NVGD: The 1956 Picasso Tele

[Michael Minnis]

Hey, guys. Thought I'd share this cool new acquisition. A friend called and had some guitars to move for a lovely woman whose husband passed away a year ago. When I heard 1956 Tele, I got very excited. When I opened the case, I was very surprised. I must confess, I wasn't initially drawn to the guitar. But I took it home, put new strings on it and it immediately played beautifully. As you can obviously see, someone did some modifications to the body, including the Stratocaster comfort-recess and a black finish. After careful inspection, all appears original other than the modified body. The neck is all straight with a date of XA 5-56. The pots are late 55. The pickups are original. The serial number is from 1956. Most importantly, the guitar plays and sounds great. Excellent clarity from the neck pickup, which is very important for me, as I use the neck a lot. The bridge really screams in a rich, full, stinging way. And I was able to accept the woman's very reasonable offer and walk home with a great vintage guitar that didn't break the bank.

 

[Rev.WillieVK]

A 1956 XA neck - my favorite! I bet it's a great feeling v-neck. :dude:

Is the body shape intact except for the horn and the tummy cut?

 

[Tom Wittrock]

Picasso? :hmm


Another nice guitar!! :dude:

 

[Michael Minnis]

A 1956 XA neck - my favorite! I bet it's a great feeling v-neck. :dude:

Is the body shape intact except for the horn and the tummy cut?

Hey, Bill. The neck is very nice, but perhaps with a bit more of a subtle V than one would expect. Somehow it feels effortless in my hand. Reminds me of the neck on a wonderful 52 Tele I foolishly sold years ago. The body has the weird horns, the tummy tuck and the Strat carve on the upper bout. It's clearly the original, albeit modified body. The workmanship is actually quite good. Looks like it was done a long time ago.

 

[lpnv59]

Unique and cool. Congrats.

 

[Michael Minnis]

Unique and cool. Congrats.

Thanks, Billy. I think you'd really dig it. Great for gigs.

 

[moonweasel]

I dig it! Can you post another pic of the body without a black background, I can't really make out the shape. Thanks!

 

[Michael Minnis]

I dig it! Can you post another pic of the body without a black background, I can't really make out the shape. Thanks!

Good point, Mooweasel! Here is another shot.

 

[slimdave]

It has a certain Danelectro vibe which I really like! Congrats, that's something unique.

 

[moonweasel]

Wow, that is really cool! Definitely not a hack job, someone put some thought into it. What a great find. Thanks for the second pic!

 

[Rev.WillieVK]

Picasso, or Dali? It looks like it melted a little bit... :biggrin:

I still like it! :dude:

 

[lpnv59]

Hey Michael, measure the pickups when you get a chance, would you? Curious to compare with my 12/56 Tele. The neck pickup on mine sounds so beautiful. Is this one still wired stock?

 

[Michael Minnis]

It has a certain Danelectro vibe which I really like! Congrats, that's something unique.

Thanks, Slimdave. You're right. It does have a Danelectro vibe. Maybe that was the inspiration.

 

[Michael Minnis]

Picasso, or Dali? It looks like it melted a little bit... :biggrin:

I still like it! :dude:

Nacho coined it the Picasso, but I think you're right, Bill. More Dali than Picasso.

 

[Michael Minnis]

Hey Michael, measure the pickups when you get a chance, would you? Curious to compare with my 12/56 Tele. The neck pickup on mine sounds so beautiful. Is this one still wired stock?

Hey, Billy. It's not wired stock any longer. The neck pickup really knocks me out on this guitar. So warm, yet articulate and clear. Not muffled at all. I don't have the means to measure the pickups. Next time I take it to my local vintage store, I'll ask them to measure the pickups.

 

[lpnv59]

Maybe Nacho had his reasons....

Well some people try to pick up girls
And get called assholes
This never happened to Pablo Picasso
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare
So Pablo Picasso was never called an asshole

Well the girls would turn the color of the avocado
when he would drive
Down their street in his El Dorado
He could walk down your street
And girls could not resist his stare
Pablo Picasso never got called an asshole

:salude

 

[esoteric pete]

what a cool guitar! id totally rock that thing!

 

[MapleFlame]

Gotta love great Tele's but Tele's with cool character and history is even better. Congratulations

 

[brandtkronholm]

Picasso, or Dali? It looks like it melted a little bit... :biggrin:

I still like it! :dude:

Phantom Tele (of the Opera), perhaps?

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

HNVGD!