The 293 and 295 were
among some of the first Silvertone-branded six-string archtops.
We'd seen the 'Artist' name before, given to the Harmony-built
255, but this guitar, similar in its music
note decor to the K-46 and cutaway
K-11S/B, was from our friends at Kay.
Click for catalog listings
The Silvertone
293/5 'Artist'
models were part of a 'titled' line of Silvertone guitars offered by Sears in
the years before World War II. Built by Kay, with a rosewood capped pearl-inlaid
headstock and striking 'shark fin' fret markers, this guitar was available in
blonde and 'violin brown.' Adirondack spruce top with maple back and sides, an
unusual curved-end bridge, binding everywhere, and a multi-ply maple neck
rounded out the features of this 'finest master size' archtop.
Introduced:
Fall / Winter 1941
Retired:
Spring/Summer 1943