In any case, in 1968 the Japanese companies were feeling their oats and began to come up with original guitar designs. Kawai seems to have kept the Teisco and its own lines separate throughout this period. In January of 1967 they were acquired by Kawai, the piano company turned guitarmaker. They were probably the most successful brand during that decade. Teisco, which had formed following World War II as a Hawaiian guitar and amp company, had considerable success with exporting into the 1960s. The Teisco May Queen appeared at a significant time in Japanese guitarmaking. This rarity has to contribute to Holy Grailness.
![teisco del rey ep 8 teisco del rey ep 8](https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--lSV_eCeS--/f_auto,t_large/v1543231790/nqfmb2sz7ll4j7j5brsd.jpg)
![teisco del rey ep 8 teisco del rey ep 8](https://guitar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Rory-Gallagher-1965-Teisco-Del-Ray-Body-49@1050x1400.jpg)
And, as mentioned, a red finish is really special. We have no idea how many were made, but ‘60s Japanese guitars are fewer than most people suspect. These just do not come around very often. Still, I’ve never seen a catalog, ad, or other evidence of it’s being sold in the US. Then again, it does have an English engraving on the pickguard. As far as I know, the May Queen was made for domestic consumption-or at least regional consumption-only. With Samick Music Corporation (Silvertone) or Sears, Roebuck and Co.Vintage 1968 Teisco May Queen Electric Guitar Description from ġ74 West 4th Street, Suite 190, New York, NY 10014-3964 Overall length: 45" Description from īody thickness: 1.25" with neck 1.25" Description from They are just very quiet when turned down all the way. All of the electronics work great however, the pickups are never really off. There is also a three-way switch for rhythm, solo and bass selections. There are three knobs: a volume pot for each pickup and a tone pot for both. Both pickups in combination provide an endless variety of tones good for any style. The bridge pickup is brighter and twangier, perfect for country, rock, folk, punk and bluegrass. The neck pickup is bassy, warm and smooth, great for jazz, blues, rock and soul. The two adjustable single coil pickups with chromed surrounds are very clean. The steel reinforced neck and the frets feel fantastic under your fingers. There is minor fret wear on the first two frets but that does not effect the playabilty or tone. The headstock, featuring a raised metal Teisco Del Ray crown logo, is very clean as well with just two very small blemishes. It has a straight, bolt-on neck with circular inlays on a rosewood fretboard, 23 frets including a zero fret, and a 24.5" scale. The six individual opened-back, chromed machine-heads with metal buttons and white plastic around the base of each peg, are in good working condition.
![teisco del rey ep 8 teisco del rey ep 8](https://assets.catawiki.nl/assets/2016/8/3/8/9/9/8990cb94-5976-11e6-9722-50d975f790f0.jpg)
![teisco del rey ep 8 teisco del rey ep 8](https://www.vintageandrare.com/uploads/products/60486/2351804/original.jpg)
With its unique greenburst finish, this guitar is really cool, plays beautifully and sounds superb! For an appoximately fifty year old guitar, it looks great.
Teisco del rey ep 8 full#
We state all this for full disclosure but these blemishes are really difficult to notice. Additionally, the binding on the bottom has separated from the wood a very little bit but that does not effect the playability, solidity or tone. There are also a few very light, barely noticeable scratches to the finish on the back that are too shallow to see right away. There are about three lines of crazing on the front, one on the back and a few on the side. Get this groovy greenburst before it's gone. This is a beautifully designed guitar that has stayed well preserved for its approximately 50 years of existence. The tones are amazing and with its medium-fast action, it feels great to play. This guitar is 100% original and in good condition. It features a deluxe, extra large but thin body for optimum sound resonance. It is a hollowbody, double-cutaway, instrument with a greenburst finish, two adjustable single coil pickups, two f-holes, a raised black pickguard with an ornate decorative inlay, white binding, a rosewood fingerboard, an adjustable, friction free, roller-style bridge to eliminate vibrato friction on the strings and a heavy duty chromed tremolo tailpiece. This is a Teisco Del Rey EP 10T guitar made in Japan circa 1967.