Blue Double Bound ‘Final Pro Spec’ bridge TE70?

[Placid Blues]

Hi, happy to find this forum and after seeking answers through 20 odd fascinating pages I’ve given in and have to ask for some help identifying my very nice double bound Breezy. I’m 90% sure it’s a TE70 but I haven’t been able to find this colour in a catalogue and have only come across one other like it online, sold some years back Vintage 1980s Tokai Breezysound Final Pro Spec Blue Telecaster Custom -

I’ve had it since about 2000 and it’s time to move it on along with a few others that aren’t getting played, after answers both out of curiosity and to get an idea of what a reasonable price I might put on it. Serial 18025, seems to be a 59 deluxe style with a 3 barrel bridge. And of course the ‘Final Pro Spec’ stamp which as far as I know does not denote anything in particular, just another emulation of a Fender patent stamp or some such. Appreciate any help, thanks

 

[Sigmania]

Welcome to the forum!

That’s a very interesting guitar. The 5 digit serial number starting with 1xxxx is part of a puzzle I’ve been trying to piece together.

Any chance you have pictures of the pots and any markings under the pickguard and neck pocket? Would really love to see those if you do. Especially pictures of the pots.

Beautiful guitar!

 

[Placid Blues]

Thanks very much, glad to be here. Unfortunately sleepy time here in Tasmania but I’ll open it up tomorrow and post those pics for you. It is a very nice tele.

 

[Sigmania]

Awesome. I have a suspicion of when it was made. Pics could help confirm it.

That then would tell you where it fits in the whole Tokai story.

Til tomorrow.

 

[Placid Blues]

Hi Sigmania and any others who might be curious. Not the tidiest work I've seen underneath and it's a US switch. Have tried to get as much detail as I can and I hope there are some clues here for you. There's always a chance that someone's changed the electrics out a long time ago of course. There is an ink stamp in the switch bay that may be something also. Again, many thanks for any info. When it comes to the nitty gritty like this I'm often wilfully ignorant!

 

[Sigmania]

Hmmmm. Noble pots so no date that I’m aware of. I need to look and see if you can date them.

May have been rewired? Not sure. Noble were used on some Tokais.

Have you ever taken the neck off? That would help verify that the neck goes with that body and that everything is kosher. If it doesn’t go with the body then we have a mystery on our hands. That five digit zero code could go with a maple neck from the period between 1982 and 1986 when they use the fenders dial serial numbers. But if the net goes with that body and it has the Rosewood bored then it’s a completely different animal. And what date to the late 80s in my opinion

Wondering if it has a - symbol? I’ve seen some in this period that are mixed symbols.

The 5 digit serial number 1xxxx I am thinking is the end of the 80s. I’m looking for pots we can date. I have one that dates to 1989 but need more data points.

Right now I’m thinking it likely dates to 1989, but need more examples.

Model is probably TTE70 MBR. Metallic blue rosewood fretboard.

Beautiful guitar and uncommon for this period.

 

[Placid Blues]

Some research I did long ago I'm quite sure led me to believe it was a TTE but this time around I can't pick up that trail. Definitely metallic blue and not Lake Placid if I'm going by my old Musicmaster bass. Do you know if they released models without entering them into catalogues, mid year specials or what have you? I haven't taken the neck off no, a mite reluctant to having just had it set up and restrung, but if it solves any mysteries...

 

[Placid Blues]

The 1984 brochure has a red double bound, same headstock and squiggle. When I bought this one it was a choice between it and a red one but I seem to remember that having a rosewood neck as well, not maple or whatever the one in the brochure is sporting. Running through every catalogue from there to 1990 the only TTE's I can spot are the paisley jobs.

