Cat’s Eyes Serial Numbers Ending in Year Made 1975-1981 (Terashima Factory)

Sigmania · Nov 26, 2023

At least two different serial number systems ran concurrently mostly indicating the souorce in either of two different factories (Terawaki and Terashima/Terajima).

This thread looks at serial numbers ending in the year made. This seems to align with production at teh Terashima facility, although it may not be so clear cut.

The other serial number system is based in the model number and were apparently made at the Terashima facility.

Cat’s Eyes Model Based Serial Numbers

A former employee, Norihiro Yoshida, drew the line at the 800,000 yen level for separating the two factories,

"Raw guitars produced at the headquarters factory in Terawaki were mainly mass-produced products. We produced CE150-CE300 mass-produced products and CE400-CE600 semi-manufactured products. Luxury handicrafts with a CE rating of 800 or higher were made at the "Terashima Factory" on the south side of Hamamatsu Station."

Norihiro Yoshida's Blog, Tokai Employee 1979-1984

But I am not so sure this is where the division lies since the serial number system split at the 400/500, 000 yen level. Also confusing is that the 400,000 & 500,000 yen level guitars had scarf joints, a trait in common with lower priced models, while having serial numbers similar to higher end guitars. CE400 has a normal scarf joint. CE500 has a diamond volute with a scarf joint running through it. So it is not so easy to see a clean dividing line.

CE600

CE500

CE400

Trying to log these as they pop up.

1975

092175 (CE600) Yamauchi
145975 (CE600) Yamauchi

1976

052476 (CE400)
092276 (CE500)
094176 (CE500)
385x76 (CE500)
458676 (CE500)
475676 (CE400)
561676 (CE600) Yamauchi
626576 (CE1000) Yamauchi

1977

623577 (CE1500)
710077 (CE800)
741677 (CE1200)
758277 (CE2000)

118477 (CE400)
148577 (CE400)

1978

035578 (CE500)
037778 (CE500)
042578 (CE500)
055778 (CE400)
?58278 (CE600)
060178 (CE400)
168678 (CE400)

849278 (CE600)
972878 (CE1500)
980178 (CE1500)

1979

113779 (CE500)
124079 (CE500)
124879 (CE500)
210879 (CE500)
217979 (CE400)
266779 (CE400)

480479 (CE400)

1000979 (CE1000S)
1103979 (CE800)
1111379 (CE800)
1132879 (CE800)
1154479 (CE1200S)

1980

000180 (CE1000D)
004780 (CE1000D)
009380 (CE1000D)
011480 (CE1000)
018080 (CE800)
036780 (CE500CF)
081280 (CE500 CF)

127380 (CE500 CF)

1158580 (CE600)

1231680 (SW1000, Snappy)
1245980 (CE1500)
1259780 (CE2000, Snappy)
1276680 (SW800, Snappy)

1981

006881 (CE1200D)
019881 (CE1000)
022681 (CE1200D)
029781 (CE1000S)

124181 (CE600CF)
129281 (CE600CF)

189081 (CE500)

1347181 (CE2000)

1982

284582 (CE500CF)

Sigmania · Nov 26, 2023

Cats Eyes CE-400 Made in Japan

MIJ CE-400 no suffix, ser no. 148577

greco_burst said:
It is a 1977, the last two digits give the year, the format changed around 1980 to 1984, just to help confuse us all.

I know that 1983 and 1984 serial the year is identified by the first digit only.

eg 400xxxx is 1984 and has a 7 digit serial

eg 100xxx is 1981 and has a 6 digit serial

Yours is 1977 is xxxx77 6 digit serial

Of interest can you post a pic of the label inside? just wondering if it has the newer label or older label 'cat's eyes'

thanks!
mick

Sigmania · Nov 26, 2023

1976 CE500

SN 092276

CAT'S EYES CAT'S EYES | eBay

Sigmania · Nov 26, 2023

1975 CE1200

Yamauchi signed

Top Line Vintage Tokai (by Yasuma) CE-1200 1975 MIJ JAPAN! | Reverb

Sigmania · Nov 26, 2023

1979 CE1200 S

81年製 Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-1200S オール単板 ... - ヤフオク!

This is a Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-1200S that appears to be made in 1981 based on the serial number. At first glance, it only looks like CE-1200T, but the stamp on the neck end only reads CE-1200S, and there is no documentation, so I don't know what is different from 1200T. You can also see a faint letter A-like stamp on the top right of the S stamp. Specifications include a solid spruce top, solid rosewood side and back body, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, ebony bridge, and Tokai's original Kluson type pegs. A triple O-sized book with Martin's 000-28 motif that is easy to hold and handle. The reason why I chose this is that there are multiple cracks in the wood, and first of all, there is one joint in the center area behind the bridge, three on the side of the 6th string of the fingerboard, and 2 on the side of the 1st string, all of which are in an unrepaired state. Also, the back is whitish overall and the paint is becoming cloudy. In addition, there are some scratches, small scratches, and small scratches on the back of the neck. The frets are about 70% warped in the neck and can be used in this condition as long as you don't worry about the above points. Accessories include genuine hard case. Please treat it as junk so there will be no claims or returns. (Added October 23, 2023 19:56)