Silvertone
Since 1916
Silvertone was created in 1916 by Sears, Roebuck & Co. as an in-house brand for phonographs and musical instruments. During the 1950s and 1960s, Silvertone became the definitive American beginner and working-musician guitar brand, putting affordable electric instruments into millions of suburban homes. Sears contracted elite American manufacturers including Danelectro, Harmony, and Kay to build these guitars. Iconic models like the 'Amp-in-Case' 1448/1457, the 1446 'Chris Isaak' archtop with Gibson-made mini-humbuckers, and the 1423 Jupiter with DeArmond silver foils have become blue-chip vintage collectibles celebrated by artists like Jack White, Beck, and Dan Auerbach.
110
Years in Business
5M+
Guitars Sold
$5M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Silvertone Guitar Guide
Comprehensive buying guide, price analysis, model comparisons, and expert insights to help you understand everything about Silvertone guitars.
Silvertone Price Overview
Silvertone covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$780
+8.5% vs last year
eBay Listings
750
Active listings
Sold This Month
160
+6.2% vs last month
Price Range
$180-$3,200
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Silvertone Timeline
Silvertone Brand Founded
Sears, Roebuck & Co. introduced the Silvertone brand for its phonographs, soon expanding into musical instruments.
Harmony & Kay Partnership
Sears expanded guitar offerings by contracting Chicago makers Harmony and Kay to produce acoustic and archtop models.
Danelectro Contract Begins
Nat Daniel's Danelectro began building Masonite solidbody electric guitars with lipstick tube pickups for the Sears catalog.
1446 'Chris Isaak' Introduced
Harmony built the 1446 hollowbody electric, featuring genuine factory-installed Gibson mini-humbuckers and Bigsby vibrato.
Amp-in-Case 1448 Revolution
Launched the legendary 1448 Amp-in-Case model, featuring a built-in 3W tube amplifier inside the hardshell carrying case.
1457 Dual Pickup Upgrade
Released the two-pickup 1457 Amp-in-Case with tremolo and 5W tube amp, becoming one of Sears' best-selling instruments.
Sears Discontinues Original Line
Sears ended its domestic manufacturing contracts as Japanese import guitars came to dominate the American budget market.
Samick Revival
Samick acquired licensing rights and reissued classic Silvertone models like the 1448, 1478, and 1303 for modern players.
Classic Reissue Expansion
Expanded reissues with upgraded hardware, modern truss rods, and vintage-correct single-coil lipstick and foil pickups.
Vintage Market Peak
Original 1960s Silvertone guitars achieve blue-chip vintage status, celebrated for unrepeatable garage rock mojo and garage tones.
Complete Silvertone Product Lineup
Silvertone: From Sears Roebuck mail-order catalogs to rock royalty—raw, jangly American tone since 1916.
Amp-in-Case Classics (Danelectro OEM)
Iconic instruments with integrated tube amplifier hardshell cases
Single lipstick pickup with 3W tube amp case (~$650–$1,200)
Dual lipstick pickups with 5W tube tremolo amp case (~$850–$1,500)
Rare transitional dual-pickup redburst model (~$900–$1,600)
Vintage Hollowbody & Archtop (Harmony & Kay OEM)
High-end vintage electrics equipped with premium pickups
Harmony-built with Gibson mini-humbuckers (~$1,500–$2,800+)
Harmony Stratotone style with DeArmond silver foils (~$750–$1,400)
Three-pickup thin archtop with Bigsby vibrato (~$800–$1,500)
Three-pickup offset surf rock electric (~$600–$1,200)
Vintage Tube Amplifiers (1960s)
Coveted Sears Danelectro-made tube heads and combos
60W piggyback tube head with 2x12 cab (~$900–$1,600)
120W powerhouse head with 6x10 cab (~$1,200–$2,200)
15W 1x12 combo, the 'poor man's Fender Deluxe' (~$450–$850)
Modern Reissues & Acoustic Models
Modern player-grade versions with reliable truss rods and hardware
Modern offset double-cutaway with Bigsby (~$350–$550)
Single-cutaway U2 silhouette with lipsticks (~$280–$420)
Vintage solid spruce/mahogany parlor & dreadnought (~$200–$500)
"Silvertone: From Sears Roebuck mail-order catalogs to rock royalty—raw, jangly American tone since 1916."
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
Amp-in-Case Series Buyer Guide
Complete Sets Command Huge Premiums
A 1448 or 1457 guitar with its fully functional original tube amp case sells for 50-80% more than the guitar alone. Test both the speaker and tremolo circuit if present
Electrical Safety Upgrade
Original 1960s amp cases use two-prong non-polarized power cords without ground. For safety, install a three-prong grounded cord before plugging in
Lipstick Tube Tone
The original Danelectro lipstick pickups deliver exceptional chiming top-end and grit that modern copies rarely reproduce 100%
1446 'Chris Isaak' & 1423 Jupiter Collector Guide
Gibson Mini-Humbuckers in 1446
Harmony contracted Gibson to supply factory mini-humbuckers for the 1446. Check solder joints to ensure original Gibson pickups have not been swapped
DeArmond Silver Foil Pickups in 1423
The 1423 Jupiter features dual DeArmond silver foils with unique blend control. These pickups alone are worth $300-$500 on the vintage parts market
Neck Angle & Action Check
Early Harmony bolt-on and set necks frequently develop high action over 60 years. Verify if a neck reset or neck pocket shim has been performed
Used Silvertone & Reissue Valuation
Vintage vs Reissue Distinction
Vintage 1960s originals command $600-$2,800+, whereas 2000s-2010s Samick reissues trade between $250-$500. Reissues feature adjustable modern truss rods and modern fretwork
Masonite Body Health
Danelectro-built Masonite bodies can swell if exposed to moisture. Inspect the vinyl side tape binding for separation or water damage
Reverb & eBay Price Trends
Silvertone values have appreciated 8-10% annually since 2020 as indie and garage rock producers seek unique non-Fender/Gibson tones