Silvertone

Back in the 1950s, when I was a young boy and folk music was becoming a thing, I was fascinated by all the instruments of the genre.  Most of my knowledge was gleaned from the Sears Catalog. I couldn’t wait for the new one to come out so I could peruse the pictures and descriptions of all the guitars, banjos, mandolins et al.  I wasn’t just a folky, though. I wanted one of those Silvertone electrics with the amp in the case in the worst way.  The music pages of the Sears catalog were magic to my 8 year old self.  I would put stars by the ones I really wanted and circle the ones that would come later. I wanted all of them.  Fortunately, my mother was a music teacher who had attended Julliard as a teenager and, even though she was not quite thrilled that I wanted to play folk and rock music, she decided that I was interested enough in learning how to play that she would get me a little guitar. I did not know this. She conspired with my grandfather and he ordered and purchased the guitar from Sears for my 8th Christmas. A Silvertone acoustic!! It cost around $8 and was virtually unplayable but, since I couldn’t play, I didn’t care.
It was a guitar!

That was the beginning of my love affair, but it would take another 3 or 4 years before I really knew what to do. Prior to that, I would just stand in front of a mirror and pretend to be the Kingston Trio, not knowing the first thing about playing the guitar.  By the time I was 11 or 12, my big brother’s friend, who was on his way to becoming a really fine player, showed me some things and lent me a better (read: easier to tune and play) guitar.  I picked it up easily and started practicing every day.  I was becoming a bona fide folky.  I was learning Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Gordon Lightfoot, just having a big ol’ time. 
Like a lot of folks my age, I taught myself and used my ear, which my mother had generously donated via genetics, to pick out the chords to my favorites. 

When the Beatles happened, of course that changed everything for every kid my age who was playing or wanting to play. I was 15 in 1964 and my head exploded. I think many of my peers would tell you that those songs gave us great lessons in theory and harmony and expanded our understanding of music in general without us knowing it. As I would sit and listen to the songs, my head would spin with all of those wonderful intervals those guys were coming up with. One, Four, Five became Two Minors and Sus Fours and Raised 5ths. My playing became more focused and even though I was still not very good, I could see improvement. 

At this point, because I was obviously serious, my mother relented one Christmas and I got my first electric guitar, a 1964 Fender Mustang.  I couldn’t decide if I wanted to still play folk music or dive head first into the rock world. I was also a closet Earnest Tubb and Hank Williams fan. This was not cool in Ennis, Texas in the 60s.  This brings up an interesting point. I think that there were many like me who saw the value and similarities in folk, country and rock and some of them went to California and invented folk rock and country rock.  We were drawn to all those genres, so why not combine them. There was Bob Dylan, the Byrds, James Taylor and later, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Jackson Browne,
The Eagles, the list is endless. But, I think they all had their ears in all camps from the beginning. 

Well, it seems this article about first guitars and the holidays has veered off into other territories. At this point, it’s all nostalgia to me. But that’s the thing about being a guitar player. There is a thread that runs through all of your musical experiences and awakenings. From your first guitar to your first learned songs to your first band and your first gig, they all become landmarks on your journey. So, my journey began with an $8 Silvertone and has traveled to an embarrassment of riches in experiences, more great guitars and many good friends.  

Here is hoping that a kid somewhere with an obsession and a dream gets his first guitar and takes the first step on that journey, even if it’s just standing in front of a mirror.

Happy Holidays, everyone!
John Cable, 2022