Bananas Japanese Hollow Body

[knigel]

I've been looking for a hollow body, and this one came up on craigslist. It has no name, and no real markings on it. I asked for more info and the guy said he thought it might be a rare Gibson or Fender (or maybe not). He also said that someone offered him 500 dollars, and another a Mesa combo.

Now, I'm in Providence, and he is in Western Mass, but I'm pretty sure he heard me laughing at him.

NOW, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's not a vintage Gibson. Looks like (a super cool looking) cheapie from Japan. Maybe it's an Ibanez? Probably not--my guess is Teisco, but I have no idea. So I leave it to the super-sleuths of vintaxe.com!

Listing!

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/msg/1746376125.html

Pics




http://affordablevintage.shutterfly.com/pictures/74

http://affordablevintage.shutterfly.com/pictures/75

http://affordablevintage.shutterfly.com/pictures/72

[VintAxe]

Hi knigel.

Actually it's a Firstman model S2-C from around 1967-68. This one pretty well matches the 1967 guitar pictured in Bizarre Guitars of the 60's other than the pickups and knobs. This one might be the year after or possibly modified a bit.

A $500 offer is certainly within the realm of possibility; Firstman guitars are generally well made and were not imported very aggressively into the US. Certainly not a model you see everyday.

[knigel]

Firstman huh? Crazy!

Seemed pretty rare, but the wording of the email came off as...well, it seemed like he was making it up to see if I would bite at 500. But, maybe not! It's a cool guitar for sure.

(I was hoping to get it for 200. D'oh!)

[knigel]

Oh, and where the heck do I get my own copy of Bizarre Guitars?

[VintAxe]

Well, IMO you'd be stealing at $200. I'd say $350-$400 would be a reasonable price and $500 would be top end if someone got really excited about it.

[knigel]

Ha ha, no, I was HOPING it would be a cheapie hollow body that I could get for 200. That was just a dream--I mean, there's no case....I thought I was in the running.

I sent an email to the guy telling him what it is, and hopefully he can get good coin for it.

[tremelo68]

I have the 12 string version of that exact guitar and I am in Eastern MA (Danvers). It is for sale if anyone is interested. As rare as rare gets. Try doing a google for Firstman guitar and you find VERY little.

Anyway, mine is in great shape, newly strung with D'Adarrios and a replacement whammy spring.

See this page for pictures: www.photobucket.com/teisco12string

(I was under the impression it was a Teisco due to the hardware and lack of name on it). Steve here helped me find out it's true identity.

[Peer]

The story I've read is that some time after Kawai took over Teisco's operations on Jan. 1st, 1967 and subsequently began phasing out the brand, a group of disgruntled long-time Teisco workers quit and formed their own guitar manufacturing company. Firstman was one of their new brands; Honey was another.

[concrete_charlie]

If you can, check out page 64 of Bizarre Guitars. This same guitar is listed there with the Liberty brand name, circa 1967.