The Teisco TB-64 Clone
As far as I know, Teisco is now defunct and nobody owns the name.* Or at least nobody is doing anything with it. So until somebody tells me otherwise, I get to unabashedly talk about how I’ve been commissioned to make a clone of one of their cool and rare guitars.
I’d already started making short-scale six-string basses when I heard about somebody who was looking for a custom builder to make a high-quality lookalike of the Teisco TB-64. The TB-64 was Teisco’s version of the Fender Bass VI. You can see one in the hands of Blonde Redhead and Jet Harris.
I raised my hand pretty early on as being interested in doing the build. I started out drawing it full-scale and posted the screenshots for the client to see. He liked what I had done, so he sent some funds over for me to get started.
I ordered a set of my drawings laser cut, and we patiently waited for them to show up.
I copied the templates onto 3/4″ thick plywood, and prepared my body blank.
Then it was just the typical building schedule. Band saw, flush trim, rout cavities, carve contours…
Now I’m waiting on some parts to come in the mail, to fit it all together. I’ll start the neck within a few weeks.
04/01/10
Quick picture of the neck. The truss rod is installed and I’ll be gluing the fretboard on soon.
04/08/2010
Fretboard is glued on and the binding channel is routed.
04/27/2010:
05/18/2010:
06/02/2010:
07/21/2010:
*I’ve been recently informed that the brand name Teisco is currently owned by Westheimer Corp.
Bass VI® is a trademark of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
March 9th, 2010 at 1:12 am
Okay, I know this is way off the subject, but I just have to say: You’re a good blogger!