Another old guitar - Silvertone

[prof_stack]

On Sunday my brother showed me an old guitar he was going to take to Goodwill.  I noticed that it was very similar to my first guitar and told him I'd take it.  It is a model 56 (I think) Sears Silvertone OM sized guitar (see pix).  One tuing knob was missing as was one collar on the tuners, as well as a screw in the trapeze brace.  USA made, I thinking 1960's.  Solid back/sides I think, but the top is probably laminated.  The bridge is not glued on, as I found out.  Good thing I put a pencil outline before the strings came off.  The action is playable up to 8 frets.

Anyway, I went to Dusty Strings in Seattle today and got the missing three odds and ends from their luthier Dave Haxton.  $2.40 and it was ready to assemble.  The knob went on with some drilling and then some heat from the soldering iron, as recommended by Dave, to set it.  A set of D'Addario EJ26 "Custom Light" 11-52 strings went on.  These old cheap tuners make the Larrivee tuners seem luxurious.  But it stays in tune okay.  The sound is a bit harsh and not nearly as sweet as the parlor (see pix) I wrote about in another thread.  But I plan to play the poop out of this one and see if it mellows a little.  Fun guitar to cross-pick with.

In the first picture, notice that the Silvertone head has "wings", just like new Martins!  In the second picture, Karla was asked to protect the guitars.  Rottweilers take these commands seriously.   

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[Blue in VT]

 

I love these old catalog guitars...if you find the sound too harsh...then its probably a good slide guitar!!!

Blue

[Mr_LV19E]

It's always neat to get hold of one of these old ones. Let alone two. Well, with Karla there you don't have to worry about anybody walking off with one.
I have to say though, Karla is stealing the show.

[bhika]

I have a 1945 Harmony 1203 which is a great little slide guitar. I've been keeping my eyes open for a H 165 Mahogany top that I can flip over to Lefty.

[prof_stack]

After a few days of playing the Silvertone I'm finding I like the sound.  It has a nice soft growl (unlike Karla, see above, who has a real growl).  Strumming with a flatpick the usual cowboy chords makes for a nice sound.

The action, however, is making my calluses tougher! 

The parlor (see above) really is a sweetheart of a guitar.  That 70 year old wood just vibrates so easily and with a warm, vintage sound.  Not bad for a $15 guitar back in 1940!

[Tony Burns]

Those old Sears Silvertones ( made by Harmony) are very funky guitars -ive got an old Stella 12 string thats real funky - been thinking about digging it out and putting new strings on her !

[Sabatini]

Here'e my old Silvertone.  It is very similar to my first guitar.  Had to replace the tuners, but it plays well, with decent action.  I've also got a Stella with the trapeze tailpiece that looks like your Silvertone.