Product: Silvertone 5614
Price Paid: US $15.00 used
Submitted
05/21/2004
at
09:38am
by
Archie
Email: amcleodiii at earthlink<dot>net
Features
:
8
This model is a 5614 (Harmony -made) single cutaway. Looks like a Les Paul bu hollow. It has two single-coil pickups; one a Rowe model (neck) and a DeArmond (Bridge). Two volumes and two tones. One 3-way switch. I wish I knew what wood it's made from but for a 40 year old guitar, it's held up well. Three on a side tuning pegs and a Rosewood fingerboard. Black with a white pickguard and white binding
Sound
:
10
The sound? I find it a little hard to describe but it's very unique. It's got a chunky, hollow kind of timbre. If you are old enough to remember 60's R&B and a song by Jackie Moore called "Precious, Precious", the opening riff is the sound of this guitar. Nothing else sounds like it. It's dead quiet too. No hum
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
For a 40 year old piece, it's great. I bought from a yard sale for fifteen dollars with 3 strings on it. Strung it up and didn't have to adjust a thing. This neck is amazingly straight and no buzzes. I can't find new guitars that play this good.
One of the pickups was low-flush against the body and one of the pick-ups was mounted on an adapter plate. (Found this was common on guitars from era using the DeArmonds) I fabricated an adapter plate for the neck pickup and it really woke this baby up.
The finish had some scratches, checking and wear but I love it's "relic'd" look. The wood , rosewood/oak bridge and metal parts (after a good dose of navel jelly) are all solid.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
I play this guitar live and use it in the studio often. The Harmony-made Silvertones actually surpassed the regular Harmony's I think because at the time they were selling to Sears and in the 60's, Sears was quality. They had to live up to that reputation.
The strap buttons are amazingly solid considering this is a Hollow Body guitar.
I use it by itself without a backup often. (I have some other really nice guitars but this old grand dad does just fine.)
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
The original moniker (Silvertone) doesn't exist anymore. It was acquired by Samick. So there is no customer support for this guitar.
Overall Rating
:
10
I've been playing now for about 30 years. There have always been guitars around my house and one of my first encounters with the Silvertone brand was during the 60's. My dad played in a gospel quartet. He had a Sears Charge Card so the group played all Silvertone Equiptment. Always loved that stuff. Nothing has mojo like vintage Silvertone.
I own 15 guitars including a 77 Les Paul Standard, several Strats, and a McInTurff Glory Standard. This is my "nostalgia" piece and it is a player. I love it. Great action, great feel. Ultra light and resonant. The only thing I've changed on it at all are the control knobs which were replaced with some Gibson black speed knobs.
If it were stolen, by the grace of God, I better not find the theif. You can't replace this piece.
If you want to see this guitar, go to this address:http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL86/502790/682232/8582323.jpg (copy and paste the address) and see this beauty. I've also got a sound byte of this guitar being played at soundclick. (www.soundclick.com/bands/2/musicallymrmmusic.htm) Click on the link to "White Christmas" and listen.
