Danelectro 59 12-String — Black

Danelectro's take on the electric 12-string has always been one of the best deals in the category, and the 59 12-String is a big part of why. Built on the classic Shorthorn double-cutaway body that Danelectro has been refining since the late '50s, it pairs their signature Masonite and hardwood construction with a pair of Lipstick pickups wired in series — a combination that delivers the kind of bright, jangly shimmer that made these guitars a staple on countless records. The series wiring gives the middle position more body and output than you'd typically expect from a pair of single coils, which adds some versatility beyond the standard jangle.

The fully adjustable 12-saddle bridge is a genuine strong point — individual saddle adjustment for each string means you can actually get proper intonation across all twelve strings, which is something players of certain other 12-strings at higher price points have historically struggled with. The maple neck and aluminum nut are standard Danelectro fare, and the 25-inch scale keeps string tension manageable without sacrificing the bright, open character that defines the instrument.

This is a straightforward, honest electric 12-string at a price that makes it easy to have one around for when the song calls for it — and once you've got one, you'll find it calls for it more often than you expected.

Body: Masonite and hardwood, Shorthorn double cutaway
Finish: Black 
Neck: Maple, bolt-on
Radius: 7.25"
Nut: Aluminum, 1.75"
Scale Length: 25"
Frets: 21
Inlays: Dot
Pickups: 2x Danelectro Lipstick single coils (series wiring)
Pickup Selector: 3-way toggle
Bridge: Fully adjustable 12-saddle fixed bridge
Tuners: Gotoh sealed
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Strings: D'Addario XL EXL150
Case: Not included