TEST: Danelectro Daddy O + Fabtone

 Whatever comes and goes, whatever fashion sound is hyped only to disappear into obscurity a year later, HE remains! The distortion pedal is still the most popular FX pedal among guitarists. However, as a manufacturer these days you have to come up with something to stand out from the sheer confusing variety of “half-shaft cutters”.

Danelektro has recognized this problem and relies on a visually striking appearance for almost all of its pedals. For a comparison test, I have the Overdrive Daddy O. and his brother from the distortion faction Fab Tone, both easily recognizable by their distinctive outfit.



Construction:

Retro! This is the first association that is associated with the two mines. A large Danelectro “D” characterizes the appearance of the two distortions, which, when lined up next to each other, look a bit like a new chocolate/vanilla ice cream creation in terms of their coloring.

The interior of both devices was integrated into a fairly weighty and solid metal housing, which impresses with its sleek lines. Somehow the creations from Danelectro always remind me a little of the oversized American road cruisers from the fifties with their excess of chrome and optical gimmicks. Even though the trim is made of plastic instead of chrome, you first have to give Danelectro a real compliment for the design.

Both devices have a volume and a distortion level control (O.Drive / Fab). While the Fab Tone comes with a 2-band tone control consisting of bass and treble, the Daddy O. has an additional mid band for flexibility. All controls have a practical resistance on the potentiometer shafts, but the alignment of the controls, especially with the Daddy O., becomes a bit of fiddling.

The on/off switch on the front is visually very appealing due to its imitation metal, but it has to be in the middle to ensure a perfect switching process. If you hit it on the edge, the switch can jam, as happened to me with the Daddy O. during the test run.

A small red LED, which was placed between the controller, provides information about the operating status of the device. On the front there are the standard input/output sockets and the connection for an external 9V power supply.

On the underside of the devices, a large and unusually thick rubber mat ensures good stability and high slip resistance. The very easily accessible 9V block is attached behind a plastic clip. Probably in order to be able to operate sister models with 18V, two battery recesses were provided here.

In our 9V case you can use this recess to place a corresponding replacement battery here. The devices are once again manufactured in China.


Practice:

If you switch on the pedals, this happens without any switching noises. Even though the Fab Tone and the Daddy O. do not have a true bypass, the tonal discoloration that the devices caused in the signal path was absolutely negligible.

Both devices immediately stand out due to the very high effectiveness of their controls. The volume controls already fulfill much more than their main function of a catch-up amplifier. At around 12 o'clock they give a 1:1 value in terms of signal volume on / off FX sound, beyond that they switch to the booster function. And what a booster!

I have rarely seen a distortion device that blows the amp as hard as the Danelectro group. This behavior requires a very considered approach. What suits an Alltube head in crunch mode, depending on the target musical sound, can sometimes be met with very unpleasant half-wave cuts by a transistor preamplifier.

Here again the joy of experimentation is required. Even if I sometimes repeat myself in the distortion test, it must be said again and again that every distortion sounds COMPLETELY different depending on the type of amplifier. What causes a frenzy with Amp A sounds like flushing the toilet at exactly the same setting on Amp B. So be careful, always try out a distortion device with your own amp!

The sound control of the two devices is also very extreme in terms of their dB increase / decrease. The Fab Tone in particular has a boost in the treble range when turned to the right, which is in no way inferior to a pure graphic EQ. This orientation also needs to be brought under control and requires some experience. At the beginning, as a beginner, you should read the manufacturer's manual and use the sound examples as a guide; the information is simple but helpful.

A direct comparison of the devices immediately makes it clear that on the one hand it is an overdrive and on the other hand it is a distortion. The tonal side of the Daddy O. comes across as very soft, sometimes a bit wobbly. The guitar tone is recorded properly, but then tends to be a little irrelevant, although this is very well compensated for by the effective tone control.

