This page about Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487 is a stub. You can help improve it:

Home
... Musical Instruments
Guitars
Electric Guitars
Solid Body Electric Guitars
Teisco
Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487

Silvertone 1487

2 Critic Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487

1 wishlisted

2 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

Pricing and availability

Store

Reviews

Price

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Discover the timeless appeal of the Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487, a classic in the world of solid body electric guitars. Revered for its distinctive sound and vintage charm, this instrument is perfect for both collectors and players seeking a unique tonal palette. Originally produced in the 1960s, these guitars are celebrated for their bold, retro aesthetic and distinctive pickup configuration, offering a sound that stands apart from modern counterparts.

The Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487 features a solid body design, providing durability and resonance that’s ideal for live performances and studio sessions alike. Its retro styling is complemented by a smooth, comfortable neck profile that suits both rhythm and lead guitarists. The guitar's unique pickup setup offers a wide range of tonal possibilities, from warm and mellow to bright and cutting, making it versatile enough for rock, blues, and surf music.

Whether you’re a seasoned musician looking to expand your collection or a newcomer eager to explore vintage sounds, this guitar delivers both style and substance. Its nostalgic design, coupled with modern playability, ensures it remains a favorite among guitar enthusiasts.

Key Features:

Solid body construction for enhanced resonance and sustain
Unique pickup configuration for a versatile tonal range
Vintage 1960s design and aesthetics
Comfortable neck profile for easy playability
Suitable for a variety of musical styles, from rock to blues to surf music

Videos

Add video

drowninginguitars

1964 Teisco TRG-1 Guitar Demo

drowninginguitars

Teisco Silvertone TRG 1 Amp-in-Guitar Vintage Japan

johnnyangel69

Silvertone 1487 Guitar Demo

johnnyangel69

Reviews

Add review

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487.

Features and functionality

0 0

The guitar includes a built-in amp, a characteristic feature of the Teisco made Silvertone 1487, which distinguishes it from other models.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The Teisco TRG-1 is likened to 60s Japanese guitars, known for unique designs and features, similar to models branded by Decca.
Source
0 0

Some compare the guitar’s body style to the Kent Polaris, noting a cooler design in the Teisco model.
Source

Value and pricing

0 0

Previously affordable at around $100, these guitars now fetch $500-800 due to their vintage appeal and unique features.
Source

Other

0 0

Teisco guitars, including the TRG-1, were often sold under different brand names, reflecting a common practice in the 1960s to market the same instrument across various labels.
Source

Critic Reviews

Vintage Guitars with Built-In Amps: A Deep Dive - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487 guitars offer a nostalgic glimpse into the era of onboard amp guitars. While they won't power a stadium with their 1-watt output and 3" speaker, they provide a unique lo-fi sound perfect for intimate settings or a creative studio session. The convenience of playing without external amplification is a highlight, but expect to encounter common issues like bad capacitors requiring repairs. Overall, these guitars are quirky relics more suited for enthusiasts and collectors than gigging musicians seeking robust sound.

neutral

Full Review

Vintage Guitars with Built-In Amps: A Deep Dive - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

Teisco's TRG-1 and its variants are intriguing vintage gems with onboard amplifiers that offer unique lo-fi charm, ideal for nostalgic bedroom jamming. While they excel in portability and aesthetic appeal, the sound output is reminiscent of a tiny transistor radio, lacking in power and depth. These guitars are more suited for collectors or enthusiasts seeking a quirky addition to their gear arsenal rather than practical performance tools. Repairing the aging internal components can be a hurdle, but for those willing to invest, they promise a distinctive playing experience harking back to the experimental 1960s.

neutral

Full Review

Add review

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

Artist usage

Add artist

Dan Auerbach

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Black Keys

Verified via Guitars

Dan Auerbach's Silvertone 1487 (TG-1) was a part of his personal collection before being sold as a part of the "Dan Auerbach Collection" at Gruhn's Guitars.

Rory Gallagher

Guitarist, Singer

Taste

Verified via Photo

Used for Gallagher's contributions to Rattlesnake Guitar: The Music Of Peter Green (namely his covers of "Leaving Town Blues" and "Show Biz Blues"), as featured on this page of Gallagher's official website.

Rory gave serious consideration to guitar oddities and used them as valid musical tools. If they had a sound or a vibe he liked, they got played. Such was the case with this Japanese-made 1965 Teisco TRG-1 with a built-in speaker, which was used on his final studio recordings; a Peter Green tribute album called Rattlesnake Guitar: The Music of Peter Green [1995].

This guitar could be used as a normal guitar, or you could rock out somewhat by using the internal transistorized amplifier powered by dual 9-volt batteries. This setup provided you with a big 1/2 watt into the 3-inch speaker.

The Teisco branded versions of these guitars had double cutaways and bore the model numbers TRG-1 and TRE-100.

Howlin' Wolf

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via Photo

Howlin' Wolf is pictured with the Teisco TRG-1 / TRE-100 / Silvertone 1487, a unique solid body electric guitar featuring a built-in amplifier, highlighting its innovative design.

John Hiatt

Guitarist

Little Village

Verified via reverb.com

Hiatt listed a two Silvertone 1487s on Reverb.com in September 2021 (here and here). Both were later relisted by their buyers in 2022 (here and here).