Under the name Danocaster, Dan Strain builds some seriously impressive "relic" interpretations of American classics. Nevertheless, Dan's intention was never to copy vintage guitars and make them look old; he wanted each guitar to be a hard-working instrument that feels like an old friend, so the cosmetics had to match. This led to tons of experimentation on new ways to make things “old.” Danocaster guitars have sonic clarity and modern twists for better playability, and although they are new creations, they capture the “softness” and character that typically comes with age.
This Danocaster Double Cut was made in July 2020, and it features a gorgeous Sherwood Green finish. Its body is two-piece Ash, and the contours are comfortable and just right. The neck is a C profile that is based on an early '60s slab-board neck. It measures .83" at the 1st fret, and it has a 9.5" radius and Jescar Medium Jumbo frets (.094" x .047"). Under the hood, it has Fralin Vintage Hot pickups, and the bridge pickup has a baseplate for added power and bass.
As you look over this Double Cut, you notice subtle details to the relic-ing that you don't see from other builds. A lot of these little things impact the feel and vibe, even though they might be easy to overlook. For example, the pickup covers are subtly sanded and rounded, and the knobs are rounded as well, as if they've been used 1,000 times before. The edges of the fingerboard are perfectly rounded and comfortable, too. In your hands, these minor touches combine to make this guitar truly feel like an old friend. And when you plug it in, my goodness you're in for a treat!
This 2020 Danocaster Double Cut is a great player with a versatile array of tones—the pickups sound just right in every position, and the vintage-style tremolo gives you an added range of expression. It's hard to tell what (if anything) is wear and not part of the Danocaster treatment. The frets are clean, and there are no signs of carlessness or mistreatment. This Danocaster is an excellent take on the vintage American design, and it includes its original gig bag and hang tag signed by Dan.