When did the first Silvertone guitar come out?
Antique Silvertone guitars were manufactured by five guitar makers, Danelectro, Harmony, National, Kay, and Teisco, to be sold by Sears department store from the 1950s into the early 1970s. While all of these guitars bear the name “Silvertone” on their headstocks,…
How to determine the age of an antique Silvertone guitar?
Take the guitar to a guitar shop, preferably one that sells vintage guitars, and inquire about dating the instrument if you can’t find a serial number. A small number of Silvertone guitars have the necks glued to the body of the guitar. Glued-on necks must be removed with heat, usually steam.
Which is the first Silvertone amp in case?
The first two models released were the 1303/U2 (originally manufactured by Danelectro) and the 1478 (originally manufactured by Harmony), followed by the 1449 (also known as the “Amp-in-Case” model, originally manufactured by Danelectro), and the 1423 Jupiter (originally manufactured by Harmony).
What kind of pickup does a Silvertone guitar have?
The 1448 had a single lipstick pickup, while the 1449 was equipped with a two-pickup configuration, and was succeeded in 1964 by the 1457 model. These guitars’ cases had a small built-in amplifier, and the guitars themselves had very short-scale 18-fret necks, which proved popular with beginners.
Who was the first person to play the Silvertone guitar?
The Silvertone name replaced the Supertone brand on musical instruments in the 1930s. Struggling blues musicians of the 1940s and 1950s first popularized the Silvertone guitar, with legends such as Muddy Waters and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup among those who played Silvertones.
When did the first Silvertone radio come out?
Sears began selling Silvertone radios in the early 1920s, soon adding Silvertone radio tubes and batteries to the product line. In the late 1930s, however, Silvertone radios quickly took off in popularity. The era corresponded with the outbreak of military aggressions in the Pacific theater.
What kind of guitar was the Sears Silvertone?
As with the Silvertone radio, Sears Silvertone guitars are considered prized pieces of many guitar collections, particularly models such as the 1963 “amp-in-case” guitar, which featured an amplifier built into the guitar’s carrying case. Many other musical and audio items bore the Silvertone brand name.
When did Sears start using the Silvertone brand?
Sears introduced a Silvertone record label in the 1920s, featuring many of the era’s most popular recording artists. In the 1950s and early 1960s, the Silvertone brand name appeared on all Sears electronic equipment, including console televisions, tape recorders, walkie-talkies, radio batteries, hearing aids and car radios.
