Silvertone Model 1445L Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Kay, c. 1962, black hard shell case.

Silvertone Model 1445L Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar, made by Kay, c. 1962, made in Chicago, natural top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case. The Model 1445 was the Sears iteration of Kay's "Speed Demon", part of the company's new concepts for their 1960s line. With an arched laminated maple body carrying three "Speed bump" pickups, the 1445 is a good-sounding guitar -- and a good-looking one too, with a nice flame maple grain to the top and Rickenbacker-like checkerboard binding. Offered originally in 1961 at $99.50 through Sears, this was quite a good bargain in an electric guitar for the time. "Made to professional standards", Sears promised, and in this case they are on target, as this is a least as nice an instrument as most full-line Kays.Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm.), 15 in. (38.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 1/4 in. (616 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). An excellent player with some recent fretwork and setup; the guitar is complete and original except the pickguard is missing and the mounting holes have been filled. The bridge appears to be the correct fitting, but there are also a couple of patched screw holes under it, so it has likely been replaced. There is a small split in the tailpiece base but it is stable. Overall a good gigging example of this funky Chicago classic. Excellent - Condition.