Silvertone Model 1444 Model Electric Bass Guitar, made by Danelectro (1965), made in Neptune, NJ, black lacquer finish, Masonite and pine body; poplar neck with rosewood fingerboard, original grey Masonite hard shell case.
The 1960's Silvertone Model 1444 Bass, nicknamed "Dolphin Nose" for its trademark drooping minimalist headstock was one of the most popular budget 4-strings of its era. Made by Danelectro for Sears beginning in 1959, the bass listed at $79.95 complete with the Masonite hard-shell case. This one carries pots dating to 1965, the peak year of the 1960's guitar boom. With a long 22-fret neck and single "lipstick" pickup, the Model 1444 is an extremely useful and good sounding bass, light, handy, and easy to play. The classic garage band bass, this was the first 4-string for thousands of players in the 1960's and is still an excellent value over 50 years later!
Overall length is 43 3/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 29 3/4 in. (756 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
Overall a super clean, all original example with just some light play wear overall. The only repair is a old stress crack by the nut on either side, running down to beyond the first fret into, but not all the way through, the neck. This is not uncommon on Danelectros, which are overall pretty sturdy. This has been solidly repaired with some light touch-up, and there is some wear through the finish nearby on the back of the neck in the first couple of positions. Playing-wise this is a very good neck, nice and straight with minimal fret wear and a just few finish chips on the back. This bass is an excellent player with the typically great Danelectro sound, complete with the very heavy original case! Excellent - Condition.
