"I've been building guitars since 1984, only electric guitars since 1988. During my studies of Product-Design from 1992 until 1997, I had the opportunity to get to know my work from a standpoint other than that of traditional craftsmanship. Alongside completely other projects, at this time, the first thoughts about instruments like the birdfish and the tesla emerged.

Every good luthier knows with which construction and material a certain sound is obtained. The artistry lies in giving the instrument a very distinct appearance or effect along with the sound. I see my instruments as absolute. This means that every instrument has a certain symbolic meaning and function in the Pop-complex. One can compare this to the clothing that we wear. We select clothing according to function, e.g. job, sport, winter clothing, etc., as well as according to an expression of fashion with which we then distinguish ourselves. So will one, as a musician, decide which statement he wants to achieve with his choice of instrument."

Notes on the Tesla MIDI

The magnetic pickups and midi sounds remain separate. The guitar has 2 output jacks: a 1/4 inch jack for the analog signal and a Roland 13-pin jack for the MIDI amd piezo signals. You can plug the 1/4 inch jack straight into a guitar amplifier. This signal path is completely separate from the MIDI converter. This is especially important when using high gain sounds. The MIDI jack supplies the acoustic signal of the RMC bridge and the MIDI signal. These 2 sounds can be mixed with the 2 separate volume controls.


The foundation of the MIDI guitar is a Tune-O-Matic bridge in conjunction with Piezo saddles from RMC and a MIDI controller. On the bridge there is a strinng rest made of ebony. It optimizes the pressure of the strings on the piezo crystals and prevents string-to-string crosstalk by dampening the strings between the tuner and the bridge.

The Tesla MIDI is controlled with a volume knob and a tone knob for the magnetic pickups, a volume knob for the synthesizer, and a volume knob for the acoustic sound.

There are 2 push button switches that control the channel selection of the MIDI converter (up-down).

Other Tesla models

The Tesla Classic is the basic workhorse model. Lowest in price, about $6,640, the Tesla Classic is both a clean and quiet modern instrument and a vintage throwback in tone if you use the correct button! Here is the short explanation on the momentary buttons on the guitar: the button beneath the neck pickup activates a little microphone which causes a feedback. You need a certain loudness on your amplifier and the distortion channel to get this feedback. Check out how the feedback reacts when you move your guitar to the cabinet. You will see that you also can control the fequency this way. The center momentary button interupts the output signal of the guitar. The button beneath the bridge pickup causes a hum. The sound of the hum depends of the type of amplifier you play and of the channel. The selector switch for the pickups is the push/push switch over the neck pickup. When you push it it stays in one position. This is the bridge pickup. When you push it again it is bypassed. This is the neck pickup.

The Tesla Studio has got three pickups: a humbucker at the bridge position, a splitcoil at the middle position and a a splitcoil at the neck position. The Tesla Studio is about $6,800.

Choose Bag or Case for Birdfish

The Teuffel Birdfish comes with a choice of cases. Other models are hard case only. The waterbuffalo leather bag, hand sewn in Germany, is also available for Birdfish. The bag shows its natural grain. It is very heavily padded with unbleached cotton and has an external pocket.

Another option you may choose is the hard case. The sturdy, lightweight flight case is made of black plastic plates. The honeycombed structure makes them light and strong. All metal fittings feature high-grade chrome plating. The lid is fastened with 3 hinges. 2 locking butterfly nuts keep it shut. 1 handle is for carrying--the other allows you to pull the flight case behind you on its built-in corner wheels.

The inside is contour cut foam with accessory compartments. The case is small enough to be considered carry-on baggage by most airlines.

How to Order

You may call Richard to order a Tesla Classic, Studio, Tesla MIDI, Birdfish Classic or Birdfish MIDI, or the new Niwa model. The stand is a desirable option, as well. Pricing varies slightly due to the prevailing exchange rate at time of shipping. Presently, the waiting time for an instrument is approximately 9 months. Teuffel models range from about $6,640 to $12,200 including case plus shipping and any accessories. Call Richard, Teuffel's exclusive representative in the USA, at (619) 265-5900. Please call 9am-9pm California time, any day.