Help ID This Axe

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 26 Jun 2009 4:16 pm

I'm going to put this up for sale and I'd like to at least know what brand/maker it might be.

No markings on the exterior that I can find.
Internet searches turn up Kawai, Tiesco, Norma, etc. The electronics all look similar, but none match the headstock of this one. Possibly even Harmony, Kay or Silvertone, I suppose.

Japanese build I'm pretty sure, probably from the 60's.

Anybody ID the headstock for sure?

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 26 Jun 2009 4:50 pm

The hardware and other features look similar to guitars that were sold in department stores in the
late 60's or early 70's. I have a bass of similar design that I bought from a drummer and converted to
a usable six string bass guitar that I used occasionally on sessions. I believe they were Japanese imports and carried no name on the headstock, but different chain stores could have their own names put on. Mine has a slightly different headstock, but a lot of the hardware is the same.

Robert Tripp · Post by **Robert Tripp** » 26 Jun 2009 9:04 pm

A lot of these were made by Tiesco. They were as mentioned often sold by dept stores who ordered them with a decal. Many many unknown brands come to ming such as Orlando, St. George, Aria (before they launched their own line), silvertone, airline, and even Old Kraftsman.

I currently have an old 335 copy by Aria with a bolt on neck, and what appear to be the same pick ups as those in the photo. Ebay used to be littered with them, but not so much any more.

Wanna buy mine? lol

Rick Batey · Post by **Rick Batey** » 27 Jun 2009 2:43 am

Jerry, the guitar pictured below is in the 'Kawai export' section of the Japanese book '60s Bizarre Guitars.

Your guitar:

Hope this helps.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 27 Jun 2009 6:36 am

Thanks fellas. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is from one of the "house brands" builders of Japan.

Rick, that one looks identical except for the head.

What about the pickups? DeArmonds?....or something else?

Richard Sevigny · Post by **Richard Sevigny** » 27 Jun 2009 8:15 am

Jerry,

Teisco (and all it's associated hordes) used MIJ pickups which were often copies of american or european makers. Some are quite good, players like Ry Cooder and David Lindley have used them for their unique tones.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 28 Jun 2009 4:21 am

Looks like a bit like a Guyatone with a cut-off headstock (they were HUUUGE and really ugly, and needed to be cut off!)

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 28 Jun 2009 8:06 am

I'm with Per - the headstock just doesn't look like something from that period, and was probably cut off. Definitely a relic from the department store era though.

Per Berner · Post by **Per Berner** » 29 Jun 2009 11:13 pm

Actually, there is a Teisco del Rey with a very similar headstock – their copy of the Vox Guitar Organ. But this one looks home made, with the paint stripped off as well.