The direct ancestor of the electric guitar, the lap steel, was the end result of an inspirational metal bolt on a guitar string in the hands of, the Hawaiian generally credited as the father of the Hawaiian, or lap steel guitar.

From those humble acoustic beginnings, the lap steel was electrified in the early 1930s by

Sears offered a variety of lap steels over the years, mostly made by Harmony and Valco/National.

Don Helms, the innovative pioneering steel player for Hank Williams learned his first weeping notes on a Silvertone





Silvertones have been played by nearly every artist that has ever picked up a guitar. Elvis, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Don Helms, Brad Paisley... the list goes on and on... and they all cut their musical teeth for at least part of their learning process on a Silvertone instrument.







Nowadays, artists are turning to Silvertone more and more in their search for the sound. Look for a Silvertone amp or instrument on a stage near you, you'll be pleasantly surprised.







This, I believe, is a c.1956 model 1310 Silvertone, made by Valco. Finished in a grey pearloid finish, it is in very good condition, (see pix, one flaw: pic #4). and fully functional.

Very cool art deco style lap !!

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