Featured THOUGHTS/VALUE OF A 1950's - 1960's AUDITION 12 STRING GUITAR MADE IN JAPAN (WAS WOOLWORTH BRAND?!)

I found this beautiful mint condition circa 1950's - 1960's 12 string guitar made by audition at a yard sale this morning. When I saw the 12 strings, condition & the Made in Japan I bought it for the $100 asking price with no questions.
But when I got home & tried to research it I didn't find much on the 12 string - but I did find that Accordion was made for Woolworths?!

The wood is stunning (it's nicer than my phone camera makes it look) - any info on who made it in Japan? - It seems to be rare, does it have any value?
Thanks!

 

Funy, here's one on youtube

Published on Feb 24, 2012
A great inexpensive Blues guitar, if you can find one.
Sold in Canada and the UK by Woolworth, these Audition guitars were made in Japan by Tiesco from 1958 - 1972.
This guitar has so much character and is fun to play, could definately use an upgrade to the tuners as the originals are a little sticky, but once they're set they hold. The body has some minor warping as well, but that just adds to the sound.
A perfect guitar if you dig imperfections that create a unique sound but don't destroy the playing and after 45 some odd years every one of these will be a little different.
Rating: 9/10 if you get one at a good price.

 

100 or thereabouts is probably about what its worth. (Assiming neck is straight and no repairs needed)

https://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&_udlo=&_udhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=22405-3500&_sargn=-1&saslc=1&_salic=1&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=100&LH_Complete=1&_nkw=japan+12+string+guitar&_blrs=spell_check

 

still...it's lovely !!!!
& u were right to take a chance on it !!

 

$100 for a 12-string is doing good no matter what.

 

They can be decent instruments. You’ll see the same basic guitars with a variety of different brand names on them as they were made for many different retailers for our market. Maybe try searching Teisco or Matsumoku, possibly Fujigen but I doubt it.
A lot of great music was made on these humble instruments.

 

Also not 50’s, probably late 60’s or 70’s.

 

Ask the members at Harmony Central.They helped me figure out the maker of my guitar.Matsumoku copied Les Paul.
https://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/

 

Looking at the many photos online and none seem to have this type of wood. And looking at the inside where the label is, it seems to be unremarkable mahogany. Yet the back and sides look like zebra wood. Could it be faux painted? Dennis

 

the back is cut from the same board..2 opposite pieces....who could paint that ?

 

Laminate...thin layers glued together..outer later is the nice bookmatched veneer.

 

Yes, laminated.....think plywood, nice on one side, ordinary on the other. You may be able to tell whether the top is also laminated by looking at the edge of the soundhole. It looks pretty well-made, and let's assume the action is OK, and it plays OK. If so, and the top is laminated, I'd think $100 is pushing it. If the top is solid wood - spruce, $100 is a reasonable value, maybe a bit more.
A great many 12-strings of this quality are going to show significant warping of the neck, and if that is the case, it is probably not worth repairing, though you could ask a luthier for an opinion.
With guitars, uncommon does not necessarily mean rare, and the online documentation for Korean and Japanese makers is scarce. There are some reference books that list most such makers, however, and include some indication of value.

 

This Aria 9402 is the 2nd one I got from same sale - also priced at $100 - it's also from Japan - better name = better value?
PS - I also got this vintage Ibanez electric guitar + (!) a Fender amp for only $50 because it has a cigarette burn on the front!
Thanks again for the info (even though I thought I'd scored a home run with a mint 12 string from the 60's!)

 

Sorry 1 more question - can anyone tell me year & country the Ibaez is from?
Thank you