TOKAI Pianos
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Description
Tokai pianos were made in Hamamatsu Japan, the same city where Yamaha and Kawai pianos are made. This piano has been designed and made to a very high build quality, the playing action is full Japanese componentry, and is one of the finest piano actions made. The piano has a wonderful tone, more European than Asian, with a very deep and resonant bass that is fully agraffed, a system that generates greater resonance and clarity. The tone progresses through a mellow middle to a bright and singing treble. The tone can be attributed to the quality of master crafted soundboard. The playing action is immediate and responsive, very accurate, it allows the pianist to play to the softest of volumes and then to the loudest with ease of control. This is a professional standard piano that will suit the most discerning of pianists.
This Tokai Upright Piano is fitted with middle pedal that when engaged activates a practice rail so quiet time playing is easily attainable without compromising the touch quality and control of the instrument, this is an ideal feature to have when practice is desirable with others in close proximity.
We have adjusted this Tokai to play to a high concert standard - one of our technicians is a factory trained Yamaha Concert technician and this expertise has been used to present one of the finest Japanese pianos you will ever play and hear.
Features found on this Tokai piano:
Select solid spruce sound board
agraffed bass section
High quality Japanese playing action
middle practice pedal
full 5 year warranty
Used Tokai AU 1 | Macclesfield | Transport included in the price (ground floor) | Upright pianos for sale
Tokai pianos were made in Hamamatsu Japan, the same city where Yamaha and Kawai pianos are made. This piano has been designed and made to a very high build quality, the playing action is full Japanese componentry, and is one of the finest piano actions made. The piano has a wonderful tone, more European than Asian, with a very deep and resonant bass that is fully agraffed, a system that generates greater resonance and clarity. The tone progresses through a mellow middle to a bright and singing treble. The tone can be attributed to the quality of master crafted soundboard. The playing action is immediate and responsive, very accurate, it allows the pianist to play to the softest of volumes and then to the loudest with ease of control. This is a professional standard piano that will suit the most discerning of pianists.
This Tokai Upright Piano is fitted with middle pedal that when engaged activates a practice rail so quiet time playing is easily attainable without compromising the touch quality and control of the instrument, this is an ideal feature to have when practice is desirable with others in close proximity.
We have adjusted this Tokai to play to a high concert standard - one of our technicians is a factory trained Yamaha Concert technician and this expertise has been used to present one of the finest Japanese pianos you will ever play and hear.
Features found on this Tokai piano:
Select solid spruce sound board
agraffed bass section
High quality Japanese playing action
middle practice pedal
full 5 year warranty
Used Tokai AU 1 | Macclesfield | Transport included in the price (ground floor) | Upright pianos for sale
Attachments
Tokai UP-3WP Player Upright
$7,300.00
Model: Upright
Year: Circa 1984
Size: 52"x 60"x 24"
Finish: Walnut
Condition: Used
Location: Main Showroom
Tokai UP-3WP Player Upright — Beethoven Pianos
Attachments
From the Blue Book of Pianos published for over 50 years.
TOKAI PIANOS, U.S.A.
Tokai Pianos are manufactured by Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., in Hammamatsu, Japan, the third largest and leading musical instrument manufacturing company in Japan. The company offers Studio Classic Pianos, Chippendale Uprights, Modern Uprights, Grand Pianos, Continental and American Consoles, Spinets, and Modern and Historical Cembalos/Harpsichords, all of the highest quality.
Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., 36 Terawakicho, or P.O. Box 160, Hammamatsu, Japan. Telephone (0534) 41-3137 key. Telex 4225-225.
All Tokai vertical and grand pianos include bass agraffes, Royal George T pin hammer felt, reverse locking tuning pins, artist bench, and a 12-year full warranty. Models include studios, uprights, grands, and Continental and American consoles in high-polish and satin finishes. Tokai also manufactures handcrafted harpsichords. Worldwide headquarters of Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., is in Hamamatsu, Japan. Tokai Piano U.S.A., Inc., is a joint venture with the parent company, Tokai Gakki Co. Ltd. Tokai Gakki is the third largest musical instrument company in Japan.
In February 1983, a third facility was opened which is to be devoted entirely to the manufacturing of grand pianos.
Ages T
TOKAI PIANOS, U.S.A.
Tokai Pianos are manufactured by Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., in Hammamatsu, Japan, the third largest and leading musical instrument manufacturing company in Japan. The company offers Studio Classic Pianos, Chippendale Uprights, Modern Uprights, Grand Pianos, Continental and American Consoles, Spinets, and Modern and Historical Cembalos/Harpsichords, all of the highest quality.
Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., 36 Terawakicho, or P.O. Box 160, Hammamatsu, Japan. Telephone (0534) 41-3137 key. Telex 4225-225.
