Help with bridge for some sort of VN-4?

[LightGreySabbath]

So I picked this up at a yard sale (for more than it's worth, no doubt, but I love it). I read back through most of the posts here and couldn't find anything to match.







It doesn't have any markings on the outside at all, including the neckplate on the back. I haven't taken the pickguard off or anything, so there could feasibly some sort of identification in there.

Anyone have any ideas on what it might actually be? As mentioned, it appears to be some sort of VN-4, but the headstock doesn't match anything I could find, so if someone could get more specific, that'd be great.

The main thing I'm looking for, though, is a thumbwheel for the bridge.



The previous owner had some odd eyelet or something jammed under there. It's wider than a traditional ABR bridge, from what I know, and I'd prefer not to install a new bridge anyway.

Cheers for any help anyone can provide.

Aaron

[Spud1950]

I have no doubt it's a Teisco VN-4. Everything is exactly the same except for the top of the headstock. As it's pretty obvious that someone repainted the body, it looks to me that they may have also "customized" the headstock by cutting off the rounded part. That's my theory. As to the thumb wheel,you may luck out and find one or it will be a very difficult item to find. If you have a way to determine the thread size, probably metric since it's a Japanese guitar, you can most likely find a nut at a hardware store to use as a substitute.

[VintAxe]

Hi LightGreySabbath.

I doubt anyone is going to sell a single thumb wheel, it just won't make enough money to make it worth the trouble.

I would just go ahead and replace the bridge. You could then sell your bridge on eBay to the guy that needs 1 thumb wheel and recoup some of your expenditure.

This type of bridge is fairly common on eBay, just double check the distance of the mounting holes before you buy. Here's a bridge that looks like yours that's available now.

[LightGreySabbath]

Thanks guys. Maybe I will just put in a new bridge while I'm at it, then. The existing one has some rust issues anyway.

Any way to guess at the year of that thing? The headstock doesn't look lopped off - or if it was, the guy did a really good job staining the new end and sanding the corners for curve radius.

Thanks especially for the bridge link. I've been trying to figure out what to call a bridge like that to even look for one.

Aaron

[VintAxe]

Between the side bar fret markers and those pick ups I would say 1965.

That snub nose headstock style is associated with 1967-68 models, but I agree with Spud1950, the snub nose on your guitar doesn't look factory. If you look at examples of this headstock style you'll see that the tip has a little concave curve to it rather than just being a straight cut.

If you plan to bid on the bridge, be prepared to plunk down at least $25 for it. Lots of competition for Teisco parts.

[Spud1950]

[LightGreySabbath]

Thanks a ton, you guys are both awesomely helpful!

I had considered early on just using a hardware nut, as per Spud1950's recommendation, so I went ahead and grabbed one out of the basement (very first one worked!) and it's restrung and surfing along. Will take me a few days to get the action right, but it's playing great! Love this thing!

Aaron

[Spud1950]

Cool.Another funky Teisco saved from oblivion!