Del Rey

Del Rey

Also known as: Teisco Del Rey, Teisco/Del Rey, Del Rey by Teisco

Unclaimed

Del Rey is a vintage guitar brand applied by Westheimer Musical Instruments (WMI) of Evanston, Illinois to Japanese-made instruments imported into the United States during the 1960s and early 1970s. The name — most often seen on the headstock as "Teisco Del Rey," roughly "Teisco of the King" — was adopted by WMI in 1964 to give the line a more regal, Spanish-flavored ring for American shelves. ...

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Del Rey is a vintage guitar brand applied by Westheimer Musical Instruments (WMI) of Evanston, Illinois to Japanese-made instruments imported into the United States during the 1960s and early 1970s. The name — most often seen on the headstock as "Teisco Del Rey," roughly "Teisco of the King" — was adopted by WMI in 1964 to give the line a more regal, Spanish-flavored ring for American shelves. Early Del Rey instruments were built by Teisco in Japan, with production shifting to Kawai after Kawai acquired Teisco in 1967; WMI also applied the badge to guitars from other Japanese manufacturers as supply changed.

The catalog spanned solid-body and semi-hollow electrics, hollow archtops, classical and folk acoustics, basses identified by a distinctive proprietary pickup design, and a limited run of sub-contracted drum sets meant to round out the combo-instrument lineup. Models such as the ET-200, ET-460, EV3T, and E-110 are now collected as artifacts of 1960s Japanese guitar making, with vintage-market values that have climbed well past their original pawnshop pricing. Kawai ended Teisco exports to the U.S. in 1973, and the Del Rey badge passed out of regular production along with the rest of the Teisco line.

Del Rey has 2 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars and Fuzz Effects Pedals. Their gear is featured by 1 artist, with the strongest followings in Rock. Notable users include Luke Reynolds.

Artists Who Use Del Rey

Luke Reynolds uses 1 Del Rey product

Luke Reynolds

Guitarist, Bassist · Guster

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