All Tokai vertical and grand pianos include bass agraffes, Royal George T pin hammer felt, reverse locking tuning pins, artist bench, and a 12-year full warranty. Models include studios, uprights, grands, and Continental and American consoles in high-polish and satin finishes. Tokai also manufactures handcrafted harpsichords. Worldwide headquarters of Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., is in Hamamatsu, Japan. Tokai Piano U.S.A., Inc., is a joint venture with the parent company, Tokai Gakki Co. Ltd. Tokai Gakki is the third largest musical instrument company in Japan.
In February 1983, a third facility was opened which is to be devoted entirely to the manufacturing of grand pianos.
Ages T
Q: .... Not exactly sure of the date, I think the serial number is 43180 if anyone knows.
A: ....Unfortunately, the book that I have in my home stopped at 1983 for Tokai grands. The last serial number for the year 1983 was 31451. So, I'd guess the piano in question is from around 1985.
https://rec.music.makers.piano.narkive.com/Vxw3pkD5/tokai-baby-grand
A: ....Unfortunately, the book that I have in my home stopped at 1983 for Tokai grands. The last serial number for the year 1983 was 31451. So, I'd guess the piano in question is from around 1985.
https://rec.music.makers.piano.narkive.com/Vxw3pkD5/tokai-baby-grand
This seems to have come from the Blue Book of Pianos, but slightly different text and info.
TOKAI PIANOS, U.S.A.
Tokai Pianos are manufactured by Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., in Hammamatsu, Japan, the third largest and leading musical instrument manufacturing company in Japan. The company offers Studio Classic Pianos, Chippendale Uprights, Modern Uprights, Grand Pianos, Continental and American Consoles, Spinets, and Modern and Historical Cembalos/Harpsichords, all of the highest quality.
Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., 36 Terawakicho, or P.O. Box 160, Hammamatsu, Japan. Telephone (0534) 41-3137 key. Telex 4225-225.
Tokai Piano U.S.A., Inc., is a joint venture with the parent company, Tokai Gakki Co. Ltd. Tokai Gakki is the third largest musical instrument company in Japan. In February 1983, a third facility was opened which is to be devoted entirely to the manufacturing of grand pianos.
All Tokai vertical and grand pianos include bass agraffes, Royal George T pin hammer felt, reverse locking tuning pins, artist bench, and a 12-year full warranty. Models include studios, uprights, grand pianos, and Continental and American consoles in high-polish and satin finishes. Tokai also manufactures handcrafted harpsichords. Worldwide headquarters of Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., is in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Directory of Used Piano Prices 1980 to 2000.
TOKAI PIANOS, U.S.A.
Tokai Pianos are manufactured by Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., in Hammamatsu, Japan, the third largest and leading musical instrument manufacturing company in Japan. The company offers Studio Classic Pianos, Chippendale Uprights, Modern Uprights, Grand Pianos, Continental and American Consoles, Spinets, and Modern and Historical Cembalos/Harpsichords, all of the highest quality.
Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., 36 Terawakicho, or P.O. Box 160, Hammamatsu, Japan. Telephone (0534) 41-3137 key. Telex 4225-225.
Tokai Piano U.S.A., Inc., is a joint venture with the parent company, Tokai Gakki Co. Ltd. Tokai Gakki is the third largest musical instrument company in Japan. In February 1983, a third facility was opened which is to be devoted entirely to the manufacturing of grand pianos.
All Tokai vertical and grand pianos include bass agraffes, Royal George T pin hammer felt, reverse locking tuning pins, artist bench, and a 12-year full warranty. Models include studios, uprights, grand pianos, and Continental and American consoles in high-polish and satin finishes. Tokai also manufactures handcrafted harpsichords. Worldwide headquarters of Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., is in Hamamatsu, Japan.
Directory of Used Piano Prices 1980 to 2000.
Homer J. Simpson
Well-known member
There was also a Taiwanese company building Tokai pianos under license (no idea under which name though). Re Tokai USA and to add a data point when something is cited in context with "Tokai USA":
https://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pnam=TOKAI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
If I understood that right, the cancellation of the trademark was filed end of September 1981 (!) and the trademark deleted almost a year later.
https://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pnam=TOKAI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
If I understood that right, the cancellation of the trademark was filed end of September 1981 (!) and the trademark deleted almost a year later.
Homer J. Simpson
Well-known member
You clicked a wrong link there, with a cancellation of a different Tokai company (making radio equipment etc.) trademark. 
And yes, IMC filed for a "Tokai USA" trademark in the early 70s, around the time they started importing Hondo or something (forgot the details, the name Tokai also appears for the first time in their ads for some reason I forgot too). Wasn't IMC also the importer behind the "Aspen" label?
Edit: Looks like IMC applied for the "Tokai" trademark (not "Tokai USA") already in 1967 (!), which expired 1983. However, the important (well..) point is that Tokai Gakki itself applied for the cancellation of "Tokai USA" trademark 1981, which may have been a smart move considering the known trouble coming with having an address for C&D letters and such.
