Presented here is a completely relaquered Oscar Teller 8/A
The prefix "A" stands for ahorn, probably better known as
maple. As maple was readily available in those days this
model, executed in maple sides and back, was cheaper than
its' counterpart, the model 8/P in rosewood. Nowadays it
would have been different as the lighter hardwoods are
quite popular at this moment. But let's not forget also
Antonio de Torres already used maple for his premium
models in the 19th century and so did several French
guitar builders.
A closer look at the back is possible just by clicking on these pictures.
The scale is 650 mm and the bodies' own frequency is around the note
G which means 98 Herz. Width of the topnut 51 mm. The intonation is
really good. Due to some top cracks the price would be 1/3 of the price
what this guitar would be new: 1000 Euro's. The 8/P made by
Wolfgang Teller (still in business) now costs € 3000,- As for the
cracks: Everything is repaired and stable now.
The top has been French polished but keep in mind that not
all damages can be treated as then you are obliged to sand down
the soundboard. The top will be thinned then and is more prone
to deformations and might even possibly collapse.
And its' label that says Model Nr. 8 / A Anno 1971.
Oscar Teller wasn't alive at that time anymore but
his son Horst kept the same label and name.
Hardly any fretwear. Someone must have did a job not that long ago.
The tuners were lost but these ones do the job really well.
The head often is a victim of damages from setting the guitar
against a stone wall or knocking it against that wall. As the
back of the head was severely damaged I figured it would be
nice to add a maple back plate the way later often has been
done by this company and its' builders.
The rosettes from those times on their premium guitars
were immediately recognizable.
