Teisco Norma EG 405-2 1960's - Crimson Red Burst w/GOLD FOIL PUPS/FRETWORK

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SUMMARY

This Norma features the highly desirable gold foil pickups, and it may be the cleanest Norma currently for sale. Has some body finish checking, which is part of the normal aging process. All original parts appear to be included and are in shiny, like-new condition. No rusted or pitted metals. All pickups, switches, and pots work. However, the 60+ year old switches and pots are slightly scratchy. A shot of DeoxIT should do the trick. The neck is straight, and the frets have almost no wear. I only polished the frets by hand with Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish and conditioned the fretboard with Feed-N-Wax Beeswax & Orange Oil. Guitar lightly cleaned and polished. NO OTHER WORK WAS PERFORMED. I did not take anything apart, turn any screws, or adjust anything because a true collector would want to do the maintenance and setup. If I were the buyer, my preference would be that no one touch it.

NOTE: This guitar is listed on a local Las Vegas marketplace and may be sold without notice.

DESCRIPTION

The Teisco Norma EG 405-2 is a vintage electric guitar made in Japan during the mid-to-late 1960s (circa 1965–1970) by Teisco (under the Tombo Company) and sold in the U.S. by Strum 'N Drum, Inc. under the Norma brand.  It features a solid-body design with a double-cutaway shape, a 24.5" scale bolt-on maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard with 19 frets.

Key specifications:

• Pickups: Two goldfoil pickups, known for their bright, punchy tone and high output. 
• Electronics: Individual on/off switches for each pickup, master volume, and master tone. 
• Hardware: Floating tremolo system, chrome hardware, and an angular tortoise pickguard.
• Body: Typically made of mahogany or a similar hardwood, with finishes such as sunburst, redburst, or tobacco burst.
• Neck: 1 11/16" nut width, with a "V" to "C" profile depending on year. (This one is “C” profile.)

The EG 405-2 is prized by collectors and indie musicians for its unique aesthetics, quirky switching, and vintage charm. It is often associated with lo-fi, surf, and garage rock due to its distinctive sound.

SERIAL NUMBER

There is no reliable serial number database to precisely date the Teisco Norma EG 405-2 with serial number 1847.  Teisco did not maintain consistent or documented serial number records, and no official system exists to date these instruments by serial alone. Serial numbers like 1847 were likely part of small, non-sequential batches and cannot be tied to a specific year.

The EG 405-2 was produced in Japan around 1965–1970, and serial number 1847 falls within the general range of mid-to-late 1960s Teisco production. However, without corroborating evidence (such as catalog references or original hardware), an exact year cannot be determined.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Body: Solid body, typically mahogany or similar hardwood, with finishes like sunburst, redburst, or tobacco burst.
• Neck: Bolt-on maple neck with a 23.5" or 24.75" scale length, 1-11/16" nut width, and rosewood fretboard with 19 frets. (This one is 24.5” scale.)
• Pickups: Two goldfoil pickups known for bright, punchy tones and high output.
• Electronics: Individual on/off switches for each pickup, master volume, and master tone.
• Hardware: Floating tremolo system (often missing the arm), chrome hardware, and an angular tortoise pickguard.
• Made in: Japan.
• Original examples are sought after for their unique aesthetics and vintage charm.

GOLD FOIL PICKUPS (COLOR-RELATED RARITY)

Though not a body color, the presence of gold foil pickups significantly affects the guitar’s visual and market value. These pickups are iconic and often associated with the "fuzzy" garage rock tone. Their gold finish contributes to the overall aesthetic, making them a key part of the guitar’s color appeal. Original gold foil pickups are highly desirable, with individual gold foil pickups fetching $125–$150 on the parts market.

RARITY & VALUE

The Teisco Norma EG 405-2 is moderately rare, with limited production numbers from Japan between 1965 and 1970 by Teisco (Tombo Company) and distributed in the U.S. by Strum 'N Drum, Inc. under the Norma brand.  Examples appear regularly on vintage guitar markets like Reverb and eBay, often priced up to $799. Well-preserved, all-original models in red or sunburst finishes command the highest prices.

Its rarity is influenced by:

• Niche appeal: Known for its two goldfoil pickups and vintage charm, it attracts collectors and indie musicians. 
• Survival rate: Many have survived in playable condition, though original parts (like tremolo arms) are often missing.
• Market presence: Frequently listed, indicating a modest but steady supply.

While not ultra-rare, it is considered a desirable vintage oddity among Japanese guitar enthusiasts.