 

[Placid Blues]

Here's something, calling it LP Blue, no binding and a different bridge
https://reverb.com/item/41266765-tokai-breezy-sound-1980-lake-placid-blue

 

[Placid Blues]

Sorry to post too much, I'll leave it at this, but after more internet digging this is still the only one that comes reasonably close and the store doesn't sound terribly sure either, only suggesting it's early 80's owing to the Final Pro Spec stamp. Different neck though

"Vintage 1980s Tokai Breezysound Final Pro Spec Blue Telecaster Custom This is one of my favourite guitars out there, weighing in at just 7.9lbs. The early 'Final Pro Spec' Tokai guitars are built to such high quality, they even exceed Fender's quality in my humble opinion. The colour of this, along with the bound body, make this a special guitar indeed. This is one of the early Tokai guitars with the spaghetti logo looking awfully similar to 'Fender', and the headstock shape and 'Final Pro Spec' indicating very early 1980s. It plays like a dream, and comes with a perfectly suited hard case. There are a few light dings on this, but nothing significant at all. One of the nicest guitars we've ever had in, at a bargain price! Just look at the pictures! You'll not be disappointed. Please have a close look at the high resolution photographs below, as these form part of our description. At The Music Locker we will do all we can for you to get the instrument you want. You're more than welcome to come along and have a play on this through one of our vintage amplifiers!

https://www.vintageandrare.com/prod...d-Final-Pro-Spec-Blue-Telecaster-Custom-74298

 

[Sigmania]

It’s metallic blue. The code is in one of your pictures.

The TTE/TE70 is the only model I know of that was bound in white binding without abalone.

The problem with bolt on necks is things get switched. Tokai stamped the necks and bodies. That’s the best way I know of to tell if what you have left the factory as is.

 

[Placid Blues]

Okay so here's the neck. Shimmed at some point with what I'm guessing is a price card from a ladies dress. Any followers of Japanese fashion from the eighties know what year the Sun Surf Large Red number was hitting the streets? Possibly even a shim done at the factory, the stamp seems to be the reverse of what's printed in the switch recess.

 

[Sigmania]

The numbers though similar are reversed, 8 = 10 and 10 = 8. . Made at different times.

Both body and neck are likely before 1985 since both codes are = signs.

But I suspect these are mixed parts.

In that case, the 5 digit serial number makes sense, and someone switched a maple fretboard neck for rosewood.

The modification of the neck pocket is pointing to that in my opinion.

Pickguard changed too as well as the pots in my opinion.

 

[Sigmania]

Any pics of the pickups? That will tell us about the model.

They will be marlked TEA or TEB if original.

 

[Placid Blues]

Great, thanks for that. Well that’s going to make for an interesting description, very much appreciate the time you’ve taken with this. It is a beautiful sounding and looking tele and, as often happens, in the process of getting something ready for sale you fall in love with it all over again. I’ll try to be strong. Cheers, Glenn

 

[Placid Blues]

Any pics of the pickups? That will tell us about the model.

They will be marlked TEA or TEB if original.

Would that be on the underside?

Any pics of the pickups? That will tell us about the model.

They will be marlked TEA or TEB if original.

 

[Sigmania]

Yes on the underside of the pick ups.

The modification looks like it was made in Japan. The piece of paper used to shim the neck has a price on it in Japanese yen.

 

[Placid Blues]

Yep, Sun Surf woman's dress. I wondered if it mightn't even been a factory anomaly, maybe parts leftover but unlikely I suppose. I've put everything back together and given it a good clean and oil, I think I'll go with what you've suggested as far as possible years and events, and ensure all photos are made available. It's a good deal more than a lot of dealers provide when selling these instruments! Thanks

 

[Sigmania]

Here’s one like yours but from 1982 apparently with the maple neck and 5 digit serial number.

Tokai Vintage 1980s Tokai Breezysound Final Pro Spec Blue Telecaster Custom 1980's Guitar For Sale The Music Locker

 

[Placid Blues]

Yep, I did post that one first up. To date it’s the only other double bound in that colour that I’ve come across. I thought I’d found another but it was merely the same one advertised on a different page. It’s part of why I’m digging, they seem like hens teeth