Silvertone S694

by Barb
(parker, co, us)

Value? Collectible?

ANSWER

Hi, Barb--

The Blue Book does not list Silvertone models separately. Here is some general info:

"Silvertone is a House Brand owned and used by Sears and Roebuck between 1941 and 1970. There was no company or factory; Sears owned the name and applied it to various products from such manufacturers as Harmony, Valco, Danelectro, and Kay. Sears and Roebuck acquired Harmony in 1916 to control its respectable ukulele production. Harmony generally sold around forty percent of its guitar production to Sears."

Silvertone S694 - Archtop
Acoustic archtop - Sunburst - Distributed by Sears & Roebuck - Based on Harmony H1456

Spruce top, maple body. Looks to be very close to a Harmony H1456 Monterey, except for the f-holes in one piece (segmented on the H1456). Older models have a black line in the back.

As most Silvertones were sold either through the catalog or in a store, they will generally be entry level quality instruments. For this reason, they are not valued greatly as collector's items. Most will be worth between $90. and $150.

Lynne