Teisco Model 14 Hollow Body Sunburst 1967
Teisco Model 14, made in Japan mid-60s, sunburst. This is a gorgeous vintage jazzbox, it's so cool. Teisco were a huge brand in Japan in the 60s, and while you see more of their solid body surf-adjacent models around, the full hollow stuff is really juicy. This one dates to somewhere in that decade, and has been modified quite a lot, but dang... it's nice. It's had a few things replaced that folks familiar to the genre will be thankful for: new tuners, new nut, new frets: super helpful, as the factory tiny frets are hard to play and modern tuners are a lot more stable. The pickups were switched for a more PAF-style set at some point, and they're wired without a switch, just two volumes and two tone controls get the work done. As is common on 60s stuff, with both volumes at 10, you get a slight out-of-phase type volume reduction, but set to 9 and 10 with either pickup slightly reduced, you're golden. The tone is awesome, both unplugged and electric. We strung it up with some new flats, and it's gorgeous: thick, smooth lows, articulate mids, understated but percussive and clear treble... sweet. This is right at home playing jazz, but has plenty of snarl and snap on tap if you're crossing into blues or rockabilly territory. If you're after a 60s arch top that's easy to play and sounds a treat, here's your treat.
Model: Teisco Model 14
Made: Japan, 1967 approx
Serial: none
Finish: sunburst, gloss urethane
Body: laminate maple, fully hollow, full depth, 96mm deep, 432mm across
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, XX scale, 43mm nut, 16" radius, deep V shape, 30mm deep at 1st fret, 33mm deep at 10th fret
Weight: 2.485kg
Mods: frets and nut replaced, new inlays, output jack and tuners replaced, pickups inc surrounds replaced
Pickups: humbucker x2
Accessories: basic vintage hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end, edges and front, as well as checking and fading on the back and front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, scuffs and rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples in the top horn, bottom edge and elbow area and widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have dimples and checking lines around the whole body. The front has scuffs along the back edge, near the knobs and in the elbow area, surface scratches near the guard, dimples around the F holes and play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Tomastik flatwound strings.
Fret life: 9/10, minor wear only