Description
This is a 1962 Silvertone 1448, prototype, electric guitar made by Danelectro of Neptune New Jersey with a black-sparkle finish. It was owned by Vinnie Bell who played with Simon & Garfunkel, Quincy Jones, Les McCann, Freda Payne, Bob Dylan, The Four Seasons, and many, many others. He also did extensive work on commercial jingles. This guitar was purchased directly from Vinnie Bell. In addition to helping develop the Silvertone amp-in-case models, Bell designed the Danelectro Bellzouki and Electric Sitar with Nat Daniels. Included in the package are a photograph of Vinnie Bell holding the guitar with amp-in-case, a certificate of authenticity, and two of Vinnie’s guitar picks.
This Silvertone guitar should be in a museum. It’s a classic piece of American music history. This is one, if not the very first, of the Silvertone 1448 amp-in-case guitars ever made. Vinnie Bell worked with Danelectro extensively over the years. And, he probably consulted on these very first amp-in-case models during the early 1960s.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
The features on this guitar which indicate that it’s a prototype include: raised, red plastic Silvertone logo on the headstock, the open-back first generation plastic tuners, the matching early knobs on both the guitar and volume control for the amp-in-case. Nothing has been changed or done to this guitar/kit aside from oiling the fretboard. It’s exactly as Vinnie last used it including his heavy-gauge, original strings. So you get the dust from Vinnie’s studio, no extra charge! The guitar plays just fine but it really should be in a museum or featured prominently in a serious Silvertone/Danelectro collection.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
This guitar features: one single-coil lipstick pickup, a Brazilian rosewood fretboard, a poplar neck, aluminum nut, 6-inline open-back tuners, dot marker inlays on fretboard, a 4-way adjustable chromed brass bridge with Brazilian rosewood saddle, and the body is masonite over pine. It has a painted white, masonite pickguard. It includes the original amp-in-case with the Sears tubes. The amp is 3 watts with a 5 inch speaker. The action is fast and has an nice tone controlled by the volume and tone controls.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
CONDITION:
This guitar is 100% original and it is in good condition. This guitar has been played a lot by Vinnie and the wear shows throughout it and the case. The case is pretty clean but there is a tear-line on the top going to the grill. On the base of the front side of the case there’s a small tear. In addition, there’s some wear on the corners of the case. All these are shown in the photos. This Silvertone 1448 guitar has a lot of wear on the headstock and around the edges of the body. And, there’s various nicks on the body and neck. It’s sixty years old and it shows.
TUNERS:
The six inline, open-back tuners with white plastic buttons, are in working condition but slightly tight.Description from VintageSilvertones.com
NECK:
It has a straight, bolted-on, neck with circular white plastic inlays on a Brazilian rosewood fretboard, an aluminum nut, 18 frets, 23.50″ (24″) scale with reasonably fast action. The headstock, features the earliest Silvertone logo in red plastic.
PICKUPS:
There is one single coil pickup. It is strong and bright and works well.
AMP-IN-CASE:
The Silvertone amp-in-case works but has issues. When the guitar is plugged in sound comes out but it’s very low volume. The guitar works correctly when plugged into a standard amplifier. Nothing has been changed to preserve the guitar and amp-in-case exactly as Vinnie Bell last used it.
The Dimensions are:
Overall length: 35″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Body width: 13″
Body thickness: 1 5/8″ with neck 1 7/8″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Scale: 23.5″ (24″) approx.
Width of the nut: 1 5/8″ (depth .75″)
String height at 12th fret: 1/16″Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Guitar Weight: 5 lbsDescription from VintageSilvertones.com
Here’s the original description from the 1963 Sears catalog:
Electric Guitar and Carrying Case with built-in Amplifier
Everything you need
$67.95 (includes 45-rpm how-to-play record)
Description from VintageSilvertones.com
Nothing else to buy..it’s a complete electric guitar outfit that’s truly portable. The Guitar..18-fret Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Efficient magnetic pickup assures excellent electric guitar sound. Separate volume and tone controls. Glistening black finish solid-center body; silver-color accents, extra-large guitar-plate. 34x13x2 inc. Case and Amplifier..2 tubes plus rectifier, 5-in. speaker. Simulated leather-covered hardboard about 37x15x3 in. How-to-Play Record, charts, pick.
57 G 1448L–Shipping weight 23 lbs. $7 monthly….Cash $67.95Description from VintageSilvertones.com
