Teisco traces its origins to 1946, when Hawaiian guitarist Atsuwo Kaneko and electrical engineer Doryu Matsuda founded a small instrument workshop in Tokyo, Japan. The company operated under several names before settling on Teisco Co. in 1964. Through the 1950s and 1960s, Teisco became one of Japan's most prolific guitar manufacturers, producing electric guitars, amplifiers, lap steels, synthesizers, and drum kits. Their guitars were exported globally under a wide range of distributor-assigned names—including Teisco Del Rey in the United States, Kingston, Kent, Kimberly, and Silvertone—and were sold through department stores like Sears and Montgomery Ward. The guitars became known for their unconventional body shapes, multi-pickup configurations, and budget-friendly price points. Distinctive models such as the May Queen and the Spectrum series earned a cult following. In 1967, Kawai Musical Instruments acquired the company, and guitar production under the Teisco name wound down by 1969.

Despite the brand's closure, Teisco guitars became beloved artifacts of the vintage market, sought out by players drawn to their eccentric aesthetics and raw tone. Hound Dog Taylor famously played Kawai-era Teiscos purchased from Sears. Jim Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain used a Spectrum 5, and James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins played a K-2L in music videos. Eddie Van Halen has noted that one of his earliest guitars as a child was a Teisco Del Rey WG-4L bought from a department store.

In 2018, BandLab Technologies—a Singaporean music company—relaunched the Teisco brand with a focus on effects pedals. The modern line debuted with a Fuzz, Boost, and Delay, each bearing colorful retro-inspired designs that echo the brand's vintage character. The catalog has since expanded to include Distortion, Overdrive, and Interface pedals, as well as a series of compact Mini pedals. The relaunched brand bills itself as "a universe of fearless music explorers," positioning its effects as accessible tools with character.

Teisco has 120 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars, and Electric Basses. Their gear is featured by 105 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Electronic. Notable users include Josh Homme, Dan Auerbach, and Mac DeMarco. Teisco's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.