Can you help date this Silver Star?

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Martyn27uk

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Hi,

I have a Tokai Silver Star, which I've owned since 2007.

It's black on black with maple neck, skunk stripe and three screw micro-adjustable neck cover. It's as near as dammit a perfect copy of my '77 Fender Strat.

The serial number is on the tremolo spring cover - 5026459

No label to identify the model. I know the picks ups have been replaced.

Headstock reads "The Quality Musical Instruments of the World" under the black script Tokai logo. There's no "Oldie" logo further along.

Grateful for any information!


[/img]
 
To me that looks like a 1985 and a lower model, maybe a 38 judging by the tuners and saddles which both look original, someone will probably say post some more pics with the guard and neck off for a more conclusive answer...
 
Hi guys,

This is definately not a 1985 Model.
It is much, much later - maybe 2005. The logo is more modern than 1985 plus serial numbers on 1985 models were under the 'Tokai' logo and the banner ' the Quality Musical Instruments of the World' did not appear at all and there was no 'Oldies but Goldies' either. The rest was blank.
It appears more modern to me, but at this point I could not say which Year exactly. As SilverStars were initially for the Japanese Market only, it is quite difficult to find references to them in any English printed catalogs.
The choice of location for the serial number is closer to 1954 Strats than 1976 ones but the font is correct for Tokai guitars - albeit Gibson replicas, not Fender.
It could well be this is a Korean or Chinese outsourced Model. Maybe contact the Factory themselves as they could put a better time on it.

regards
Peter
 
Thanks Peter,

To be honest, when I got the guitar in 07 it felt like a guitar that was more than two years old... the tremolo block is labelled Made in Japan so I’m hoping that holds true for the rest of the guitar.

Is the leading “5” on the serial number a date code? 1995 would fit better with the guitar’s “feel”. I have the original PUs somewhere, might they give me a clue? I’ll take the neck off when I change the strings but as far as I know there isn’t usually a date stamp on the neck, unlike Squiers.
 
This is the second Silver Star recently that's been a bit of an oddity and it seems like other models, we still don't know all there is to know about the Silver Star's... but deferring to Peter's opinion is a sound choice.

The more pictures you post the more informed the comments will be, post pics of all body cavities and electrics and the neck including the butt end then we'll see where the discussion goes.
 
Hi guys. That seems exactly like my case.
Cant help myself, but it does not look like a very high quality build.
It reads MADE IN JAPAN on the bridge block from the inside...
SN: 5028448 (on the back cover plate)
I would be really thankfull for your opinions.
Providing some photos..
b8682b1274394044


eb322c1274394154

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cd3f101274394404


f91ab01274394494

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Thank you

EDIT: I do not know why those IMGs arent showing up... Tried different hostings...
 
http://www.imagebam.com/image/b8682b1274394044

http://www.imagebam.com/image/eb322c1274394154
http://www.imagebam.com/image/f0117c1274394284
http://www.imagebam.com/image/b4491a1274394314
http://www.imagebam.com/image/cd3f101274394404

http://www.imagebam.com/image/f91ab01274394494
http://www.imagebam.com/image/2db9311274394564
http://www.imagebam.com/image/d82fb11274394664
http://www.imagebam.com/image/4a46b01274394774
http://www.imagebam.com/image/6f74311274394824
http://www.imagebam.com/image/fc543b1274394904
 
Thanks Brokentoes.

So I tried to contact Tokai via their official webpage. Was not hoping for an answer, but this appeared in my inbox:

----------------------------------
[email protected]
so 13. 7. 11:51 (pred 2 dňami)
komu: ja

Hello Filip,

From the pictures, it seems to be TSS38 BB made in Japan and made around 1985.

Tokai
----------------------------------

So I am really not sure now...
 
SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN REPLYING>

i have not seen this type of wiring before on an old Tokai. It is not from 1985, thats for sure.
The body routing is correct, even the neck pocket, but lack of body code stamps definately puts it outside my era. Neck stamp [8-1] shows it was produced after 1986.
It definately looks original, even the solder joints, so if I had to put a guess forward from the comments and pictures I would hazard 1995.
Hope this helps

Peter
 
Peter Mac said:
SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN REPLYING>

i have not seen this type of wiring before on an old Tokai. It is not from 1985, thats for sure.
The body routing is correct, even the neck pocket, but lack of body code stamps definately puts it outside my era. Neck stamp [8-1] shows it was produced after 1986.
It definately looks original, even the solder joints, so if I had to put a guess forward from the comments and pictures I would hazard 1995.
Hope this helps

Peter

Thanks a lot Pete.
 
No worries Vilian,

I actually have a 1985 SilverStar YSOR with me at the moment should you wish to compare details. it is listed on Reverb.
https://reverb.com/au/item/19173770-1985-tokai-ss-38-silverstar-3-tone-sunburst

Take care.
Peter
 

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