Bob in 1958 with a 1957 Silvertone 1319.
Since we do not see the lower part of the guitar in the photo of Bob we do not know if it's a 1317 (one pick-up) or a 1319 (two pick-ups). Otherwise the two models are identical.
Silvertone was the brand name used by Sears, Roebuck and Company for its line of sound equipment from 1915 to 1972. The Silvertone name adorned guitars from several different manufacturers over the years, including Danelectro, National, Harmony, Kay andTeisco.
thanks to Andreas Volkert
This guitar is not a Harmony Stratotone but a Silvertone, probably model No. 1317 or 1319.
ReplyDeleteSilvertone was the brand name used by Sears to market Danelectro guitars. We cannot see the guitar's headstock in the September 1958 photo, so we cannot see the company logo. But we do see the upper part of the pick guard which allows us to identify the guitar as a Silvertone guitar. If it were a Danelectro there would be a "D" on the upper part of the pick guard.
The guitar Bob is holding in the photo seems to be black. If the dating of the photo (September 1958) is correct the guitar could be a fall 1957 Silvertone guitar, because Silvertone introduced two models in the fall of 1957 that were available in black enamel color: 1317 (one pickup) and 1319 (two pickups). Since we cannot see the lower part of the guitar we do not know the number of the pickups. So it could be the 1317 or 1319 model.
According to Bob's Hibbing era friend John Bucklen (On The Tracks interview) Bob ordered a "turquoise-colored" Silvertone from Sears. Since Silvertone did not market any turquoise guitars, Bucklen is probably mistaken on the instrument's color (or Bob had it repainted at some point?).
P.S.: According to Bucklen, Bob's next electric guitar was a Supro Ozark, black with sunburst finish.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood picture of a Silvertone 1317 here: http://www.freewebs.com/silvertoneguitar/pics/1317.jpg
ReplyDeleteNotice the small silver screw on the upper part on the pickguard, which you can also see on the guitar Bob is holding.