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1967 Silvertone 1485 built by Harmony

Estimated price for orientation: 1 599 $

Category: Electric Guitars
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Description
Brand: Harmony Exact Year: 1967


Silvertone 1485For sales is my cool vintage 1967 Silvertone 1485 built by Harmony in the USA, essentially the same model as the Harmony H78 made famous by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. The Silvertone 1485 was a Harmony-made ES-335 look-alike, and a premium guitar at the time it was offered, commanding one of the largest prices for a Silvertone in any catalog at $199.95. Obviously related to its long-available single cutaway sibling, the 1454, (and itself most closely related to the Harmony H78), it was available for only a few years - from 1967 to early 1970. In fact, the stamping inside the f-hole indicates this one was made in the first half of 1967, making it one of the earliest ones produced - and the 1454 stamping in the f-hole and on the headstock seem to indicate that Sears hadn't even come up with the new model number yet! The high price of the 1485 plus the short time it was available make this a rare Silvertone. These Chicago-made archtop thinlines were Harmony's answer to the Gibson Thinline models(ES-335, ES-330, etc), and were also referred to by some players as a "poor man's Gretsch". The original pickups are Dearmonds and they sound awesome - each pickup can be turned on or off independently - great in different configurations for jazz, blues, rock & roll, rockabilly, etc. It's in exceptionally fine vintage condition with much less wear than expected for an almost 50 year old instrument, easily one of the nicest examples I've ever seen. The top is in extremely nice shape with a few tiny dings on back of body (smaller than a fingernail--see pics), and the finish still retains its high gloss. It plays great, all the electronics function well, and it appears all original. There are no apparent repairs or need for any. All in all, a very cool, collectible, playable American-made vintage instrument. Comes with the original vintage chipboard case also in amazing condition for its age. Questions? Please ask.