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Average Price: $325
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$400
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Description
Unleash vintage vibes with the 64's Silvertone 1448, a true gem from the storied era of electric guitars. Originally crafted by Danelectro for Sears' Silvertone brand, this iconic model was designed as an accessible entry point for budding musicians, but quickly gained a cult following among seasoned players. Its sleek double cutaway solid body not only makes a visual statement but ensures comfortable playability for those marathon jam sessions.
What truly sets the Silvertone 1448 apart is its unique single lipstick pickup, delivering a raw and distinct sound that has enchanted musicians for decades. This guitar's simplistic design, with dot inlays and a six-on-a-side headstock, exudes a retro charm, while its straightforward volume and tone controls put the power of sonic customization right at your fingertips. Although it originally paired with an amp-in-case setup, the standalone guitar holds its own as a versatile instrument suitable for a variety of genres.
Favored by legendary artists like Beck, Mick Jagger, and Jack White, the Silvertone 1448 is more than just a guitar—it's a piece of musical history. Whether you're a collector or an active player, this instrument offers a timeless tone and an authentic experience that transcends the ordinary.
Key Features:
- Double cutaway solid body
- Single lipstick pickup
- Dot inlays
- Volume and tone control
- Six-on-a-side headstock
Product specs
| Brand | Silvertone |
| Model | 1448 |
| Finish | Black Sparkle |
| Year | 1962 - 1967 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Top-Load |
| Color Family | Black |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Number of Frets | 18 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | S |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the Silvertone 1448 best suited for?
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The Silvertone 1448 is ideal for rock and blues genres due to its single-coil pickup, which delivers a bright and punchy tone typical of the 1960s garage rock sound.
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Does the Silvertone 1448 include an amplifier?
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Yes, the Silvertone 1448 originally came with an amp built into its case, making it a unique all-in-one package for practicing and small performances.
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What is the neck profile of the Silvertone 1448?
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The Silvertone 1448 features a slim neck profile, which is comfortable for players with smaller hands and allows for easy playability across the fretboard.
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How many frets does the Silvertone 1448 have?
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The Silvertone 1448 comes with 18 frets, providing a shorter scale length that contributes to its distinctive sound and playability.
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Is the Silvertone 1448 suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Silvertone 1448 is suitable for beginners due to its lightweight design and straightforward controls, making it easy to handle and play.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
1960's Silvertone 1448 Black Sparkle with Case Amp | Guitar of the Day
1960's Silvertone 1448 Black Sparkle with Case Amp | Guitar of the Day
Normans Rare Guitars
THIS is the Guitar that JIMI HENDRIX learned on! (Silvertone 1448 Review)
Full Stack Creative
Silvertone Danelectro Guitar and AMP-in-CASE!
Johan Segeborn
SILVERTONE 1448 GUITAR REVIEW | 424recording.com
424 Recording
1964 Silvertone 1448 Amp-in-case | Spring Instrumentos
Spring Instrumentos
Reviews
PROS
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Short scale design is ideal for women and kids
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Built-in tube amp in case great for bedroom practice
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Unique jazzy sound due to pickup placement
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Classic black sparkle finish adds vintage appeal
CONS
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Feels toy-like due to short scale
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Low output lipstick pickups struggle to cut through the mix
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Tuners do not keep strings in tune for long
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Built-in amp insufficient for live performances
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Silvertone 1448 (1962-1967).
Build quality
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The guitar is primarily constructed from a cheap wood frame with Masonite front and back, making it surprisingly robust despite its unconventional materials.
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The rehoused amp with its new Celestion speaker is noted to have a better sound than the original configuration, attributed to the improved construction and parts.
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The aluminum bridge/tailpiece baseplate can be sharp, potentially causing injury if not properly sanded.
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Features and functionality
Use cases and applications
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Despite its compact 2/3rds size, some owners consider gigging with it due to its distinctive sound.
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User experience
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Owners describe the tone as having a "tight cardboard" quality, likened to a rubber band guitar, which adds a unique character.
