TOKAI DATING MY IDEA!!!!!!!!!

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TOMO

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TOKAI GUITAR BODIES USUALLY HAVE A CODE LIKE 4-16 MR Y
NOW I THINK THEY USE THE SAME DATE CODES AS OTHER JAPANESE COMPANIES AND THE YEAR CODE IN THIS CASE BEING THE LETTER Y
HERE IS MY THEORY
R = 2003, 1977
S = 2004, 1978
T = 2005, 1979
U = 2006, 1980
V = 2007, 1981
W = 2008, 1982
X = 2009, 1983
Y = 2010, 1984
Z = 2011, 1985
IF SO THEN THIS WOULD BE THE COMPLETE LIST
A = 1986, 1960
B = 1987, 1961
C = 1988, 1962
D = 1989, 1963
E = 1990, 1964
F = 1991, 1965
G = 1992, 1966
H = 1993, 1967
I = 1994, 1968
J = 1995, 1969
K = 1996, 1970
L = 1997, 1971
M = 1998, 1972
N = 1999, 1973
O = 2000, 1974
P = 2001, 1975
Q = 2002, 1976
R = 2003, 1977
S = 2004, 1978
T = 2005, 1979
U = 2006, 1980
V = 2007, 1981
W = 2008, 1982
X = 2009, 1983
Y = 2010, 1984
Z = 2011, 1985
CHECK YOURS TO SEE IF THIS IS CORRECT
WE MAY BE ON TO SOMETHING HERE
PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS
TOM :D
 
Hi Tom,
it may be the case for those built after 1990 but certainly not before.
My Springy has an 'A' mark and it was not built in 1983.
My theory of the extra codes was to show model prep...
'A' was used on ST-80, ST-100, SS-80 TE-80, TE-100 etc because the woods used on these models was A-grade wood. They were stamped on body and neck
'X' was used on bodies between 60 and 80 eg ST-60 - premium wood but not A-grade.
ST-50 and below did not get them, except for special order or finish.
'Z' was also used but this was after 1982.
This is just a rough guide, and I am hoping that other members will fill in the blanks to make it more accurate, but as a starting point it is pretty close.
regrads
Peter Mac
 
Call me dumb, but I am having issues decoding both the neck and body stamps. For example:

-neck: 12=20
-body: 12 20MR Z

Can anyone shed light on them???
 
12-20 i have no idea MR (metalic red) and if the date thing was correct Z would be a 1985 model
 
Yes the numbers on either side of the "=" sign, which are on both neck and body are the ones that stump me. The color code I figured out, and the letter to year model I now know thanks to you TOMO.
Hopefully someone can figure out the mystery numbers...
 
Hi guys,

I have noticed that models before 1983 have "="
Models built after 1983 have " - "
There are 4 definite stamps : A , X , Y and Z

My number theory is based on MM = DD (month = day) due to the fact that i have never seen the 1st number higher than 12 and the 2nd number I have seen up to 28.
This is after comparing the stamps of literally hundreds of Tokai guitars.
regards
Peter Mac
 
Again, that's not what I meant. I was asking about the evidence for TOMO's theory.
 
Oh Well
As i said it was just a theory back to the drawing board fer me.....wonder what year my drawing board was made?? looks like a late 62 early 63 hmm :-?
 

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