Up for sale, a 1967 Silvertone 1488 Silhouette in near-mint condition and in perfect working order. The 1488 was the only Harmony-made Silhouette to feature three pickups, and this top-tier model features a “hand-rubbed Cherry luster finish,” according to the original catalog description. Significantly rarer than the 1488s produced earlier in the decade, this particular example is the last iteration of the model, with tweaks from previous designs both aesthetic and functional including a roller bridge, unique red foil inserts on the DeArmond pickups, a second mini tortoise pickguard accent, and the same large witch hat knobs seen on Harmony’s Color Kat lineup.

This Silhouette has a huge range of tones thanks to the three pickup design and dished on/off toggle switches for each pickup. The DeArmond-made foil pickups deliver a certain percussive cut, jangle, and surprising kick, and this guitar can offer everything from spanky twang in the bridge position to warmer, mellow jazzy tones with only the neck pickup selected. The inclusion of a middle pickup really opens up the range of this instrument beyond what can be achieved with any other Silhouette (or Bobkat) model. Although the red diamond inserts on the pickup covers are one of the notable cosmetic features of this model, the pickup still falls within the "gold foil" family, having identical construction to its assembly line brothers with gold metal inserts. This 1488 Silhouette weighs 7lbs 15oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: “Baseball bat” C, measuring .920” 1st fret, .970” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, pearloid block inlay
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 1/4”
-Nut: 1 3/4” (replacement)
-Tuners: Open gear strip, white buttons

Body Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Pickups: DeArmond red foil pickup x3
-Harness: Untouched solder, CTS mini pots date to the 23rd week of ‘66
-Controls: Volume, Tone x3, Pickup On/Off x3
-Hardware: Six-saddle roller bridge with flip-up string mute (removed), vibrato
-Plastics: Four-ply red tortoise nitrate pickguard and extension (Jun 19, 1967 date stamp), witch hat knobs

The Cherry luster nitro lacquer finish exhibits just a touch of cable rash on the top and back at the lower bout, some light finish scratches on the back well short of “buckle rash,” and a few tiny dings and chips, largely limited to the body perimeter. The nitro gloss on the neck profile is clean and smooth.

A gigbag is included.