View source for Teisco

{{Short description|Japanese musical instrument manufacturer & brand}}
{{distinguish|Teisko}}
{{Infobox company
| name          = Teisco
| former_name   = {{smaller|Aoi Onpa Kenkyūjo (1946)<br/>Nippon Onpa Kōgyō Co. (1956)<br/>Teisco Co. (1964)<br/>Teisco Shōji (1967–early 1970s)}}
| brands        = Teisco
| logo          = Teisco textlogo.png
|logo_size = 250px
|fate = Company ceased in 1967, when the brand was acquired by [[Kawai Musical Instruments|Kawai]]
| type          = [[privately held company|Private]]
| genre         =
| foundation    = 1946
| founder       = Atswo Kaneko and Doryo Matsuda
| defunct       = 1967
| location      = [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
| key_people    =
| area_served   = Worldwide
| industry      = [[Musical instruments]]
| products      = [[Electric guitar]]s, [[classical guitars labeled Aquarius]], [[synthesizer]]s, [[drum kit]]s, [[guitar amplifier]]s (1946–67)<br> [[Effects unit]]s (2018–)
| revenue       =
| operating_income=
| net_income    =
| num_employees =
| parent        = [[BandLab Technologies]]
| subsid        =
| owner         =
| homepage      = [https://teisco.com/ teisco.com]
| footnotes     =
}}

'''Teisco''' was a Japanese [[musical instrument]] manufacturing company from 1948 until 1967, when the brand "Teisco" was acquired by [[Kawai Musical Instruments|Kawai]] (河合楽器製作所; Kawai Gakki Seisakusho). The company produced [[guitar]]s as well as [[synthesizer]]s, [[microphones]], [[guitar amplifier]]s and [[drum kit]]s. Teisco products were widely exported to the [[United States]] and the [[United Kingdom]].

In 2018, the brand "Teisco" was relaunched –along with former guitar company [[Harmony Company|Harmony]]– by [[Singapore]]an music company [[BandLab Technologies]] to produce [[effects units]].<ref>[https://reverb.com/news/bandlab-announces-teisco-and-harmony-guitar-reboots BandLab to Reboot Teisco and Harmony Guitar Brands] by Carly Smith on Reverb.com, 14 Dec 2017</ref>

==Company history==
{{multiple image |direction=horizontal |align=right
|image1=Teisco circlelogo.svg|width1=99
|caption1=Teisco logo in Japan
|image2=Teisco logo.jpg|width2=132
|caption2=<!-- Former logo of the ceased company -->''Teisco Del Rey'' brand logo, re-badged in the US after 1964.<ref name=VG199907/>
}}
The brand name "Teisco" was established in 1948, and sometimes incorrectly explained as<ref name=cole2006>{{cite web
 |author       = Mark Cole
 |author-link   = Mark Cole (musician)
 |date         = 12 December 2006
 |title        = Teisco timeline
 |url          = http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/history.htm
 |work         = Teisco Twanger's Paradice
 |access-date  = 2010-01-31
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100503111418/http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/history.htm
 |archive-date = 2010-05-03
}}</ref> an acronym of ''Tokyo Electric Instrument and Sound Company''.<ref name=oldguitar2003>
{{cite book
 | last1     = Dregni  | first1 = Michael
 | last2     = Aldrich | first2 = Margret
 | last3     = Murray  | first3 = Charles Shaar
 | author4   = Voyageur Voyageur Press
 | title     = This Old Guitar: Making Music and Memories from Country to Jazz, Blues to Rock
 | date = 19 September 2003
 | url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=5TRjSgBETtYC
 | publisher = MBI Publishing Company LLC
 | publication-date = 19 September 2003
 | isbn      = 978-1-61060-549-6
 | page      = [https://books.google.com/books?id=5TRjSgBETtYC&pg=PA134 134]
}}</ref> However, the exact name of company establishing and producing the Teisco brand was not that name, and rather, they had frequently renamed their company.

The company was founded in 1946 by renowned Hawaiian and Spanish guitarist Atsuwo Kaneko and electrical engineer Doryu Matsuda. The company was originally called ''Aoi Onpa Kenkyujo'' (roughly: Hollyhock Soundwave or Electricity Laboratories). In 1956, the company name was changed to ''Nippon Onpa Kogyo Co.'', and changed to ''Teisco Co.'' in 1964. In 1967, the company was acquired by [[Kawai Musical Instruments|Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co. Ltd.]] (河合楽器製作所; Kawai Gakki Seisakusho), who discontinued the Teisco brand name for guitars in 1969 (1977 in Japan), but continued to use it for electronic keyboards until the 1980s.<ref>{{harvnb|60's Bizarre Guitars|1993}}</ref>

