Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar

$298.00 to $629.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (7)

3 Reviews

Find out who is using Danelectro U2

3 wishlisted

13 saved

Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (2)

$629.00

View Deal

$629.00

View Deal

5.0 (16)

$298.00 21 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $519

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Immerse yourself in the world of vintage tones and smooth playability with the Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar. This iconic musical instrument, part of Danelectro's renowned hollowbody lineup, boasts a rich history that dates back to its inception in the late 1950s. Crafted from a unique hardboard/plywood body, the U2 is not only lightweight but also delivers a distinctive midrange tone that sets it apart in the world of electric guitars.

A maple neck coupled with a pau ferro fingerboard ensures excellent playability and response, enhancing your musical experience. The guitar's standout feature is its twin Lipstick pickups, which are wired in series and not in parallel – a characteristic that was groundbreaking when the guitar first appeared in '56. These pickups, with their coil wrapped around an Alnico VI magnet and enveloped in tape, recreate the vintage tone reminiscent of rock's golden era.

This signature sound and exceptional playability have captivated countless rock legends, including Ronnie Wood, Steve Perry, and Mark Knopfler. A 3-way pickup selector and master volume and tone controls provide a wide array of options for fine-tuning your tone. An adjustable bridge allows for customization of intonation, adding to the guitar's versatility.

Key Features:

Hardboard/plywood body that is lightweight and delivers a unique midrange tone
Smooth, responsive maple neck with pau ferro fingerboard for great playability
Twin Lipstick single-coil passive pickups for vintage midrange punch and treble kick
3-way pickup selector and master volume and tone controls for comprehensive tone shaping
Adjustable bridge for customizing intonation to your preference

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

What kind of tones can I expect from the Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar?: The Danelectro U2 features Lipstick single-coil pickups, known for their bright, jangly tone. This makes it ideal for surf rock, blues, and classic rock genres, offering a distinctive sound that cuts through the mix.
Is the Danelectro U2 suitable for beginners?: Yes, the Danelectro U2 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable C-shaped neck and lightweight semi-hollowbody design, making it easy to play for extended periods.
What is the neck profile of the Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar?: The Danelectro U2 features a C-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip that is well-suited for various playing styles and skill levels.
How does the construction of the Danelectro U2 affect its sound?: The semi-hollowbody construction with a plywood body and hardboard top contributes to the guitar's resonant, airy tone, enhancing its natural sustain and bright character.
Does the Danelectro U2 come with a case or gig bag?: No, the Danelectro U2 does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately to ensure your guitar is protected during transport and storage.
How many frets does the Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar have?: The Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar has 21 frets, providing a full two-octave range for expressive playing across the fingerboard.

Videos

Add video

Andertons Music Co

Danelectro Guitars - For The Player Who’s Got Everything Else! - Andertons Music Co.

Andertons Music Co

Big Sounds from the Danelectro U2

Luke Cyrus Goetze

Danelectro U2

GregsGuitars

DANELECTRO U2 1998 REISSUE

PLAY YOUR GUITAR

Danelectro U2! A jangly guitar and a single cutaway, the perfect formula for an indie classic!

Uhlik Music

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Danelectro U2 Electric Guitar.

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Owners recommend replacing the metal plate under the bridge due to bending issues; some have used heavier-duty replacements.
Source
0 0

Owners have swapped the rosewood bridge for DC3 units with adjustable saddles or flat-mount Schaller bridges for improved stability.
Source

Build quality

0 0

The original wooden bridges often develop grooves over time, with past owners enhancing durability by adding fret wire across the top.
Source
0 0

The original reissue Korean-made U2 models are praised for excellent build quality and unique raw garage sound.
Source
0 0

The Danelectro U2 is constructed with Masonite and features an aluminum nut, contributing to its distinct sound profile.
Source

User experience

0 0

Some describe the neck feel as less conducive to smooth sliding compared to a Strat, complicating legato play.
Source
0 0

