Teisco TG-64, grey, made in Japan 1964. This, friends, is sixties Japanese coolness embodied. This model debuted in 1964, just as Teisco was really starting to hit their stride and make some great quality instruments. The following year the bridge, guard and pickups on this model were all changed, so this one is pretty easy to date as a '64. The grey bobbin pickups are a treat; they're thick and rich and not dissimilar in tone from a P-90. The switching allows for the pickups to be in phase, delivering a tasty hi-fi crispness, or out of phase for some quacky surf strangeness. The tone of the guitar overall is awesome; it's pretty short in sustain but certainly has a tasty warmth and body and plenty of definition. The 'monkey grip', funky 4+2 headstock and aluminium guard add up to a whole bucket of vintage awesome. The neck is pretty hefty; it's a big round chunky number but it's charming in it's way and has survived the decades with plenty of grace left to spare. If a Jazzmaster has become a bit too commercial for you and you're on a quest to make the world a brighter, weirder place, this vintage sci-fi beast will make the perfect companion.

Model: Teisco TG-64
Made: Japan, 1964 (serial 900050)
Finish: grey gloss, 1 ply aluminium guard
Body: luan (asian mahoagny, unverified)
Neck: 3-piece luan, rosewood board, 15" radius, 24.75" scale (314mm)
Weight: 3.335kg approx
Mods: trem arm removed, jack replaced
Pickups: Teisco grey bobbin single coils
Case: quirky original vintage case, reasonable quality and condition

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has some scuffs on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands with minor dimples on the back only. The back has some widespread small scuffs and scratches, no major marks though. The sides have a few little marks: dimples on the top horn, a small chip on the waist area of the top edge, some scuffs and rub wear on the shoulder, scuffs near the rear strap pin, scuffs and a couple of small chips near the jack, scuffs on the bottom horn. The front is pretty tidy, just some widespread mino dimples and some play scratches on the guard and top horn. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Electronics all tested and working properly. There's a bit of minor wear on the frets, but they're in awesome shape for 50+ years, 7/10 for life left. Wearing fresh 11/49s.