Silvertone (instruments)

Silvertone

Former type	Private
Industry	Musical instruments, consumer electronics
Genre	Producer
Founded	1915
Defunct	1973
Products	guitars, bass guitars, phonographs, electronic organs, chord organs, harmonicas, wire recorders, television tuners
Owner	Sears, Roebuck and Company (former) Samick (current)

Silvertone was the brand name used by Sears, Roebuck and Company for its line of sound equipment from 1915 to 1972. A hand-cranked phonograph was introduced under the Silvertone brand by Sears in 1915. Beginning in the 1920s, the brand was expanded to include Silvertone radios and again in the 1930s, superseding the Supertone branding on musical instruments.

Probably best known for their line of well-made yet inexpensive guitars, the brand became popular with novice musicians. Jerry Garcia, Rudy Sarzo, Gary Rossington, Chet Atkins, Bob Dylan, David Lindley, Garry Nutt, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, Joan Jett, Jack White, Mikee Plastik, James Hetfield, James Cashman, Dave Grohl, Phil Keaggy, Mark Knopfler, Brad Paisley, Dr. SETI, Joe Walsh, 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 used them in live performance with The Who for the purpose of smashing them (after he'd played them.) Jack White of The White Stripes frequently uses vintage Silvertone amplifiers. Singer-songwriter Beck's main guitar is a Silvertone. Bon Iver used one in making For Emma, Forever Ago. Chris Isaak is known to play a Silvertone 1446 archtop hollow-body guitar. His three-piece backing band is named "Silvertone", after which he entitled his 1985 debut album. A promotional photograph of Isaak holding the guitar has lent itself to the model being nicknamed the "Silvertone Chris Isaak".

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