Help Re-Discover Teisco
Until the 1990’s Teisco guitars were not considered collectable, nor
were they given any respect as a vintage instrument. In 2009 the Official Vintage
Guitar Price Guide contained less than half a page to cover the vast range of
models made by Teisco. Even their description of the models is very general and
the values were completely wrong compared to what the market was paying at that
time. It demonstrates the lack of respect that collectors had towards these
guitars. Given that some of these models were selling well past the thousand
dollars mark, it seems useless to print in a price book the most a Teisco
guitar is worth is five hundred dollars. This is the type of problem faced with
Teisco collecting. There is no guide, or references to base anything on.
The biggest issue with collecting Teisco’s is that there is no records
kept of the models and their original state. The original company is long gone
and any records that existed would have been in Japanese. Unlike American
guitar companies, trying to contact people in Japan regarding Teisco history is
almost impossible.
A lot of models had several versions while others constantly evolved
over several years. There was also a few model numbers that were re-used
several years later for different shaped guitars. This adds to the confusion as
to what is your guitar and what is it suppose to look like. Then try to
determine when it was made and what it is worth becomes confusing. Then to
confuse the matter even more, Teisco some how got the credit for manufacturing
almost all the Japanese vintage guitars during the 60’s. Many cheaper quality
instruments manufactured by other companies were assumed to be Teiscos,
bringing down the reputation of the brand. There was actually about eight
manufactures during the 1960’s in Japan, producing a wide range in
quality.
So where does all that leave us?
Well there are a couple of sources of information on the World Wide Web.
There is a lot of misleading information on Teiscos and just because it is on
some ones page does not mean that it is true. But given the amount of
information they had to start with, they did a pretty good job collecting what
information they have. For the past 10 years we have been quietly compiling
data to provide all the answers relating to the history of Teisco Guitars. We
have identified and recorded about one hundred and fifty seven models of
guitars and basses produced by Teisco, plus there are additional models with
other brand names. (eg Silvertone, Kimberley etc..) For more information on what we are trying to
achieve, visit the serial number /
date chart project page,
But more information is needed so all the gaps can be filled before we
start publishing any material. This is where we need your help to rediscover
Teisco.
Stuff We Are Looking For!!!;
Well if it’s Teisco,
we are interested. The main categories of stuff we are looking for are as
follows, but anything else is always welcome. Click the links below for more
details on each topic;
1. Information on Teisco Guitars and
Bass Models (Share your Teisco’s with us);
2. Catalogues & Other Documentation;
3. Teisco Guitars & Basses Accessories;
4. Past Company owners / employees ( or
Friends and Family);
5.
Other Branded Guitars that Might be a
Teisco Built Guitar;
Also If you are
convinced that you have searched the web far and wide for days and weeks and
you think you have a very rare vintage Japanese guitar, then send it through.
We may be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction.
How
to Get in Contact With Us
Contact us if you
think you have any other information that may be relevant in discovering the
history of the Teisco Guitars. So don’t be shy, we need your help.
We can be contacted at;
MIJ_60s_Guitars@iinet.net.au
Please note that any photos,
information etc. may be published in either electronic or print form, in the
future. By providing us photos, documentation or information, you are giving
your consent for us to use the material provided for publishing. If you want to
share something, but don’t want it published, then please make that very clear
in your email. We will respect your wishes.
Thank you for
your support.
MIJ 60s Guitars
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(Last Revised: 15th Jun 2013.)
© 2012 MAI Music
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