What to do with a set of Danelectro lipstick pickups?

[dbishopbliss]

I have a set of 3 vintage spec Danelectro lipstick pickups. Technically speaking they are not actually Danelectro pickups, but they were made by the guy that literally wrote the book on Danelectro ( Neptune Bound ). From what I understand he used their winding machines and NOS parts.

Initially, I was thinking of making a Danelectro style guitar, but since they are still making them and I could buy one cheaper than I can make one I thought why not make something a little different? I want to build it using Danelectro construction techniques - wood frame with masonite top and back so it will still have that sound.

My two ideas are either an Ibanez Talman shape or a Jazzmaster shape. The Talman is appealing because it is not that common. Yes, they still make them, but they don't make the ones with the lipstick pickups any more. And yes they made them with the lipstick pickups but they were not the same construction as a Dano.

On the other hand, I did a mockup of a Jazzmaster and it just screams, why hasn't Fender released one like this before?

What do you think? Any other ideas?

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

I absolutely love it!

I‘m also on a quest to build an Danelectro inspired Jaguar (even though I now finally have the Hornet reissue/Dead on 67) - I would already have the swirly pickguard from Mark/UC3 ready - but I‘m still missing the pickups (got eyes on UK made ones from Armstrong - but Brexit makes ordering them less and less pleasant) - also I think there might be a better suited color than Burgundy Mist for it and I‘d also like a bigger JM/Player Jag like Pickguard (still swirly) with just the lower control plate. The Danelectro style Bridge is a good call. I‘d personally miss the Vibrato though.
I hope you get a Tort material as great looking as your mockup!

Also: have we talked about this somewhere before? I could have sworn I‘d have seen that guitar (mockup) before!
The Rascal Bass shape (Cross made a guitar variant) would obviously also be a good shape! As would be the Hornet (my favorite Danelctro shape)… which a friend once compared as „close to a Mustang“ which was why he liked it.

[marqueemoon]

Here’s my lipstick JM

These are Nep-Tone pickups. The body has a swimming pool rout and they mount to the guard like Tele pickups. My machinist friend made the mounts for me, but it would be easy enough to drill out Tele pickup baseplates. I did this because the stock mounting brackets would have required a very wide rout.

WD made the pickguard. I drilled the mounting holes for the pickups.

[Nudger]

What do you think? Any other ideas?

Cool project!
Have you decided on wiring/switches?
Think would need a series setting if going for authentic danno sound..

[DrippyReverbTremolo]

Jazzmaster Baritone with lipstick pups!!!

[dbishopbliss]

I absolutely love it!
Also: have we talked about this somewhere before? I could have sworn I‘d have seen that guitar (mockup) before!

I started with a photo I found on the web and then added my own pickups and bridge. So you may have seen it in a slightly different form.

[dbishopbliss]

Jazzmaster Baritone with lipstick pups!!!

Interesting idea... I have never played a baritone before. I will have to try one out first.

[dbishopbliss]

Cool project!
Have you decided on wiring/switches?
Think would need a series setting if going for authentic danno sound..

I have a Freeway switch that will allow for series.

[LVC]

What do you think? Any other ideas?

That looks awesome and very promising!

I wouldn't use a Danelectro bridge though, they're definitely the weak link on those guitars.
If you're looking for something visually similar but more solid functionally, get a Jeff Senn DRB2 bridge.

Jazzmaster Baritone with lipstick pups!!!

That would be very cool, but in my opinion lipsticks are at their best in standard scale guitars and 12-strings.

[dbishopbliss]

I wouldn't use a Danelectro bridge though, they're definitely the weak link on those guitars.
If you're looking for something visually similar but more solid functionally, get a Jeff Senn DRB2 bridge.

I have one of those on another Dano style guitar I built. I actually have a Jerry Jones bridge plate that can use fender hard-tail saddles. I will probably use that. I also have a musicmaster bridge that I might consider.