Danelectro Standard Model 3021 Owned and Used by Elliott Sharp Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1959), made in Neptune, NJ, black lacquer with vinyl edging finish, Masonite and poplar body; poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, period chipboard case.
This is a cool Lower East Side veteran "Mutt" of a classic Danelectro in the words of Elliott Sharp, who has owned it for closing in on 40 years. It was purchased by him at the old Mojo Guitars on East 12th street c.1988, when the balance between authenticity and function was less precious than it is today! The complete body assembly is from a 1959 Danelectro Standard model 3021, most remembered as the "Jimmy Page" model. This retains the original parts and finish, with pots dated to 1959 and no major alteration. The neck is a period Danelectro piece mostly stripped and partially refinished long ago, with the whimsical addition of a Mosrite-style "The Ventures Model" decal on the headstock.
This tuxedo-finish body is the correct "Page" version of this model and has the defining features: the black-finished semi-hollow Masonite and pine body has two lipstick pickups and the top-mounted white pickguard introduced in 1959, with white pebble vinyl side covering. The twin lipstick tube pickups are wired in series like most Dannos and controlled with concentric volume and tone knobs, mated to a 3-way pickup selector switch. The 21-fret neck is a period Danelectro piece with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and topped with the correct trademark "coke bottle" headstock. Although admittedly an assemblage of two different instruments this is still a great-sounding guitar offering the classic Danno twang factor; with the correct "Page finish and features on the body. Jimmy's own guitar was reportedly also an assemblage of parts as well, but his neck did match the body!
Elliott tells this about his guitar: "Danelectro mutt purchased around 1988. Used in various recordings and soundtracks such as this track from Bootstrappers Version 2 with Thom & Jan Kotik"
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
The body of this guitar remains original and in very good condition overall, while the mis-matched neck is fully functional but has an ancient fairly amateur refinish. The black lacquer body finish is original with checking, chips and dings and a rubbed-off area on the lower back. The neck is completely down to the wood on the playing surface with an ancient re-done bronze finish on the headstock. And of course the added "The Ventures" logo decal!
All fittings on the body remain original including pickups, wiring, knobs and bridge. The tape holding the "Totally Shielded" foil together inside the cavity has been redone, but all the parts are original. The neck retains the original nut and frets with a set of later Kluson Deluxe tuners fitted. This is a very good playing, great sounding guitar and could be completely restored to the correct original "Page" configuration if you happen to have an original black-finished neck. This neck could also be correctly refinished and re-logo'd if desired, it is the correct period part. We think it has a cool provenance and history as it is, residing in a possibly original period chipboard case with some added lining. Overall Very Good Condition.
