Silvertone

1965 Sears Silvertone 1483 (Danelectro Made)

1965 Sears Silvertone 1483 (Danelectro Made)

This killer Silvertone 1483 just left the shop for a new life making music. The 1483 was the smallest of the head and cabinet Danelectro made Silvertones featuring a ~23 watt amplifier with twin 6L6 power tubes and a single 15" Jensen speaker. It had two channels with Bass and Treble and no tremolo or reverb. Vampire Weekend, Beck, REM, Jack White – These are some of the early adopters of the Silvertone 1483.    Read more
Vintage Guitar Appraiser

Vintage Guitar Appraiser

Are you wondering what your vintage acoustic guitar, vintage electric guitar, or vintage amplifier might be worth? If your cherished heirloom was stolen or damaged, how would you prove to the insurance company what it might be worth? I'd like to help put your mind at ease. My affordable appraisal service can provide you and your insurer with a properly researched document that will determine the make, model, year of manufacture, originality and condition estimate. Furthermore, this document will provide valuable insight into the value of your guitar in the open market. My…Read more
What vintage electric guitar does Afie Jurvanen of Bahamas play?

What vintage electric guitar does Afie Jurvanen of Bahamas play?

Guitarist and songwriter Afie Jurvanen has been making waves in the indie rock scene with his latest album, Bahamas is Afie. His blues inspired music is guitar heavy with tasteful melodies and fuzzy, quirky solos reminiscent of Annie Clark (St. Vincent). But that's not all they have in common. Both have an affinity for those Chicago made, formerly "cheap" catalog guitars bearing the name Silvertone and Harmony on the headstock. Afie plays a 1960s Silvertone Jupiter and has for a while. At some point in time he seems to have gutted the thing in favor of…Read more
Consign your vintage guitar or amplifier with True Vintage Guitar

Consign your vintage guitar or amplifier with True Vintage Guitar

True Vintage Guitar offers consignment service for those who want to sell their guitar or amplifier at a professional level without the years of infrastructure building and hassle that it requires. A consignment option puts years of experience in your hands and safe guards you from the pitfalls of selling outside your area of expertise. These are some of the benefits you'll receive when you consign your piece with True Vintage Guitar: Professional pricing that combines real industry knowledge with current published values Diversified inventory that draws in buyers and allows them to shop…Read more
2014 Charlotte International Guitar Show Recap

2014 Charlotte International Guitar Show Recap

The 2014 Charlotte guitar show has come to a close and Keith and I are back home. We had an excellent weekend enjoying rare vintage guitars and the camaraderie of the people who collect and play. Gary Burnett of Bee-3 Vintage puts on a great show that draws in players, collectors, dealers and hobbyists from around the world to buy, sell and trade all manner of rare toys. I purchased two amplifiers at the show that I'm proud to present on my website. I purchased a third at the show but it was…Read more
Vintage Silvertone Amplifiers

Vintage Silvertone Amplifiers

Silvertone was the brand name that Sears was using for all of their musically related products in the 1960s including guitars, amplifiers, radios, record players and more. Sears would contract with another manufacturer to make products that they could then sell through their popular catalog. The Silvertone amplifiers manufactured by Danelectro in the mid-1960s have become some of the most popular of the bunch. The 1481, 1482, 1483, 1484 and 1485 amplifiers were made with particle board cabinets and thin, bent aluminum chassis sometimes incorporating blocks of wood but that's where the cheap…Read more
Vintage Chicago Made Harmony/Silvertone/Kay Electric Guitars

Vintage Chicago Made Harmony/Silvertone/Kay Electric Guitars

These Chicago made, formerly cheap guitars have been really hot on the vintage market lately. Players are finding out that solid American made electronics and kitschy visual appeal can do a lot for tonal experimentation. Finding the right one might be easier than you think. Most of these Harmony guitars can be had for under $1k so there's room for more than just one. Make sure to look for an adjustable truss rod and the right pickup arrangement for your desired tone. A single pickup in the neck position is common but I recommend…Read more
1961 Silvertone 1446L

1961 Silvertone 1446L

One of the greatest guitars Harmony (Silvertone) ever made was the 1446L commonly referred to as the "Chris Isaak" model.  Chris posed with this model for a couple of advertisements and also named an album "Silvertone."  What makes this guitar special is a combination of dashing looks, Gibson made and Seth Lover designed mini-humbuckers used only on this model and the Bigby vibrato.The Gibson made miniature humbuckers really are the big attraction to this guitar.  If you want a guitar with these pickups you must buy this model or find some loose pups…Read more