Hi folks
So I've well and truly got the Tokai bug now and I've just bought my fifth one! Only problem is I don't really know what I'm doing with regards to identifying them as fake or of the genuine country of origin etc.
I just picked up this 80's MIJ Goldstar sound on ebay for £450 which seamed reasonable (see photo links below hopefully). However, when it arrived I first noticed the decal looking a bit raised which began to concern me. I've opened her up and cannot honestly tell if the interior supports the claims it is a genuine MIJ Tokai. At present I still have a few days left to return this Goldstar if it might not be as advertised. Thanks in advance for any contributions.
So in summary:
Points in support of genuine -
Neck is great which compares well to my MIJ 80's Breezysound.
Bridge is FINAL PROSPEC which although I never heard of them previously I've read Tokai used some of these in the 80's.
Has markings on neck heel and pocket (although I don't understand these markings).
Points in support of fake -
Body looks a bit 'new' and I can't see any obvious markings in the body pick up cavities etc (although I can open her up again for another look).
'MADE IN JAPAN' neck sticker is ever so slightly trapped within the neck pocket, which suggests either the neck sticker was applied before bolting, or, the body has been replaced and the new body is slightly larger.
Many thanks again
Pete
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194105.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194056.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_195045.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_195030.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194310.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194258.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194248.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194237.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194149.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194135.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194131.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_193857.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_193854.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
So I've well and truly got the Tokai bug now and I've just bought my fifth one! Only problem is I don't really know what I'm doing with regards to identifying them as fake or of the genuine country of origin etc.
I just picked up this 80's MIJ Goldstar sound on ebay for £450 which seamed reasonable (see photo links below hopefully). However, when it arrived I first noticed the decal looking a bit raised which began to concern me. I've opened her up and cannot honestly tell if the interior supports the claims it is a genuine MIJ Tokai. At present I still have a few days left to return this Goldstar if it might not be as advertised. Thanks in advance for any contributions.
So in summary:
Points in support of genuine -
Neck is great which compares well to my MIJ 80's Breezysound.
Bridge is FINAL PROSPEC which although I never heard of them previously I've read Tokai used some of these in the 80's.
Has markings on neck heel and pocket (although I don't understand these markings).
Points in support of fake -
Body looks a bit 'new' and I can't see any obvious markings in the body pick up cavities etc (although I can open her up again for another look).
'MADE IN JAPAN' neck sticker is ever so slightly trapped within the neck pocket, which suggests either the neck sticker was applied before bolting, or, the body has been replaced and the new body is slightly larger.
Many thanks again
Pete
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194105.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194056.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_195045.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_195030.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194310.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194258.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194248.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194237.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194149.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194135.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_194131.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_193857.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/i/pete7600/IMG_20220425_193854.jpg?width=450&height=278&crop=fill