Silvertone Model 1417L Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Danelectro (1959), made in Neptune, NJ, serial # 1049, bronze lacquer finish, masonite and pine body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
This bronze-finished Silvertone Model 1417 is the final iteration of the original 1950s-style Danelectro U-1, the company's first classic guitar. When this one was built in mid/late 1959 most Dannos had recently evolved into a double-cutaway designs but this single-cut 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 1417 otherwise carries standard Danelectro signature features dating back to the earlier 1950s: the "lipstick tube" pickup, single cutaway Masonite-and-pine body, poplar neck with a rosewood fingerboard, aluminum nut and dual steel rods underneath and the two-knob, one-switch "tone modification" circuit. The jack mounted to the rim marks this one as an earlier example, with pots dated the 38th week of 1959. It listed at $37.95 new (without case or strap) through the Fall/Winter Sears catalog, an amazing bargain even at the time!
These original U-style guitars disappeared for good with the advent of the snazzy sparkle-finished "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 nice straight neck and very little fret wear. The finish shows some general wear including dirt and scuffing to the vinyl sides and some staining and small melt marks to the copper paint. Overall this is still a nice guitar, all original with no repair or alteration except the low E and A tuner buttons look to have been replaced long ago. As is practically ubiquitous with Danelectros with this old-style closed switch the tone modifier can be spotty in operation and require repeated cleaning of the switch, but all is original and as wired at the factory. Basically it remains as it left Neptune (New Jersey, that is) for the great world of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. warehouse and thence on to the world beyond in 1959. It resides in a later (1970s) shaped HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
