its lightweight design, contributing to a comfortable playing experience over extended periods.
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Users describe the guitar as feeling "plasticky and cheap" yet acknowledging its unique sound and solid construction, offering a nuanced perspective on its tactile qualities.
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The guitar's jangle and spank are often highlighted, delivering a satisfying sound when paired with slight distortion.
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Comparisons
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The '56 U2's sound is distinctively different from newer reissues, emphasizing the importance of the fixed bridge for authentic tonal characteristics.
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Danelectros are compared to toys by some, yet praised for their distinct old-school rock tone, unlike the more fluid playability of a Strat.
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Build quality
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It's noted that the metal plate under the bridge on reissues can bend over time, affecting stability, indicating a need for sturdier replacements.
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Value and pricing
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
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In the 2004 T in the Park performance of "Genius," Matthew Followill plays a Danelectro 56 U2 guitar, as seen in the YouTube video by Novemberregen.
Ariana Grande was photographed using the Danelectro 56 U2 electric guitar while collaborating with Kesha, as documented in a publicly available image.
In this photo by Jason Nocito, Ariel can be seen holding the guitar. Source:http://jasonnocito.com/photograph/5-19
In this live performance of Farewell Transmission, Jason can be ssen playing a Danelectro 56 U2
In this video at 0:28 Archer is playing his 56 Danelectro U2 guitar at the sound fix with The Sea and Cake.
Max is seen playing a Danelectro 56 in this documentary clip from 2008. The guitar also appears in the 'Will Get Fooled Again' video.
Album Usage
The Danelectro 56 U2 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Danelectro 56 U2, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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