Silvertone traces its origins to 1915, when Sears, Roebuck & Company introduced it as a house brand for phonographs. By the 1940s, the name had expanded to cover all of Sears' musical instruments, with guitars and amplifiers manufactured by Danelectro, Harmony, Kay, Valco (National/Supro), and Teisco. The brand became one of the most accessible entry points into guitar playing in mid-20th-century America, with instruments sold through the Sears catalog at prices that put them within reach of aspiring musicians across the country. Iconic models from this era include the Danelectro-built 1448 and 1449 electric guitars, the 1457 "Amp-In-Case" (a guitar with a built-in amplifier in the case), and the 1484 "Twin Twelve" amplifier.

Silvertone instruments have been played by a wide range of notable musicians. Bob Dylan, Jack White, and Beck are among those known to have played Silvertone guitars, while Chris Isaak's use of the 1446 archtop was significant enough that he named both his backing band and his 1985 debut album Silvertone. Paul Stanley of Kiss is an endorser with a signature line of Silvertone guitars.

After Sears phased the brand out in the early 1970s, the Silvertone name changed hands several times before being acquired by Samick Music Corporation in 2001. RBI Music (Rhythm Band Instruments), based in Fort Worth, Texas, took over as exclusive distributor in 2020 and acquired full ownership of the brand in 2021. The modern Silvertone lineup includes reissues of classic models alongside new electric and acoustic guitars, basses, ukuleles, effects pedals, and accessories.

Silvertone has 152 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Combo Guitar Amplifiers, and Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars. Their gear is featured by 222 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Dan Auerbach, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Jack White. Silvertone's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.