TEISCO VINTAGE JAPAN SHORT-SCALE BASS c.1968 *CLEARANCE*

TEISCO VINTAGE JAPAN SHORT-SCALE BASS c.1968 *CLEARANCE*

Rare Teisco vintage bass made just after the 1967 takeover by the Kawai Corporation.

It's a simple one tone, one volume single pickup design and features the distinctive angle-shaped head and angled string retainer which Kawai introduced to their Teisco models. 

This was a time of major changes. Some original Teisco models were retained by Kawai, some were dropped and production of others was relocated outside Japan to reduce costs.

This is a Japan-made model that appears solely in 1968. The only other one we have come across sported the familiar round Teisco badge. Model number is unknown but clearly part of the Teisco EB family, possibly intended as an export model. Whatever the history, production appears to have been very short-lived.

Condition-wise...

Original nut, tuners, pickup, controls, finger rest and bridge. The latter has both height and length adjustment. The original mute foam is still attached to the underside of the bridge cover. 

All original save for a relocated strap pin and the absent Teisco badge. 

The body and head have numerous scars and digs but nothing that affects the playability in any way. The chrome is very tarnished in places - tuners and bridge cover particularly - but everything functions as it should. Electrics are smooth.

The laminated maple neck also has an adjustable truss rod - not just the steel reinforced neck typical of the time - which offers movement both ways. The original frets are low but there is no choking or issues with fingering anywhere across the fretboard.

The satin finish neck is in good condition and has a great feel. Nut width is 42mm. Scale length is 78cm / 30 1/2".

In action...

It's about 7cm shorter overall than a standard precision bass but unusually for a short scale it has 21 frets (plus the Zero fret) making the top fret an upper E.

We have not had this professionally set up so the playing action is relatively high. It plays fine and sounds cool. Since the neck pocket has shims and the bridge and truss rod have adjustment available, we have left it as is and priced low accordingly.

Best of all is the sound this bass makes. 

Many vintage Teisco pickups are sought after today and this one deserves a special mention. With Kawai's round (as opposed to the more recognisable Teisco square) pole pieces it has a really smooth frequency output.

It puts out a beautiful vintage tone - pure, tight and solid. With the current flat wounds it has an almost upright bass quality. 

In common with many Japanese basses of the period the tone control affects the sound more like a Presence filter. Meaning no huge sweep from bass thump to cutting treble. Instead, it's like a subtle way to bring in the clicks and finger sounds that we associate with an upright.

In summary...

A rare vintage 'Golden Age' Japanese bass with a fabulous, distinctive vintage tone quality.

If you are after a truly authentic 60s bass sound, this has your name on it.

WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AVAILABLE

N.B. Spain & Denmark Buyers:
Unfortunately the post office in these countries places a size limit on packages from Japan. Consequently, the standard EU shipping rates quoted here do not apply. An alternate courier must be found. Please get in touch for a quote.

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Almost everything for sale here is coming from a 40+years personal collection. As the shop name suggests these are predominantly Vintage, Eclectic or Japanese - so if you are looking for something specific, please get in touch. Maybe we have got something you've been searching for. VEJ

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A Note On Shipping:

We want you to be fully satisfied with everything - from the item itself (naturally!) through the shipping, packaging, communication etc.

Of course there is nothing we can do about customs duty, local taxes etc at your end. But we can keep the overall price as competitive as is decently possible.

The Japan post office service (EMS) is reliable and efficient but shipping costs from Japan to Europe or the states are unavoidably expensive.

For this reason none of the shipping costs we quote reflect the actual price we have to pay. We are more than willing to take a hit on that to make things as attractive for you as possible.

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Vintage Instruments & Equipment

Shipping by air plus climatic changes can affect how a guitar is set up - no matter how well it is packed. Consequently there is no guarantee that an instrument arrives with exactly the same set up as stated. After a period of acclimatisation, you may still need to make any adjustments at your own expense.