"A" Code Stamp Means Lacquer?

[Sigmania]

Is it possible that "A" means nitro cellulose finish and not the neck shape?

I have seen it on guitars with both U and V necks. But all have nitro finish.

And typical for Tokai, the A is not always stamped on the body. Not sure if that is disqulaifying for it referring to the finish.

A stamps found on:

1978 ST100N. Neck: Not known, Body: 4=4 N A, (SN 0000276)
1978 ST100 OW. Neck: 8000720, Body: ST100 X L N (overpainted, SN 8000720)
1979 TE80 GS. Neck: 12=7 A, Body: 12=7 GS A (SN9005303)
1979 ST100 GS. Neck: 8=3&4 A, Body: 8=3=GS. (SN 9003909)
1979 TE80 GS. Neck: 12=7 A, Body: 12=7 GS A (SN 9005420)
1980 TE120R WR Neck: ?=15 A, Body: Not known (SN 0012035)
1980 ST80 GS. Neck: Not known, Body: 3=8 GS A (SN 0006409)
1980 ST100 N. Neck: 6=1 A, Body: 6=1 N A (SN 0000639)
1980 ST100R GS. Neck: 3=9 A, Body: 1=4 GS (SN 0000290)
1981 ST80R MR. Neck:Not known, Body: 4=1 MR A-X (SN 1013537)
1981 SS80 YS. Neck: Not known, Body:1=6 YS A Z (SN 1012478)
1981 ST85 MB. Neck: Not known, Body: 9=2 MB A
1981 VSB-60CSR 7=2 CS A Z
1984 TJB70J Neck: 7=12A

Tokai Neck and Body Codes

 

[settebello]

Maybe that stands for premiun series,because they are on pickguards too.
I have seen ST60 with B stamps on the pickguard.

 

[Sigmania]

bluejeannot's TST80 YSOR SN L11357

1983 ?

bluejeannot describes the neck shape as a D neck.

Rare MB Headstock Strat-Can I learn more about this please?

 

[Sigmania]

Maybe that stands for premiun series,because they are on pickguards too.
St 60 oftenten have B stamps on the pickguard.

These neck & body stamps far outlast the A & B stamps on the pickguards.

 

[Sigmania]

TST80 YS

SN 2387

Can anybody help me ID a Tokai Goldstar?

 

[settebello]

My ST80 and my ST100.

 

[Sigmania]

Yep. That was the early way of sorting loaded pickguards as described as early as 1978.



But that is different than the A stamp on the body & necks.

 

[settebello]

Ah,i see.It stands for the pickups.

 

[Sigmania]

I believe the Jaco model had a lacquer finish?

The 1982 version did, but it was called a JB85.

1984 catalog does not say.

Tokai 1984 TJB-70J JAZZ SOUND/YSR JACO PASTORIUS STYLE | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

1980 ST80 YS with an A stamp

TOKAI SPRINGY SOUND ST-80YS 1980年製 - ヤフオク!