Draggin' Guitars
1957 Silvertone H63 / H64 Espanada
1957 Silvertone H63 / H64 Espanada
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This one of the best-made guitars ever to wear the Silvertone name plate. This vintage guitar was made at the Harmony factory in Chicago, Illinois U.S.A. in 1957. The model name was officially H-63 initially but has been known colloquially as Espanada or H-64. This guitar is in original condition and remarkably solid. These guitars are coveted by players and collectors alike as they came from the factory with Gibson-made pickups and wiring harnesses. Known as the "poor man's ES-175" these guitars sound very similar, and possess that quintessential hot-signal screaming pickup tone that drives your amp and works so well with rockabilly and rock and roll. There are no cracks, breaks or repairs. The original pickguard is missing-probably removed because they look so cool without one. The guitar is solid and has been professionally set up and is ready to play-it needs nothing.
The body is an arch-top design with a laminated maple top and set-neck construction. It is super solid. The black finish is super classy and looks killer with the white binding and knobs. There is light handling evidence all over and some line checking in the finish (longitudinal). The multi-ply binding around the front and back edges is in excellent condition and looks really nice. The top is arched and the backside has a contour as well. The neck joint is solid and the neck angle is great.
The neck itself is a maple wood that really brings out the brilliance in the tone-it also provides an ample attack. The neck is straight and has a nice vintage D profile. It measures 1.73" wide at the nut and the neck depth is .890" at the 1st fret and .965" at the 9th fret. The original tuners all function and the guitar stays in tune well. The headstock and raised logo display excellent. There is a nick in the finish at the top of the headstock-see photos. The fingerboard is "ebonized hardwood" which typically means stained maple to look like rosewood. The binding on the neck is clean and nice. The fingerboard and block position markers are clean and in good condition. The frets have been professionally leveled, crowned and polished and appear super nice-see photos. The action is set medium-low for an easy playing experience and better tonal response. The string height at the 1st fret is .010" and .065" at the 12th fret. The guitar plays nice up and down the fingerboard with no dead spots.
The pickups both have an excellent signal. The neck pickup measures 7.80 ohms and the bridge measures 8.90 ohms. These pickups really cook. They absolutely scream when paired with any quality tube amp at volume. The resonance and sustain is unexpected and thrilling. When reigned in (rolled back)-they provide a smooth tone with a full range. The original wiring harness is all present. The potentiometers date to the 18th week in 1957. Imagine the history that this guitar has seen! The electronics all function smoothly and work as designed. The floating rosewood bridge is in great condition as is the original trapeze 'flip-top' tailpiece.
This guitar is a lot of fun to play and surprisingly comfortable-it only weighs 6.12 lbs so it is extremely lightweight and easy to wield. No sore shoulders or neck-fatigue with this unit! You can play all night long and feel great. The guitar has a nice balance and feels great in your lap or on a strap. It is perfectly at home in the studio, on stage or just on the couch and even sounds great unplugged. It is a great addition to anyone's collection.
A newer soft-case is included for protection.
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