The Silvertone 1300 guitar amplifier was introduced in the spring/summer of 1947 and was manufactured until 1950. It was a Sears and Roebuck guitar amplifier that sold in their catalog for $60-$70 under part number 57L01300. It was a simple amp with 3 inputs, an 8 inch speaker, and 12-14 watts of max output through a 5 tube power unit. It was beautifully assembled in a small but sturdy wooden cabinet that featured a painted treble clef on the front speaker fabric and a leather handle on top. The three inputs are controlled with two separate volume knobs (two of the inputs are tied to a single volume knob) and a master tone switch for all three inputs that doubled as the amp’s on/off switch.
The Silvertone 1300 was used by a number of artists during the 1950s and can be credited with establishing many of the signature and iconic sounds and songs created during this era. Most notably, Luther Perkins, who used the Silvertone 1300 during recording sessions for several Johnny Cash songs, including the classics “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Cry, Cry, Cry,” and “Hey Porter.” From this early use, the Silvertone 1300 amplifier has gained some real estate at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, where it is proudly displayed.
I was lucky enough to own a Silvertone a few years ago and I can say on the authority of a proud owner that the sound of this little wonder is simply amazing. The amp’s simplicity allows it to exploit the raw qualities and tones of a true vintage tube amp that simply isn’t possible in a modern amp. The tone is clean and clear down to about 8 watts, after which you overdrive the tubes creating a thick, flavorful crunch that’s the quintessential vintage sound you’d expect from an amp like this. It is almost indescribable. I play my Silvertone often, but deep down I know my time with it in its current state is limited. While I’m lucky that everything on it is original (even the tubes), the unfortunate reality is that tubes don’t last forever. These precious amps from the ’40s, ’50s and early ’60s will be lost forever as they fall prey to the harshness and reality of time. Sure, tubes and transformers can be replaced, but modern replacements aren’t the same and don’t have the same tonal qualities as tubes, transformers, and speakers that were made around the time Rock-n-Roll was born. .
If you like to collect vintage instruments and amps, you may one day find a Silvertone 1300 to add to your collection. They’re hard to find, but if you’re patient and persistent, you’ll eventually find one. They’re out there, but you’ll have to look.