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Creating a completely closed-back amp enclosure maximizes volume and gain, as opposed to the original case design.
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One owner assembled a 1448 from separate body and neck parts, indicating potential modularity for enthusiasts interested in custom builds.
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Mods and upgrades
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Rehousing the amp from the original guitar case into a traditional enclosure and adding a modern isolation transformer and 8" Celestion speaker significantly improves sound quality.
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Using spray adhesive or hot glue is recommended for constructing the cabinet, as carpet adhesive may not perform well in this context.
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Setup and maintenance
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Quality control issues on cheaper lines mean instruments may have rough edges or require fixes, such as installing a ground wire to reduce hum.
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Comparisons
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The Silvertone 1448 is likened to a Danelectro-made instrument, with its pickups having smooth casing that contributes to its unique sound.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
299
Great case amp
The guitar is a short scale and is easy to play for women and kids. The hard case has a wonderful little tube amp built in, just loud enough for bedroom practice (disastrous for live, as I had learned, after trying to mic one in a large hall). There is a lot of hype surrounding lipstick pickups, but be warned that they are a lower output design and will not "cut through the mix/ mayhem". I also hate that the tuners do not keep the strings in tune for long. I dont know how Jimmy Page managed to gig with his similar Danelectro. Does he own 10 ? When I find the time I might swap out the bridge for something modern, put in a set of grovers, and try a bottleneck on it.
Artist usage
Add artist
From photos and videos, it appears Beck plays several Silvertone 1448 Guitars. One instance is a Silvertone 1448 with some stickers and capo as seen in this video of him performing "Black Tambourine" in 2005, and another one is used in the same session in this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzPsbOTdCvY (no sticker, different strap, and Drop D tuning).
Dallas Green uses a '64 Silvertone 1448, as shown in a Twitter post by City and Colour, where he mentions "using some old things to make new things."
In this photo, Connan can be seen playing a Silvertone 1448.
Anthony used this during live versions of Give it Away during the mid nineties.
In the official music video for "Another Body Murdered" by Faith No More & Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Billy Gould can be seen playing a 64's Silvertone 1448 guitar. This is notable as it was one of the few tracks where Gould played guitar instead of bass, coinciding with the period when Jim Martin had left the band. This information is supported by the video provided by MBT364 on YouTube.
The Silvertone 1448 (built by Danelectro; not all Silvertones were Danelectro, but this one is one) was Ricky Wilson's first Electric Guitar, according to Keith Strickland (B-52s drummer.) Ricky got it when he was 15 (so, 1968 and it was a used guitar then.) It's seen in live footage and pictures from 1978 - 1979, but by some point in 1980 it seems that he switched to a Danelectro Pro for an unknown reason. After that, I'm not sure if he used the 1448 live.
The Silvertone 1448 is a bit uncharacteristic for early B-52s tone on the albums, it sounds very clean since it has a single low ohm pickup in the neck position. This is also the case for the Danelectro Pro. Ricky normally used a Bridge Pickup that was higher ohm, and so his amp would overdrive more.
Hakim can be seen in the video using a 64 Silvertone 1448 guitar throughout his performance of "The Green Twins".
In a user-uploaded photo from around 2003, Kid Rock is seen playing a 1964 Silvertone 1448. This identification is based on a detailed comparison with the same model frequently used by Beck.
Walker can be seen in a photo in this Sound On Sound article playing a Silverstone 1448.
Ryan Lindsey uses the 64's Silvertone 1448 throughout the entire video.
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In this Instagram photo, Andrew Trube is seen with a Silvertone 1448
In a video on his YouTube channel, Ally McErlaine plays a solo version of "Southside." The description of the video specifies that he uses a Silvertone 1448 (1962-1967), along with a Fender Blues Junior, Nobels OD1 overdrive, and Keeley Canyons Delay/Reverb.
Album Usage
The Silvertone 1448 (1962-1967) has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Silvertone 1448 (1962-1967), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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