Silvertone Model 1445 1960s MIJ w/ original case - Sunburst
Description
The Silvertone 1445 is one of the more genuinely interesting department-store guitars to come out of the 1960s Japanese guitar boom. Built by Kawai (with heavy Teisco DNA throughout), the 1445 is essentially a budget-priced surf machine that punches well above its weight.
The Mosrite-influenced offset body shape, the German carve edge bevel, and the three-pickup tremolo setup put this guitar squarely in the same aesthetic and functional territory as far more expensive contemporary instruments. The flamed maple top over basswood body with celluloid binding gives it a legitimately handsome appearance, and the 13-7/8" lower bout with a tight 9-1/4" waist makes it comfortable and well-balanced at 8 lbs 3.5 oz. The 25.5" scale length and a fairly flat 14" fretboard radius on the Brazilian rosewood board — yes, actual Brazilian rosewood — give it a feel that's more modern and playable than most players expect from a guitar in this class.
The three Teisco "Hound Dog" single-coil pickups are the heart of the tone here, reading 6.94k at the bridge, 6.10k at the middle, and 6.15k at the neck. The Teisco adjustable roller bridge and tremolo with its original arm are fully functional. The neck is a comfortable C profile maple neck, slim and fast at .853" at the first fret and .892" at the twelfth, with 22 frets plus a zero fret and pearloid block inlays. Action is set up well at 2/32" on both the first and sixth strings at the twelfth fret. The tuners are vintage Kluson-style replacements, and a bone nut replacement has been fitted. The original tortoiseshell pickguard, chrome knobs (4), and black-tipped switch are all present and in good shape.
Condition throughout is very good for a guitar of its age. The original sunburst finish shows honest wear but no structural issues, and the celluloid binding is holding up well. The body, neck, and original electronics are all intact. It comes with what appears to be its original case in fair condition. This is a fully playable, gig-ready vintage instrument with real tonal character — an ideal choice for the player who wants a genuine piece of mid-century Japanese guitar craft without the Mosrite price tag.
Mahar's Vintage Guitars is a brick-and-mortar and web-based retailer. We are happy to talk with you before you make a purchase. Please reach out if you feel so inclined! We cross market our items here and on our own site, so items are subject to sale elsewhere at any time (however we will never cancel a sale if it happens here first). See our profile here, our Google reviews as well as our 100% positive Reverb feedback. Also, Reverb limits us to only 25 pictures of our items. There is a good chance we have more. Contact us if you’d like to see them.
No sales tax for direct sale customers outside California. Reverb sales are always taxed.
Specifications:
Brand: Silvertone
Model: 1445
Era: 1960s
Manufacturer: Kawai / Teisco
Weight: 8 lbs 3.5 oz
Overall Length: 40-3/4"
Color: Sunburst
Body Material: Flamed maple top over basswood with German carve
Body Binding: Celluloid bound
Body Length: 19-1/2"
Lower Bout: 13-7/8"
Waist: 9-1/4"
Upper Bout: 12-1/4"
Body Depth: 1-3/8"
Body Finish: Original, good condition
Body Condition: Very good
Pickguard: Tortoiseshell, original, good condition
Strap Buttons: Original
Scale Length: 25.5"
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Profile: C
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .853"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .892"
Neck Finish: Original
Neck Condition: Good
Neck Repairs: None
Neck Plate: Chrome metal, original
Fretboard Material: Brazilian rosewood
Fretboard Radius: 14"
Fretboard Condition: Very good
Fret Count: 22 + zero fret
Fret Condition: Good
Inlays: Pearloid block
Nut Material: Bone (replaced)
Nut Width: 1-5/8"
Action at 12th Fret (1st string): 2/32"
Action at 12th Fret (6th string): 2/32"
Pickups: 3x Teisco "Hound Dog" single-coil, original
Pickup Readings: Bridge 6.94k, Middle 6.10k, Neck 6.15k
Pickup Condition: Very good
Pickup Cover Color: Black/chrome
Knobs: 4x chrome, original, very good condition
Switch: Original, good condition, black tip
Output Jack: Original, nickel plate, good condition
Bridge: Teisco adjustable roller bridge, no cover, original
Tremolo: Teisco tremolo, original arm included
Saddles: Metal, original
String Spacing at Bridge: 1.9405"
Bridge Condition: Very good
Tailpiece: Teisco, chrome/black, original, very good condition
Tuners: Vintage Kluson-style replacements (headstock modded for longer screws)
Tuner Condition: Good
Case: Appears original, fair condition
Documentation: None
Accessories: None
Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
"It sported a rather Mosrite-y shape, very much like the groovy Teisco/Univox/Kawai strummers of the same era. With three pickups, a whammy setup, a fancy edge bevel, and a fancy finish..." - Silvertone World
"The fast, low-profile solid Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard sports medium to low action and is easy to play." - Tone Gems
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
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The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
Shipping policy:
There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site. Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.