==Products==

===Guitars===
{{multiple image
|align = right
|direction = horizontal
|total_width = 250
|header = Similar designs
|image1 = 
|caption1 = [[Hagström]] (ca. 1960)
|image2 = Eko 400 Ekomaster.png
|caption2 = [[Eko guitars|Eko]] (1960–62)
|image3 =  Ibanez model 3904 Montclair, Goldentone (1960s).png
|caption3 = [[Ibanez]] (<!-- early-mid -->1960s)
}}
Teisco guitars were imported to the United States since 1959 or early 1960, and then re-badged as "Teisco Del Rey" after 1964.<ref name=VG199907>
{{cite journal
 | first     = Michael | last = Wright
 | title     = Jack Westheimer &mdash; Pioneer of Global Guitarmaking
 | url       = http://www.vintageguitar.com/1933/jack-westheimer/
 | journal   = Vintage Guitar
 | date = 8 January 2004
 | issue     = July 1999
}}</ref>
From 1948 to the early 1960s Teisco products often, like many Japanese products of the period, shared several designs with American and Western European products of the time including [[Hagström]] and [[Eko guitars|EKO]].<ref>To solve the questions about the design similarities across the multiple manufacturers, more intensive verifications on the international guitar supplying networks and the role of international distributors at that era, are expected. As one possibility, the involvement of [[Goya guitar|Goya]], a sales company of [[Levin (guitar company)|Levin Guitar]] in the United States, may be significant; [[Hagström]], [[Eko guitars|Eko]], and [[Greco guitars|Greco]] ([[FujiGen]]) were known to had been supplied to Goya; and Teisco's similar models might have some relations to them.</ref>

However, in the early 1960s Teisco products became increasingly unique. Teisco guitars became notable for unusual body shapes, such as the ''May Queen'' design resembling an artist's palette, or other unusual features such as having four [[Pick up (music technology)|pickup]]s (most guitars have two or three).  The vast amount of controls; typically an individual switch for each pickup, plus a tone or phase inversion switch, along with as many as five tone and volume knobs gave a wide variety of sounds yet were easily switched while playing.

{{multiple image
|perrow = 4
|align = left
|direction = horizontal
|total_width = 250
|header = Original designs
|image1 = Teisco MJ-2.jpg
|caption1 = Teisco MJ-2L (1963/65) 
|image2 = Teisco K4L.jpg
|caption2 = K4L (1966)
|image3 = Teisco Spectrum 2 or 22 (SN374919) crop.jpg 
|caption3 = Spectrum 2 (S/N 374919)
|image4 = Teisco Spectrum 2.jpg 
|caption4 = Spectrum 2 (ca.1969) 
}}
After [[Kawai Musical Instruments|Kawai]] bought Teisco in 1967, they started to produce all the Teisco guitars, as well as their own brand, ''Apollo''. [[Hound Dog Taylor]] famously used a variety of these Kawai-era Teiscos, which he bought at his local [[Sears]] department store. Jim Reid of [[The Jesus and Mary Chain]] used a ''Spectrum 5''. Also, [[James Iha]] of [[The Smashing Pumpkins]] played a ''K-2L'', which can be seen in the music video for [[Rocket (The Smashing Pumpkins song)|Rocket]] as well as the inside of the [[Pisces Iscariot]] CD jewel case. Ben Waugh (Scott Campbell), singer & guitarist for Apparition, The Sillies, and Scott Campbell Group played a modified ET-200 onstage and for studio recordings until it was stolen in 1985.

{{multiple image
|perrow = 
|align = right
|direction = horizontal
|total_width = 200
|header = 
|image1 = Teisco May Queen (c.1968) (2017-11 by Alexander Lesnitsky).jpg
|caption1 = May Queen <ref name=Wright2003>{{cite magazine |first=Michael |last=Wright |title=1968 Teisco May Queen – Perennial Classic, Made in Japan |url=http://www.vintageguitar.com/1975/1968-teisco-may-queen/ |magazine=[[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]] |publication-date=July 2003}}</ref><ref name=FetishGuitars>{{cite web|title=Eko Auriga 1969/1971|url=http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/eko/index/auriga.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425125917/http://www.fetishguitars.com/html/eko/index/auriga.html|archive-date=2012-04-25|publisher=FetishGuitars.com }}</ref> 
|image2 = Teisco Del Rey EV-3T on Bench.jpg
|caption2 = Del Rey EV-3T <ref name=USPattent_D208948>{{cite patent|country=US|number=D208948|status=patent|inventor=[[Thomas Walter Jennings|Thomas W. Jennings]]|assign1=Warwick Electronics Inc.|title=[https://patents.google.com/patent/USD208948 GUITAR]|fdate=1966-06-27|gdate=1967-10-17|pridate=1967-10-17 }}</ref> 
|image3 = Teisco EP-200 (1966).jpg
|caption3 = EP-200 
}}
Many Teisco guitars had a primitive [[tailed bridge guitar|tailed bridge]] in their extended tail bridges with limited [[timbre]] when used in an [[extended technique]]. When the strings are attacked behind the bridge, a 3rd bridge sound is created. This is one of the reasons these guitars became popular again during the 90s among many noise artists as a cheaper alternative for the [[Fender Jaguar]] or [[Jazzmaster]], which were beginning to attract collector interest.

