You are probably familiar with this guitar model since it's been released under several historical US brands in the 1960s - mostly Supro, National and Airline -, revived lately by Eatswood and Guitar Kits USA (as Res-O-Glas bodies only), and put in the spotlights by Black Keys' guitarist Dan Auerbach.
Nevertheless you probably don't know the English Electronics Tonemaster brand under which this one was released - well it was just one of many that branded and sold Valco instruments - mostly amps if I understand well.
That's a very desirable guitar if you want my opinion, I love the 3 knobs on the top, and the famous 'aztec' stoptail! One of these days I'm going to get myself a kit and make one like this...
Bertram D
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Yes but ... One pup, three knobs, a 3 way switch ... How's it wired?
ReplyDeletePerhaps similar to the Fender Esquire, where it represents different tonal variations within the same single PU assembly? It's the 60's so it's anyone's guess!
DeleteWhile I like this one, and yes I'd love to try a Res-o-kit myself, any time a seller seems reluctant to place the strings under proper tension, I get concerned. The 6th isn't seated in its saddle and the headstock shot shows the strings basically "mocked up". Also the bridge might be newer or recently mocked up as well.
There's a contact pickup under the bridge on many of these Valco guitars - if you look carefully you can just see the wire coming out from the bridge and going under the pickguard where the high e string is in the large photo on the right. So the 3 way selector gives either or both pickups and the knobs are volume for each pickup and a tone for the neck pickup only. Several also had wooden bridges just like this one, held on just by string pressure (like a lot of Gretches).
DeleteEdit to my comment - the switch selects between lead tone, rhythm tone (mellow) and bridge pickup, so it's very like the original Telecaster wiring (regarding the switch anyway).
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm always interested in unusual wiring ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis exact guitar is now here in England with me! Wow!
ReplyDelete