Members Fab4ever Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 Just picked up an old Japanese import - I think it's a Teisco, perhaps a Zenon. It has three "gold foil" pickups, a primitive tremelo system and four funky white pickup selectors (one is marked "lead" and "rhyth"). It's like this one, but sunburst (and a bit beat up): Any ideas on what this actually is, and what it might sound like? It's missing a nut so I can't plug it in. It's going to my guitar tech tomorrow morning for a new bone nut and a going-over... Oh, the best part - I got it for 30 bucks! I know it's not some hugely valuable guitar, but if it plays well after a setup and new nut I'll be thrilled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Muddslide Posted July 11, 2010 Members Share Posted July 11, 2010 HOT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JMR Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool beans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elias Graves Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Funkalicious! EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fab4ever Posted July 12, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Yeah, I'm pretty pumped to see how this puppy sounds! Here's a pic of one that is just like mine: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370405266696&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Muddslide Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 I have seen and played guitars exactly like that one, but I can't remember how they were branded, if at all. I love it though. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rex Machete Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Slave2TheAudio Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Cool color! HNGD! (.Y.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members headless Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 I'm far from an expert on these type of guitars, but there's some info on the linked pages about, "Gold Foil" pickup equiped Japanese 1960's era guitars. Note on the second page linked, the author says something about, "Sparkle models" having a devoted following. You guitar looks sparklely---or it that just my cataracts? The pickguard and pickups on the, "Audition" in the second link look a lot like your guitar http://guitarhunter.blogspot.com/2009/05/1960s-audition-kawai-or-teisco-2-pickup.html http://guitarhunter.blogspot.com/2009/06/1960s-kawai-teisco-guitar-body-with.html http://guitarhunter.blogspot.com/2009/04/1960s-kimberly-kawai-electric-guitar.html http://guitarhunter.blogspot.com/2009/08/1960s-audition-kawai-or-teisco-2-pickup.html http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/the-guitar-hunter/9d1aa1281307139e7c399d584a86ad83 There's a Zenon on this page that resembles yours (a pick of your headstock would be helpful: http://kingofkays.com/japan.aspx I think that $30 is a steal. Your guitar has a lot of weird 60's charm and I'm sure you could get a couple of hundred bucks for it (at least you could in my area). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members brandass Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 $30!!! Even if it needs work that's a steal-and-a-half! Very cool, hope it plays as nice as it looks! HNGD!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members outtahear Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Yeah-those pickups can bring $50/ea, and sound great in Teles/Strats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fab4ever Posted July 12, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Thanks for the info and feedback guys! I had seen some of those "Guitar Hunter" pics in my searches... I'm pretty sure I have the right idea - Teisco or perhaps "Audition" branded Teisco in the Zenon style. I brought it to my tech this morning. He's gonna cut a bone nut, replace some screws, set it up and see what she's got. It has some irregularities in the neck that might affect intonation. But at worst, he and I figure, I have an awesome slide guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Red81 Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 for $30 bucks it's a nice piece of wall art at least. i love the looks of these old knock off guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wedgehed II Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twofoolsaminute Posted July 12, 2010 Members Share Posted July 12, 2010 HNGD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members m90guy Posted July 13, 2010 Members Share Posted July 13, 2010 Cool guitar. Those pickups are sweet! Since you brought up Zenon, I suppose I'll have to post a pick of mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fab4ever Posted July 13, 2010 Author Members Share Posted July 13, 2010 SWEET ax m90guy! I hope mine looks as cool when I'm done with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members headless Posted July 13, 2010 Members Share Posted July 13, 2010 Cool guitar. Those pickups are sweet! Since you brought up Zenon, I suppose I'll have to post a pick of mine... Do you use it for Slide? (I couldn't help but notice that the bridge saddles aren't set-up to compensation) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members m90guy Posted July 14, 2010 Members Share Posted July 14, 2010 Do you use it for Slide? (I couldn't help but notice that the bridge saddles aren't set-up to compensation) Yup, pretty much only playable as slide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zenbu Posted July 14, 2010 Members Share Posted July 14, 2010 I see many brand names that look like that over here, seems it was a very popular design and there are still lots around. probably all made by one or two factories...mighta been more... they just slapped any name the customer wanted on the headstocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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