Description
This Silvertone was made by Harmony of Chicago circa 1959 as a part of their Stratotone line which included the Jupiter 1423. This particular guitar, the Mars, (its Harmony number: H45), is an extremely rare and early model. It features a hollow, tone chamber construction, a sunburst finish with white binding, one single coil pickup, a single cutaway, a white plastic pickguard on which the knobs, input jack and instantaneous tone switch are mounted, one black plastic strap pin at the bottom and a metal one on top, an adjustable rosewood bridge and a hinged, metal, trapeze-style tailpiece. This guitar is 100% original and in good condition. It still looks lovely after approximately 57 years of existence. With its fast action and terrific tone, this guitar plays like a dream. It comes with a hardshell case and a shoulder strap. Get this really rare guitar before someone else does.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
CONDITION:
This guitar is 100% original and it is in good condition. The finish is still very clean for its age. There is a very small amount of shallow wear around the edges near the binding on the front and back. There are a very few barely visible scratches on the sides and back. The binding and the pickguard are in good shape. This is a great looking and sounding guitar for an approximately 57 year old instrument.
TUNERS:
The double, three inline, opened-back tuners with plastic buttons are in very good working condition. All of the tuners are smooth and hold the pitch well.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
NECK:
The neck is in good shape but not perfect. It is a straight, bolt-on, hardwood, steel reinforced neck with circular mother-of-pearl inlays on an ebonized maple fretboard, a white plastic nut, 20 frets, and a 24″ scale. There is some wear to the finish on the back of the neck which does not affect the playability or tone of the instrument. The headstock, featuring a horizontal silkscreened Silvertone logo, has some wear along the edges. With its fast action, the neck feels fantastic under your fingers. Description from VintageSilvertones.com
PICKUPS:
The one single coil pickup has a clear, clean, warm, round sound that is very adjustable with the tone knob and frequency switch. It can be used for jazz, blues, rock, country, folk or soul. This guitar has two brown plastic knobs with engraved labels for volume and tone. The slide switch allows quick change from bass emphasis to treble emphasis. The pots and switch are clean sounding and in fine working order. Description from VintageSilvertones.com
The Dimensions are:
Overall length: 39″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Body width: 13.25″
Body thickness: 2″ with neck 2.25″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Scale: 24″ approx.
Width of the nut: 1.75″ (depth 1″)
String height at 12th fret: 1/16″
Here’s the original description from the 1961 Sears catalog:
New..super-thin..with tone chamber. Slim, steel reinforced neck. Hardwood. Shaded sunburst finish. 38 1/2×13 1/8×1 7/8 in. Volume and tone controls. Pick, electric cord, instructions. Order case 57Y0734L.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
57 Y 01326L-Single pickup. Wt. 6 lbs. $4 down… Cash $39.95
57Y01327L-Double pickup. Wt. 6 lbs. $5.50 down Cash 54.95Description from VintageSilvertones.com
