Tokai SS 70's CBS Strat Copy

[rococo]

Here is a pic of the Tokai that I bought in Tokyo last summer.
It's a Silver Star from 1981, according to the serial number 1015659.
All typical details from the CBS Strat are here : large headstock, bullet truss rod and a 3 bolt neck.
It guess it would be a SS48, butI'm not 100% sure because their was no sticker on it anymore.
The guitar looks like it has been hardly played over the last 25 years, it seems to be a "time capsule" specimen
It plays really nicely and sounds harmonically rich in all positions (excuse my english).

I'm really curious about 2 things, if Silver Stars specialists can answer me :

1/ Are the pickups "H" stamped? (I didn't dare to remove the pickguard)
If so, what are their tonal caracteristics compared to "U" or "E" ?

2/ I tried to adjust the neckin order to get it a slight gap, but the truss rod is very difficult to move. I'm afraid that I would do harm to the guitar if I really try to move it. Have you guys ever experienced that?
Nevertheless it would be a benefit if I could set this because I've already set the action and the low E string is still buzzing a little bit.

Cheers!

 

[marcusnieman]

Very nice guitar...... very nice.

What model number is it (38, 60, etc)? Is there a sticker on the neck? Give us a shot of the back of the headstock.... the tuners used will give a clue.

Pickups stamped with H? Not on any I've seen.

Make sure you're turning the truss rod the proper direction. I don't mess with truss rod adustments - I let my guitar guy do them.

Again, nice guitar.... really like that Candy Apple Red with a rosewood fretboard.

 

[rococo]

Thanks for the compliments Marcus
Unfortunately, there is no sticker...
Here's a view of the back of the neck and the tuners :

 

[marcusnieman]

Thanks, judging from the tuners, I'd say it is the SS40 shown from the 81 catalog page (catalogs are on the forum). Click on the image to enlarge. Probably unstamped pickups.

http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/volume537.jpg

 

[Anonymous]

Or could it be an SS38? How do we tell the difference?

Mike

 

[marcusnieman]

Or could it be an SS38? How do we tell the difference?

Mike

I don't think the 38 came in CAR and the pickups are different..... but I might be wrong - can't read Japanese either.

 

[rococo]

Thanks for the link to the catalogue.
My girlfriend is japanese, she'll help me translate this.
I'll keep you posted!