And yes, IMC filed for a "Tokai USA" trademark in the early 70s, around the time they started importing Hondo or something (forgot the details, the name Tokai also appears for the first time in their ads for some reason I forgot too). Wasn't IMC also the importer behind the "Aspen" label?
Edit: Looks like IMC applied for the "Tokai" trademark (not "Tokai USA") already in 1967 (!), which expired 1983. However, the important (well..) point is that Tokai Gakki itself applied for the cancellation of "Tokai USA" trademark 1981, which may have been a smart move considering the known trouble coming with having an address for C&D letters and such.
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IMC was a distributor. I created a thread on it re: the drama between Tony Dukes and SRV. Quite a story in the mid 80s.
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tony Dukes & Tokai
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tony Dukes & Tokai
Homer J. Simpson
Well-known member
Unfortunately it looks like piano sellers are as much inclined to make their pianos younger as guitar sellers are to date them back. However, my preliminary impressions from the small sample size of uprights and baby grands is that piano production ended, let's say in the late 80s. There are different serial number schemes for the upright and grand pianos and it's not entirely clear if the production of the baby grands ended earlier than the uprights.
Here's the baby grand 5-digit serial scheme, Ynnnn is pretty plausible with the 2nd hand sales offers. I think 1985 is the latest I've seen so far.
This most commonly seen 6-digit scheme for the uprights is more confusing though:
If that's the usual scheme, it could mean this example was built in 1985. However, the seller of this one claims "1984", another 5nnnn piano was sold as "1986". And then again there's pianos like this:
Piano production started 1978, but what looks like a high production number that would indicate it's rather 1988. But of course there's also a 5-digit scheme to find on Tokai uprights:
That may or may not indicate 1980, and maybe the "1988" above means actually 1983, maybe this is all wrong, however the sellers of the handful of instruments I could currently find all state a build year in the 1980s.
Why is this important? The end of the piano production is probably the best indicator for when the original Tokai factory in Terawaki-cho ceased production. Everything guitar-related points to the late 80s, and the end of the piano production may help narrowing that down a little more.
Reading through the piano forums brought up surprisingly controversial assessments on how good they are, but also the interesting hint that they made an electric piano in 1975, which was basically a year before Yamaha rolled out the CP70/80 series.
Here's the baby grand 5-digit serial scheme, Ynnnn is pretty plausible with the 2nd hand sales offers. I think 1985 is the latest I've seen so far.
This most commonly seen 6-digit scheme for the uprights is more confusing though:
If that's the usual scheme, it could mean this example was built in 1985. However, the seller of this one claims "1984", another 5nnnn piano was sold as "1986". And then again there's pianos like this:
Piano production started 1978, but what looks like a high production number that would indicate it's rather 1988. But of course there's also a 5-digit scheme to find on Tokai uprights:
That may or may not indicate 1980, and maybe the "1988" above means actually 1983, maybe this is all wrong, however the sellers of the handful of instruments I could currently find all state a build year in the 1980s.
Why is this important? The end of the piano production is probably the best indicator for when the original Tokai factory in Terawaki-cho ceased production. Everything guitar-related points to the late 80s, and the end of the piano production may help narrowing that down a little more.
Reading through the piano forums brought up surprisingly controversial assessments on how good they are, but also the interesting hint that they made an electric piano in 1975, which was basically a year before Yamaha rolled out the CP70/80 series.
Homer J. Simpson
Well-known member
This .PDF document is about the economic history and structure of the piano production in context with the development of electronic instruments production in Hamamatsu and it states here...
...that Tokai ceased the piano production in 1985 due to a "slump in piano sales". Remember, Hamamatsu is also the epicenter of the synthesizer/organ industry not only for Japan. Tokai was only one of a whole bunch of piano manufacturers going out of business due the electronic keyboard revolution of the 80s in general, and the development of digital pianos (Yamaha released the first one (YP-40) already in 1983!) in particular.
User Retsacnal in the the Pianoworld forum created a graph from the Blue Book of Pianos data on US piano sales, and I assume that the development shown in this graph was to some extent representative for the global piano market (on which Tokai was trying to compete):
Right when Tokai started making upright pianos in 1978 (?), numbers started plummeting and had halved by 1985.
...that Tokai ceased the piano production in 1985 due to a "slump in piano sales". Remember, Hamamatsu is also the epicenter of the synthesizer/organ industry not only for Japan. Tokai was only one of a whole bunch of piano manufacturers going out of business due the electronic keyboard revolution of the 80s in general, and the development of digital pianos (Yamaha released the first one (YP-40) already in 1983!) in particular.
User Retsacnal in the the Pianoworld forum created a graph from the Blue Book of Pianos data on US piano sales, and I assume that the development shown in this graph was to some extent representative for the global piano market (on which Tokai was trying to compete):
Right when Tokai started making upright pianos in 1978 (?), numbers started plummeting and had halved by 1985.
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