My Tokai Mat (picture) --> and a few questions :)
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If it had the headstock decal shown in your picture link it was manufactured in 1985. Here are the '85 models:
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai854.jpg
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai855.jpg
From 1986 they looked like this:
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai0001.jpg
In '85 all of the MAT's had FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) necks/bodies. In '86 they also started using carbon fiber necks/bodies in different combinations with FRP and wood.
I have two MAT's, one is a prototype made in '84, it has a copper chrome body and a black neck like the ones in the second link above but with a H/S/H pickup configuration (never offered on the production guitars). The other one is a red M-451 that had a bad neck (impossible to get straight). I bought it because I had found several unused MAT necks for sale here in Sweden. The 451 now has a 1986 carbon fiber neck with an ebony fingerboard and it's a great guitar with an excellent tone and sustain, I love it!
Regarding the headstock decal I'm afraid you'll have to find someone who can make a replica.
Mike
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai854.jpg
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai855.jpg
From 1986 they looked like this:
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai0001.jpg
In '85 all of the MAT's had FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic) necks/bodies. In '86 they also started using carbon fiber necks/bodies in different combinations with FRP and wood.
I have two MAT's, one is a prototype made in '84, it has a copper chrome body and a black neck like the ones in the second link above but with a H/S/H pickup configuration (never offered on the production guitars). The other one is a red M-451 that had a bad neck (impossible to get straight). I bought it because I had found several unused MAT necks for sale here in Sweden. The 451 now has a 1986 carbon fiber neck with an ebony fingerboard and it's a great guitar with an excellent tone and sustain, I love it!
Regarding the headstock decal I'm afraid you'll have to find someone who can make a replica.
Mike
XEMBLER said:
Check the tuners, if they look like Kluson tuners with the name "Deluxe" on them it's a M-551, if they have plain covers it's a M-451. The Kluson type tuners also have split posts.
Regarding the value I don't know, I've not seen that many for sale. They are a little cheaper than the strat/tele replicas, I think it's because most people are afraid of innovations like the FRP/carbon fiber necks/bodies. I actually didn't think they would sound as good as they do. The tone/sustain is better than most guitars made out of wood in my opinion. My M-451 with a 1986 CM-800 carbon fiber neck and locking Kluson tuners is one of my favourite guitars. I've put a hotrail humbucker (single coil size) in the bridge position but the neck/middle pickups are the original ones.
My M-451/CM-800:
And my M-750 series prototype:
Mike
you have been extremely helpful...Similar threads
