1982 Fender Style Serial Numbers

[Homer J. Simpson]

Yeah it may as well be just a speck, not much to see there really. Just wishful thinking that this guitar wouldn't be all that weird.

 

[Sigmania]

My belief is that the L06241 is a January 1983 spag logo Breezy. And that it was not sold in the UK. And not that far off as far as serial numbers go.

Note also that I have found a 3 piece decal Script logo from December 1982.

I would bet the spag logo was for Japan. Would be interesting to hear where Cliff bought it.

 

[Sigmania]

Sorry about all the typos. I swear I’m not dyslexic. The keyboard on my iMac is oddly arranged and my phone isn’t as smart as it claims to be.

 

[Sigmania]

Here is another pic that may have fed the rumor mill about spag logos persisting into the late 80s in some parts of the world.

Looks like another recycled photo of a Bender TE200 in the 1987 Vol. 13 catalog

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Yeah I can see how that sparks the imagination. Old stock photo? Anyway...

If I see that right, the task narrowing down the line between 1982 and 1983 (and '83 and '84 for that matter), finding a point from where we say "1983". It looks like the numbers on the Vintageguitars/Faber tables are already shown to be more off than I thought.

Let me crosscheck if I picked up things right here:

- The "block logo era" formerly said to mark "1983" is actually starting at the latest around mid 1982, and if I see that right it may not extend that far into 1983 production-wise (outliers notwithstanding).

- The script log era is said to start 1983 but you found guitars that must be late 1982 (which might be another indication that the block logo era may have been rather short, assuming that there was no reason to produce both block logo and script logo guitars in parallel.

- We see a small number of spaghetti logo maple neck guitars with serials reaching a bit beyond the 13500s and autumn '82 month stamps, and one spaghetti RW Breezy with L06241 neatly marking Jan 1983. That sounds nice and plausible but...

- ...we have block logo guitars with December stamps and 11000s serials and a 14167 with a November stamp, plus an 11052 with a "MADE IN JAPAN" sticker .

That emphasizes how bad it is that we don't really know what happened to the 205 seized guitars (were they actually returned or kept by UK customs? Was there a replacement shipment hastily scraped together from stock in Japan?) and how Tokai proceeded from there supplying the UK.

Makes me think we should treat/collect/investigate block logo guitars separately from the others or just not try so hard to hammer them into the non-UK guitar's timeline until we know better how they could fit into the big jigsaw puzzle.

 

[Sigmania]

Actually, before I started poking around a year ago the common "wisdom" was that the script logo began in 1984. That is still what the Registry says.

1983 Goldstars Script Logo

The Script Logo Started When?

bluejeannot and stratman were some of the few folks I encountered that even cared about Goldstars. There were others of course, but they were the rare breed swimming against the current. Most people wanted spag logo builds, me included, until I got a 1983 TST70.

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Actually, before I started poking around a year ago the common "wisdom" was that the script logo began in 1984. That is still what the Registry says.

During my daily strolls through the web I stumble upon (well, mostly old) complaints about how off the registry is, I think there should be a nice big, red disclaimer on the front page saying that it doesn't reflect the current state of research.

Re Goldstars - for the time being they remain the less collectible and therefore more affordable alternative to Springys and that's fine with me. Gives people a chance to get virtually the same (well, up to a certain, yet to define point) guitar and enjoy the efforts Tokai put into them back then for less.

Re 1982 guitars, I'll tentatively leave that here but write something about it in the switch thread too:

14983 Springy spaghetti logo, (BST: 10=4, NST: unknown), E-PUs on 'A' stamp PG with a September '81 switch code. (That would be a very old pickguard with a very late serial for '82-> Partscaster?)

 

[Sigmania]

I have asked several times to be able to upgrade the Registry. I can ask again. Squeaky wheel and all.

 

[Sigmania]

During my daily strolls through the web I stumble upon (well, mostly old) complaints about how off the registry is, I think there should be a nice big, red disclaimer on the front page saying that it doesn't reflect the current state of research.

