Welcome to guitarplayers.net, your unofficial online haven dedicated to the fascinating world of vintage Teisco Del Rey Guitars! If you’ve ever owned or been intrigued by these unique Japanese instruments, especially if a Teisco was your first guitar, you’ve come to the right place. This website was born from a personal quest to identify my own first Teisco guitar, an SS-4L from the early to mid-1960s, a journey that highlighted the need for a dedicated resource for fellow enthusiasts.
Many of the images featured on this site are sourced from various online communities. We extend our sincere apologies to any original owners for instances where photos may be mis-credited or uncredited. We hope you’ll embrace the spirit of this community and appreciate the collective passion for Teisco guitars.
We also wish to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of researchers like Michael Wright in the USA, Paul Day in the UK, and the Kawai Musical Instruments Mfg. CO., Ltd. Their extensive research has been a cornerstone of this site, particularly the ‘Timeline’ page.
Please note that while we are passionate about Teisco Del Rey guitars, this site is currently maintained as a time capsule of information. Direct email inquiries are not possible at this time. However, the FAQs below address many common questions.
| Frequently Asked Questions about Teisco Del Rey Guitars |
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| Q: How do you correctly pronounce ‘Teisco’? |
| A: From our research and various Japanese sources, the most accurate pronunciation is tey (as in ‘hey!’) – sco. |
| Q: My guitar resembles a specific Teisco model but has slight differences. What could it be? |
| A: If your guitar is similar to a known model, it’s highly likely to be that model. Teisco factories were known for using available parts, leading to minor variations in hardware. These variations are often not year-specific but rather due to part availability at the time of manufacture. Key elements like pickups, pickguards, logos, and headstocks are more reliable indicators of the model. Remember that modifications may have been made to your guitar over time. Explore this website thoroughly; the information available may help you identify your instrument. |
| Q: The serial number on my Teisco guitar is [Number]. Can you tell me its production date? |
| A: Unfortunately, pinpointing the exact production date using serial numbers is generally not possible for Teisco guitars. Manufacturing records linking serial numbers to dates are not known to exist. However, by carefully reviewing the ‘Timeline’ page on this site, you can make an educated estimate of the production era of your guitar. All currently available information regarding dating is included on that page and is updated as new insights emerge. |
| Q: What is the current market value of a Teisco Del Rey guitar like [Model]? |
| A: The value of a vintage Teisco Del Rey guitar, like any instrument, is ultimately determined by what a buyer is willing to pay. The best way to gauge current market value is to regularly monitor online marketplaces such as eBay and observe the prices at which similar models are being sold. |
| Q: I own a guitar that is not a Teisco but I hoped you might still be able to identify it. |
| A: Our expertise is specifically focused on Teisco, and while we are deeply knowledgeable in that area, our resources are limited to this brand. We regret that we are unable to assist with identifying guitars from other manufacturers. |
| Q: Do you have access to circuit diagrams for Teisco guitar models, specifically the [Model]? |
| A: Any circuit diagrams that we have available are linked on the ‘Technical’ page of this website. Currently, the only diagram we feature is for the built-in amplifier found in the Teisco TRG-100 guitar. |
| Q: I have an old Teisco amplifier. Can you provide more information about Teisco amps? |
| A: Our primary focus and expertise are on Teisco guitars. The information available on this website represents the extent of our knowledge regarding Teisco amplifiers. As collectors of guitars, our research has been primarily guitar-centric, and we have limited resources on Teisco amplifiers. |
| Q: Where is a good place to find spare parts for Teisco Del Rey guitars? |
| A: Online marketplaces, particularly eBay, are your best resource for finding Teisco guitar parts. Regularly check eBay listings. If you encounter sellers dealing in Teisco parts who do not currently list the specific part you require, it is worthwhile to contact them directly. You might discover they have the part in stock or can help you locate it. |
