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NVGD: The 1956 Picasso Tele

Michael Minnis

Active member
Joined
Feb 12, 2004
Messages
1,597
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.

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Rev.WillieVK

Active member
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
9,268
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?
 

Michael Minnis

Active member
Joined
Feb 12, 2004
Messages
1,597
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.
 

moonweasel

New member
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
9,427
I dig it! Can you post another pic of the body without a black background, I can't really make out the shape. Thanks!
 

slimdave

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2012
Messages
893
It has a certain Danelectro vibe which I really like! Congrats, that's something unique.
 

moonweasel

New member
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
9,427
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

Active member
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
9,268
Picasso, or Dali? It looks like it melted a little bit... :biggrin:

I still like it! :dude:
 

lpnv59

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
10,725
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

Active member
Joined
Feb 12, 2004
Messages
1,597
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

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Jul 15, 2001
Messages
10,725
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
 

MapleFlame

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
14,044
Gotta love great Tele's but Tele's with cool character and history is even better. Congratulations
 
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