Tokai Parts

'G'day guys
'
In 1982 I started work for Tokai Music Australia as a guitar specialist. My main job was the set the actions and prepare all the Tokai guitars for re-sale. One of the catalogues I was given was a Spare Parts catalogue with the Tokai part number for all their guitar parts.
Mine is the only one that I'm aware of ATM and was done in 1981. For the 5 years I worked there, we were never sent another spare parts brochure.
The last page also features Wiring diagrams for SS, ST, TE, LS, LC, LC-110 and ES.
I will post some pages and tell me if it helps any...
- Suki, I hope this helps you.

Peter Mac

Silverstar and Springysound

Super interesting Peter, thanks for posting.

I just noticed there are 3 bridge unit types for LS; nickel, chrome and gold.
I think I remember you saying that all higher end LS models (LS-80 and up) had nickel plated brass saddle bridges, so I guess with bridge unit they mean saddles?
I also see a brass bridge for LS/LC models; for which model were they used?

Super interesting Peter, thanks for posting.

I just noticed there are 3 bridge unit types for LS; nickel, chrome and gold.
I think I remember you saying that all higher end LS models (LS-80 and up) had nickel plated brass saddle bridges, so I guess with bridge unit they mean saddles?
I also see a brass bridge for LS/LC models; for which model were they used?

PS Peter, do you recognize this catalog?



Seems like a 1980 catalog..

Hi Jacco,

I believe the LS-150 and LS-200 had the nickeled brass saddles and LS-80 - LS-120 had nickeled steel. Saddles could be bought separately or within a bridge unit.
Most important, this also gives part numbers to every piece of the guitars, including the bodies and necks.
That Supplement catalog is from early 1980 and they had another for the Springy. (I have both)They also released another for the Breezysound's laumch as well as Vol 3 Catalogue. 1980 was a busy year.

Peter Mac

that is very cool!! thx Peter Mac!!

Cool Peter, whens the book out?

Iain

hi
i got a 1985 ls .... the guy i got i from told me it was a ls 150
it is in nitro and has 18 degrees head stock .... and has nickelplated brass saddels ... has a veneer top ....no feb ,,, goto pickups and circuit board ..
alu tailpiece
i did not belive him when he say it was a ls 150 ,,, only a ls 80
and i did not find out about the brass saddels ,,,,,, before later.. i try to scratch on the bottom and they were nickel plated brass
and now with this info ,,, maybe he was right
so maybe i got a ls 150 for a good price
and yes pictures would be nice
all the best
otto

Hi Muccax,

Firstly, LS-150 never had veneer top - end of story.
In 1985 only 3 models had veneer tops - LS-60, LS-80 and LS-100.
LS-60 had chrome hardware and 14 deg pitch.
LS-80 and LS-100 were identical body build and nickel hardware but the LS-100 had DiMarzio pickups instead of Tokai PAF. This was the only difference.
They were nitro finish & 18deg head pitch. Saddles sound correct also.
Tokai had stopped using Gotoh branded pickups around 81/82

Hope this helps

Peter Mac

There are anomalies with 1985 Love Rocks so should we be careful dismissing specs for this year on some owners guitars?

These are my specs for what I assume to be an LS50/60 as it has no FEB.

Poly finish
2 piece solid maple top - slightly figured but classed as a plain top
One piece back
One piece neck 18 degree headstock
No FEB
Brass bridge saddles and aluminium tailpiece
Original electronics were low end switch and nondescript pots etc.
Originally had open, cream pickups.

This was bought in the UK by me NOS in 1990, but was a non export model as had correct headstock and bell TRC.
On this very forum a few other UK member have posted 1985 Love Rocks with same 18 degree pitch, open book and bell TRC yet lower maple cap specs and poly etc. It is possible there was a special order made for one distibutor.

Please check over my pictures - there are quite a few - on this link:
http://s650.photobucket.com/user/katbarks/library/2%20Tokai%20Guitars?sort=6&page=1

The pickups were replaced with Seymour Duncan MJ wound vintage PAFs in the early nineties as were the tuners around '95 to Schaller types. It has been rewired to 50's specs with CTS switch and pots.

