Tokai pickups article

[luis]

Hello.
I have written an article about the pickups Toki have been using in their Gibbo style models hence humbuckers mainly.
It was a bit hard to find accurate info about the subject so it took some time to do it as accurate as posiible but it could be anything wrog or incomplete so please complete info if you have it.

I would like to thank Sigmania forum member for his translation to english, my friend and mentor Peter Mac, Togai Gakki Co. Ltd for their help and support, and many forum members participating here since 2000 year who taught so many to us, I missed them a lot.

Please enjoy !

 

[luis]

Tokai pickups article



Over the years, Tokai has put different pickups in their guitars, varying the materials and specifications. That's why it's a bit of a hassle to know if a specific guitar comes with the pickups it should or doesn't or, as its owner or seller says, the model indicated is or has been modified in some way. The most common thing about old guitars (of all brands and types) is that with logical use over the years, parts have had to be replaced but also the musician has made it his own, leaving it to his liking. Tokai has not been complicated when it comes to putting pickups, three models at most four or five with two of them on special order such as the DiMarzio (more than usual replacement in the late 70s and 80s) and Seymour Duncan in their models P.A.F. style) We can distinguish, roughly speaking, four different eras in terms of models:



1.-1978-81



We will distinguish here between guitars manufactured until 1980 and after that date since, starting in 1981, the number of models increased, introducing other copies that did not exist before, such as the SG, FV and EX, to give some examples.



In general there were three models manufactured by Gotoh (Goto):



MKII model "B" Hot for the most basic models of the LS50 and 60 range with resistances between 8.2-8.3 K, reaching 8.6 K in cases, (it should be remembered that these pickups are more than 40 years old and the magnets wear out) The coils can be black, zebra, reverse zebra and cream. The base plate of the pickup is in "copper" in the DiMarzio style and features the inscription "D". They are the "hot" model, more "powerful" than the LS-80 model. They possibly have a ceramic magnet. Very good pickups for hot rock. They are the revisitation of a PAF from the time (70s) by Tokai.





[URL='https://ibb.co/dWPyFds%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/gjSCN5b/LS50-1981-PICKUP-CREMA-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/dWPyFds] [/url[/U]]





[URL='https://ibb.co/q0M5frT%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/gvMVpRk/GOTOH-LS50-1981-PICKUP.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/q0M5frT] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/H7NFk7r%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/8MzKSMj/601-part-Tokai-ls-HOT-PUS-catalog-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/H7NFk7r] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/4SmFDdx%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/bvW6yJn/601-pickup-Tokai-pasrt.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/4SmFDdx] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/tx1CV26%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/s6X3814/ls-HOT-PUPS1-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/tx1CV26] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/njMTjwv/Goto-D-cobre-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



Sound sample: Sound sample



"PAF VINTAGE" model "A". Placed on LS80, LC100 (LC-A)v ES100 models. Manufactured with alnico V magnet and potted, they have the particularity of having a silver base with the inscription “S” (Silver). They have a resistance of around 8.1-8.2 K and even though they are very rock-oriented pickups, they do not reach the power of the previous ones. They sound really good. Manufactured until the mid-80s according to the information provided by Peter Mac.



A Western spec sheet for LS models says:



"LS-A pickup, an exact duplicate of a 1958 original right down the core material” (i.e., the thread) and would refer to the plain enamel 42 AWG variety.



"LS-B is a higher production version of the same pickup- chrome plated."



[URL='https://ibb.co/CK9XTSM%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/8gxRSQd/Tokail-pickups-old-78-82.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/CK9XTSM] [/url[/U]]



https://ibb.co/KXZhfH7] [/url]



https://ibb.co/ZmtZnRb] [/url]





MK MODEL “T” Superhot. Model similar to a DiMarzio Super Distorsion with circular poles (in contrast to the usual ones that can be varied in height) in Japanese version. Very powerful output and overwound with an output of around 13.6 K.



[URL='https://ibb.co/hstBmRW%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/8MSr7D5/ls-superhot-pups-catalog-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/hstBmRW] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/hXrYLHq%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/q0hJ79Z/MK-T-Tokai-pastillas-SD-imitacion-front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/hXrYLHq] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/Dkcv2Fj%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/mtZ2WKP/ls-T-superhot-pups-back-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/Dkcv2Fj] [/url[/U]]



https://ibb.co/MRgpfJs] [/url]



[URL='https://ibb.co/M91hqdd%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/nR10hpp/Tokail-pickups-old-78-82.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/M91hqdd] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/tJRPDV8/Tokai-Parts-catalog-Vol-1-p03-PICKUPS-detalle.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



​

 

[luis]

DiMarzio P.A.F./SuperDistortion. The LS100, 120 (P.A.F.) models and if ordered, the LS150 Custom Order (P.A.F/SuperD.) and even the very rare LS200 in the early models (which generally had Duncans). Output of 8.6K (P.A.F.) and 13.7 (SuperD) respectively.





