Teisco Strat Copy

Quality and very accurate copy of late 60's/early 70's Strat manufactured in Japan during the early 70's, I think. An almost new hard case was included.

I'm not a big fan of Strats - don't like the way they look more than anything else (rather have a Tele) - but it was a bargain so I thought I'd give it go figuring I could always sell it if I didin't like it

Maple neck/fingerboard, 3 singe coil pick ups, trem - all the usual Strat features. Tacky sunburst finish (needs some more wear to make it look really cool), 3 way pickup selector, large peghead and bullet truss rod

My scores in each category relate actual performance relative to other guitars I have owned and/or played and NOT to it's bargain price - if my Teisco only half this good it would have still been a bargain!!

When I bought it it had Tiesco single coils which were quite noisy and very weedy sounding.

I purchased a set of 80's Japanese Fender Strat pickups from eBay (for all of $35 AUS!)and installed them myself and the transformation was quite amazing! The pickups drive my Peavey Classic 30 into a nice valve overdrive when hit hard and are very responsive to pick attack. That's on the clean channel! When volume is backed off a bit they remain clean, yet retain their sparkle and respond very nicely to the use of the tone control

Sounds a bit thin for my liking using distortion, but then again I like to play with a bit of natural overdrive rather than fuzzboxes.

Has excellent out of phase sounds, quacky and funky, but I have to balance the pickup selector between notches - will have to install a five-way switch next.

Before the pickup change I would have given the sound a 4, now it's a 9!

Overall I am now extremly happy with the sound - I am almost becoming a Strat convert - but I still don't like the shape and control layouts of Strats - keep whacking my hand on the Volume control or selector switch!

Given the guitar is 30 years old, the finish appears to be very well done overall, although the crome is pitting a bit and the white plastic is going a nice shade of ivory - but then I prefer that look anyway.

I doubt whether the body is made from premium grade ash, but. Trem arm is missing but I suspect the trem will put the guitar out of tune pretty easily, but I don't really intend to use it anyway. Tuners hold reasonably well given their age and cheap(ish) origin

The neck is absolutely superb!! Action is the lowest of all my guitars with buzzing only audible when playing uplugged. The frets are very low (but not worn) and extremly smooth. The fingerboard has some slight wear and is very "slippery" - great for sliding notes - this is just about the best neck I have ever played and I really wasn't expecting it to be anywhere near this good - it's way better than any other Fender style neck I have ever played - including real Fenders!

I would seriously consider puttuing this neck on a custom made guitar - it's that good.

Thanks to Great Guitars in Queensland - they did a great setup on the guitar before I bought it from them (on eBay)

Well it's gone 30 year so far and looks like it could do another 30 no problem!

I had to replace the volume pot which got stuck after a long period of serious "violining", but I dont think the other controls will cop such a hiding

I would most definitely gig this guitar without a backup, but like to use others purely for sound variation...

Don't really think I could expect any customer support!

Best guitar bargain I have ever bought, even given my Strat reservations - call it snobbery if you like!

I also own a 67 Guild Starfire III, a 59 Maton solid body, 86 Jap Fender Precision, 60's Silvertone and a 70'sYamaha 12 string acoustic as well a home made solid body.

It is on a par on playbilty and and quality of tone (albeit a different type of tone) to my Guild - although the Guild is way cooler!

I have played a few other Teiscos (the wierd 60's ones) and they are great too - no wonder they are becoming collectors items - would love a Spectrum 5!

I would definitelty NOT be happy if it was stolen - although I'd have to say that I'd miss the neck the most! Yes, I'd probaly try to find another (for the neck), but I have never seen or even heard of another despite scouring the web!