From his workshop in Austin, Texas, guitar-builder Matthew Needham has built a number of intriguing instruments that borrow heavily from the original Danelectro designs of the '50s. This guitar is #12, and it was completed in February of 2007. While its shape is reminiscent of a double-cut Melody Maker (a la Joan Jett), this guitar is fully-hollow and constructed of masonite with a with a poplar center, just like the classic vintage Danelectro template.
Its neck is a Maple replacement Dano neck from Allparts, and it has a full C neck profile. It sports a fitting steel nut, and like an old Danelectro, it has a 25" scale. For pickups, it has two economical P90s from Mighty Mite, which produce strong output and articulate tone. With a TonePros tune-o-matic bridge and Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, this Needham covers a ton of territory. Thanks to its hollowbody construction, it packs a ton of natural resonance, and its tone and volume controls pull a wide range of tones out of the two P90s.
Interestingly, this Needham is finished in a textured satin black that is actually motorcycle paint. It gives the right edgy look for this unique, interesting, and highly-versatile guitar.
This Needham has been used professionally, so it shows some cosmetic wear. Most severe is a ding on the rear edge of the lower bout (see photos). It also looks like the Motorcycle paint finish reacted with some kind of wall hanger stand, giving the edges of the headstock a little hanger rash. As is common with many Danelectros and Danelectro-style guitars, its neck is slightly off-center in the neck pocket, favoring the treble side of the fingerboard. It still plays clean all the way up the neck, and the intonation is spot on. Hardshell Road Runner case included!