[URL='https://ibb.co/wSQv3bZ%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/y6k3GMm/Di-Marzio-PAF-70s-front-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/wSQv3bZ] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/jZ8RWZw%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/NnFSmnN/Di-Marzio-PAF-70s-back-1.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/jZ8RWZw] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/zJJN6s2%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/GTTFH7M/70s-Di-Marzio-PAF-despiece.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/zJJN6s2] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/ph11RDx%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/y4NNYTX/Di-Marzio-PAF-1983.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/ph11RDx] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/MkJMhGD%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/xqrJsfS/Di-Marzio-Super-D-frontj.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/MkJMhGD] [/url[/U]]



Seymour Duncan 59. It was placed upon request in the LS200 Custom Order. AV magnets. The best there was in terms of spare parts. Output 7.5-8.2 K. Also available as an option on the TLS150 model; although they only specify "Duncan", the only P.A.F. style at that time was this model (1987).



[URL='https://ibb.co/TMvd1GN%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/JjBgqTS/SEYMOUR-DUNCAN-59-OLD.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/TMvd1GN] [/url[/U]]





2.- 1982-87



A new model appears called “57 PAF” that had a sticker in the central part with " plastic" cables. They were placed on the LS80 v TLS60 (1987) and LC60 and LSXXX, TFV50 (1987) TFV70 and TEX70 models. It is possible that the launch of the new recreation of the P.A.F. by Gibson caused the implementation of this model. I've tried it on two guitars and I really liked them. Measurements: 8.2-10.2 K



[URL='https://ibb.co/XC1mxC3%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/6Wz60W1/01-TOKAI57-PAF-FRONT.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/XC1mxC3] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/F6MMR41%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/zsYYqVg/02-TOKAI57-PAF-BACK.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/F6MMR41] [/url[/U]]



MKII: LS60 model.



"M.A.R." (Michigan Accurate Reproduction).

Quite a mystery, these pads were installed in the ALS (American LS) models of this for export, especially to the American market, which had the blade altered to avoid issues.



I haven't had any model but I have had its strato counterpart and I can say that those pickups sounded really good, very vintage. Models ALS50,60,80 and ASG60, AFV50, 70 and AEX70



"LS DYNAMIC": Model LS50. Gold baseplate with sculpted "GOTOH" inscription . I have seen this type of pickup very rarely and on lower model guitars. Pretty decent sound.



​

 

[luis]

3.-End of the 80s-2004



After the change that occurred in the period 1986/87 with the fall of the company and the birth of a new one (which was essentially the same with a slightly different " last name") they introduced changes to the model line. the adoption of the "modern " modified superstrat and stratos. The traditional copies still exist but the specifications change (for inferior in my opinion).



[URL='https://ibb.co/xq7m5NN%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/d45bKRR/Tokai-pickups-2000-2004-front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/xq7m5NN] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/Z8h904J%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/ncDpFd0/Tokai-pickups-2000-2004-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/Z8h904J] [/url[/U]]



MKI:

LS200, LS180, ES100, ES200 (1994).

LS200 (2000-2002)



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/TcgFxvb/TOKAI-LS220-pup-Gotoh-back-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



"MKII Gotoh"

Present in medium models in the period 1986-2004

Rest of models ranging from TLS50, TLS65, TLC55,TLC60 (1986) TLC70, TSG50,TSG60, (1987) LS55 to LS70, LC60, LC65, SG60 and FV65 (1994).



They feature a “Gotoh” inscription sculpted at the base of the tablet along with some stickers which would indicate if it is the one with the mast (F-Front) and the bridge (R-Rear).



LS60,65,70,750, LC65-70, SG60 (2000-2002)

LS80F ,85Q,LS120, LC80, ES100-120, FA70 (2003-04)



[URL='https://ibb.co/zHRrgH9%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/5x863xp/Tokai-pickups-2000-2004-front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/zHRrgH9] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/55nY2pP%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/D78GLcZ/Tokai-pickups-2000-2004-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/55nY2pP] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/4tpw2qD%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/LR1DrFq/talbo-pup-GOTOH-Moderna.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/4tpw2qD] [/url[/U]]



MKIII:

LS70,75



MK IV:

Korean made. Until 2005. Low denomination ALS models from AL37 to ALC53, SG35, FV40-48, ES60



L WHITE USA: Designed for the updated strato models and superstrats so fashionable in the mid-80s Series Custom Edition, M.A.T. (Most Advanced Technology) y "semisignature" Vivian Campbell VC55, VC75.



