Danelectro Convertible Model 5015 Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1969), made in Neptune, NJ, serial # 934052, Blue lacqer with vinyl siding finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This is an exceptionally rare variant of Danelectro's "Convertible" model acoustic/electric guitar, finished in brilliant blue instead of the usual Formica kitchenware livery. This is a very late example of the model 5015; the serial number on a piece of metallic foil on the back of the headstock dates it to 1969, right at the end of the company's storied run. Thousands of these were made in the standard "kitchenette" finish, but this is the only one we have ever had in this beautiful baby blue hue.
The Convertible was one of Danelectro founder Nathan Daniels' more whimsical creations, offered from 1959 up through the end in 1969 as the company's least expensive model. It was also the only primarily acoustic instrument the electric-minded firm offered, although hardly competition for most conventional flat tops.
This is a thinline hollow-body electric guitar with a single lipstick tube pickup in the round sound hole with the single tone and volume knobs and a jack mounted to the top. This model was also offered for sale without a pickup (hence the name) and the electronics package was available as a separate kit, so you could "Convert" it for an upgrade to amplification at any time after purchase.
The fully hollow Masonite-and-pine body is finished in this lively blue hue usually reserved for slightly fancier models with the standard textured vinyl siding. The neck is the standard Danelectro style, poplar with a rosewood fingerboard and in this case unusually finished to match tot body. In 1967 this Coral-style single sided headstock replaced the earlier "Coke Bottle" shape and the headstock face gained a snazzy chrome DANELECTRO plastic logo. It mounts the inline "skate key" strip tuners used from 1964. The original list price of this guitar with a pickup was all of $65.
Convertible guitars do not have a solid center block like the Danelectro standard models and thus have more body response than any other Nathan Daniel design, making for a fairly functional acoustic guitar -- considering they are made of the finest Masonite! While never replacing anyone's Martin they have proved enduringly popular with a unique tone all their own, both plugged and unplugged. This particular guitar from "The Last Days Od Danno" is simply the rarest and coolest Convertible we have seen and has not seen much use since the beginning.
Overall length is 38 1/2 in. (97.8 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a super original and extremely rare guitar with no repairs or alterations and only the slightest wear, appearing little used over the last 55 years. As is pretty much unavoidable with these the Masonite top has sagged noticeably, but the guitar is still playable. We have a modification that works as a fix for this problem involving inserting a wood block to prop the top up under the bridge, but that does alter the sound noticeably. As this Blue Baby is primarily a collector's piece we have left it alone for now, but it could be done if desired.
There are a few tiny dings and dents but the only real wear is to the top of the headstock, which has lost a bit of paint. The serial number sticker has peeled up a bit but is largely intact. Despite the top sag it still plays and sounds about as good as it ever did, which is to say it is a fun little guitar but a little splatty in spots. Nevertheless this is a super cool and nearly unique package of original Jersey Danno goodness, a piece to highlight in any Danelectro collection. Overall Excellent Condition.
