Vintage Trem Units For ST & TST Tokais Tremolo

[Sigmania]

Just trying to sort out trem blocks on Tokai ST models.

Material and construction.

I had heard for years that the difference between a Springy and a Goldstar trem block is that the Springy used a zinc alloy and the Goldstar used a steel block.

Further, I had heard that the Springy block was marked with circles and "Made In Japan" and the Goldstars were blank. But I have seen lots of marked blocks after 1983.

Also the block was one unit with the bridge in the beginning then was later changed to a detachable design. Not sure when exactly that happened.

Just trying to sort out the differences.

Would welcome hearing whatever other folks have seen.

 

[Sigmania]

Photo of the trem block on my late 1981 ST70MGR

 

[Sigmania]

Here is one in 1987 with the same markings.

1987 AST40OWR

What Tokai do I have

 

[Sigmania]

Here's another 1987 TST40OWR. Block has the circles, but no "Made In Japan"


Best Vintage Guitars - Tokai Goldstar Sound ST-Style

 

[Sigmania]

Here is one Voidoid56 posted that has no markings on the block.

All-black Silver Star oddball

"This is a Final Prospec bridge off an ST-60."

 

[Sigmania]

1981 SS70S

https://reverb.com/item/584432-toka...share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=584432

 

[Sigmania]

1984? TST80MRR

TST80 Goldstars

 

[Sigmania]

Here you can see the 3 screws under the saddles on a detachable Final Prospec bridge.

Tokai Saddles and monoblock bridge - springys and goldstars

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI stamped saddles and pot metal block it looks like.

１９８０年前後のtokai製ストラト用トレモロブリ... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

希少 Tokai 製 ストラト用トレモロブリッジ 一体... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai Springy Sound ストラト ブリッジ 1970年... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

Looks like pre 1982 to me.

TOKAI トーカイ SSユニット 6点止め 一体型シン... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai Springy Sound ストラト ブリッジ 1980年... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

Tokaiストラト用一体型トレモロブロック - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

From the 1982 Spring catalog:

●Tremolo
Tremolo unit 1982 new spec. The same separate type as the original tremolo unit that has become a perfect copy of the original model, with the plated combination tail piece section being chrome plated, the press bridge nickel section, and the tremolo block section being zinc plated. We have also introduced technology to prevent rattling caused by separate types. As the name ``Final Spec'' engraved on the press bridge suggests, all materials and details have been perfectly reproduced.

 

[Sigmania]

I changed the trem assembly on my 1980 ST55 too. It was a huge improvement in tone. I used a Wilkinson WV6 with steel block from Axesrus & Raw Vintage pure steel saddles and trem springs. Especially the springs made the difference.

 

[Sigmania]

Wilkinson Vintage Tremolo- Pop-In Arm, with Block-D12 I have fitted these to a couple of Goldstars.Great bridge with a proper steel block.Fits like glove;

 

[Sigmania]

I found that when I replaced the original trem with the Wilkinson there was some improvement in tone, but I put this down to the fact that I could raise the action high enough to eliminate fret buzz, which I could'nt do with the knackered old saddles. Also the old saddles had quite deep grooves worn into them, especially on the bass side.

The Goldstar sound trem unit is already pretty good - well made with a nice steel block - so I don't think there is much tone improvement to be had, probably even with a Callaham. Functional improvement was what I was after.

 

[Sigmania]

NOS circa 1981 ST100 gold trem unit.

1980's Tokai Japan NOS S-062 Stratocaster Tremolo Bridge System (Gold)

 

[Sigmania]

1981 Flat Top catalog

1980s - 1981 Flat Top Series Catalog Hi Res Images

Press bridge.
Bridge is a perfect reproduction.
'54 Press bridge of the same material as Strat.



Tremolo block.
Tokai tremolo block. Screw holes are independent. (Above)
Other companies' tremolo block. (Below)