Silvertone Model 1423 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Harmony (1963)

 Silvertone Model 1423 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar,  made by Harmony  (1963)
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Item # 9905
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Silvertone Model 1423 Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Harmony (1963), made in Chicago, black lacquer with sparkles finish, Laminated maple body, maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, black tolex hard shell case.

he Silvertone Model 1423 was the Sears, Roebuck & Co. version of the 1960s Harmony Stratotone Jupiter. Built along the same lines as its Harmony cousin with a thin flat-topped hollow body, the 1423 is generally a bit less fancy, but does have a cool-looking black-painted body and neck decorated with gold sparkles that is a Sears exclusive -- Sears insisted that the kids liked sparkles!

The two great-sounding DeArmond "Indox" pickups are coupled with a flexible tone circuit including a unique "blend" control that makes for a versatile and great-sounding guitar. This one has pots dated to the 31st week of 1963 so it just pre-dates the Beatle-led electric guitar boom of 1964. This compact model is one of the nicer Sears/Harmony offerings; a cool, light, super handy, and fairly unique playing and sounding guitar.
 
Overall length is 38 in. (96.5 cm.), 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 15/16 in. (4.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 in. (610 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).

This is a nice example overall with some typical wear, but still generally well preserved. The finish has checking overall with some scratches, chips and rubs most notably on the headstock edges and heavies scratching to the lower back. The pickguard has a decent amount of scuffing but just a bit of the fragile control labeling is worn away; mostly the word "Blender". There are small cracks to the pickguard under the blender and first volume knob but everything is solid and works as intended. The bone nut appears replaced or at least reshaped, all else remains original. A small chunk is chipped off the underside of the bridge saddle on the bass side, which does not affect function. The frets and fingerboard show some wear but the neck is nice and straight and playability is good. Includes a 1970s-era Japanese hard case that fits fairly well. Excellent - Condition.