A user who paid $350 for their Danelectro U2 in 1998 considers it their favorite guitar ever.
Source
0 0

Owners appreciate the super slim neck, which some find exceptionally comfortable for playability.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

One owner purchased their Danelectro U2 for $200, considering it a decent deal for a guitar dedicated to drop D tuning.
Source

Features and functionality

0 0

The guitar is often noted for its unique sound, especially when paired with drippy reverb effects.
Source
0 0

The rosewood saddle on the fixed bridge is a distinctive feature that contributes to its unique sound.
Source
0 0

The guitar includes concentric volume and tone pots, offering a unique control setup compared to traditional single-function knobs.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The fixed bridge reissues are noted to sound different from the newer, more practical reissues, preferred for their original tone.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

For better intonation, it's suggested to file the saddle or replace the wood with bone or brass to reduce wear.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The partially hollow body enhances resonance, making it enjoyable to play even unplugged, offering a unique acoustic-like experience.
Source

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

maxwell_peterson

over 9 years ago

Surf and Rockabilly Monster

My wife picked one of these up for me a couple years ago, and I fell immediately in love with it. A few things surprised me, right off: 1) How freaking loud it is, on its own. Even unplugged, this guitar is just a touch quieter than an acoustic; just sitting around in the living room with a couple of friends, this guitar is resonant enough on its own to strum and sing to. It's my favorite guitar to write songs on: loud enough to get a feel for the sound of the song, but still plays like an electric. 2) How light it is. The guitar is constructed of Poplar, Pine, and Masonite. Yeah. A plastic guitar. This thing weighs next to nothing, and plays like air. Speaking of, I was shocked by... 3) How FAST it plays. I've only ever played my Dano, so I don't know if others are set up as well as mine is, but the action is crazy low from nut to bridge, and the neck runs smooth as butter anywhere your fingers fall. I string it light and bend like crazy. I won't say the sound is perfect for all styles, but if you want to rip into Rockabilly or Surf licks all day long, this is one of the best. 4) Yes, Lipstick Pickups DO sound that incredible. Individually, clean, the Lipstick Pickups that come stock in this guitar are okay. The neck position lacks a little clarity, the bridge is crisp but lacks balls. Middle position, both pickups selected? They're out of this world. Danelectro's pickup wiring is atypical: rather than running the pickups parallel (as almost all other multi-pickup guitars do), they're run in series. The result is the punchiest, pluckiest--Coolest? Grooviest?--tone I've ever heard. Fat, round, with plenty of low-end but plenty of clarity in the highs, and sustain for days. Sustain forever. Plywood and plastic, and notes that will not die. As a last note, and interesting quirk, played through a good tube head, I catch all sorts of ghost notes with this guitar, resonances and reverberations and little phantasms of feedback behind the notes I'm playing: it's weird and funky and one of my favorite things about this guitar.

jimmarchi1

41026

9 years ago over 9 years ago

I've not played a lot of the Korean and Chinese reissues, but the old Danos and Silvertone branded ones with the dolphin headstock I know quite well and its rare to find one that plays well these days. THe truss rods aren't adjustable on the more desireable models like the U2 and DC so if the neck moves the truss you're done for. If yours is an old one and it can be set up with low action you are quite lucky.

jimmarchi1

41026

9 years ago over 9 years ago

also, the other interesting thing about lipsticks is they are bobbinless, the coil is wound right on a bar magnets that's jammed into a lipstick cover. Very few other pickups are like that. The firebird's coils are.... and the tape wound bobbins of the old Burns pickups are pretty similar in spirit, but not much else....

maxwell_peterson

9 years ago over 9 years ago

Jimmarchi1: Yeah: no adjustable truss on it. I assume the previous owner set it up, and oh yeah! Every time I pick this thing up and give it a run around, I feel enormously lucky! It was one of those Holy Grail finds...it's stuff like this that keeps me hunting the consignment section and the local pawnshops. [laugh]