My guitar collection - Tacoma

 
 

This is the solid body version of the P1 Papoose built by Tacoma. Since the latter has a 3¼” thick body versus the 1.695” on this model, this makes the SP1 the smallest guitar in my collection. All other dimensions are identical between the two including the mere 19.1” scale, 11” for the body width, and 30” total length. The SP1 Papoose has a solid, Natural satin finished mahogany body with through-body string insertion using 6 ferrules on the back, a chromed modern Tele-style bridge with 6 individual saddles, and a single Seymour Duncan designed model HB103B bridge humbucker. It has an onboard EMG designed preamp engaged by a push-pull volume control and adjusted by a gain control. This “Tone Phone” overdrive circuit is powered by a 9V battery, also found in the control cavity, allowing a headphone to be plugged into an ⅛” output adjacent to the usual ¼” output, both on on a single square plate on the side of the body. The mahogany neck is attached to the body by 2 hex bolts and has a rosewood fingerboard, 1⅞” nut width, etched logo on the headstock, and Tacoma branded closed tuning machines. It originally came in a nicely padded Cordoba gig bag. However, an original SP1 gig bag was available at the same time as this guitar. Hence, that Cordoba gig bag now protects the P1 Papoose. Like its acoustic brethren, this little guitar is tuned a quint higher, i.e. from A to A. The SP1 Papoose electric must have been discontinued before 2005, likely in conjunction with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation’s purchase of Tacoma in 2004, since it is neither listed in the 2005 Catalog nor on the archived March 2005 website. The model does appear in the 2001 Catalog as shown below, listing the available variants and their respective price points.

 

Tacoma SP1 Papoose electric

The story behind this guitar

Year:

Serial number:

Strings:


No serial number could be found on this little guitar. In the chase I even took of the neck which is very easy as long as one uses the proper 4mm hex wrench. But I assume neither the found scribble in the neck pocket nor the ‘TMA001’ on the sticker on the back of the control cavity cover have a meaning as such. This also means it is hard to establish the exact model year is. But what a fun toy indeed. The overdrive circuit works amazingly and with its width, the neck is very comfortable to play. What a find. And what a shame they are not made anymore.

The story behind this guitar

unknown

none, marked in neck pocket ‘C08Ψ5500’

D’Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound Regular Light (10-46)