If you now take care of the tone control, you have the opportunity to bend the signal very effectively in terms of sound. In the neutral setting (all controls at 12 o'clock) the guitar is deprived of a few basses and trebles, but these can be adjusted accordingly. In my opinion, the emulation of a preamp tube is a bit too “muted”, but it does a good job in terms of softness.

The FabTone works much tighter and sharper here. Even in the moderate setting it scratches its way through the sound spectrum and conveys much more aggression to the guitar than its retro look suggests. This distorter bites!

Both pedals have a very unique sound that will polarize fans. The electronics give the devices a consistently slightly treble-heavy sound with a touch of bass cut without boosting the mids. By using the tone control, the basic orientation is maintained and freshens up the sound, especially with amplifiers that tend to be rather grumpy.



Conclusion:

Once again Danelectro is sending two pedals into the race that offer a visual treat. The retro-inflected designer pieces represent a clear counterpoint to the puristic individual pieces from other manufacturers, which have also gained popularity recently.

Due to the unusually high intensity of the tone control and their strong boost behavior, Fab Tone and Daddy O. have a very large variety of sounds, which give even rather inconspicuous amps a new shine.

As always, whether you like the Danelectro basic sound is purely a question of taste and must be discussed purely subjectively by every musician.

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Additional Informations:

Danelectro guitars were known for their unique sound and appearance. The company's use of Masonite, a type of hardboard, for the bodies of its guitars gave them a distinctive look and sound. Danelectro guitars were also known for their lipstick-tube pickups, which produced a warm, mellow tone.

In the 1960s, Danelectro began to experience financial difficulties. The company was sold in 1969, and went out of business in 1971. However, the Danelectro name was revived in the 1990s, and the company is now once again producing guitars.

**The Early Years**

Nathan Daniel was born in 1912 in New York City. He was a self-taught engineer, and began building his own amplifiers in the early 1940s. In 1947, he founded Danelectro Corporation, and began selling amplifiers to music stores.

Danelectro's amplifiers were quickly successful, and the company soon became one of the leading manufacturers of amplifiers in the United States. In 1954, Danelectro decided to expand its product line and begin producing guitars.

**The Danelectro Guitar**

The first Danelectro guitar was the Model 59. It was a solid-body guitar with a single lipstick-tube pickup. The Model 59 was followed by a number of other models, including the Model 66, the Model 1000, and the Shorthorn.

Danelectro guitars were known for their unique sound and appearance. The use of Masonite for the bodies of the guitars gave them a distinctive look and sound. Masonite is a type of hardboard that is made from wood fibers. It is a relatively inexpensive material, and it is also very durable.

Danelectro guitars were also known for their lipstick-tube pickups. Lipstick-tube pickups are small, single-coil pickups that are mounted in the body of the guitar. They produce a warm, mellow tone that is perfect for a variety of musical styles.

**The Rise of Danelectro**

Danelectro guitars quickly became popular with a wide range of musicians. In the 1950s and 1960s, Danelectro guitars were used by some of the biggest names in music, including Jimmy Page, Duane Eddy, and Link Wray.

Danelectro guitars were also used in a number of classic films. The Model 59 can be seen in the 1959 film "The Wild One," and the Model 66 can be seen in the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause."

**The Fall of Danelectro**

In the 1960s, Danelectro began to experience financial difficulties. The company was sold in 1969, and went out of business in 1971. There were a number of factors that contributed to Danelectro's demise.

One factor was the rise of competition from other guitar manufacturers. In the 1960s, Fender and Gibson began to produce guitars that were more expensive than Danelectro guitars, but were also of higher quality.

Another factor was the changing tastes of musicians. In the 1960s, many musicians began to prefer guitars with a brighter, more aggressive sound. Danelectro guitars were not able to compete with these guitars.

**The Revival of Danelectro**

In the 1990s, the Danelectro name was revived by a new company called Danelectro Corp. The new company began producing guitars that were based on the original Danelectro designs.

