Silvertone H-78

1968. Made in U.S.A. curly maple, warm cherry red tone, thinline single cutaway. Replaced tuners and bridge with better aftermarket ones for better playability. Ultra slim bolt on neck with adjustable "Torque-Lock" reinforcing rod. Rosewood fingerboard with 8 large inlaid position markers, Bigsby true vibrato tailpiece. 3 DeArmond pickups, each pickup has on/off toggle, and two knobs, volume and tone.

I play early rock and rockabilly style music with a smattering of modern rock thrown in. This guitar has such a spectrum of sound due to the pickups and their controls. Big, rich sound and bridge pickup allows sound to pierce through any music style. I play through a '68 upright Gibson Super Medalist. My only complaint is the finish. It's the old lacquer finish which turns a milky white when I sweat on it. Hard to keep clean, takes quite a bit of elbow grease to keep it looking good.

I have owned my Silvertone for over 15 years now and with just better tuning pegs and adjustable bridge, it's very playable. The only mod I had done was to attach the floating bridge. I was sick and tired of bumping that bridge and taking forever to get it back in place. Added a set of strap locks. No regrets whatsoever. The quality of the guitar is top notch for a Silvertone. Soon I will need fretwork due to many years of playing adn wearing them down. Heavier strings keep the Bigsby from throwing it out of tune.

I sure hope to have the guitar as long as I can. I have noticed it a bit sensitive to the temperature changes, just like any hollow body guitar. I do (and did) use it without a backup guitar, only a few sets of strings. As long as I keep it wiped down after every use, it remains in near new condition. I wouldn't mind some fretwork, better tuners and bridge to go with the Bigsby tremelo (whatever the modern hollow bodies use).

Well past it's warranty, I have only had it serviced to install the adjustable bridge, and secure it to the body. That was over 13 years ago.

I have been playing for about 20 years or so. Not as heavy as I would like, but still chuck'n away. I started playing my friends old hollow body Guild, and wanted one of my own. I saw the Silvertone in a pawn shop for $200 and within moments, it was mine. I still have a Japanese Vox styled solid body that is great for surf music, and an old late 60's Tiasco bass. If something were to happen to it, I would save up and buy a Gretsch hollow body. My Silvertone is nice and light to hold and with the thin neck, it's a joy to play.