Track. Mix. Master. Save Up to 50%.
Back to results

Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar - Black

4-string Bass Guitar with Hardboard/Plywood Body, Maple Neck, Pau Ferro Fingerboard, and 2 Single-coil Pickups - Black
Share
Item ID: 56BBK
Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar - Black
Price:$629 and 00 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $18/month with 36 month financing*

We Can Get It!

While this isn't an item we normally stock, we can still get it due to our great relationship with Danelectro. Go ahead and place your order and we'll follow up shortly to let you know when to expect it. Estimated August 2026.

Add to Cart
Sales engineer photo
Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar - Black
We Can Get It!
Price:$629 and 00 cents
Add to Cart
Add to list
Skip to Description
Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Frequently Asked Questions

Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar - Black

Q: What kind of sound can I expect from the Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar?

Q: Who is the Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar suitable for?

Q: What are the key features of the '56 Bass Guitar's neck and fretboard?

Q: Does the Danelectro '56 Bass Guitar come with a case or gig bag?

Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

Classic Dano Short Scale Bass Sound and Feel

There are few musical instruments more instantly recognizable than a Danelectro '56 Bass. Sporting an iconic "Dano" body style, this classic short-scale bass guitar's two high-impedance, high-output Lipstick pickups serve up the round low-end growl that powered rock's formative years. Now the Danelectro '56 Bass is back. Its lightweight hardboard/plywood body is comfortable whether playing standing or seated and its fast maple neck and pau ferro fingerboard provide smooth playability, while a fully adjustable bridge lets you set your intonation to your liking. The Danelectro '56 Bass flawlessly re-creates the Dano bass sound heard on countless records. You simply must experience it for yourself.

That signature growl

The two single-coil Lipstick pickups in the'56 Bass deliver the one-of-a-kind tone that has captured the imagination of so many bassists over the decades. With their coils wrapped around an alnico magnet and then wrapped in tape, these pickups harken back to the vintage tone of rock's earliest days. The result is a round and punchy sound that truly stands alone. And with a 3-way pickup selector plus volume and tone controls for each pickup, you'll have a lot of options for dialing in your ideal tone for any track.

An iconic American brand

Founded in 1947, Danelectro produced guitar amps throughout the 1940s before expanding into guitars in the '50s. With their beloved quirky hollowbody designs, hardboard/plywood construction, and Lipstick pickups, the iconic Danelectro designs are instantly recognizable. Among other innovations, Danelectro introduced the baritone guitar in 1956, and the electric sitar in 1967. From guitar gods Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck to Who bassist John Entwhistle (check out the bass solo on "My Generation") to country superstar Glen Campbell, Tom Petty lead guitarist Mike Campbell, and the ever-eclectic Wilco guitarist and solo artist Nels Cline, Danos have become staples in the guitar and bass arsenals of top artists in all genres. Now Danelectro is back again and better than ever; Sweetwater is proud to offer you this formidable lineup of iconic vintage-inspired instruments.

Danelectro '56 Bass Features:

  • Hardboard/plywood body; gloss polyester finish
  • Bolt-on maple neck, C profile, gloss polyester finish
  • Pau ferro fingerboard, 14" radius, Dot inlays
  • 29.75" scale length; 24 frets
  • Adjustable saddle bridge
  • 2 high-impedance, high-output single-coil Lipstick pickups
  • 3-way pickup selector
  • Bridge and Neck Volume and Tone controls
  • 1.65" aluminum nut
  • Die-cast tuners
  • Dual-action truss rod

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

Resources

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 4
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: '56
  • Body Material: Hardboard/Plywood
  • Color: Black
  • Body Finish: Gloss Polyester
  • Neck Material: Maple
  • Neck Shape: C
  • Neck Joint: Bolt-on
  • Radius: 14"
  • Fingerboard Material: Pau Ferro
  • Fingerboard Inlay: White Dots
  • Number of Frets: 24
  • Scale Length: 29.75"
  • Nut Width: 1.650"
  • Nut Material: Aluminum
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: Adjustable
  • Tuners: Die-cast
  • Neck Pickup: High Output Lipstick Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup: High Output Lipstick Single-coil
  • Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
  • Switching: 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Strings: D'Addario, .045-.100
  • Case/Gig Bag: Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: SW 56BAS D BLK

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Reviews

Love this Bass
Bought this bass about 4 months ago because it is like the bass I learned on 50 years ago. Wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out that this is a really neat bass. Has good feel and plays well. What I really like is it has a very interesting and unique tone, I guess due to the materials used on the guitar body. All in all I'm glad I bought it. Thanks Wayne for all your help.
Light Weight but Powerful
I've been playing bass for a long time. Now in my 60's, my G & L 1000 and Fender P Bass are just a bit too heavy for me for an extended mount of stage time.

This is Danelectro '56 is a remarkable bass guitar that offers the best of both worlds: lightweight comfort and powerful sound. It's perfect for bassists who demand high performance without the burden of a heavy instrument. This bass has made playing music (while standing) enjoyable again. I wish I would have discovered Danelectro sooner. It would have saved tons of trips to the chiropractor!