Silvertone Silhouette 1488 1965 w/ Original Case

No sales tax for customers outside California.

This 1965 Silvertone Silhouette Model 1488 is one of the most sought-after electric guitars from the golden era of Danelectro-made Silvertones, and this example—complete with its original case—is a beautifully preserved piece of mid-’60s American guitar history.

This example is in beautiful shape and it plays really well too.  The frets show light wear and they feel great.  The neck is killer - no humpy issues as you see on some of these guitars and we easily got it set up really well with room in the truss rod for future neck relief adjustments.  There are no changes, repairs, or issues.  The original case is in really nice shape too.

Featuring the classic offset Silhouette body, triple pickups, and the distinctive offset styling, the 1488 delivers that unmistakable bright, jangly, and slightly gritty tone that defined everything from ’60s garage rock to modern indie recordings.

The lightweight poplar construction gives the guitar its signature resonance and fast attack. The pickups provide chimey cleans, snappy rhythm tones, and an expressive, microphonic charm that only vintage Danelectro-built instruments offer. Paired with the comfortable C-shaped neck and classic Silvertone vibrato tailpiece, the 1488 plays effortlessly and feels authentically “1960s” in every way.

Players praise these guitars for their uniqueness and character: “The pickups are magic—pure vintage sparkle” (The Gear Page), “Silhouettes cut beautifully in a mix” (Reddit r/Guitar), “Light, resonant, and quirky in the best way” (Harmony Central), “A sleeper collectible from the Danelectro factory” (Vintage Guitar Forum), and “The 1488 vibrato is surprisingly smooth” (MyLesPaul Forum).

Used by modern retro-rock players and prized by collectors, Silvertone 1488 models have become increasingly desirable for their tone, style, and rarity.

For related gear, see our full Vintage & Used Guitar Selection, Vintage & Used Effects Pedal Offering, or Sell or Trade Your Gear page.

Every instrument at Mahar’s Vintage Guitars is inspected, photographed accurately, and professionally set up.

• Color: Red
• Weight: 6lbs 14oz
  
• Body: Poplar
  
• Neck: Maple
  
• Neck Profile: "Chunky, rounded" C
• Neck Date/Code: 
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
  
• Inlays: Pearl Block 
  
• Frets: Original
  
• Fret Count: 20
  
• Nut: Original
  
• Nut width: 1-3/4"
  
• Radius: 9.5"
  
• Scale: 24"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .99"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: 1.95"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Total length: 39-1/4"
• Lower bout: 13-1/4"
• Waist: 8-3/8"
• Upper bout: 11-1/8"
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1-1/2"
  
• String gauge: 9-42
  
• Hardware Color: Nickel/Chrome
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: DeArmond Silver Foil
• Pickup Reading: 11.43k
• Original?: Yes
• Middle Pickup/Brand: DeArmond Silver Foil
• Pickup Reading: 12.51k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: DeArmond Silver Foil
• Pickup Reading: 11.42k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original Rosewood
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Individual pickup on/off 
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: Original Chippy w/ safety strap
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.