"How bad is it?" Silvertone Hornet resurrection

[Beej]

Aaaaand... done!

 

[JIO]

Aaaaand... done!

Well, that part anyway - I need to make a trip to the hardware store for bolts. Flat-slot bolts may have been original as I've seen others like it but my Coral (same tuners) have Philips-head bolts so I'm not certain. Also need to start looking at rattle-can colours - will take the tort pg for reference. This finish I've done on my first Teiscobird (hand-rubbed bronze metallic with gold glitter-blast and satin nitro clear) - always good as a default.

 

[Gary_M]

Looking awesome! Nice improvisation on the ferules/bushings.

 

[JIO]

Looking awesome! Nice improvisation on the ferules/bushings.

Thanks! It is good to know that a ferrule is a ferrule - the basic unit is mostly the same for string-thru and tuner application, just a matter of finding the right size and drilling them out. (if string-thru) I used inset bolt lugs from bicycle brakes for string-thru ferrules on a bass years ago.

 

[rickwrench]

All but a very (very) few Silvertone 1443s, aka "Hornet", were black/red burst in lacquer. Those that are not black/red are refinished.
The 1443 did use three screws for the neck, plus the tilt adjuster. Early in the production run they used a triangular neck plate. Later, no plate.
Probably the hardest parts to find are the two stainless pickup trim rings. Then knob sets.
Somebody is currently parting one out on ebay. Search 'Silvertone 1443'. There are a couple complete instruments, too. One is clearly a refinish.
After taking a look at the current listings, I had to check that my stash of 1443 parts were not, in fact, made of solid gold...

 

[MCF]

1966 is the year I bought my 1st solid-body electric bass. No pics of it - imagine that by todays standard. Unimaginable. I can only guess what it was and what it looked like. It wasn't a Silvertone - it only costed $40 bought at Woolworths Dept Store.

This is what I think it was - a Stadium, also badged St George like the pic... but I would have remembered that being a George... The St George name came from Anthony George who imported guitars/basses from Fujigen Gakki in the 60's to his "Georges Music Store" in New York and CA. He visited their factory many times, helping to influence their designs for the American market.

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I used to visit the small assortment of Teiscos at our town’s Thrifty Drug beginning in ‘69. I don’t recall our Woolworths having guitars. Our Roscos had a few, no idea how they were branded, Teisco siblings next to the small album selection. Bought my first Quicksilver album there. And there were used Japanese basses in the local pawn brought back by Airmen who were stationed there. I loved how they were all a little quirky.

 

[JIO]

I used to visit the small assortment of Teiscos at our town’s Thrifty Drug beginning in ‘69. I don’t recall our Woolworths having guitars. Our Roscos had a few, no idea how they were branded, Teisco siblings next to the small album selection. Bought my first Quicksilver album there. And there were used Japanese basses in the local pawn brought back by Airmen who were stationed there. I loved how they were all a little quirky.

The way I ended up a bass player was looking up at the row of guitars on the wall behind the counter and seeing only one bass. It was bigger/longer and only had 4 strings. I thought it would be easier to learn how to play. I put $20 down on it from my paper-route earnings and when I told my dad about it he paid the $20 balance so I could get it quicker. No case or gig-bag (didn't know what a gb was) - I don't even recall getting a box to take it home in. I do remember seeing the black Silvertone guitars in the "amp" case at Sears, but no basses there. It was months later before getting an amp - a Heathkit that my dad and I built.

First Lp's would have been "Little Deuce Coupe" Beach Boys, "Here They Come" Paul Revere and the Raiders, and 'Aftermath" - Stones, but already had a small 45 collection.

 

[Slidlow]

I remember my Dad building the Heathkit guitar combo amp. I used it with my first bass build when I was 16.

 

[JIO]

All but a very (very) few Silvertone 1443s, aka "Hornet", were black/red burst in lacquer. Those that are not black/red are refinished.
The 1443 did use three screws for the neck, plus the tilt adjuster. Early in the production run they used a triangular neck plate. Later, no plate.
Probably the hardest parts to find are the two stainless pickup trim rings. Then knob sets.
Somebody is currently parting one out on ebay. Search 'Silvertone 1443'. There are a couple complete instruments, too. One is clearly a refinish.
After taking a look at the current listings, I had to check that my stash of 1443 parts were not, in fact, made of solid gold...

Thanks - good to know about the 3 screw neck attachment and plate/no plate versions. The third screw on my Coral is short and only holds the plate down. Yep, the chrome surrounds are nowhere to be found. I'll put my 3 original knobs for sale - they are a bit rough condition anyway.

Just saw the 1443 listings you spoke of - added all up it comes to $980.50 ... seeing the tuners confirmed straight-slot bolts and since I have 2 out of 4, that's probably what they were.

 

[JIO]

I remember my Dad building the Heathkit guitar combo amp. I used it with my first bass build when I was 16.

A bit later, I chopped the head off so it could be more portable/lighter. (2 separate units) It had 2 15" speakers so was pretty heavy. I don't recall knowing anything about "tone" then, it was only important that it was loud.

 

[Slidlow]

A bit later, I chopped the head off so it could be more portable/lighter. (2 separate units) It had 2 15" speakers so was pretty heavy. I don't recall knowing anything about "tone" then, it was only important that it was loud.

