Final markdown. It's not that I would mind keeping this at all!

1958 Silvertone U2 Electric Guitar Black "Reconditioned" Made by Danelectro. This was sold to me as described in the title. I don't have provenance for the exact year but what convinced me that it was as old as was advertised to me was that the tuners are of the original style of which is not seen on either of the reissues from the past few decades and they also have some pitting on them.  They are all in overall good cosmetic shape and working order, however. The most recent reissues also have a different look in the back and lack the chrome nut.

When I asked about the reconditioning I was told that the top was "resurfaced", the leather binding on the sides was replaced, and the electronics are new though the plastic knobs are original. It is a pretty nice job, not fully professional, but not far off. From a couple of feet away you can convince yourself that you're buying a brand new Danelectro from the Sears store in 1958. I also had my luthier lower the action somewhat and raise the pickups, which were weak on the bass end. Now the tone is much more balanced. Unfortunately he had to cut off and replace the original pickup screws on the bridge pickup because they were glued in place. The guitar does play well, does not seem to have any further problems, and has a nice vintage sound.

I will also throw in a "vintage" lipstick tube pickup that I purchased separately, no feet attached. I have no provenance at all for this pickup other than that the seller called it "vintage" but perhaps you will know something about it or find it has a different sound you can use in this or another guitar.

The guitar comes in a slightly oversized chipboard (covered cardboard, really) case of the sort that I remember everyone having in the seventies. Not sure about the 50s - I wasn't around -  but since it is a little oversized it may not have originally come with this guitar. On the other hand, cases may not have been as specifically fitted in those days when a lot of folks were using chipboard cases or plain cloth gig bags.