I have been given an early 50's model Silvertone electric. It is somewhat shaped like a Strat but has the flat features of a Tele. I can't post pics at work so thats out. What i'm trying to decide is should i take the chance and rebuild this thing so it's worth playing or should i leave it alone. It would have to have top mount pickups like dog ears and the tuners would have to be changed in order for it to stay in tune long enough to hear how it sounds when the pickups are changed. It sounds pretty good now but it needs help. So what would you guys do?

I'm in a similiar situation myself with a knockoff les paul I obtained about 2 years ago that needs some work done. I looked around at the parts required and worked out a rough amount on what it would cost to fix it and made my decision from there (yeah, still in process ) I say if it needs work done and it won't cost much then it would be worth it.

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I say go for it. As long as it doesn't hurt the bank balance too much there is never any harm in having another guitar around. You may even grow to love it after all the TLC.

CC

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If it works now, I'd leave it. I have a 57 Dano U1 that's all beat up but I got it to play great and the original lipstick pup sounds awesome. They were pretty simple guitars and are worth a few bucks now. I've been offered between $500 and $800 for my Dano and it's neck has all kinds of paint wear and scratches on it. Tons of Mojo and a blast to play.

If it won't hurt too much financially, I'd say definitely go for it. It could turn into a really fun/creative custom job.

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Free & Easy Down the Road I Go

+1 Especially if it stay in tune and the intonation is true.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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I agree. Check the value of the guitar as it is first. Once you change it the value will drop. If you do make changes make sure to keep original parts so you can put it back in original condition. If you don't care about it's value then do what ever you want. Good luck!

You may want to check this out before you decide.

http://www.vintagesilvertones.com/galle ... ILVERTONES

I'd certainly go for fixing it up trying to do as little invasive damage as possible.The finish should be left alone if original and same goes for hardware too,I'd scour the websites looking for scrapped Silvertones and look into mags such as Vintage Guitar as their classifieds are a treasure trove of vintage parts.With the price of old Silvertones,Harmonys and Kents etc. going up lately you could hardly go wrong,also you'd end up with a funky sounding guitar.BTW Skunk Baxter was partial to using old Silvertones etc. on a lot of Steely Dan's tracks.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Well after looking at this i think it's from the early 50's Kay stock for Silvertone. It doesn't have the original pickup on it now so that wouldn't be a problem. It really needs a new pickguard and electronics along with the tuners. I really don't know what it is worth now and i don't want to put more in it than it's worth. How would i go about finding out it's value?

+1 with what fhopkins said.

Iv'e seen quite a few of those old Dano's and such set up as slide only instruments. Those lipstick pups really sing......... Mike

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