Binding Nibs on Love Rocks

Sigmania · Dec 12, 2020

Hi all. Which models had nibs?

I just got a 1981 LS100 all mahogany that does not have them. Does not look like a re fret.

And I have a 1982 LS120 solid flame top that does have them.

(Edit: Discovered it was re-fretted while still in Japan, sold on eBay in 2018 to and American buyer and disclosed by Japanese seller then.)

Just curious.

Thanks!

villager · Dec 13, 2020

either its not what it claims to be or it has had a refret.. all ls-80/100 and up from 79-83 have nibs

Sigmania · Dec 13, 2020

I’ll try to load pictures later, but it’s definitely a 1981 all mahogany LS100. The fretboard is in perfect shape (the whole guitar really short of a couple surface dings on the body), and not a fake. It’s solid one piece mahogany with DiMarzio PAFs, Tokai tuners, etc etc. All perfect.

I would guess if someone played it enough to wear down frets and require a re fret there would at least be some wear and weathering, but it looks like a closet queen. And I see no indication of wood loss from removing old frets. Curious.

(Edit: Discovered it was re-fretted while still in Japan, sold on eBay in 2018 to and American buyer and disclosed by Japanese seller then.)

But I’ve had Tokais that break the rules like: a 1979 TE80 with a two piece body, a 1981 ST120 Springy with silver hardware not gold (original), and a 1983 LS80 with a solid flame top, but a two piece body. All documented on this site.

So, the indicators of models we have come up with here don’t seem to always be the same ones used by Tokai as their guitars went out the door... Seems like it was occasionally a bit more arbitrary.

Anyway, thanks. I’ll try to post pictures later. I need to find a host site. I used to use Photobucket, but they changed their site and are trying to get me to pay to access pictures I loaded years ago.

Sigmania · Dec 13, 2020

OK. I think I figured out how to post pics. I had used Photobucket when I first joined this site 8 years ago, but since then they have gone to the dark side.

Ned suggested using imgur, so here goes.

Sigmania · Dec 13, 2020

OK. I figured out how to use imgur now that Photbucket has become a disappointment.

Here goes:

Sigmania · Dec 13, 2020

I just played it again, and I think I need to measure these frets. I am now wondering if a previous owner just wanted fatter frets for tone? They seem beefy. I'll need to get back to you once I do.

And villager, I appreciate the help.

villager · Dec 16, 2020

refretted 100%

Sigmania · Dec 16, 2020

Yep. I noted that in the other thread (NGD) and even found an eBay listing from 2018 where it was listed in Japan and stated as re-fretted then.

That guitar is so resonant and has such incredible sustain and these seem to be so scarce. I’m blown away.

But yes, it was re-fretted.

Thanks again.

Binding Nibs on Love Rocks

Help Support Tokai Forum:

Sigmania

Moderator

villager

Well-known member

Sigmania

Moderator

Sigmania

Moderator

Sigmania

Moderator

Sigmania

Moderator

villager

Well-known member

Sigmania

Moderator

Similar threads

Latest posts

Binding Nibs on Love Rocks

Help Support Tokai Forum:

Moderator

Well-known member

Moderator

Moderator

Moderator

Moderator

Well-known member

Moderator

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!