Love Rock colors

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hogguitar

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What Love Rock colors did Tokai have available in the early 80's? I was looking at this one, and don't recall ever seing this color, so I was wondering if it's a refin.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7329622557&rd=1&rd=1
 
hogguitar said:
What Love Rock colors did Tokai have available in the early 80's? I was looking at this one, and don't recall ever seing this color, so I was wondering if it's a refin.
I would say it's the cherry red finish that was available from Tokai at least in the mid 80's and is supposed to be a copy of Dickey Betts' 1957 Goldtop which he himself had refinished (i.e. rather sprayed over) because of some bad scratches and wear-off on the golden top. See these pages on the main site from the "Early 80's Tokai Catalog" (my favorite one) which were also printed in the 1983 Japanese version:

http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai86_7a.jpg
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai86_6.jpg

It's the number 9 on the right page (TLS-100S/1957 model on the bottom) which would mean that it's a LS 100, not a LS 60, but you would have to check that yourself, e.g. if the pickups are two DiMarzio PAFs. On the other hand the black sticker with the model number is still there on the back of the headstock, so probably it's only this color, not the other features of the higher class model.

By the way, in the 2002 catalogue Tokai published an overview of the abbreviations they use for their different colors nowadays, it's on page 5:

http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai20025.jpg

Another favorite site of mine is the Vintage Guitars Info, e.g. this page with pictures of custom Gibson finishes:

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibsonc.html
 
Most of his description is just general info lifted from the Registry ? tells you zero about that actual guitar ? shoot him an email asking for clarification on the colour & condition (frets/neck/electrics/alterations/originality etc. all OK?). But his BIN suggest he wants close to $800, which is too much for LS60 in solid colour (burst is more desirable ? you can see what wood you?re getting). Early LS60 is nice guitar, but maybe $550 in solid or maybe $650 in burst ?assuming good original condition (think it is LS60, because apart from the ?60? sticker the frets are unbound). 2cents. :-?

Ian.
 
I don't know...with all due respect, Ian, if it's an original finish, $800 US sounds pretty reasonable to me. I've seen a few in hogguitar's neck of the woods (Seattle area) for around $1200 - but admittedly that's sunburst finish. I buy all I could if they were around $550!

But, yes, I would get more specific info on it.
 
Hi Novosel ? it?s a matter watching eBay carefully ? maybe you?ve seen different prices than I have, no problem :-? ? but a quick check of Completed eBay sales shows only three relevant Love Rocks sold in past month, ie as follows ?

1990 LS70 Flame top Burst $405 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7328882062&rd=1

1985 LC60 Custom, white, no bids & unsold at $499 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7326773803&rd=1

1998 LS70 Black $590 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38086&item=7326782848&rd=1

plus this killer example which I nearly bought myself from Australian eBay (the guy showed it here a few months back illustrating 18deg headstock angles? remember that stuff, yep it?s this guitar)

1983 LS80 apparently SOLID flame top! $541 (ie 707AUS-$) http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7325222033&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Japanoldguitar recently sold a very nice 1981 LS60 sunburst for about $630, and a few months back they sold a killer 1980-ish LS50 with lovely burst top for only $480 :eek: 8) .

Ian.
 
I've noticed that some of the music stores in the US want extreme prices for a Love Rock. Many put them in used Gibson price range then wonder why they can't sell the Tokai. There are always a few that will pay much higher pricing than others.

Also, remember that Reborns will carry a premium over a Love Rock.

Ned
 
Yes, the ones I'd seen were at guitar shows and music stores, plus these were the "asking" prices - not the all important "selling" price. And they were priced as used Gibsons. I guess Ebay, with it's customer base in the millions, is a better indicator of what people will actually pay for these (or for anything, for that matter).
 
Yep, shop prices are higher ? in fact here in London the prices are crazy, especially for Gibson & Fender ? anyone fancy a new LS75 GT/P90?s at $1445 (Regent Guitars), no? Me neither :roll: .

But strange thing about US eBay prices - on Gibson & Fender models, eBay sellers often ask & get as much or more than shops charge ? eg average used LP Std maybe $1250 in a shop yet on eBay same guitar sells for ?1400 :eek: . That always seems crazy to me, because after all eBay is a big risk ? (a)can?t try the guitar, (b)may be total crap, (c)can?t return it (& no guarantee), and worst case (d)you may pay but never receive any guitar at all (ie complete scam) ? surely eBay has to be significantly cheaper, or else it?s complete waste of time?

Ian.
 

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