Silvertone 1457 – Guitar and Amp-in-Case Combo (1964–1966)
 
The Silvertone 1457 represents a unique chapter in guitar history—an innovative, stylish, and accessible instrument package introduced in the golden era of electric guitars. Manufactured by Danelectro and sold under the Silvertone brand by Sears, Roebuck and Co., the 1457 was part of a groundbreaking product line that brought electric guitars into the homes of countless aspiring musicians.
 
The concept of the “amp-in-case” was pioneered by Silvertone in 1962 with the Model 1448, a single-pickup guitar paired with a compact amplifier built directly into the guitar’s hard-shell case. While the 1448 was a commercial success due to its affordability and beginner-friendly design, it was quickly followed by the more refined and feature-rich Silvertone 1457, introduced in the Fall/Winter 1964 Sears catalog.
 
The 1457 featured a dual-lipstick pickup design, offering improved tonal versatility over its predecessor. These pickups, housed in actual lipstick tubes, were a signature of Nathan Daniel, founder of Danelectro, and are prized for their bright, jangly tone. The guitar also boasted a 3-way pickup selector switch, concentric (stacked) volume and tone knobs for each pickup, and a fully adjustable neck tilt—a clever innovation that allowed players to adjust the neck angle without removing it.
 
Aesthetically, the 1457 stands out with its eye-catching red sparkle burst finish accented by silver flecks—an iconic look that remains popular with collectors. The body was constructed from masonite (hardboard) over a poplar frame, making it remarkably lightweight while still providing good resonance. The neck was typically maple with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard, featuring 21 frets and a 25-inch scale length—nestled comfortably between Fender's 25.5" and Gibson's 24.75" standards, offering a versatile feel.
 
Housed in the guitar case was a surprisingly capable amplifier for its size. The 1457's amp featured an 8-inch Jensen speaker, delivering warm, vintage tones. It came equipped with controls for volume and tone, as well as a tremolo circuit with intensity and speed knobs, enabling players to experiment with modulated sounds on the go.
 
Though production ceased in late 1966, the 1457 was still available through early 1967. Despite its relatively short run, the Silvertone 1457 remains a cult classic, revered for its distinctive sound, quirky charm, and revolutionary design—an enduring symbol of a time when innovation met affordability in perfect harmony.
Original parts on guitar and amp including pots, pickups, tubes, speaker.
 
Specs
Double cutaway
Two lipstick pickups
Volume and tone controls for each pickup
Amp: 8inch speaker, three tubes, tube rectifier
Integrated ampin-case design with tone, volume, and tremolo (speed and strength) controls
Two inputs (missing tremolo footswitch)