Telestar Double Neck 6string guitar/4string bass

by Liz
(Buffalo, NY)

It was my first guitar and I can't find much information about Telestar as a brand, where it came from or if they were good. All I know is that they stopped production in the 60s. It was given to me and I have never been able to find out anything about it.

It is a red transparent finish faded into black edges and looks like it is modeled after the Gibson SG. There are only two knobs for tone and volume and two switches for the bass and guitar. It is a solid body and has pickups that I have never seen before or since so I don't even know what to call them. I have had it restored to an extent but all parts are original.

I have been offered a lot of money for this guitar but would like to know what it is really worth.

Sorry there is no picture, it would be wonderful to finally get some answers.

Liz from Buffalo

ANSWER

Hi, Liz--

Here is the Blue Book info about Tele-Star guitars:

Instruments previously produced in Japan circa late 1960s to 1983.
The Tele-Star trademark was distributed in the U.S. by the Tele-Star Musical Instrument Corporation of New York, New York. Tele-Star offered a full range of acoustic, thinline acoustic/electric hollowbody, and solid body electric guitars and basses. Many built by Kawai of Japan, and some models feature sparkle finishes (source: Michael Wright, Vintage Guitar Magazine).
Tele-Star has reappeared again in recent years. John Thomas Riboloff worked for Gibson in the late 1980s and later on incorporated the CrossRoads Musical Instruments in Nashville, Tennessee. Recently, new Tele-Star models were produced. It is unknown at this point if these two trademarks are connected.

The Blue Book lists only one pricing for all Telestar Models:

Mint $300
Exc.+ $250
Exc. $200
Avg.+ $170
Avg. $130
General $100

I looked for your specific guitar on the internet and found one on EBay for $1,599.00.

You can see it at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110468782684

Lynne

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