The Mosrite-influenced offset body shape, the German carve edge bevel, and the three-pickup tremolo setup put this guitar squarely in the same aesthetic and functional territory as far more expensive contemporary instruments. The flamed maple top over basswood body with celluloid binding gives it a legitimately handsome appearance, and the 13-7/8" lower bout with a tight 9-1/4" waist makes it comfortable and well-balanced at 8 lbs 3.5 oz. The 25.5" scale length and a fairly flat 14" fretboard radius on the Brazilian rosewood board — yes, actual Brazilian rosewood — give it a feel that's more modern and playable than most players expect from a guitar in this class.
The three Teisco "Hound Dog" single-coil pickups are the heart of the tone here, reading 6.94k at the bridge, 6.10k at the middle, and 6.15k at the neck. The Teisco adjustable roller bridge and tremolo with its original arm are fully functional. The neck is a comfortable C profile maple neck, slim and fast at .853" at the first fret and .892" at the twelfth, with 22 frets plus a zero fret and pearloid block inlays. Action is set up well at 2/32" on both the first and sixth strings at the twelfth fret. The tuners are vintage Kluson-style replacements, and a bone nut replacement has been fitted. The original tortoiseshell pickguard, chrome knobs (4), and black-tipped switch are all present and in good shape.
Condition throughout is very good for a guitar of its age. The original sunburst finish shows honest wear but no structural issues, and the celluloid binding is holding up well. The body, neck, and original electronics are all intact. It comes with what appears to be its original case in fair condition. This is a fully playable, gig-ready vintage instrument with real tonal character — an ideal choice for the player who wants a genuine piece of mid-century Japanese guitar craft without the Mosrite price tag.
Mahar's Vintage Guitars is a brick-and-mortar and web-based retailer. We are happy to talk with you before you make a purchase. Please reach out if you feel so inclined! We cross market our items here and on our own site, so items are subject to sale elsewhere at any time (however we will never cancel a sale if it happens here first). See our profile here, our Google reviews as well as our 100% positive Reverb feedback. Also, Reverb limits us to only 25 pictures of our items. There is a good chance we have more. Contact us if you’d like to see them.
No sales tax for direct sale customers outside California. Reverb sales are always taxed.
Specifications:
Brand: Silvertone
Model: 1445
Era: 1960s
Manufacturer: Kawai / Teisco
Weight: 8 lbs 3.5 oz
Overall Length: 40-3/4"
Color: Sunburst
Body Material: Flamed maple top over basswood with German carve
Body Binding: Celluloid bound
Body Length: 19-1/2"
Lower Bout: 13-7/8"
Waist: 9-1/4"
Upper Bout: 12-1/4"
Body Depth: 1-3/8"
Body Finish: Original, good condition
Body Condition: Very good
Pickguard: Tortoiseshell, original, good condition
Strap Buttons: Original
Scale Length: 25.5"
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Profile: C
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .853"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .892"
Neck Finish: Original
Neck Condition: Good
Neck Repairs: None
Neck Plate: Chrome metal, original
Fretboard Material: Brazilian rosewood
Fretboard Radius: 14"
Fretboard Condition: Very good
Fret Count: 22 + zero fret
Fret Condition: Good
Inlays: Pearloid block
Nut Material: Bone (replaced)
Nut Width: 1-5/8"
Action at 12th Fret (1st string): 2/32"
Action at 12th Fret (6th string): 2/32"
Pickups: 3x Teisco "Hound Dog" single-coil, original
Pickup Readings: Bridge 6.94k, Middle 6.10k, Neck 6.15k
Pickup Condition: Very good
Pickup Cover Color: Black/chrome
Knobs: 4x chrome, original, very good condition
Switch: Original, good condition, black tip
Output Jack: Original, nickel plate, good condition
Bridge: Teisco adjustable roller bridge, no cover, original
Tremolo: Teisco tremolo, original arm included
Saddles: Metal, original
String Spacing at Bridge: 1.9405"
Bridge Condition: Very good
Tailpiece: Teisco, chrome/black, original, very good condition
Tuners: Vintage Kluson-style replacements (headstock modded for longer screws)
Tuner Condition: Good
Case: Appears original, fair condition
Documentation: None
Accessories: None
Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
"It sported a rather Mosrite-y shape, very much like the groovy Teisco/Univox/Kawai strummers of the same era. With three pickups, a whammy setup, a fancy edge bevel, and a fancy finish..." - Silvertone World
"The fast, low-profile solid Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard sports medium to low action and is easy to play." - Tone Gems
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Gibson electric guitars - vintage & used
The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
Shipping policy:
There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site. Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver. For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air. Otherwise, ground shipping will be used. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions. If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to . Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.