The new Danelectro guitars were a success, and the company quickly became one of the leading manufacturers of reissue guitars. In 2006, Danelectro Corp. was acquired by the Music Group (now known as Ernie Ball Music Man).

**Danelectro Today**

Danelectro is still producing guitars today. The company offers a wide range of guitars, including reissues of classic models, as well as new models. Danelectro guitars are still popular with a wide range of musicians, and they continue to be used in a variety of musical styles.

**Danelectro Pedals**

In addition to guitars, Danelectro also produces a line of pedals. The company's first pedal was the Danelectro Honeytone, which was released in 1954. While the Danelectro Honeytone marked their initial foray into pedals in 1954, their true journey in stompboxes unfolded later. Let's explore their unique path:

**From Amps to Effects:**

While Danelectro's early focus was on innovative amplifiers, effects units weren't completely absent. They offered the "Nuggets of Tone" series in the 60s, featuring simple but effective distortion and tremolo pedals. However, Danelectro's pedal legacy took a hiatus following the company's closure in 1971.

**The Revival and Beyond:**

The revived Danelectro Corp. in the 90s reintroduced pedals alongside their iconic guitars. Initially, they focused on reissues of classic models like the Honeytone and "Nuggets of Tone." These affordable, quirky pedals resonated with players seeking vintage sounds and distinctive aesthetics.

**A Burst of Creativity:**

From the 2000s onwards, Danelectro ventured beyond reissues, developing new and innovative pedals. Their unique approach embraced affordability, functionality, and vintage-inspired charm. Here are some key highlights:

* **Danocaster Series:** Introduced in the early 2000s, these offered classic overdrive, distortion, and fuzz tones in compact, colorful housing. Models like the Dano Distortion and Dano Fuzz became popular for their affordability and punchy character.
* **Fab Echo and Fab Chorus:** Released in 2006, these offered classic analog echo and chorus tones in a unique mini format. Their small size and affordability made them attractive for pedalboard real estate and experimentation.
* **Cool Cat Series:** Launched in 2008, this series expanded their offerings with diverse effects like tremolo, vibrato, and analog delay. These pedals continued their emphasis on affordability and distinctive sounds.
* **Collaboration with DOD:** In 2014, Danelectro collaborated with fellow effect pedal giant DOD, releasing limited-edition versions of DOD classics like the Bi-Fet Chorus and Gonkulator fuzz. This further expanded their appeal to vintage stompbox enthusiasts.
* **Continued Innovation:** Today, Danelectro maintains its commitment to affordable and unique pedals. Recent releases include the Black & White Series, offering classic modulation and overdrive effects in sleek designs, and the Mini Amp series, recreating iconic amp tones in pedal format.

**Danelectro Pedals: A Legacy of Affordability and Character**

While not as extensively documented as some major pedal manufacturers, Danelectro's impact on the effects world is undeniable. Their pedals offer:

* **Vintage-inspired tones:** Many models draw inspiration from classic circuits, providing warm, organic sounds at an accessible price point.
* **Unique aesthetics:** Eye-catching designs and colors set them apart from the crowd, appealing to players who appreciate individuality.
* **Affordability:** Danelectro pedals have consistently been accessible to budget-conscious musicians, democratizing access to quality effects.

Whether you're a seasoned pedal collector or a beginner searching for your first stompbox, Danelectro offers a distinct value proposition. Their pedals might not be for everyone, but they have carved a niche with their unique sonic character and commitment to affordability, ensuring their continued relevance in the ever-evolving world of effects.

**Further Exploration:**

* Explore specific Danelectro pedal models and their features in detail.
* Compare Danelectro pedals to other brands within similar price ranges and sonic profiles.
* Investigate the influence of Danelectro pedals on specific genres or players.
* Consider the impact of Danelectro's revival on the broader stompbox market.

By delving deeper into these aspects, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of Danelectro's contributions to the world of guitar effects pedals.