The 1448 is considered by some to be the guitar of guitars. It has a single lipstick tube pickup with masonite/pine body and a swoopy headstock with vinyl sidewalls a metal nut, adjustable bridge, and the amplifier built into sturdy case. The 1448 is the one; the guitar that pretty much sums up the entire Dano/Silvertone philosophy in one package. It's the guitar you certainly see the most of and that's because Sears sold a boatload of them from 1962 until 1966 or so, when they were replaced by the 1451.
This package first appeared in the Sears catalog in the Fall/Winter 1962 edition. The following is straight from the catalog description: Electric Guitar and case with built-in amplifier. Imagine all this plus a 45-rpm how-to-play record at one low price. You get a fine quality single pickup guitar with tone and volume controls. Brazillian rosewood fingerboard. Solid center body. Handsome simulated leather covered hardboard case with its own built-in amplifier and big 5 inch speaker. 2 tubes plus rectifier for good tone plus plenty of volume. $67.95 cash!!!!
It is the preferred guitar of Dexter Romweber, Cat Power and Beck, and the secret weapon for guitarists the world over. Ladies and gentlemen, the elegant awesomeness of the Silvertone 1448. A true master stroke of genius from Nathan Daniel and Joe Fisher.
And here's a video to someone playing a Silvertone 1448.
Posts
37 comments:
Anyone who'd like to know more about the genius who came up with this and many more guitar and amplifier innovations, should go to http://www.pen4rent.com/pen4rent/tribute.aspx, a tribute to Danelectro founder Nathan I. Daniel (my father), a pioneer in the industry.
Your father sure was an innovator!
Note that this one is missing the rosewood bridge saddle.
That was one of the main reasons that I was able to get such a good deal on this one. The good news is that these seem to be readily available as replacement parts.
A friend of mine has one of these. Could you let me know the approximate value? blsfan29@aol.com
I have one in basement (to be played tonite) I would give it 90% or better cosmetics, what are they selling for today?
I'm researching the value right now and should have it posted here shortly.
Nice find. With the case these sell for between $300-$800, with condition being the key toward higher values. Note that the rosewood saddles are easily available online for $10.00.
If the strings are too high after adding the saddle and adjusting the bridge, you can shim the neck with two pennies. The action on mine is low and fast. I love it.
Thanks for the tip, I'm sure many others can use this information.
I just picked one of these up yesterday (sans amp) for $160. The wiring's patchy. Can anyone direct me to a wiring diagram for this guitar? I know it can't be too complex (one pickup = no switch), but I'd like to have a map.
Maybe someone will see this and contact you with wiring information. I'm not going to be able to help you with that.
I have pix of schematic for Sears 1448 @
http://antennageek.multiply.com/photos/album/1/Sears_1448
Thanks, I knew someone would be able to help out.
I have a 1449 that my grandfather purchased new in 63. Apparently, it's the least common of these guitars. Not sure if I'll keep it or not - I'm afraid to play it. The case and felt look new - I mean, new. The guitar also looks new but has quite a bit of action for an electric - don't know if that's just how these were or if it's from having been put away with tension on the strings and just pulled the neck?
If you ever want to sell it, send me an email (you can find the address on the front page of the blog). It's hard to say without seeing pictures why the action is high, but I'm sure it's something that can be corrected unless the neck has warped and even that can be fixed with enough money.
Wondering what these things are going for today (Oct/2009) in good condition with working amp case. Anyone know?
You can always check ebay for the most current price. I'm not sure how the economy has impacted the collector guitar market. From what I've seen on the ones I've sold recently, the prices have held fairly steady.
I have a Silvertone 1435--my first guitar. I started cleaning it with my oldest son and tracking down a connection problem and one of the pots broke. Also, it has 4 + 2 tuners, white plastic knobs with plastic spacers that insert in the headstock. Two of these have arms that are bent. Does anyone know where I can pick up these parts?
Send me an email, I may be able to help with the parts. By the way, I just posted some information on a Silvertone 1435.
I NEED SPEAKER FOR ONE OF THESE. hELP PLEASE
You're going to have search it out on ebay. Maybe you can find a case in really bad shape so that you can get a speaker. Not sure if you'd want to replace it with just any brand speaker.
Back in 1985 when I was 13 years old, my Dad got me my first electric guitar, it was a used but in in what looked to be in new condition #1448 Silvertone /Danelectro hollow body guitar with amp-in-case for $50.00 from an antiques store. But, every time I plugged the guitar into the amp, I would get the $h1t shocked out of me through the pickup. Being only 13 years old, I did know how to fix it so my mom and I took it to a local pawn shop /guitar repair shop and they guy offered me a straight up trade for a mint Hagstrom Super Swede. I really miss my Silvertone and wish I would have kept it, but I suppose it was a fair trade.
I think you made a good trade on the Hagstrom as well.
i have a 1448 silvertone with amp and case guitar and amp both still work
Did you sell the model 1449? did you find out why the action is/was so high? Sometimes the body can dip down between the bridge pickup and the end of the neck where there are no internal braces from the neck block to the bridge block. Just hollow space around the 2 pickups with no blocking can allow the top surface to dip down letting the neck block bow out of the back enough to make the strings to be too high to play. You can repair this by carefully adding more bracing, and if the neck block has become unglued, clean the surface completely and reglue and clamp once you've got it in the correct place. It's not easy, and everything has to be removed from the body to gain access for glueing in new braces, it's like building a ship in a bottle.
Have a Amp-in-case Silvertone in good&better shape for sale.thorzin_70@yahoo
the later models 1448/1449/1457 have micro-tilt necks. you shouldn't have to shim yours but maybe.
The necks have square aluminum rods in them. That is why they are usually still straight after nearly 50 years. Both mine are(1457 and 1449)1965 and 1963 respectively. Awesome gits.
Yours is an early beauty. Maybe even something of a prototype.
I've found one in a Pawn shop. White, excellent condition. I'm on it.
richard@rogalski.name
i have an old sears silvertone amp n case in great shape. it comes with an ole catalina guitar and was curious of its value
How much would the 3 bolt neck version of this guitar along with the amp cost?
I need a replacement speaker and transformer for a1448 amp in case. Can anybody help me?
I just purchased a 1448 with the amp in case accept when i plug it in all i get is a very loud hum and very little to no guitar. Any ideas?
I got my Sears Silvertone guitar and case with built in amp for Christmas 1969 when I was 15. I really don't remember what happened to it but with any luck it's sitting up in the attic at my parent's house. Nobody's been up there in years.
Hello I know this is a old blog, maybe someone will still look in. I have a wonderful 1448 amp in case that may sell is anybody looking. Jan-10-15
Anyone looking for a 1448 silvertone amp.in case guitar
I am in possession of the amp you described serial number 185 10010 and the guitar.
I happen to own the guitar and amp that the author describes. The serial number is 185 10010!
Post a Comment