Silvertone was the brand name used by Sears, Roebuck and Company for its line of sound equipment from 1915 to 1972.[1] A hand-cranked phonograph was introduced under the Silvertone brand by Sears in 1915.[1] Beginning in the 1920s, the brand was expanded to include Silvertone radios and expanded again in the 1930s, replacing the Supertone brand on musical instruments.[1]
Probably best known for their line of well made and inexpensive guitars, the brand became popular with novice musicians. Jerry Garcia, Rudy Sarzo, Chet Atkins, Bob Dylan, David Lindley, Garry Nutt, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Jack White, Mikee Plastik, James Hetfield, Dave Grohl, Phil Keaggy, Mark Knopfler, Brad Paisley, and countless others had a Silvertone for their first electric, bass, or acoustic guitar. The Canadian band Chad Allan and The Silvertones, which would go on to become The Guess Who, took its name from this line of instruments. Pete Townshend would employ them in live performance with The Who for the purposes of smashing them. Jack White of The White Stripes has been known to use vintage Silvertone amplifiers. Singer-songwriter Beck Hansen's main guitar is a Silvertone.[1]
The name was placed on guitars from several different manufacturers over the years, including Danelectro, National, Harmony, Kay, and Teisco. The guitars—especially the 1960s models—are prized by collectors today. One of the more well-known models is the Danelectro Silvertone 1448, made in the early to mid 1960s. The guitar's case had a small built-in amplifier and the guitar itself had a very short-scale 18-fret neck, which proved popular with beginners. Beck's main guitar is the 1448, stickered with an old Rush sticker, and a sticker that says: "I ♥ Country Music." Many Silvertone guitars, especially nowadays, are recognized by a curved hook shape at the end of their heads.
Today, Silvertone is a brand name used by Samick Music Corporation and was endorsed by Paul Stanley of KISS from 2003 to 2006.
Silvertone is also a name of a model of harmonica made by Huang Harmonicas.