Teisco 8 String

[John Keefe]

Hello Steelers,

A few days ago I saw an 8-string, 2-pickup Teisco lap steel on eBay, which appeared
to have a fair amount of vintage on it. I have another Teisco, a 7-string model,
from the 50s I believe, and while the design of the pickup is a little suspect,
it has great tone. Both were offered by someone I had done satisfactory business with.

Well, the guitar was bid away from me. I am left wondering what I may have missed
with the 8-string, and if I should go on a quest.

It is not an exact copy of some Fender, and from what I could tell
was substantial and made of fairly nice wood in a natural finish, and a stylish fingerboard
with red and black markers. (Loading pictures on this site is beyond me.)

Does anyone know these guitars? Am I missing a lot, and should I be searching for another?
I know that Japanese guitars generally require a bit of electrical work, but that does not trouble me.

Thanks for your thoughts

John Keefe

[Blake Hawkins]

Rick
I hav a Teisco model EGNW which I purchased new in
1953 from Teisco in Tokyo.
It is a general copy of a National but larger and heavier,
It has the original pickups which sound good to me, the
sound is mellow Hawaiian.
I also have a 6string Teisco lap steel.
The 8 string double neck i used with Western Swing music
for many years.
There is a picture of it on Brad's page of steel.
I will be glad to answer any questions you may have,

[David Renson]

I purchased a teisco double neck 8 string console on Reverb for around $800.The pickups were way to microphonic to deal with. I tried to take them apart to pot them and ended up destroying them. I purchased 3 lace pickups and loaded them inside the original pickups housing (I had to file the ends of the housing a bit to fit them and use wax to keep them from moving or touching the inside). With this setup I can now raise and lower the pickups as the only complaint I've heard for the lace pickups is that they are too loud. I still need to get it wired correctly but it looks and sounds great. It's another project waiting to be finished as I normally play an Eharp

[John Keefe]

Hi David,

Thanks for your observations. I have a simple Teisco lap steel, and had quite a surprise when I went to tune them up. No bobbins, some sort of parchment wrapping, but I believe it was an honest attempt at a humbucker. It's out at the refurbishers now.

John Keefe
New York City