[URL='https://ibb.co/mynwXqZ%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/xgn0fj9/L-WHite-front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/mynwXqZ] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/whcfyGv%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/v4XS1yt/L-white-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/whcfyGv] [/url[/U]]



Kent Armstrong: as an option together with the Duncan '59 on the TLS200 model (1987)



Seymour Duncan "Seth Lover":

LS320 (1996-2004)



[URL='https://ibb.co/mXqPrfB%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/61PqcjZ/SH-55-front1.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/mXqPrfB] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/6N8ytJs%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/vDhcdvz/SH-55-old-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/6N8ytJs] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/zxnVYdT/GOTOH-PICKUPS-HB-DISTORTION.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]​

 

[luis]

4.-2005- present



MKI: Not in 2005



MK2: Two different manufacturers. According to the information that Mr. Furuhashi gave me, the first ones would be manufactured by Keiyo with outputs between 7 and 8 K. At some later point in some Tokai models, the bridge was changed to something above 11K (2007- 08?) and close to.



In 2010, this increased to 13/14 K. range The main difference between the Keiyo and the Gotoh would be that the former would be wound with a 42 AWG gauge plain enamel wire while the latter would be wound with a 43 AWG gauge.



I have managged three different Mks pickups set, bein the later 2020 very different in construction leaning towars more to a 200-2004 MKIII (see pic below). It also would be different MK2 regarding mid/high series (ie LS150 and on) to a regulas mid level (LS-85 for example).



LS120,125,130SEB,LS230,135,145,85,90,125,LC180-85,95,105,SG155,ES155,LC85, ES110,130,135, FA70 (2005-2006)

​

LS150,LS85,90,95F,100Q,105,135,LS132,138,143SEB,LC195S-200,ES175,145,150,155,125,135,SG85,SG175,EX105 (2007-2008)



LS260, LS136,142,148Q SEB, LS160, LC195-200,92,98,105Q,SG185,ES185,SG88,EX105,FV95,SG118S,135,142G,145S,155,160,FA235 (2009-2010)

Starting this year, the MK2 model is divided into two:



MK2 in medium high series:



LS160.LC19S-200. FA235.SG185, ES1138-145G-148S-.158-162-188 (2011-12)

LS340-173-LC210S-214, SG196, FA245.es196 (2012-13)

LS360-186-LC200S-225, SG210, FA245 .ES210-178-166-172 (2014-15)

LS390-LS196,LC230S-235,SG215,FA245,ES224-198-190L-187G-180(2019-20)

​

[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/thspbtK/tokai-mkii-front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/0ByfmMG%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/vs4JVPj/MKII-side.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/0ByfmMG] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/Y8DvqRP/03-tokai-mkii-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/RDm624F%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/qrfgBFS/LS-2010-MKII.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/RDm624F] [/url[/U]]

MK2-S in medium to dry series:



LS95-100F-1070-130F-1350,LC107,SG92.FV110,EX120, (2011-12)

LS110-115-1220-LS127SEB,SG104,LC122,ES156-161G-168 (2012-13)

LS122-128F-1350-137SEB.LC132.SG118 (2014-15)

LS129-136-142Q-212F,LC136,SG124 (2019-20)



https://ibb.co/xsLJX0J] [/url]

​

[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/4dGjXd7/MK2-S-Front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/YRm0Ght/mk2-S-BACK.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/QXr6s90%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/x3JMVhZ/Catalogo-MK2.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/QXr6s90] [/url[/U]]

MKIII:



Only in two models: LS75,80 (2005)



[URL='https://imgbb.com/%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/Fh1Z0FC/ls-60-2005-pup-hi-res.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://imgbb.com/] [/url[/U]]





MK IV: made in China

(2005-2008)



[URL='https://ibb.co/8gTDc3P%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/fdBYvRr/Tokai-new-2005-18-front.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/8gTDc3P] [/url[/U]]



[URL='https://ibb.co/vXpcD6j%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/1z10btm/Tokai-pickups-new-2005-18-back.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/vXpcD6j] [/url[/U]]



ALS37-56V, ALC53-60 (2005),ES60 (2005-2006)

ALS48,ALC50,SG43 (2007-2008)



LSC-F: made in China

ALS48 and 50 (2009-2010) and successive ones.



