ID: LP BB, bolted neck, diamond logo, no serial number

[Bortom12e]

Hi!

I have a beautiful black beauty les paul. I bought it about 15 years ago and the seller told me it was probably made in the 80's.

I thought it was an TLC because of the logo, but as I understand the TLC's don't have bolted necks.

I have looked for a serial number everywhere but the neck pocket.

Do anyone of you have any idea what guitar this might be?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dk8PgpikcxrFTPbfZx8ztW25TLD-2v-G/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DzCkSHnJBJQb7ToJ0Q2v-_WaeF7Xkhmr/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E3RZtewcsF7IZ2olZqewIxvbH82eKfT1/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[Sigmania]

It's a Custom made in Korea it looks like.

No serial number is typical for Korean models, and the bolt on neck, TRC and export dimple also suggest Korean mfr.

Check out this thread.

Looking like possibly 1998-2000 based on reborn old's post.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26241&hilit=Tokais+made+in+korea

-1995 ~ 1997 ALS------- ~ 1998 to ~ 2000 ALS---------mid 2000 to 2005 ALS-------2003+ MIK ink stamp-


1995~1997*

two screw pointed bell TRC,

ALS + ALC series catalog intro in 1995 had 3 models: ALS-36 bolt on neck + ALS-42, ALC-48 fixed neck.

1998 catalog

ALS 48 and higher alder models with set necks,
ALS 42 + lower alder or laminate body models.

Pearloid inlays and rosewood colored fret boards often found on set neck models. (may be actual rosewood... couldn't verify from pics)

opaque plastic instead of pearloid found on most bolt-on neck models.

1998 to early 2000

three screw pointed bell TRC.
Model specs appear to be otherwise unchanged.

 

[Sigmania]

Pics

That diamond design was used from around 1984 through the 1990s on Customs.

Headstock thread here:

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25795&p=193349#p193349

 

[Sigmania]

That headstock design was used from around 1984 through the 1990s.

 

[Sigmania]

So it looks like a 1998-2000 ALC45 BB

The "A" supposedly stands for American model and typically has that dimple on the headstock which gets around issues with Gibson, allowing them to be sold in the US.

The ALC45 is the bolt neck version.

1999 catalog:

https://vintagejapanguitars.com/tokai-1999-catalogue/

 

[Sigmania]

Close up.

TRC in catalog looks like the two pointed bell shape reborn old said is from 1995-1997.

They may have used an older photo, or the change came a little later, or this catalog is not actually from 1999?

No matter, looks like the model is correct. ALC 45 BB

 

[Bortom12e]

Thank you so much!

I'm thinking about replacing the pups with gibson 57's.
It is currently set up with flatwound 12's.

 

[Bortom12e]

It would make sense that it is made of some kind of plywood. A two of the small screws did come a bit loose and won't really screw in correctly, and when I opened the cavitys I thought the edges was very rough. Maybe it is some kind of chipboard?

I can't believe how good this guitar feels even though it was so cheap and is made out of plywood.
It still is gorgeous, feels -great- and plays very well.
I have been playing gigs at least a few times a year since i got it 15 years ago. Several friends and other musicians that has tried it says the same thing, it feels and plays fantastic.

The only thing that is an issue with this guitar is the weight. Of course common with les pauls but I think the amount of glue in the body (plywood/chipboard) makes it a bit heavier still.

 

[Sigmania]

Cool. Yep plywood is heavy.

I once had a 1977 Ibanez Les Paul 2650.

Pancake type construction and it was heavy (over 10 lbs), but sounded good with the Super 70 pickups.

Set neck.

You can see the plys here where someone bore it our to fit an EMG bridge pickup.

Glad you know what your guitar is now. Enjoy.

 

[Sigmania]

Thank you so much!

I'm thinking about replacing the pups with gibson 57's.
It is currently set up with flatwound 12's.

Check out this thread. Seems to be all about the pickups after a point.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=26302