The guitar amp was open back with two 12s. Only 25 watts and clipped pretty quickly with the bass. The bass was my very first build after I stripped down a cheap Vibra bass I bought used. The Vibra had no life whatsoever but the parts on a new body and neck sounded pretty good. That started my bass building adventure around 40+ years ago.

 

[JIO]

The guitar amp was open back with two 12s. Only 25 watts and clipped pretty quickly with the bass. The bass was my very first build after I stripped down a cheap Vibra bass I bought used. The Vibra had no life whatsoever but the parts on a new body and neck sounded pretty good. That started my bass building adventure around 40+ years ago.

Wow - that's cool. Do you have a pic of that bass? My modding tendencies started with the Heathkit, and later I stripped the trans-red finish off my early 70's EB-3 and had it made fretless. (a shop did it)

 

[Slidlow]

Wow - that's cool. Do you have a pic of that bass? My modding tendencies started with the Heathkit, and later I stripped the trans-red finish off my early 70's EB-3 and had it made fretless. (a shop did it)

There's a pic somewhere. If I find it I will post. Had a LP type solid Honduras mahogany body with a maple and oak laminated neck. All the hardware and pickups came from the Vibra. Made it 32" scale fretless and never looked at frets again after that.

 

[JIO]

There's a pic somewhere. If I find it I will post. Had a LP type solid Honduras mahogany body with a maple and oak laminated neck. All the hardware and pickups came from the Vibra. Made it 32" scale fretless and never looked at frets again after that.

I play fretless and currently have one that was my first bass design/build project. I've owned a few others over the years but stuck with frets. I use the fretless mostly for recording specific songs these days. I think all the guitars/basses coming out of Japan in the 60's were Luan (mahogany), at least all the bodies and most of the necks.

 

[Slidlow]

I play fretless and currently have one that was my first bass design/build project. I've owned a few others over the years but stuck with frets. I use the fretless mostly for recording specific songs these days. I think all the guitars/basses coming out of Japan in the 60's were Luan (mahogany), at least all the bodies and most of the necks.

Yes I believe the Vibra had that type of mahogany and the body was ply as well. I make too much noise on fretted.

 

[JIO]

Used a heat gun and removed the paint. I almost think it was latex house paint because it hardly smelled and came off so easily. Any residue is ok as I'll be sanding/priming it first. All & all it's in good shape other than the body was split at one point and glued together misaligned. You can see the mostly wood area below the bridge pu cavity where I sanded it flush. No biggy.

You can see where I've sanded to make it flush on the back also. It was where the body was originally joined (2 piece) and must have separated from a fall and glued back together. At least that seems possible. It was probably when it was stripped and painted white.There was no remnant of black/red, but there was some brown. The 1 pu version came in a brown-burst, so who knows, maybe this was a rare brown-burst 2 pu Hornet.

Got 4 matching bolts - they are bevel caps but the washer openings are a bit oversized so they recess and center them nicely. Now I have 2 original bolts and one original washer - with the 3 original knobs - it's time to make a killing on eBay!

Looked at rattle-can colours and nothing appealed to me. I just might do the same distressed finish as on my Coral - looks good with vintage tort!

 

[Slidlow]

Wow - that's cool. Do you have a pic of that bass? My modding tendencies started with the Heathkit, and later I stripped the trans-red finish off my early 70's EB-3 and had it made fretless. (a shop did it)

Didn't find that first one but found this photo of #2 design circa 1982.

While a fantastic sounding bass it was not as ergonomic as I wanted and set about design #3 (1987). I've used this, with very slight refinements, ever since.

 

[JIO]

Really cool - I dig the hs design on the earlier one. 24 positions I'll assume - are they longer than 34" scale? And is your later/current bass a neck-thru? Passive?

 

[Slidlow]

Really cool - I dig the hs design on the earlier one. 24 positions I'll assume - are they longer than 34" scale? And is your later/current bass a neck-thru? Passive?

The earlier was a bolt on and yes two octave neck. I am thinking of reviving this style with corrections to the ergonomics. Needs a change to the horns for balance and access. I also have a reverse "pseudo" explorer like design that works with that headstock but makes it a rather long instrument. The headstock could be reduced as well with smaller (and lighter) tuning machines. I think it would work well as a medium or short scale too. It was passive with a DiMarzio and Badass bridge. It actually sounded better then the later which is a neck through and has Alembic pickups and preamp. Both are 34" scale. Sometimes I can't believe this was back in the 80s. Feels like yesterday still.
Here's the "explorer" drawing from 1985.

 

[JIO]

The earlier was a bolt on and yes two octave neck. I am thinking of reviving this style with corrections to the ergonomics. Needs a change to the horns for balance and access. I also have a reverse "pseudo" explorer like design that works with that headstock but makes it a rather long instrument. The headstock could be reduced as well with smaller (and lighter) tuning machines. I think it would work well as a medium or short scale too. It was passive with a DiMarzio and Badass bridge. It actually sounded better then the later which is a neck through and has Alembic pickups and preamp. Both are 34" scale. Sometimes I can't believe this was back in the 80s. Feels like yesterday still.
Here's the "explorer" drawing from 1985.

That's cool too - I've learned to avoid certain designs after making a bass with them and after playing realize they are not ergonomic. I love unorthodox design, as long as it's user-friendly and balances well. Also have a few active basses that sound great - but favor passive these days.