Tokai les Paul reborn

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er_scha

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Hi,

Looking to purchase a Tokai les Paul reborn from the 80s from a local seller. Everything seems to check out in terms of specs except the serial number. All that’s written on the back of the headstock is #2.is that normal? It’s got a 3 piece top, looks like a one piece back. 2 screw truss rod cover and the number 80 written into the fretboard above the neck pickup.
 
Here are some photos:

https://flic.kr/p/2ke8ZoC

https://flic.kr/p/2kecQ8P

https://flic.kr/p/2kedf7b

https://flic.kr/p/2ke8ZGi

https://flic.kr/p/2kedfhM
 
Ser# is odd should be 7 digits starting 000 impressed, late 80's would be white printed and possibly worn off!
The fretboard stamp is upto mid 1980 and indicates an LS80 model

It looks like Nut has been replaced and the truss rod cover.
You need to look inside the pickup cavities for other marks/numbers to see what is there to confirm. Should be an ink stamp of LS80 in the neck pickup cavity as well as a colour code.

https://www.vintagejapanguitars.com.br/en/tokai-1979-catalogue-2/
https://www.vintagejapanguitars.com.br/en/tokai-1979-catalogue-vol-2/

https://www.vintagejapanguitars.com.br/en/tokai-1979-reborn-ls-lc-series-catalogue/
 
You need to inspect it carefully. Ser # could of rubbed off in the last 40yrs! Inside the cavities needs looking at.
 
unfortunately i cannot inspect the inside cavity before purchasing. I have to go by the exterior of the guitar. Besides the serial number being off, is there anything concerning about the appearance of the guitar? Les paul reborn decal seems to be legitimate. Might have had a refret since there are no fret nibs. knobs do not look original but there are still those pointy ends on the pots which usually tell me late 70-early 80's MIJ. My burny 1983 has the exact same ones.
 
Tuners have been replaced, they should be 2 ring tulip. Fret ends are correct. Very early 80 or very late 79.
Looks about right, just the serial number to worry over. Hopefully others will throw in advice.
 
Thanks for the information. I dont mind if the pieces are not stock. Im definitely more concerned with the wood. I am hoping this is a vintage tokai les paul and not some weird fake copy...
 
Tuners, nuts, frets and bridges are consumables and can be expected to be replaced with use. The more correct versions can be found if it matters at some point. It's a JDM version laquer finish. Knowing the sellers rep will either add or subtract confidence.
 
Something doesn't look right to me about this one being a 1978-1980.
3 piece top usually only on LS 50, but usually with multi piece back too.
Single ring tuners have screw in bushings instead of press in, so headstock holes would possibly have had to been enlarged to fit those?
Pickups have no adjustable pole pieces, doubt they are original. General slop on the neck binding in the picture of the fret stamp.
Factory seconds are sometimes stamped with a 2.
I don't know, I'm just saying. Could be a fine guitar at the right price.
 
Loudmouse said:
Something doesn't look right to me about this one being a 1978-1980.
3 piece top usually only on LS 50, but usually with multi piece back too.
Single ring tuners have screw in bushings instead of press in, so headstock holes would possibly have had to been enlarged to fit those?
Pickups have no adjustable pole pieces, doubt they are original. General slop on the neck binding in the picture of the fret stamp.
Factory seconds are sometimes stamped with a 2.
I don't know, I'm just saying. Could be a fine guitar at the right price.

Agree about the pups, not original and looking new.
According to Peter's book 2 and 3 piece tops were common depending on colour and model, a one piece back eliminates anything below ls70/80. Slop on the neck binding could just be age related. 2 stamp being a 2nd grade would make sense but I have no experience of them. So to sum up we have replaced pups, truss cover, nut and tuners, possibly frets too!
Needs to be held and eyeballs.
 
has anyone seen a fake tokai with the les paul reborn logo? I see a lot of talk about the canadian fakes but those all seem to be love rocks and usually seem clearly fake.
 
Not seen a reborn yet. Apart from the Canadian ones there are some individuals putting Tokai logos on non descript tat occasionally.
 
I have seen a lot of fakes on this, and on other forums :roll: but not a fake Tokai Reborn

as far as #2 is concerned, that typically means something doesn't smell too good :lol:

YMMV .........................
 
villager said:
LS-80s dont have 3 piece tops... avoid..

Agreed here are a couple of genuine ls80 1980

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/86011/sold-1980-tokai-ls80-les-paul-reborn-and-81-ls150


https://reverb.com/uk/item/6789050-tokai-ls-80-reborn-old-1980-europe
 

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