Howdee. I recently picked up a single pickup Dano U1, late 90s I think, and surprisingly for what is considered a crap guiter, it feels great, is nice and light, and the neck is superb.
I did have a Dano Convertible this year too, which also had a lovely neck, so I'm going to look out for a used Dano 59 next year.
You don't seem to see as many used now for the same price they were going for 4 or 5 years ago.
In any case, I see there are models with a wraparound bridge and a model with a pau ferro bridge as well. While I think the wraparound bridge looks odd on an already odd looking guitar, it could possibly be better than the wooden bridge?
You do see some older models with all chrome bridges as well.
Another question. You know how you install the 4 way pickup switch on telecasters. Is there a similar mod that could be done to the Dano, so you'd have neck, pickup, both and AN OTHER setting?
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The stock both-pickups setting is the two pickups in series, so you could have parallel as the 'other' setting, but you would probably need a rotary switch to do it - or you could fit a second switch and use two DPDTs, or keep the stock switch and add a DPDT to give out-of-phase...
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They used to be really very affordable a few years back, but they seem to have (been) appreciated now.
I also came across some bridge replacements as well, which would definitely work.
https://www.jeffsennguitars.com/drb2
https://www.thomann.de/ie/allparts_sb_5800_010_danelectro_bridge.htm?glp=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAovfvBRCRARIsADEmbRJdivK6-pBzIKGfeZFN-eKa0xubu2txUTxK3Hb4UpVqNJTry3GnjysaAofMEALw_wcB
If you weren't afraid of a little drilling I think the Wilkinson half Tele bridge does what the Jeff Senn bridge does but better and without requiring any shim in the neck pocket at all. With the downside being having to drill into the body.
I'd say the bridge that ICBM mentions is the best of both worlds tbh.
Can't say enough good about the U2 and the Convertible, thought I would also concede that the "D" stamped tuner covers and the white button tuners felt a little cheap.
My Dano '56 U2 PRO Reissue is about 14 years old & shows no sign of imminent collapse despite being constantly strung at normal tension.