The Classic "what is it" thread

[bigchad64]

So I bought this guitar off CL and have done the endless google searching and forum searching to find out what it is. Seems to have had a round badge on the headstock as the adhesive is still there. It seems like it might have originally been white as there is some white peaking through in the knicks.



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[Spud1950]

The guitar was made in Japan by Kawai. I can see the mark from the missing badge on the headstock.Just a guess, but I think it may have been sold through Sears. They used the round stick on badge as shown below starting sometime in the very early 1970s after they stopped putting the Silvertone brand name on the headstocks of the guitars they sold.

[bigchad64]

[Spud1950]

Here's an old Sears catalog page. You can see the same badge on these guitars. The mark on your headstock appers to be just about the right size to have one on there.

[bigchad64]

awesome, I'm going to try to find a repro sticker for it then.

[VintAxe]

I agree with Spud that your guitar was built by Kawai. Given the flip switches, the bridge and the headstock shape I would say it was built around 1968.

It is possible that the round headstock badge was a Teisco badge that was in use in 1968. Probably no way to know for sure without measuring the diameter of the ghost on your headstock and comparing the distance to the Sears and Teisco badges. I think either would be "authentic" for your guitar. The Teisco badge may be easier to find.

Look at the two round badges on the right of the logo of Teisco Twangers to see what I'm talking about.

[bigchad64]

any idea of anyone who makes repro badges and stickers?

[VintAxe]

Hey bigchad64,

There is probably no one doing repro badges of what you need. Most repro badges are for American made instruments.

Just watch eBay and you can probably get an original. It's like fishing, it may take a while to hook what you want but ultimately your prize will show itself and a proper bid will land it.

good luck