Silvertone Guitars hold a special place in music history, particularly for their association with the iconic Sears catalog and the amp-in-case combos that democratized music gear for generations. For years, guitar enthusiasts and musicians have eagerly awaited reissues of these classic instruments. The Silvertone Model 1449 reissue has finally arrived, promising to recapture the vintage vibe and unique tones that made the originals so sought after. But does it live up to the hype? As a content creator for guitarplayers.net, I’ve put this reissue to the test to see if it meets the expectations of today’s garage rock and indie players.
Cost: $399.00 (Approximate) – Find it at Silvertoneclassic.com, Amazon.com, Reverb.com, or Sweetwater!
Overall Score: 7.8/10
A Nod to Nostalgia and Garage Rock Roots
The Silvertone 1449 is perhaps most famous for being paired with the amp-in-case, a quintessential piece of rock and roll history. My own interest in this model was ignited by seeing artists like Beck and Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant championing these guitars within the alternative rock scene I grew up with. Its distinctive features, like the dual lipstick pickups and stacked tone/control knobs, instantly recall the design language of Danelectro guitars. In fact, the connection is so strong it begs the question of the historical relationship between Silvertone and Danelectro, a detail worth exploring for vintage guitar aficionados. The 1449’s controls are straightforward: a 3-way pickup selector paired with the stacked knobs to shape your tone.
Like its sibling, the Silvertone 1478, the Model 1449 boasts a mahogany body, a bolt-on mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard. The neck profile is a comfortable C-shape, hosting 21 frets and classic pearl dot inlays. A visually striking through-body bridge adds to the guitar’s unique character. However, the most immediately recognizable design element is undoubtedly the paddle headstock. With all the sealed, die-cast tuners positioned on the top side, it creates a sharp string break angle at the nut – a design choice that certainly catches the eye and raises questions about string tension.
Sound Quality: Sparkling Lipstick Pickups and Surprising Versatility
Score: 8.5/10
The heart of the Silvertone 1449’s sonic appeal lies in its lipstick pickups. Even though Silvertone isn’t Danelectro, they’ve managed to craft a truly impressive lipstick pickup. These pickups deliver a sound that’s remarkably glassy, bright, and surprisingly rich in character. Playing clean, fingerpicked passages, the tones were full and resonant, exhibiting a pronounced twang that hints at a Telecaster-esque quality, especially when paired with a Vox-style amp simulator.
This reissue impressed me with its versatility, a welcome departure from my previous experience with another Silvertone model that felt sonically limited. The 1449 opens up a broader palette, making it suitable for genres beyond garage rock. Country, indie, and even jazz are all within its reach. Yet, make no mistake, the 1449 can rock.
When driven, the overdriven tones retain a beautiful sparkle, adding a layer of dimension that surpasses expectations for a guitar often associated with raw garage and alternative rock sounds. It’s easy to understand why this guitar resonates with Cage The Elephant’s musical style; it occupies a significant sonic space, delivering a punchy presence without relying on excessive midrange frequencies. It cuts through a mix effectively and responds sensitively to amp and pedal EQ adjustments. This responsiveness is a major plus. With such a pleasing clean tone as a foundation, I appreciate the ability to maintain that clarity without pedals, using it as a pristine canvas for building upon with effects. If a guitar’s inherent tone is too dominant, it can become sonically restrictive, but the 1449 avoids this pitfall.
Playability: Comfort with Minor Setup Needs
Score: 6.5/10
Unfortunately, fret buzz reared its head again, a common issue in guitars at this price point. On the Model 1449, the slightly wider neck profile seemed to exacerbate this issue. It’s almost a given that a Silvertone guitar will benefit from a professional setup upon purchase. While this might be expected for a $400 guitar, it’s still a factor to consider.
Despite the fret buzz, the neck itself is comfortable to play, though the fret edges could have been finished with more care. Again, some compromises are anticipated at this price, but these details impact the overall playing experience. On the positive side, tuning stability proved to be surprisingly solid. The guitar held its tune well even under aggressive playing styles, including heavy downstrokes and punk-inspired thrashing. With a proper setup addressing the fret buzz, the Silvertone 1449’s playability would be stage and studio-ready.
Finish and Construction: Surprisingly Premium Feel
Score: 8/10
The finish on this Silvertone reissue is genuinely striking. It’s flawlessly applied and boasts a shine that rivals even high-gloss finishes, reminiscent of my Schecter Ultra III’s vibrant blue. The overall construction feels robust, featuring a well-made bridge, reliable tuning stability, and hardware that feels significantly more premium than anticipated for a guitar in this price range.
One peculiar design choice that stands out is the placement of the strap button. Positioned on the top of the guitar where the neck joins the body, on a small ledge, it makes attaching a strap unnecessarily awkward. While not a deal-breaker, it’s a design quirk that seems easily avoidable. Despite this minor ergonomic hiccup, the Model 1449 impressed me across the board in terms of finish and construction quality. It’s a guitar that I would genuinely consider keeping and using regularly across various musical contexts.
Value: Punching Above its Weight
Score: 8/10
It’s difficult to not give the Silvertone 1449 reissue a high value rating. It outperforms the other Silvertone reissue I recently reviewed, yet comes in at a lower price point, making it feel like an even better deal. The Model 1449 is also significantly more versatile, possessing the potential to become a primary instrument for many players. It occupies a unique sonic space, blending elements of Danelectro and Telecaster tones, and its distinctive visual appeal will undoubtedly turn heads on stage.
In the sub-$500 guitar market, the 1449 stands out as a unique alternative to the ubiquitous Strat, Tele, and Les Paul copies. With its lipstick pickups and distinctive design, it offers something different and compelling. Silvertone’s reissue of the 1449 is a successful nod to its heritage, offering a lot of guitar for the money.
Ideal For: Garage Rock, Surf Music, Indie/Alternative Rock, Enthusiasts of Retro Pawnshop Guitars, Budget-Conscious Musicians, Danelectro and Telecaster Aficionados.
