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Description

The Teisco Top Twenty is a quintessential throwback to the era of retro-futuristic design, offering a unique blend of vintage aesthetics and modern playability. This solid body electric guitar is a nod to the classic instruments of the 1960s, featuring distinctive styling that appeals to both collectors and players alike. Its lightweight body and comfortable neck make it an excellent choice for musicians seeking an instrument that is both easy to handle and visually striking on stage.

Equipped with dual single-coil pickups, the Teisco Top Twenty delivers a bright and articulate sound, perfect for surf, garage rock, or any genre that calls for a bit of character and charm. The simple control layout, including a volume and tone knob, allows players to dial in their desired sound with ease, while the three-way pickup selector offers versatility for various tonal needs. The vintage-style tremolo bridge adds an expressive touch, ideal for those classic vibrato effects.

The Teisco Top Twenty's unique vibe is complemented by its reliable construction, ensuring durability and performance that withstands the test of time. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a budding guitarist, this instrument invites you to explore a world of musical possibilities with its classic design and modern reliability.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar with vintage-inspired design
  • Dual single-coil pickups for bright, articulate tones
  • Simple control layout with volume, tone, and three-way selector
  • Vintage-style tremolo bridge for expressive playing
  • Lightweight body and comfortable neck for easy handling
  • Ideal for a variety of genres, including surf and garage rock
Lennon Luthier & Georgie Girl

Lennon Luthier & Georgie Girl

1968 The 'Top Twenty' Japanese guitar by Teisco. Someone made a dreadful job of replacing the frets.

Video thumbnail for 1968 The 'Top Twenty' Japanese guitar by Teisco. Someone made a dreadful job of replacing the frets. by Lennon Luthier & Georgie Girl

1968 The 'Top Twenty' Japanese guitar by Teisco. Someone made a dreadful job of replacing the frets.

Lennon Luthier & Georgie Girl

Lennon Luthier & Georgie Girl

Video thumbnail for Teisco Guitar TOp Twenty made in Japan by Antonio Silvestro

Teisco Guitar TOp Twenty made in Japan

Antonio Silvestro

Antonio Silvestro

Video thumbnail for 1960s - Top Twenty Teisco - Sunburst DEMO by JRS Guitars

1960s - Top Twenty Teisco - Sunburst DEMO

JRS Guitars

JRS Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Teisco Top Twenty.

Features and functionality

  • The pickups have a unique sound that was preferred by Robert Smith for early recordings with The Cure and were even added to his Jazzmaster.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Some guitars lack truss rods, leading to potential neck issues that may require a refret, especially for the zero fret.

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User experience

  • Owners have reported recurring issues with the tremolo spring popping out, particularly in models resembling Bigsby-style tremolos.

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Build quality

  • The neck is typically made from mahogany and the body from layered poplar, but build quality issues like neck problems and tuning stability are common.

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Use cases and applications

  • These guitars are favored for grunge and early-2000s garage rock due to their unique sound character.

    Source

Comparisons

  • An owner considered the Eastwood SD 40 as an alternative after initially looking into the Teisco Top Twenty.

    Source

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
C

Exactly what it looks like - six strings on a laminated plank.

These things have been going for silly money lately - don't do it! A novelty at best.

Artist usage

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M

Mikey Georgeson

David Devant And His Spirit Wife

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Verified via Photo

Mikey Georgeson acquired a Teisco Top Twenty electric guitar from Lionel Arockabilly in Chatham, as shown in the user-uploaded photo.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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