Edit
My feeling on my particular guitar is higher spec'd woods and construction but a compromise on electronics.

hi
all i can say ,,, is that it is 100 % original .....

Hi Peter,

Thanks for posting the parts pages. : )
I found some local DiMarzios for less $$$



Hi Otto,

Like Peter said, the veneer top would eliminate the possibility of it ever being an LS-150 model, as does the circuit board.
There were so many exceptions to catalog specs after 1982 you have to look at pickups used and specs as a whole.
A one piece back and nitro finish would definitely make it a higher model than an LS-60. Gotohs instead of DiMarzios would make it an LS-80 model rather than an LS-100.
FEB and brass saddles support it being a higher model than an LS-60.

IIRC all post 1982 Japan open book models had 18* headstock angles,
(all three of mine have, including an LS-60)
while lower export models may have had 14* headstock angles.

HinReborn,

What is your opinion on mine, with its definite one piece back, two piece maple top, brass saddles and 18degree headstock - though no feb or nitro?






What I can determine is that it is a Japanese non-export model that was shipped to the UK - due to the open book headstock.

I assume the original cream pickups would have been the Tokai PAFs.

Thanks - and apologies for the thread diversion.

It is not original Otto. Pickups are not period correct you should have Tokai 57 PAF instead a more PAF accurate style pickup (not fully accurate however as no old style wire but poly modern wire unstead). If someon sold it to you as a LS-150 he made a mistake.

I've seen a number of Gotoh equipped (instead of 57 PAF) 1985 LS models Luis.
They may have been left over inkie pickup inventory Tokai decided to use prior to ending LS production ? ... just a guess.

Barks67 said:

Hi Reborn,

What is your opinion on mine, with its definite one piece back, two piece maple top, brass saddles and 18degree headstock - though no feb or nitro?
.

Click to expand...

Sent you a PM Barks

Reborn Old said:

I've seen a number of Gotoh equipped (instead of 57 PAF) 1985 LS models Luis.
They may have been left over inkie pickup inventory Tokai decided to use prior to ending LS production ? ... just a guess.

Barks67 said:

Hi Reborn,

What is your opinion on mine, with its definite one piece back, two piece maple top, brass saddles and 18degree headstock - though no feb or nitro?
.

Click to expand...

Sent you a PM Barks

Click to expand...

Thanks, have sent reply.

Also posted a new thread over at the other place for discussion. Appreciate any input.

Hi Muccax,

Do those Gotoh have covers on them? What a sneaky prick that seller is.

For 1985 the TLS pickups offered were PAF mkII - Zebra ; Tok PAF - Cover & DiM PAF - cover. Goto PAF were discontinued in 81/82 depending on the model.
I was taking these guitars apart in 1985 and never saw a gotoh pickup until I bought an 1980 LS-50. IMO any Gotos in 1983 or higher TLS models have been replaced there.

To me...it seems as though the seller has put covers onto a pair of old Goto pups as there are no solder marks on the pickup base or cover. The pups are probably double cream and all factory pups had thier covers soldered on. I would guess it was an '85 TLS-60 as the TLS-80 has a more splendid, maple veneer in a horizontal strip rather than chevron however if the finish is nitro, then it will be a TLS-80, poly definitely TLS-60.

Also the TLS with bell TRC - that is a Gibson TLC, not Tokai. The white area is deeper on 1950's TRC than any other bell TRC by other manufacturers.

Headstock - the 'open book' or moustache' headstock (whichever you like to call it) was only altered for the US market initially. Japan, Europe and Australia continued with it until the 90's.

Peter Mac

hi
look at the pictures on page one ....
they have cover ,,, but they are skrewed to the base plate ,,, not solder like normal

Hi muccax,

Just to be clear, you're saying the pickup cover has been screwed onto the baseplate?
If you are referring to the 4 screws on the baseplate, these are used to hold the magnet and bobbins together. As a matter of fact, if you unscrew one - and one only - you can see the colour of the bobbin. This is how we can ID original 50's PAF's with covers without pulling them apart.
From this angle they look pressed in, but if they are screwed onto the baseplate, I'll be darned if I can see where.

Peter Mac