Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt

^# 17

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$35.00 Price Tier: Budget

4.0 (25)

1 Critic Review

4 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt

1 community setup

4 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (21)

$35.00 8 available Used

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Average Price: $35

Budget/Beginner

$50

$176+

Price Tier

In the Tremolo Effects Pedals category, Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt is priced in the Budget/Beginner range. This is great gear to get started with or for creators on a budget.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt, a Tremolo Effects Pedal that combines robust build quality with a user-friendly interface. This model is a favorite amongst both newcomers and seasoned guitarists, offering a taste of vintage, warm tremolo that harks back to the vibrant soundscapes of the '60s and '70s. With its simple yet effective control settings - speed, hard/soft, and depth - the Tuna Melt Tremolo promises a quality effect in a straightforward package.

Key Features:

Robust and iconic Danelectro series enclosure
User-friendly control interface featuring speed, hard/soft, and depth settings
Ideal for both beginners and professional musicians
Produces warm, pulsating tremolo reminiscent of '60s and '70s rigs

Product specs

Brand	Danelectro
Model	Tuna Melt Tremolo
Year	2010s
Made In	China
Categories	Tremolo Pedals

FAQs

What type of tremolo effect does the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt produce?: The Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt offers a classic vintage tremolo effect, characterized by its smooth, pulsating modulation that can range from subtle to intense, ideal for surf rock, blues, and early rock 'n' roll.
How does the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt compare to other tremolo pedals?: The Tuna Melt is known for its affordability and compact size, providing a warm, vintage tremolo sound at a budget-friendly price, making it a popular choice for guitarists seeking classic tremolo tones without breaking the bank.
Is the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt is suitable for live performances. Its durable construction and straightforward controls make it easy to dial in the desired tremolo effect on stage.
What power supply does the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt require?: The Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt can be powered using a standard 9V battery or a 9V DC power adapter, making it versatile for both studio and stage use.
Can the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt be used with bass guitars?: Yes, the Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt can be used with bass guitars, providing a rich tremolo effect that complements the instrument's lower frequencies.

Videos

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gearwire

Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt Tremolo: Stompbox Walkthrough Video

gearwire

Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo Pedal

David Niles

Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo

transmitmode

Danelectro Tuna Melt tremolo Pedal

hovercraft Artifact

Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo

Peter Keane

Danelectro "Tuna Melt" Tremolo

Glauco Alves

Lunchtime with Danelectro | Tuna Melt Tremolo! | #itisthebest #getonenow

Rhylan Morgan

Danelectro Tuna Melt Tremolo - some sounds

scairmyn

Reviews

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PROS

Offers both hard and soft clipping tremolo for varied sound
Excellent value for the price
Versatile, with plenty of speed and depth controls
Capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from classic amp trem to unique effects
Does not suck tone, maintains sound quality
Simple controls, easy for beginners to use
Adds unique mids that help cut through mixes

CONS

Power jacks not deep enough, issues with some pedalboard power supplies
Construction feels cheap, with plastic jacks and flimsy switch
Slight volume dip when engaged
Not capable of dramatic chopping effects

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt.

Features and functionality

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The Tuna Melt's square-form switch doubles as a slicer, offering versatile tremolo effects not typically found in amp trems.
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The buffer status is indicated by an LED/button combo, which can be used to toggle the buffer on and off as needed.
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Build quality

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Owners find the tiny pots challenging for dialing in tempo, suggesting a design limitation for precise adjustments.
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The pedal's internal PCBs are fragile, with traces that break easily during modifications, necessitating extra soldering for reliable connections.
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Mods and upgrades

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External switch use is recommended to avoid damaging the delicate pedal when stepping on it.
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A momentary switch can be added to maximize the speed knob when held down, offering unique performance capabilities.
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Rehousing attempts are improved by selecting larger enclosures, as compact rehousings pose significant challenges with two PCB designs.
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Comparisons

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Users consistently favor the Tuna Melt's tremolo sound over both vintage blackface amps and the Boss TR-2 for its lush and full tones.
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User experience

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It's noted that rehousing the pedal can enhance durability, with a desire for Boss-like "tankness" in the Dano shape.
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Rehousing the Tuna Melt involves intricate work due to its dual-PCB configuration, requiring more skill than other pedal rehousings.
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Value and pricing

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Despite being priced higher than its original cost, owners still find the tremolo sound exceptional at any price point.
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Critic Reviews

DJ-5 Tuna Melt Tremolo Review | Danelectro | Guitar Effects | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Danelectro DJ-5 Tuna Melt Tremolo is a budget-friendly gem that delivers vintage charm with its impressive 1950s-style tremolo effects. Reviewers appreciate its versatility across genres like Garage Rock, Surf, and Rockabilly, making it a solid choice for those styles. With a high ease of use rating, it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. However, the build quality has room for improvement, reflected in its moderate reliability and durability score. Overall, this pedal shines for its price point, offering superb sound with a nostalgic twist.

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Full Review

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 25 Ratings

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1 star

thcraymer

910

over 3 years ago

Easy to use tremolo pedal, not to mention a lot of fun!

This pedal can add a whole other dimension to your sound, without sucking any tone! It's a pretty versatile tremolo pedal too, naturally you can control the time and depth, as well as having two modes: one which makes a more wavy sound, while the other makes more of a helicopter-like sound. Overall it's been a great addition to my collection, and is a must for everyone into unusual guitar sounds and effects!

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I tend to use the wave form more, as it fits better with my more mellow music. However, depending on where you put it in the pedalboard, you have a wide choice of effect! Often I will use it clean to bring out its full character, or with a light drive (before or after, as it sounds good in either position)!

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Art rock Progressive rock

faber_fdm

850

over 3 years ago

Nice, warm and serviceable

While this is probably not the best tremolo out there, the Tuna Melt has a very nice sound. It can go from slow, swampy trem to machine gun and everything in between. It's not transparent but adds some mids that help make it through a mix and not lose volume. As this is a cheapo, I highly recommend it

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Genres:

Rock Emo Post-hardcore

breakalime

689

over 11 years ago

Cheap and cheerful, but perfectly useable in a pro rig.

I bought this pedal because I'd seen it used by at least two of the three guitar playing members of the band Oceansize. That, and they were relatively cheap and easy to source on eBay despite being discontinued for a few years. Tremolo effects should be fairly simple in my opinion; so I didn't mind going the budget route on this occasion, and I wasn't disappointed. The controls are basic enough to understand with little effort; there's speed and depth control, and a switch for waveform ("hard" or "soft"). It's not really capable of dramatic "chopping" effects, but there are definitely an array of useable sounds in this pedal. My only criticisms would be in it's construction; the jacks are plastic and the switch feels quite flimsy. There's also a slight volume dip when you engage the pedal, but that's quite common of tremolo pedals even twice as expensive as these.