Teisco SS-4L

Hey Guys...long time lurker here, also used the info on TDPRI extensively for my Mesquite-Tele build. Need some help today and opinions are welcomed!!So I stumbled across this today hanging from the ceiling in a pawn shop....had no idea what it was, but knew it was funky and I wanted it. Got it for $50, owner said it didn't work, but I plugged it in once home and sounded great, I did need to open it up and clean up the pots etc. though and the fretboard will need help as well. A little web surfing and looks like I have a 64' Teisco SS-4L, with the gold foil pickups.

So....here's the golden question, do I make this a real player or sell "as is" to a someone who may prefer it in the current condition. To be a real player, the whole fretboard is going to need to be redone. A previous owner appears to have had the fretboard scalloped at some point on the lower frets, and oddly there is different gauge fret wire on the first 5 or so frets, then thinner fret wire the rest of the way up. Suppose it would need to be planed or the entire fingerboard replaced.

I really want to make this a player. But that will require messing up the originallity. Have no idea of the value on something like this, so just looking for info before I proceed.

Would be curious to know if anyone has experience or info on these....??
Nick

Originality is not much of a factor consider the scalloping. However, you could consider making a duplicate neck with more stable wood and a usable fretboard- look the same but work much better!

Andy....the neck is fine, its just the fretboard. I was thinking about taking it to a local luthier and having him put an entire new fretboard on.

Yeah I would say get it refretted.

Those pickupe are the holy grail of Teisco gold foil pickups and easily worth $100 or more each. I have seen them sell for $100 to $150. Absolute killer slide tone. I have 2 of them I am putting in a project guitar. I would do what needs to be done to make it playable. If that means a refret or a new fretboard that's what I would do. If all the pickups work I'll give ya $350 for it as is.

Mike..then it sounds like it was a good find for $50 dollars. I've never really messed with vintage stuff, but this one spoke to me.

And the pickups do have a particular "knarl" to them that I really like.

Think I'm leaning towards a new fretboard and cleaning this up.

I got a Teisco from 1969 in must worse shape for a $100 (Birthday gift from my wife). the fretboard was coming off the neck, electronics shot, tuners shot, part of the bridge was cracked, but I put about $40 into it and a little sweat, and that sucker plays great now. It's my number one writing guitar , too. You'll be grandly rewarded with the sound those gold foils pickups pump out. My Spectrum II...

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww122/goldfront1969/Teiscoangler-1.jpg

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww122/goldfront1969/teisco-1.jpg

Here ya go the go to site for Teiscos

http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/

And I have just finished doing this up with all original parts and its a beast! Keep it as original as possible and have a blast.

IMG_20120617_201951.jpg

I am intensely jealous! Wanted one of these for years! Poifect Ry Cooder guitar! I'd get the board repaired, or have an exact replacement made. Very lucky score!

Yep-what they said. Goldfoils are awesome!