Up for sale, a 1997 Teisco Spectrum 5 in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This exceedingly rare 1st run reissue was crafted by Kawai in Japan, not to be confused with either the current Ikebe version or the Eastwood reissues. Long-since discontinued, this is the most vintage-accurate of the Spectrum 5 reissues, with features including the correct 4x2 tuner orientation, Mosrite-inspired deep German carve on the body, large chrome vibrato with Teisco badge, and multi-color switches. The true definition of a cult classic, the original Spectrum 5 has been played by artists as varied as Eddie Van Halen and Ry Cooder.

At the heart of this guitar are the trio of “Z coil” pickups: these split-coils and bright and percussive, with a unique scooped twang and quack. Just as unique functionally as aesthetically, there are a wide array of tonalities on tap via the five spring-loaded switches and the Stereo functionality: when Stereo is engaged, the bass strings go through one output and the trebles through another, with each switch engaging various combinations of the pickups (for instance, the Red switch takes a treble coil from the bridge and a bass coil from the middle). As such there are sounds that the Spectrum 5 can achieve that virtually no other guitar can, such as twangy bridge trebles balanced by warm, bubbling bass neck sounds. This Spectrum 5 weighs 8lbs 6oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

-Wood: Maple
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .800” 1st fret, .935” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood slab, 7 1/4” radius, T bubble inlays
-Frets: Slender, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone, zero fret
-Headstock: Three-ply faceplate, Teisco badge
-Tuners: Sealed back, 4x2
-Serialization: “Japan,” 97-prefix on badge

Body Specs:

-Wood: Mahogany
-Pickups: Z Coil split-coil x3
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Pickup On/Off switch x5, Mono/Stereo switch
-Hardware: Vibrato with cover (chrome-plated, Teisco Del Rey badge), knobs
-Plastics: Three-ply pickguard with chrome Spectrum 5 badge, multi-colored spring-loaded switches, cream pickup covers

The Blue Metallic finish is framed on top by multi-ply binding, highlighting the deep German carves and unique contours of the body. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few scuffs along the lower bout perimeter and a couple tiny dings on top and back. The gloss on the neck profile is flawless.

The original hardshell case is included, faithfully modeled after the Teisco originals from the '60s.