Danelectro Hawk 2N12 12 String Electric Guitar (1966)
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Item #13926
Danelectro Hawk 2N12 Model 12 String Electric Guitar (1966), made in Neptune, NJ, serial # 3106, brown crinkle lacquer finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, gig bag case.
In the last days of Danelectro (after the company was purchased by entertainment conglomerate MCA) several entirely new series of guitars were offered for a fairly brief period from late 1966 through 1968. The lowest budget electric models were the "Hawk" series built on a small, squat solid looking (but actually semi-solid) body made of the company's traditional Masonite and pine. The boxy asymmetrical shape is sort of an evolution of the crushed-cereal-box Pro 1 model, an earlier short-lived budget-level experiment. This is mated to a short-scale neck and new stamped metal one-piece bridge, possibly the simplest such unit ever designed. Hawks in general were made only in small numbers compared to earlier Dannos and are much rarer today.
This Hawk 2N12 is finished in a crinkle brown lacquer on the body and headstock, a Danelectro trademark if the least colorful of the multiple options offered. The FON ink-stamped on the neck heel is 3106 indicating the neck was fabricated the 31st week of 1966; these are usually considered 1967 models but this shows that production actually began the previous year. Two classic Danno lipstick pickups are controlled by a 3-way switch and concentric pots with color-matched knobs, offering a lot of tone for the price. The pickguard holding all this is white enameled Masonite and the tuners are the company's own proprietary "skate key' design.
These were bargain-priced instruments, especially compared to the company's new upscale Coral-branded line. This Model 2N-12 was the most expensive of the lot and cost $89.98 new, plus case. This was quite a bargain in a two-pickup electric 12 string, even for Danelectro. "No greater value in popular priced electric guitars" claimed Danelectro, not without cause! These models were originally introduced in 1966 as the "Dane A Series"; this early example is probably technically a "Dane A 2N12" but they are almost universally remembered as "Hawks". After appearing as such in Danelectro's 1967-68 catalog they were gone from the '69 edition.
While definitely a low-budget guitar overall this is still a snazzy little machine, mostly remembered (here in NYC at least) as long associated with avant-rocker and "Skronk" maven Arto Lindsay. While the almost comically simple bridge offers little in adjustability, this is a handy and good sounding little 12 string, if you don't expect perfect intonation anyway. While it's probably not going to replace anybody's Rickenbacker 360-12, this is still a useful instrument. All these Hawk models are fairly rare, and this is a good playing and nicely original example of the "top" model in this line.
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 1/2 in. (597 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This guitar shows some light general wear but remains all original and relatively clean overall. The finish shows some minor chips and dings overall but the only notable damage to the lacquer is a couple of scrapes on the upper back and some chipping to the headstock edges. The back of the neck has a few feelable dings and chips but nothing too serious.
Playability is good for one of these, taking into account this is a 12-string with an aluminum not and a non-intonatable stamped metal bridge. Overall this is a cool example of this interesting Danno rarity, with a good neck and two great sounding lipstick pickups. And if it's "Skronk' you're after, this Hawk will deliver! Overall Excellent - Condition.
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In the last days of Danelectro (after the company was purchased by entertainment conglomerate MCA) several entirely new series of guitars were offered for a fairly brief period from late 1966 through 1968. The lowest budget electric models were the "Hawk" series built on a small, squat solid looking (but actually semi-solid) body made of the company's traditional Masonite and pine. The boxy asymmetrical shape is sort of an evolution of the crushed-cereal-box Pro 1 model, an earlier short-lived budget-level experiment. This is mated to a short-scale neck and new stamped metal one-piece bridge, possibly the simplest such unit ever designed. Hawks in general were made only in small numbers compared to earlier Dannos and are much rarer today.
This Hawk 2N12 is finished in a crinkle brown lacquer on the body and headstock, a Danelectro trademark if the least colorful of the multiple options offered. The FON ink-stamped on the neck heel is 3106 indicating the neck was fabricated the 31st week of 1966; these are usually considered 1967 models but this shows that production actually began the previous year. Two classic Danno lipstick pickups are controlled by a 3-way switch and concentric pots with color-matched knobs, offering a lot of tone for the price. The pickguard holding all this is white enameled Masonite and the tuners are the company's own proprietary "skate key' design.
These were bargain-priced instruments, especially compared to the company's new upscale Coral-branded line. This Model 2N-12 was the most expensive of the lot and cost $89.98 new, plus case. This was quite a bargain in a two-pickup electric 12 string, even for Danelectro. "No greater value in popular priced electric guitars" claimed Danelectro, not without cause! These models were originally introduced in 1966 as the "Dane A Series"; this early example is probably technically a "Dane A 2N12" but they are almost universally remembered as "Hawks". After appearing as such in Danelectro's 1967-68 catalog they were gone from the '69 edition.
While definitely a low-budget guitar overall this is still a snazzy little machine, mostly remembered (here in NYC at least) as long associated with avant-rocker and "Skronk" maven Arto Lindsay. While the almost comically simple bridge offers little in adjustability, this is a handy and good sounding little 12 string, if you don't expect perfect intonation anyway. While it's probably not going to replace anybody's Rickenbacker 360-12, this is still a useful instrument. All these Hawk models are fairly rare, and this is a good playing and nicely original example of the "top" model in this line.
Overall length is 36 3/4 in. (93.3 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 1/2 in. (597 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This guitar shows some light general wear but remains all original and relatively clean overall. The finish shows some minor chips and dings overall but the only notable damage to the lacquer is a couple of scrapes on the upper back and some chipping to the headstock edges. The back of the neck has a few feelable dings and chips but nothing too serious.
Playability is good for one of these, taking into account this is a 12-string with an aluminum not and a non-intonatable stamped metal bridge. Overall this is a cool example of this interesting Danno rarity, with a good neck and two great sounding lipstick pickups. And if it's "Skronk' you're after, this Hawk will deliver! Overall Excellent - Condition.