Re Goldstars - for the time being they remain the less collectible and therefore more affordable alternative to Springys and that's fine with me. Gives people a chance to get virtually the same (well, up to a certain, yet to define point) guitar and enjoy the efforts Tokai put into them back then for less.

Re 1982 guitars, I'll tentatively leave that here but write something about it in the switch thread too:

14983 Springy spaghetti logo, (BST: 10=4, NST: unknown), E-PUs on 'A' stamp PG with a September '81 switch code. (That would be a very old pickguard with a very late serial for '82-> Partscaster?)

A lot seems off with that one.

I suspect swapped parts.

Serial number is consistent with October 1983.

So possibly body & neck plate were originally together. Neck, pickguard, and maybe wiring harness all off an older Springy?

"A" stamped pickguard with a spag logo neck and not neck code make me suspicious.

A photo of the end of the neck would be helpful.

What do you suppose the code on the selector might indicate?

 

[Sigmania]

Edit:

In a follow up post on SN 14983 he said:

"The neck is a C shape, I haven’t done an acetone test yet but it does feel like nitro. I don’t have a photo of the neck butt, but I do know it has 5=12 with a red dot, that’s all."

Partscaster.

Help Identify My First Tokai

 

[Sigmania]

The "A" stamped pickguards were discontinued in 1980 based on what Peter Mac turned up.

So that guitar has parts off a Springy and a Goldstar.

Not surprising that they used the Springy neck with the decal.

 

[ATO]

It occured to me that Blue Suede Music may have requested that tokai continue to provide block logos to the UK after the logo change to give the UK retailers chance to sell any outstanding stock. The logo was so short lived, if they suddenly starting sending guitars with a 'better logo', the retailers may have been worried about not being able to sell the existing stock? Or maybe Blue Suede spent a lot on block logo advertising. Just a crazy thought.

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

What do you suppose the code on the selector might indicate?

PG with a September '81 switch code.

I wrote a bit about that in the switch thread. But yeah, so many red flags for that red guitar.

 

[ATO]

Just spotted L02009
Spag logo ST
Purchased in Norway

 

[Sigmania]

Hmmm. I have seen a couple of Jeff Beck models but they were 1979 I believe. DIY?

1979 Jeff Beck Model Springy ???

 

[ATO]

Hmmm. I have seen a couple of Jeff Beck models but they were 1979 I believe. DIY?

1979 Jeff Beck Model Springy ???

Dunno this guy bought it early 80s in Norway. He doesn't know about the Jeff Beck model. It's been pointed out to him in the comments, it was like that when he bought it. April 2022 FB post.

Hi thank you for the add. This springy sound has been in my possession since early 80's. Tuning locks were installed in the same period, otherwise all original, to my knowledge. Sounds and feels incredible. For some reason I think it's produced in 1980. The serial on the neck plate is L02009. According to Tokairegistry.com it's a 1960-64' copy, but there seems to be many variations. Some hardware is gold. Could anyone help me determine which specific Tokai model I have? I'm not looking for a sale, but an estimation of value would also be interesting.

 

[ATO]

Here's an odd one from Holland.

Hi all this is my Tokai
What stands this number for 6=1 BB Z & L07431

I have this one for about 20 year
The bridge is a wilkinson and stainless Jumbo frets
Thx

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

L01179 Springy Spaghetti ST50 (BST:3=2 MB Y NST:Unk.)

 

[Sigmania]

SN L00889

Pretty bold and inaccurate statement by this YJ seller...

"This is the last L serial Spa logo ST-50MR made in 1982. This is a complete replica of the 1964 Strat, including the head and position marks. I think it is in good condition, but since it is a used item, only those who understand it can purchase it."

TOKAI SPRINGY SOUND ST-50 - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

Here's an odd one from Holland.

Hi all this is my Tokai
What stands this number for 6=1 BB Z & L07431

I have this one for about 20 year
The bridge is a wilkinson and stainless Jumbo frets
Thx
View attachment 39659View attachment 39660View attachment 39661View attachment 39662View attachment 39663

Very odd...

The serial number fits with other early 1983 guitars I believe. Possibly late 1982.

But a June stamp.

And spag logo. Do you guys think that decal is legit?

Without a neck code I would lean towards partscaster.