===Baritone guitars===
{{multiple image
|align = right
|direction = horizontal
|total_width = 200
|header =  
|image1 = Teisco NB-4.jpg
|caption1 = NB-4 (4string bass version of TB-64)
|image2 = Oberst sunset junction.jpg
|caption2 = TG-64 (guitar version of TB-64 played by [[Conor Oberst]])
}}
Teisco also produced a six-string bass called ''TB-64'' (or ''ET-320'') in 1964, similar to the [[Fender Bass VI]] which was itself an uncommon instrument.  Teisco six-string bass followed an unusual body shape that was used on one of their guitars.  It had an off-set body shape similar to a [[Jazzmaster]], but with an extended top horn, a 'monkey handle' cutout on the left-facing side of the bridge and a [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]]-style headstock with an oversized scroll.  This instrument, as well as its regular-scale guitar equivalent, can be heard extensively on [[Blonde Redhead]]'s early albums of the 90s, where they used its wide range to switch between bass and guitar melodies in the course of single songs.

Also, 2 or 4-pickup [[baritone guitar]]s (27 3/4 inch scale) with a tremolo, known as ''Demian'' or ''Orlando'' ''VN-2'' or ''VN-4'' ca.1964 manufactured by [[FujiGen]],<ref>
{{cite web
 | title     = Genesis of FujiGen (start of the electric guitar manufacturing)
 | url       = http://www.geocities.jp/guitarofworld/MatsumotoGuitars5.html
 | language  = ja
 | work      = Matsumoto guitars <span style="font-style:normal;">{{smaller|[Guitar Manufacturers in Matsumoto City]}}</span>
 | location  = [[Matsumoto, Nagano|Matsumoto]]
 | publisher = Junk Guitar Museum
}}<div style="line-height:100%;">{{smaller|'''Summary in English''': In the first half of the 1960s, [[FujiGen]] had subcontracted with Teisco, and manufactured models including: ''J-1'', ''J-2'', ''EB-1'' (similar to ''EB-18''), ''VN-2'', and ''VN-4'';  And then, their former factory manager had spin-out to establish a Teisco factory in [[Toyoshina, Nagano|Toyoshina]], called "Teisco String Instruments, Company" (also known as "Matsumoto Teisco").}}</div>
</ref> are often referred as Teisco models.<ref>
{{cite web
 | author    = Bertram D 
 | date      = 22 November 2009
 | title     = 1966 Teisco Demian Baritone VN-4 
 | url       = http://guitarz.blogspot.jp/2009/11/1966-teisco-demian-baritone-vn-4.html
 | work      = Guitarz.blogspot.com
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
 | author    = Mark Cole
 | date      = December 12, 2006
 | title     = Solid body six strings – 2 pickups
 | url       = http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/solid-2.htm
 | work      = ID Parade, Teisco Twangers
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
 | author    = Mark Cole
 | date      = December 12, 2006
 | title     = Solid body six strings – 4 pickups
 | url       = http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/solid-4.htm
 | work      = ID Parade, Teisco Twangers
}}</ref> However the formal relations between Teisco and these models are not enough verified yet.

===Basses===
Teisco basses are easily identified through a unique pickup design exclusive to the Del Rey series. This design consisted of a large rectangular chrome pickup with black plastic holding the four poles in one place. Other designs may vary, but are all easily distinguishable and unique among subsequent bass designs. Teisco made a short scale bass under the Heit Deluxe name. With a scale length of 23.5", it was a student or beginner instrument. It featured a single pickup, volume and tone controls and a rudimentary bridge/tailpiece.