[URL='https://ibb.co/L6tqt9r%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/DkC6CwY/LF-L-pastillas-chinas-epiphone.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/L6tqt9r] [/url[/U]]



Seymour Duncan Seth Lover USA :

(1996-present)

This model was introduced by Duncan in 1996 recreation of a P.A.F. from 1958 (magnet A II) in collaboration with the engineer who invented the pickup P.A.F. and it is implemented in the highest -end LS models of the time, displacing the '59 (magnet A V) which will not be returned to the factory.



LS320 (1996-2006), LS370 (2007-08), LS420 (2009-10)



[URL='https://ibb.co/7JMkZsD%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/5WpKSb3/SH-55-modern.webp%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/7JMkZsD] [/url[/U]]



Jim Rolph '59 Pretenders USA:



The best pickups I have tried among all the P.A.F. replicas. that exist. Jim has made pickups for such renowned musicians as Eric Clapton, Joe Perry of Aerosmith and Mick Mars of Motley Crew, among others. He works the old way, that is, on the phone, you have to call him and talk to him and then you write to his wife. I can tell you that he knows a lot and hits the nail on the head. The parts he uses are not hysterically correct like others but, to me , they sound to my ear like I have heard on recordings (the final sound takes precedence over the pijadas)



Custom Order Regular Series:

LS380 (2005-06),

LS470 (2007-08).

LS540 (2009-10) Pacifix Series:

LS-1,ES-1 (2006-2008)



Grinning Dog:

Only and exclusively in the Mr. Jimmy Tokai Reborn Old LS Jimmy signature model.



Finally, as an additional bonus, I leave you the connection diagrams for the Tokai pickups



[URL='https://ibb.co/P1JVZRG%255D%255Bimg%255Dhttps://i.ibb.co/5sCJWdh/wiring-schematics-Tokai.jpg%255B/img%255D%255B/url']https://ibb.co/P1JVZRG] [/url[/U]]



I hope and wish that you have enjoyed reading this article as much as I have writing it and, especially, documenting it, which is not easy due to the scarcity of information that exists ( sometimes erroneous) along with the unexpected changes that the brand makes in the models available. A hug!



Sources:

"The Vintage Guitars 1977 to 1986" (Peter McGovern)

Official catalogs published by Tokai Gakki Co. Ltd published between the years 1978-2023

Japanese general catalogs published between the years 1981-1984 and 2004

"Japan Vintage Vol. 2". Shinko Music

Notes taken from the Tokai forum www.tokaiforum.com​

 

[Omiewise65]

Many thanks Great information for everyone interested.

 

[Sigmania]

You did a lot of work on this and have some great info.

The early fact sheet for the LS models is the first example of that that I have seen. I have seen the one Cliff owns for the ST models. I assume they are from 1978.

And I discovered that the pickups changed every year in that 1980-1982 period. And one year they changed more than once. Makes it really hard to explain everything based on the models.

I tried going year by year early on in this thread:

Tokai Humbucker Models & Resistance

 

[luis]

What a fantastic post you did Sigmania. Highly interesting. I did not know you posted it. Hence we draw both some same conclusions which is amazing.
You did a great great job.

 

[luis]

If you carefully check the last MK2-S I got last week from a SG124 2020 owner , they have some appointments which lead us to a different maker or, at least, they outsourced production or maker. Check Tokai korean pickup you posted and compare to them. Those two diagonal holes makes me suspect something. I gor very very surprised. You are never 100% sure with Tokai.

 

[Sigmania]

Do you mean this MK2S



Or this one that I was not sure about?

 

[luis]

The one on the center below 9´22 K resistance. The one on the left is a korean made from a Grassroots by ESP made in Korea, see two diagonal holes also but a "copper" back as on chinese and korean pickups. Also the second row of holes are a new design never seen on a Tokai pickup

https://ibb.co/xsLJX0J] [/url]

 

[Sigmania]

This one I believe is an MK3 (circa 2009 ?)


This one is Keiyo CP-1 neck pickup (circa 2003- ?)


This one looks like a Keiyo CP-2 neck pickup (circa 2008 ?)



This is one of zeveral versions of an MK2-S
MK2-S Humbucker Pickups

 

[Sigmania]

And this one from the Grassroots ESP made in Korea is similar to the MK4 pickups put in Korean Tokais

 

[Sigmania]

Also the second row of holes are a new design never seen on a Tokai pickup

So you got me looking at this.

I have logged these before. They seem to be fairly common as far as the MK2-S pickups go.

But the weird thing is that when I look at the resistance readings on the MK2-S examples I have found, there are some aberrations.

Most are 9.0-9.5.5/14-15k, but some are below 8k...

See here:

MK2-S Humbucker Pickups