1958 Silvertone model 1305The trademark Silvertone was a house brand owned and used by Sears and Roebuck between 1940 to 1972. There was no factory; Sears owned the name and applied it to various guitars from manufacturers such as Harmony, Valco, Danelectro, and Kay. Sears and Roebuck acquired Harmony in 1915 to control its respectable ukulele production. In 1916 Sears and Roebuck introduced Supertone. Sears and Roebuck Sold Harmony to a group headed by Jay Kraus in 1940 and Silvertone replaced Supertone. Silvertone has been know best for their line of well made and inexpensive guitars. The brand became popular with novice musicians like Jerry Garcia, Rudy Sarzo, Chet Atkins, Bob Dylan, Garry Nutt, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Jack White, James Hatfield. The Canadian band Chad and The Silvertones, who would go on and become The Guess Who, took their name from the guitar.
Silvertones from the '60's are becoming collectable, BUT a word of caution, Just because it says Silvertone DOES NOT mean it was made by Danelectro. Harmony, Valco and Kay were built in Illinois and Daneletro was built in New Jersey. Today, Silvertone is a brand used by Samick Music Corporation and was endorsed by Paul Stanley of Kiss from 2003 to 2006.