===Amplifiers===
{{multiple image |direction = horizontal |total_width = 450 |align = right 
|image1 = Teisco Checkmate 100.png
|caption1 = Checkmate 100
|image2 = Teisco 74 R Amp.jpg
|caption2 = 74 R amplifier
|image3 = Teisco Professional.jpg
|caption3 = Teisco Professional
|footer =
}}
Teisco also produced numerous models of guitar and bass amplifiers which were often sold under the ''Checkmate'' brand name, but also named Teisco or Silvertone as well as Beltone and Melody. In the 1950s, early amplifier models were very basic 5-10 watt tube/valve designs. During the 1960s, more advanced and powerful models were offered, such as ''Checkmate 25'', ''Checkmate 50'', and ''Checkmate 100'' featuring dual channels, reverb and tremolo effects. Teisco also made solid-state (transistor-based) models, some designed no less radically than their guitars of the time. The ''Sound Port 60'' (60 watts/RMS) and ''Sound Port 120'' (120 watts/RMS) amplifiers from the late 1960s were copies of [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]]'s [[silverface]]d [[Fender Vibro Champ|Vibro Champ]] and [[Fender Twin Reverb|Twin Reverb]].

===Synthesizers===
[[File:Teisco S110F.jpg|thumb|250px|Teisco Synthesizer 110F]]
Teisco also produced a range of synthesizers, with models including the 60F, 110F, 100F, 100P, SX-210, SX-240, and SX-400.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct01/articles/teiscosx400.asp|title=SX Crime!|work=Sound On Sound|date=October 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606114329/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct01/articles/teiscosx400.asp|archive-date=6 June 2015}}</ref>

Bands such as [[Hot Chip]] (UK), [[Pure Reason Revolution]] (UK), and Goose (Belgium) are known to use Teisco synthesizers.

===Drums===
Teisco marketed drum sets in limited sizes and configurations during the 1960s, sold under the brand name ''Del Ray''. They were produced by sub-contractors to fill out the company's catalog as a supplier of combo instruments,<ref>{{cite web
 |title       = Teisco Catalog 1968
 |url         = http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/teisco/diary/200711230000/
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120221222508/http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/teisco/diary/200711230000/
 |archive-date = 2012-02-21
}}</ref> but discontinued after the acquisition by Kawai.

===PA system===
Teisco monitors can be seen in [[The Beatles' 1966 tour of Germany, Japan and the Philippines#Japan|The Beatles' 1966 concert in Tokyo]].<ref name="JapanTimes_Beatles">Photograph in {{cite web|url=http://features.japantimes.co.jp/beatles-in-budokan/ |first=Steve|last=McClure |title=Yesterday: When the 'Beatles typhoon' hit Japan|website=[[The Japan Times]]|date=June 2016|access-date=13 June 2020}}<!-- [https://features.japantimes.co.jp/beatles-in-budokan/img/mcclure-beatles-section6-mobile.jpg] --></ref>

