Silvertone Archtops

[Scringus]

Anybody have experience with the kay made Silverstone archtops from the 50s? I see them come up for auction sites all the time for dirt cheap and was wondering if they were any good to use as acoustics. I was thinking I could bring them to big band rehearsal, but even just having an acoustic to mess around with in the house so I can practice without plugging in would be nice. Let me know if you've ever played one

[AllanAllen]

In my experience, when there is no truss rod, the action is 2 or 3 inches off. So it’ll cost hundreds of dollars to reset the neck and at that point just get a Loar.

I wouldn’t buy one without playing it first.

[RJVB]

Second that. Those acoustic Loars can be *really* nice for their price. Or, if you want to spend less than a Loar, look at the archtop in the Gretsch Roots series ("New Yorker" IIRC). It doesn't sound too bad in the recordings I've heard and as long as you don't have to deal with Fender support for issues due to QC (which sucks in my experience) it should be a more reliable instrument than an old cheap guitar.

[Doctor Jeff]

I have had 2 Silvertones, a Kay and a Harmony. It is challenging to find a good one from the 50’s/60’s without a truss rod. My Silvertone and Kay are playable with a very low saddle, though I have the Kay set up for slide right now. Perfect slide guitar.

I have a Harmony Brilliant Cutaway from 1964 which is an excellent guitar. It does have a truss rod. Mine is in pristine, collector-grade condition. It would be an excellent choice for what you want if you can find one.

OTOH, as was said above, a Loar or Godin will fit the bill for what you want it for as well, with less fettling.

1964 Harmony



1960’s Silvertone



1956 Kay

[mad dog]

I had a Silvertone 1427 for years. Came to me with the fingerboard pulling off the neck. Seller said it was in shipping, but there was more to the story. I got a rebate for that, kept it. Then off for a complete restore to a very talented luthier friend. He specialized at that time in restoring old Harmonys and Silvertones. Told me that many were beyond help. Some just folded up long ago. Others - like mine apparently - were solid, worthy of repair or upgrade.



Were it not for the talent of my luthier friend, this would not have been the brilliant guitar it became. So I'm a bit wary of old Silvertones. Hit or miss. When it's a hit, these can be the coolest guitars.