Silvertone Model 1303L Model Solid Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1958), made in Neptune, NJ, serial # 3108, black lacquer with vinyl edging finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, black gig bag case.
This is a mid-1958 example of the classic original Silvertone/Danelectro 1303/U-2, one of Sears' first signature instruments from Nathan Daniel's Red Bank, NJ factory. The striking black lacquer finish was one of two options available for this model, the other being Bronze lacquer. The "second generation" (larger than 1956-7 "Peanut" shaped models) single-cutaway Masonite-and-pine body is loaded with two of the celebrated "lipstick" pickups, concentric tone-and-volume control rig and the classic Danelectro metal plate bridge with a rosewood saddle. The poplar neck has a thick rosewood fingerboard and "Coke Bottle" headstock fitted with Waverly strip tuners. The neck profile is a bit slimmer than later examples and slightly more comfortable to play; in fact the entire guitar feels rather more carefully made than the common Silvertone/Dannos from the 1960s.
With its gleaming black livery it is a very sharp-looking guitar, the epitome of '50s economical Populuxe culture in a 6-string mode. This example carries pots dated to mid-1958 and the batch number indicates fabrication of the body in the 31st week of that year when (compared to the 1960s) the company was producing fewer guitars than in the boom-era 1960s. Sears' list price on this instrument in 1958 was $59.98, plus $5.98 for the chipboard case.
The U-2 in all its forms was the instrument that really put Danelectro guitars on the map in the 1950s, an eminently practical and playable design at a relative bargain price. This great-sounding guitar that set the standard for the many thousands of Danelectros to follow. Despite this, they were only in Sears' catalogs for less than two years in 1958-9 before being superseded by newer designs. This ebony two-pickup 1301/U-2 is fairly well worn in but still sounds great.
Overall length is 38 3/4 in. (98.4 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a largely original example, fairly well worn for 65+ years on the planet but with no repairs or alterations except a replaced pickguard. The black finish overall has many dings, dents, scratches and scrapes (with some topical touch-up, here and there) but still gleams with ebony delight. It remains as it left Neptune (New Jersey, that is) in 1958 except the clear plastic pickguard has been replaced with a nicely made 3-layer white/black/white laminate plastic piece.
As with many older Danelectros the closed-back selector switch is sometimes cranky but the individual volume controls work fine so all sounds are fully available. This guitar has a straighter neck than many and only minor fretwear and plays very well, with the typical Danno twang. It is a lovely playable piece of Dann-O history and includes a modern gig bag. Very Good + Condition.
