Silvertone Model 1415L Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1961)

 Silvertone Model 1415L Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro  (1961)
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Item # 8737
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Silvertone Model 1415L Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1961), made in Neptune, NJ, bronze lacquer finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, gig bag case.

The Silvertone Model 1415 is the final iteration of the original 1950s-style Danelectro U-1, the company's first classic guitar. By the time this was built in mid-1961 most Dannos were a double-cutaway design, but this model held on in Sears' catalogs until spring/summer 1962. The distinctive feature of these later Silvertones was the minimalist "Dolphin Nose" single-sided headstock, shared with the similar Model 1444 Bass. While perhaps not the company's most aesthetically perfect design, it was certainly functional and held the Waverly strip tuners and "Silvertone" plastic logo well enough.

The 1415 otherwise carries mostly standard Danelectro signature features dating back to the 1950s: the "lipstick tube" pickup, single cutaway Masonite-and-pine body, poplar neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and the dual steel rods underneath and two-knob, one-switch "tone modification" circuit. The jack mounted to the top instead of the rim marks this one as a later example, with pots dated the 38th week of 1961. It cost $38.95 new (without case or strap) through the Sears catalog, an amazing bargain even in 1961!

These original-style guitars disappeared for good with the advent of the "Amp-in-case" Silvertone line in 1962, marking an end to the first era of classic Danelectros. For some reason no twin-pickup version of this model was cataloged. This is not one of the most common old Danelectros but not particularly rare either; many have seen far more use and abuse than this one, however! This is a lovely and great-playing example of this single-pickup Sears bronze wonder, and one of the nicest we have had.
 
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).

This is a great-playing example of this humble Danno classic, with a dead straight neck and very little fret wear. The finish shows some light wear, but overall this is a nice, clean guitar, all original with no alterations or repair. The only notable negative is a split in the treble side of the "lipstick" pickup cover, which is increasingly common on old Dannos. It's visually annoying but does not affect the pickup's function at all. All else is as it left Neptune (New Jersey, that is) for the great world of Sears, Roebuck & Co. and thence on to the world beyond in 1961. Overall Excellent - Condition.