Danelectro Special Small Combo Tube Amplifier (1954).

Danelectro Special Model Small Combo Tube Amplifier (1954), made in Red Bank, NJ, brick red basket weave finish.

This is a very clean example of this rare early Danelectro amp. With an output of 15 watts, the "Special" fell in the lower range of Danelectro's 1950's lineup, which ranged from the tiny 10 watt "Leader" up through the 25 watt "Maestro" and 30 watt "Challenger" and the monstrous for the time 50 watt "Twin-Twelve."

The Masonite cabinet is covered in a red textured material with rounded corners on the face and a recessed front gill covered in gold-tinted basketweave cloth. The back panel is two-tone brown and silver with three input jacks, vibrato speed and strength controls, with volume and tone knobs on the right. A hardwired vibrato switch pedal is stored in a metal bracket at the bottom of the enclosure. A preamp section powered by 6SJ7 pentodes feeds two 6V6GT power tubes for a total output of about 15 watts. The workmanship is typically Danelectro, solid and economical and overall this is an attractive package from Nathan Daniels' original Red Bank factory.

Height is 16 3/4 in. (42.5 cm.), 17 1/4 in. (43.8 cm.) width, and 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm.) deep.

Cosmetically, this amp is beautifully preserved, especially considering the fairly fragile Masonite cabinet design. The unusual red Tolex basketweave-patterned covering is remarkably well-preserved with only minor scuffing and dings around the corners and edges of the cabinet. The gold grille cloth is beautifully preserved, taut and free of any holes or signs of tearing. The rear control panel is remarkably clean and mostly untarnished with all lettering crisp and intact. All the brown radio-style knobs are original. The brown leather handle is well-worn but still functional. Like the larger "Maestro," "Special" amps were originally shipped without backplates to protect the rear of the speaker, in this example a plain brown fiberboard has been installed. The vibrato switch pedal is also original and in fine working order.

Electrically, the amp is in beautiful working order. The 12" alnico RCA speaker is original and is marked 274438, dating it to the 38th week of 1954. Both the Freed power transformer and the Rola output transformer are original, the output transformer dates to the 37th week of 1953. Both CTS pots are original as well and date to the 20th week of 1954. The amp has been fully refurbished by our in-house professionals, a grounded 3-prong power cable installed, electrolytic and failure-prone wax paper capacitors replaced and all other components thoroughly tested, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and the 6V6 output tubes biased to spec.

Somewhat darker sounding than the typical Fender, this amp swells into rich overdrive fairly easily and turns into a snarling little monster when pushed. This mid-sized combo is the perfect mate for a 1950s Danelectro U-2, or any cool and funky 1950s single-coil guitar. Overall Excellent - Condition.