Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

radziu_t · Post by **radziu_t** » Mon Jun 22, 2020 10:57 am

Hello,
Can you please help me identify if the tokai is a japanese or korean one. It has kluson type split pole tuners ( which as I found in other posts suggests mij) but has 2 string trees which suggests mik. Can you help?

https://ibb.co/XzpBmgN
https://ibb.co/fSg85Dj
https://ibb.co/yXHjLL8

mdvineng · Post by **mdvineng** » Tue Jun 23, 2020 12:21 am

2 trees are mid to late 80's and it is model level dependent.
Ser#?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133445833254.

11 screw pickguard is K

radziu_t · Post by **radziu_t** » Tue Jun 23, 2020 1:57 am

There is no serial number. But I understant you are convinced it's an MiJ Tokai?

mdvineng · Post by **mdvineng** » Tue Jun 23, 2020 2:00 am

Not sure. Ser# would help but it's probably in the neck pocket. Neck radius will confirm, flatter =K 7.25=J
I'm still looking for more info. I edited an above post and now fairly sure 90's Korean. The pictures on Ebay show what looks like a flatter radius fret board and 11 screw PG.

radziu_t · Post by **radziu_t** » Tue Jun 23, 2020 2:46 am

I asked the seller about the radius i'll see if he knows. One thing i'm wondering - it's a 60s style strat... didn't those have 11 screws anyway?

radziu_t · Post by **radziu_t** » Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:23 am

The seller confirmed the radius is 9.5 inch, so that would be MiK. Thanks for your help

forgottenboy · Post by **forgottenboy** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 5:57 am

This is interesting. If it is eighties, then I don't think Korean manufacturing had started by then. So is it MIJ? If the string trees were transitional then it could be. It does have a flat board, but then again there are spit tuners, but they don't say deluxe??? No idea...

mdvineng · Post by **mdvineng** » Sat Jun 27, 2020 7:48 am

Not 80's but 90's. I corrected that in a later post.

forgottenboy · Post by **forgottenboy** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 10:21 am

Did they make any MIJ guitars like that at all?
I remember my friend buying a MIJ guitar in 1989 that looked similar. Only thing is it does have a very flat fret board. All MIJ tokais I’ve played have a rounder radius.
Did they make any MIJ guitars like that.

luis · Post by **luis** » Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:08 pm

You can tell the difference looking at neck construction, near to headstock.

forgottenboy · Post by **forgottenboy** » Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:13 am

His Everyone.
Thanks for reply. I actually bought it. Plays nice and sounds good but looks very basic... I've had the whole thing apart...
Body is a lighter wood but not not ply/composite and routed for a HSS configuration?? (go figure?)
Neck is flat and truss rod is at body end, no volute at headstock. Scratchplate has yellowed allot so late eighties to mid eighties I'd say. Seller said late eighties.

There is no identification mark anywhere!!! PUPs don't like MIJs either.

I'm a bit gutted it's not MIJ tbh. I saw 'late eighties' IN TITLE and knowing all late eighties Tokais were MIJ put in an offer. I then saw the text on listing and saw the MIK possibly.

Still great guitar and nice neck so will probably update HW. Anyone got any suggestions for a good replacement bridge/trem?

Cheers

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Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?

Re: Tokai Goldstar Japan vs Korea - Can you help identify?