My second offset - Silvertone 1478 Reissue

[Tiga]

I've actually had this guitar a little while now and honestly I'm still smitten with it. My only other offset is a Shell Pink CV Jag and as cool as that little CV is, I honestly think in some ways the Silvertone is better. One of the most amazing things to me was how playable the Silvertone was right out of the box. It was set-up almost perfectly with low action and very nice frets, while my Jag needed much more attention.

Very similar to the original 1963 model in that it has the same body, neck and pickguard shape. Same white tuner knobs (so cool) and single coil pickups that are supposed to be as close as they can to the original. It also has a 20 fret neck at 24.5" scale. Now I've never owned an original 1478 so I can't comment on all the differences, but the most obvious is replacing the original vibrato with a licensed Bigsby. Silvertone states that it's a c-shape neck but I would describe more like a flat C - if that makes any sense. Either way it's very comfortable in the hand. One of the online reviews claimed that the model he received had a lot of fret buzz so I was a little worried on what I might get - but honestly there is no buzzing at all. Extremely comfortable and playable guitar.

The things about the guitar that could be improved include the nut - which is plastic and I'm getting some string binding. This is on my list to address but for some reason I just haven't had time. The other item is the pots are a bit stiff and the tiny yellow plastic knobs don't make turning them any easier. I think the knobs match the spec of the original and I like the look, but it just seems to me that adjusting the pots is a bit awkward (honestly this is minor).

Curious if anyone else has one and has experiences / mods to share. Thanks all.

(can't seem to post pictures - do I need a certain number of posts before I can do that?)

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

Hey Tiga!

The Silvertone 1478 always intrigued me - especially in black it does look very lovely!
It‘s good to finally hear something (good) first hand about it. Haven‘t seen a lot of them around here and haven‘t seen any of them „in the wild“ yet…

For posting pics you need a platform where you host them (imgur, imbb, etc.) and then you need to copy that direct link to the pic (using the BBCode option if available. More details here

Also welcome to OSG!

[Tiga]

Let's see if this works:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/197708432 ... 9U9P2L013/


sort of working but I don't think I did it the right way

[Tiga]

Hey Tiga!

The Silvertone 1478 always intrigued me - especially in black it does look very lovely!
It‘s good to finally hear something (good) first hand about it. Haven‘t seen a lot of them around here and haven‘t seen any of them „in the wild“ yet…

For posting pics you need a platform where you host them (imgur, imbb, etc.) and then you need to copy that direct link to the pic (using the BBCode option if available. More details here

Also welcome to OSG!

Thank you!

Here is a video of Jack Pearson effortlessly playing one. I wish I could say it sounds that good when I play mine LOL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVs0QV4sJ4Q

[Sweetfinger]

...single coil pickups that are supposed to be as close as they can to the original. ...Now I've never owned an original 1478 so I can't comment on all the differences,

Curious if anyone else has one and has experiences / mods to share. Thanks all.

The pickups are not like the original Dearmonds that came on old Harmony instruments. The reissue neck is more modern. The vintage ones have a different profile that takes some getting used to. I haven't gotten around to modding mine much, other than cutting a new pickguard. The printed pattern tortoise had to go.

[Tiga]

Sweetfinger I really like the look of that black pickguard - much better than the original. Did you do it yourself or have it made? I'm not a big fan of the tort guard on the CV Jag I have - looking at either a parchment or mint green replacement at some point.

[Sweetfinger]

Sweetfinger I really like the look of that black pickguard - much better than the original. Did you do it yourself or have it made? I'm not a big fan of the tort guard on the CV Jag I have - looking at either a parchment or mint green replacement at some point.

I Make pickguards for a living..... if you call this "living".
I can cut a parchment or mint CV Jag guard with or without wide bevel whenever you're ready. If you're not in the USA I'd ship through eBay.

[MKR]

Nice guitar. Those are really nice. I wish they were readily available here in Canada, but this is not the case. I would have totally gone for one on my last guitar purchase (which ended up being a danelectro u2).

[Tiga]

I Make pickguards for a living..... if you call this "living".
I can cut a parchment or mint CV Jag guard with or without wide bevel whenever you're ready. If you're not in the USA I'd ship through eBay.

Awesome!

[Synchro]

...single coil pickups that are supposed to be as close as they can to the original. ...Now I've never owned an original 1478 so I can't comment on all the differences,

Curious if anyone else has one and has experiences / mods to share. Thanks all.

The pickups are not like the original Dearmonds that came on old Harmony instruments. The reissue neck is more modern. The vintage ones have a different profile that takes some getting used to. I haven't gotten around to modding mine much, other than cutting a new pickguard. The printed pattern tortoise had to go.

That is truly beautiful. I remember seeing these, when I was a kid. I’m seriously tempted.

[Sweetfinger]

That is truly beautiful. I remember seeing these, when I was a kid. I’m seriously tempted.

It has a new pickguard, same color, but mini-humbuckers in it now. It's for sale. Next time you're in Phoenix, lemme know.

[Synchro]

That is truly beautiful. I remember seeing these, when I was a kid. I’m seriously tempted.

It has a new pickguard, same color, but mini-humbuckers in it now. It's for sale. Next time you're in Phoenix, lemme know.

I’m in the middle of a build project right now; the ultimate Jaguar, but I may be in touch, later on.

[barrycreed]

This model and the 1449 I like. The guy from 60 cycle hum did a nice review on the reissues a while back.
I’ve read the negative reviews but glad to read some positive reviews as well!

[barrycreed]

I also notice on my Google feed, offsets from SubZero and Hartwood. Extremely cheap and not too different to the Silvertone in looks. I wonder if they come from the same factory.

[shoegaze_head]

Welcome to the forum! That is a really nice guitar. Is there a reason the bridge is at an angle unlike the TOM on a fender that sits straight? Is it just a quirk of making it vintage spec or is there a reason for that?