Silvertone Model 1442 Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar, made by Danelectro (1968), made in Neptune, NJ, brown sunburst lacquer finish, mahogany body, poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This small, somewhat Fenderlike bass was the last Silvertone model sourced by Sears from Danelectro, just before the company ceased operation at the end of the 1960's. The Silvertone Model 1442 and its more upscale sister the Model 1443 were the Danelectro's only solidbody bass designs for Sears; available from 1967-8 both are somewhat rare finds today. The much larger Deluxe 1443 had two pickups and a full 33 1/2" scale; the much more compact 1442 has a single pickup and the classic Danelectro bass short scale of 29 1/2". With a small vaguely Jaguar-like body this is a very light, handy and well-balanced bass with a very good sound. Of all the Danelectro instruments Sears offered, this is one of the most obscure and a fairly unique Danelectro creation.
Overall length is 43 in. (109.2 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 1/2 in. (749 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). Overall quite nice, some chips and rubbed-away areas to the finish along the body edges but the face is relatively clean. The back of the body and a spot on the back of the neck show some old "strap burn" from contact with a vinyl strap or similar item but is not much worn otherwise. There is a fairly deep scrape in the treble side of the neck just in front of the body joint. All original except the tone modifier switch is a more recent replacement (the circuitry is still original). With a nice straight neck this is a very good playing and sounding bass complete with the substantially built original Masonite HSC. Excellent - Condition.
