bluejeannot
Well-known member
Are you sure the strings have not just been cunningly faked and artificially distressed to look ten years old? :wink:
Peter Mac said:Hi guys,
So it seems a little "cat amongst the pidgeons" here . . .sorry.
Bluejean > I buy roughly 20 Tokais a year from Japan all made before 1985 for the Aussie guitarists and in 30 years of being intimate with hundreds (maybe even thousands) of Springys (1977 - 1982) and Goldstars (1983-1985) I have never seen this configuration - especially in a 1981 model.
What I can say with utmost assurance is that the Japanese market is wrife with changing parts to individualise their guitars. I have seen plenty where scratchplates, pots, selectors, machine heads, pickups and even bridges have been swapped out for whatever reasons.
What I shall say to you is this - I have no idea how Fernandes set their electronics and the point you raised about their use of Goto was very good. It may be that a Fernandes loaded scratchplate has been swapped into the Tokai guitar. No proof, just a theory.
. . and also the 'A' and 'B' plates stopped around the introduction of the 3-ply 11 screw 'plate introduction [ Mid -1980 I believe, around S# 0009600]. Whilst I recall only ever seeing them on 1 ply 8 screw style, I could be mistaken.
regards
Peter Mac
..actually IMHO, this is a bitsa . . .I would place it as a 1984 ST-55 MGR with modified bridge and "foreign" electrics and 1981 neckplate.
Went through my book and realised that MG (Metallic Green) was never offered as a finish until 1983 Goldstar - so it could never be a Springy Sound. Also the headstock logo reads" Original contour body", not "Oldies but Goldies". . . a touch of Fender.
Peter Mac said:OK guys, . . .
expanding on my last post and after reading Gabes notes I took his advise and triple checked my database and surprised myself in doing so.
I still stand by my comments that the loaded scratchplate is not original to the body+neck and now I am 100% sure after my findings.
The serial number of this guitar is 1022688 ST-65 MGR, of this it is clear.
1981 Serials started around 1013000 and went through to 1025500 (give or take a few 100) In late October 1981, some changes occured.
The Model Year became 1982. Serial numbers were still 102xxxx until December 1981 but features changed.
For this discussion the primary ones were the moving of the date stamp from pickup cavity to control cavity and the cessation of 'A' and 'B' stamped scratchplates. This occurred around Serial# 1021800.
Every scratchplate I have seen prior to this and after this Ser# ALL have White/Blk wiring on 'E' and 'U' pups.
So, yes, MG was offered as a colour before 1983 in Europe ( but not Japan. Australia or USA) but only for MY82. The body stamps are 11=3 so a November 1981 build again MY82.
Catalogs: I took the liberty of examining the rest of the pages from the German catalog to which you refer and found it to be a 1982 Catalog - check the headstock inlays on the ES and LC models . . .1982.
Hope this satisfies all parties involved, thank you - I need a drink.
regards
Peter Mac
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