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book
   | title     = OUTPUT – エレクトリックが新しい感情のダイナマイトだった
   | trans-title= OUTPUT: Electric was a Dynamite of New Emotion 
   | url       = http://msato.net/Music/book/60s.html
   | series    = [[:ja:Player (雑誌)|Y.M.M. Player Magazine]] mook
   | language  = ja
   | publisher = Player Corporation | location = Tokyo
   | publication-date = 1982-01-20
   | id        = [[w:ja:雑誌コード#雑誌コード|ID]]:09818-1-20
  }}
* {{cite book
 |ref              = {{sfnref|60's Bizarre Guitars|1993}}
 |title            = 60's Bizarre Guitars
 |url              = http://msato.net/Music/book/bizal2.html
 |series           = Guitar Magazine mooks / Rittor Music mook
 |language         = ja
 |publisher        = [[w:ja:リットーミュージック|Rittor Music, Inc]]
 |location         = Tokyo
 |oclc             = 269873814
 |publication-date = 1993-03-01
 |id               = ID:4-69771-02, {{ASIN|B0064YESZO|country=jp}}
 |access-date      = 2015-07-29
 |archive-date     = 2016-03-04
 |archive-url      = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103618/http://msato.net/Music/book/bizal2.html
 |url-status       = dead
}}<br/>The history described on this book is widely referred (for example, {{cite web
   | title     = Teisco catalog 1974/05
   | url       = http://teiscotone.web.fc2.com/zzshashin/shiryoukan/catalogue/teisco197405.html
  }}, ''etc''), but this book itself has been discontinued for a long time.
* {{cite book
   | last      = Meyers | first = Frank
   | title     = History of Japanese Electric Guitars
   | url       = http://www.halleonard.com/product/viewproduct.do?itemid=144171&lid=2332&keywords=el&
   | publisher = Centerstream Publications
   | publication-date = 2015
   | isbn      = 978-1-57424-315-4
  }}
;Models and Catalogs
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100503111418/http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/history.htm Teisco timeline] by Mark Cole
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710232657/http://teiscotone.web.fc2.com/shiryoukan/catalogue/teisco1964.html Teisco catalog 1964-1965], Nihon Onpa Kōgyō, Co. (日本音波工業)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710232801/http://teiscotone.web.fc2.com/shiryoukan/catalogue/yamaha1965.html Teisco catalog 1965] by [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120221222524/http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/teisco/diary/200711150000/ Teisco catalog 1965-66], Teisco Co.
* Teisco catalog 1966, p. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120922133322/http://guitar.webinjp.com/70guitar_catalog/teisco1.htm 1], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120927023352/http://guitar.webinjp.com/70guitar_catalog/teisco2.htm 2&ndash;3], Teisco Co.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710232816/http://teiscotone.web.fc2.com/shiryoukan/catalogue/teisco1967.html Teisco catalog 1967], Teisco Shōji, Co. (テスコ商事)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120221222508/http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/teisco/diary/200711230000/ Teisco catalog 1968] (publisher unknown)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120927030042/http://guitar.webinjp.com/70guitar_catalog/teisco3.htm New Sounds In Music – Solid State Effect Guitars] (late 1960s), Teisco Shōji, Co. (テスコ商事)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110710232615/http://teiscotone.web.fc2.com/shiryoukan/catalogue/teisco197405.html Teisco catalog 1974/05], Kawai/Teisco
* [http://brochures.yokochou.com/keyboard-and-effector/teisco/1980/en_index.html Teisco catalog 1980], Kawai/Teisco
* [http://brochures.yokochou.com/keyboard-and-effector/teisco/1982/en_index.html Teisco catalog 1982], Kawai/Teisco
{{div col end}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal
   | last      = Wright | first = Michael
   | title     = Teisco Guitars, Part I – Rock 'n' Roll Dreams, Part I
   | url       = http://www.vintageguitar.com/1745/teisco-guitars-part-i/
   | journal   = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]
  | date = 25 April 2002
 }}
* {{cite journal
   | last      = Wright | first = Michael
   | title     = Teisco Guitars, Part II – Rock 'n' Roll Dreams, Part II
   | url       = http://www.vintageguitar.com/1746/teisco-guitars-part-ii/
   | journal   = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]
  | date = 2 May 2002
 }}
* {{cite journal
   | last      = Wright | first = Michael
   | title     = 1968 Teisco May Queen – Perennial Classic, Made in Japan
   | url       = http://www.vintageguitar.com/1975/1968-teisco-may-queen/
   | journal   = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]
   | date = 20 January 2014
 | issue     = July 2003
  }}
* {{cite journal
   | last      = Wright | first = Michael
   | title     = Spectrum 5
   | url       = http://www.vintageguitar.com/12123/spectrum-5/
   | journal   = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]
  | date = 30 December 2013
 }}
* {{cite journal
   | last      = Moseley | first = Willie G.
   | title     = Teisco Del Rey Basses – '60s Egalitarianism from Japan
   | url       = http://www.vintageguitar.com/1975/1968-teisco-may-queen/
   | journal   = [[Vintage Guitar (magazine)|Vintage Guitar]]
   | date = 20 January 2014
 | issue     = October 2014
  }}
*{{cite magazine|title=Teisco 110F|magazine=Future Music|issue=66|issn=0967-0378|oclc=1032779031}}

==See also==
* [[Kent guitars]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Teisco}}
* [https://teisco.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/index.htm Teisco Twanger's Paradise], a site for Teisco collectors
* [http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_main/catalogs_japanese_teisco.php VintAxe.com], features pictures and descriptions of Vintage Teisco Guitars. Must pay for access.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150704033756/http://kingofkays.com/japanese/ Japanese Page on King of Kays] – information and photos of vintage Japanese electric guitars at KingofKays.com
* [http://teisco.sendex.nl Teisco synthesizers pages], with information on various models of Teisco synthesizers
* [http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/100f.shtml Vintage Synth Explorer: Teisco synthesizers]
* [http://www.sequencer.de/syns/teisco/index.html Teisco synthesizer & Sequencer], Sequencer.de
* [http://www.larryjohnmcnally.com/Teisco/ Teisco Amps]

{{Guitar brands}}
{{BandLab Technologies}}

[[Category:Defunct companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Guitar manufacturing companies]]
[[Category:Synthesizer manufacturing companies of Japan]]
[[Category:Guitar amplifier manufacturers]]
[[Category:Japanese brands]]
[[Category:Japanese musical instruments]]
[[Category:Audio equipment manufacturers of Japan]]
[[Category:Musical instrument manufacturing companies based in Tokyo]]