Tokai Springy Sound 1978 newer than new

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bigbadjohn

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Just bought this Springy Sound it’s like it was the day it left the factory 42 years ago. You would think no matter how good it was kept it would tarnish a bit over time I am pretty sure it’s not a fake it all looks very high quality it seems to check out, but you never know.

I would like to know what wood it is maybe Sen its quite heavy over 8 pounds I would say.
I think Sen has a very nice grain and mine does not also the maple neck is quite plain

https://imgur.com/a/GdiJOKs
 
https://www.vintagejapanguitars.com.br/en/tokai-1978-catalogue-vol-1/
Sen Ash body, maple neck.
 
Didn't the first year 78's have the narrow neck plate with no serial number on it - serial number stamped on the neck or pocket?
From the serial number, I'm guessing this is a 1980
 
I once saw a very early run 78 with narrow plate with pocket serial on Ebay I think these are rare.
I think 78 was the first year of the Springy sound

What's the deal on these Tokai reissue's with made in Japan and serial on bottom of neck how can they get away with copying Fender head stock today.

https://imgur.com/a/vSqRi7l

Also thanks for the replies
 
77 was the first year and the litigation started with the advert stating that it was an exact replica of the good old strat. Strat being copyrighted by CBS, the 7 logo lead to further discussions. The guitar shape/headstock isn't copyrighted, if it was there would be hundreds of guilty brands out there!

Yours should have the number 60 pressed into the wood at the last fret. Neck, U profile as replica of a 58 strat.
 
My 78 is exactly the same as this one - same color, same narrow plate with no serial number - instead it's inked on neck with it transferring backward in the neck pocket. Only difference that mine have the E stamped pickups: https://reverb.com/item/27474325-tokai-st-60-springy-sound-1978-w-hang-tag

I'd post more pics but Photoshop has locked me out and holding me ransom to now pay for the service I have all of my guitar photos on.

We all know there are some inconsistencies in the Tokai dating - serial numbers, fretboard stamps, etc. That's part of what makes it so fun.
 
According to Peter's book that is a 77 model type with a 78 ser# model runs seemed to be mid year to mid year, for 77 78

Imagebb is an ok hosting site and free
 
Thanks, I did see the 60 pressed into the wood you can easily mistake the 6 for an 8 wishful thinking as it does have a one piece body pretty sure its poly
Pickups are stamped E they are supposed to be the better ones but lots of people say the U sound better

I also have an 84 Tokai tobacco it does not have anything pressed into the neck wood.
They sure put a lot of red in the 3 colour sunburst in the late 70's Fender did the same I think less would be more.

Very nice guitar in the link but when you add shipping then tax and duty very expensive
 
It does sound very nice considering maybe it still has the original strings..
I am liking the 7.25 radius
 
That is a great example of an early Tokai. The grain is deceiving but IMO there is a body join in the centre as it is with the 60 and 80 models. Tokai were so good with their grain matching it is hard to tell in many cases.
QnCDGu9.jpg
 
Yes 2 piece and looking closer at the grain, it looks more like Alder than Sen but Peter's book states all Sen until 79, maybe Alder was used just before the 79 catalogue was released.
 
Thanks again, that confirms my suspicion.

I looked and looked the only possibly joint I could see was dead in the centre and it's hard to see I read somewhere they never put joints in the centre for whatever reason, so I dismissed it, but yes if you look hard enough and almost impossible to tell with PG on, it is there in the middle the Jap's were so good at matching the wood joints. I have a 72 Mann Strat Natural ash when you look at the joints you think only a super human could match them up that good
When you look at some Fender joints you have to wonder like black and white.

I wonder what the 7=32 Y9 means in PUP cavity I guess the size, also the middle would be the weakest with cavities to rout out,neck pocket.
 
YS = yellow sunburst
7=32 is July match 32 body with 32 neck

body joints are usually stronger than the parent wood, so centre doesn't matter.
 
I was just looking at a JV Squier Strat $2,000 more than double the price of a Tokai I know with I would rather have.
I have two Classic Vibes these are amazing guitars sound as good as anything $300 used, now they have stopped making them they will be the next JV's


http://www.21frets.com/squier_jv/jv_quick_guide.htm
 

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