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Description

Step into the classic charm of the Silvertone Silhouette, a guitar that marries vintage aesthetics with modern playability. This solid body electric guitar is a proud nod to the original Silvertone models that carved their niche in the history of rock and roll. The Silhouette's design is both a tribute to and an evolution of its predecessors, capturing the essence of the past while accommodating the needs of today's guitarist.

With its custom single-coil pickups, the Silvertone Silhouette delivers a crisp, clear tone that is perfect for a wide range of musical styles, from blues to rock to jazz. The pickups are strategically placed to enhance resonance and sustain, ensuring that each note rings true. The guitar's solid body construction further contributes to its rich sound and durability, making it an excellent choice for both stage performances and studio sessions.

Crafted for comfort and performance, the Silhouette features a smooth neck profile that allows for easy navigation across the fretboard. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned musician, you'll appreciate the guitar's responsive action and the comfortable feel that encourages hours of practice or performance without fatigue. The vintage-style hardware not only looks great but also ensures reliable tuning stability and precise intonation.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar design
  • Custom single-coil pickups for versatile tonal range
  • Smooth neck profile for comfortable playability
  • Vintage-style hardware for tuning stability
  • Ideal for a variety of music genres including rock, blues, and jazz
  • Durable construction suitable for both live and studio environments

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Silvertone Silhouette.

Features and functionality

  • The neck has a Fender-like thinness, ideal for surf music, with a 12" fretboard radius compared to a Gibson's typical radius.

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  • Original pickup mounting involved rivets, while modern modifications may use screws, indicating customization flexibility.

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  • The original pickups are noted for their hot sound, which might be difficult to replicate even in reissues with improved bridges.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The original tuners featured white plastic buttons, often swapped for more durable silver metal buttons, addressing tuning stability issues.

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  • The original wooden bridge is often criticized for poor intonation and tuning stability, making it a common point of frustration for owners.

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  • Tuning stability issues can arise from a cheap bridge, tuners, and a poorly cut plastic nut, though swapping in Kluson vintage tuners and a roller bridge helps.

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User experience

  • Modern replacement switches, like those from Switchcraft, are often used for improved reliability over original parts.

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  • The guitar's lack of shielding can cause a static crackle if the ground wire is unintentionally disconnected during modifications.

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Build quality

  • Original knobs were smaller and barely larger than the pot posts, contrasting with modern, larger effect pedal-style knobs.

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  • The neck pickup can be muddy due to its pickguard mounting, making height adjustments difficult without spacers.

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  • Owners report that the neck feels sturdy with no sharp fret edges, highlighting superior craftsmanship compared to modern standards.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the original wooden bridge with a tune-o-matic style bridge is a common mod, enhancing playability and tuning stability.

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  • A Bigsby string bar replacement enhances restringing ease and tuning stability; removing the Bigsby arm bracket stop allows for 360-degree rotation.

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  • Replacing the bridge is a desirable upgrade, but finding a suitable one without modifying the body is challenging for many owners.

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Comparisons

  • The Silvertone 1478 is likened to the Harmony and Holiday Bobkat, with distinctions like Brazilian Rosewood fretboards and different pickup configurations.

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  • The pickups offer a unique voicing distinct from Jazzmaster pickups, making it a complementary recording tool.

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Value and pricing

  • Owners suggest a fair price is around $300-$400, with $300 considered a "no-brainer" deal.

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Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Josh Klinghoffer uses Silvertone Silhouette

Josh Klinghoffer

Singer, Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

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Verified via Photo

Josh played this 1960's Silvertone Silhouette in Lollapalooza Argentina 2018, during "If". The best frame for you to see it, is at 56:06. https://youtu.be/XLjyliMHX3U

See how Barrie Cadogan uses Silvertone Silhouette

Barrie Cadogan

Guitarist

Little Barrie

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Verified via Photo

Losing it . . . Love this guitar tho. Cheapest one I ever bought. 1960’s Silvertone Silhouette. Sounds ace (but not in my hands today). Once played much better by a real hero. Can’t crank the amps in isolation so got a little help from an old friend.

See how Avi Bortnick uses Silvertone Silhouette

Avi Bortnick

Guitarist

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Verified via avi bortnick

On his web site Bortnick details the guitars that he uses, including this one.

See how Erik Menteer uses Silvertone Silhouette

Erik Menteer

Guitarist

Blitzen Trapper

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Verified via Blitzentrapper

in this official forums Q&A,Erik writes about his gear.

"My two main guitars right now are a 2005 Gibson Les Paul 1960's Classic and a Sear's Silvertone Silhouette from around 1964. I have the nut raised on the Silvertone for plaing slide and I switch between two open tunings. "

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 Silhouette, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Strymon TimeLine
Strymon TimeLine Delay Effects Pedals
1
Fender Jazzmaster
Fender Jazzmaster Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Boss VB-2 Vibrato
Boss VB-2 Vibrato Vibrato Effects Pedals
1
Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz
Boss FZ-2 Hyper Fuzz Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Boss DD-20 Giga Delay
Boss DD-20 Giga Delay Delay Effects Pedals
1
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb
Boss RV-5 Digital Reverb Reverb Effects Pedals
1

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