Can someone tell me more about this guitar??

[DaveH78]

Hi

I was left this guitar when an uncle passed away but i know nothing about them or how to play. Can someone tell me about this guitar, how much its worth and where i could sell such a guitar please?

Its a Tokai super edition in tortoise shell with seymour duncan pick-ups and has a number on the back that is L26829.
Ive got pics to add but dont know how!!

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks[/img]

 

[jacco]

To add pics; upload them on Photobucket, copy the IMG code and paste them here in your post.

The serial number indicates a last quarter 1985 made model.
I'm not a strat type expert but if you want some comments for the ones that are, you need to post the pics..

 

[DaveH78]

Thanks for your help.

Here are the pics..
http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/DaveH1978/?action=view&current=DSCN0079.jpg
http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/DaveH1978/?action=view&current=DSCN0078.jpg
http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/DaveH1978/?action=view&current=DSCN0076.jpg
http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/DaveH1978/?action=view&current=DSCN0074.jpg
http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/DaveH1978/?action=view&current=DSCN0172.jpg

 

[jacco]

Hmm, sorry can't find that specific model in the catalogs..

 

[settebello]

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=17684&sid=59003da09bad498130eb1471b361850c
Earlier ones are VS80 Springy Sounds and are a bit different from that
Super Edition.
http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12408&sid=b8c49e1b5219c0513c62cc76ce37055f


Volker

 

[jacco]

The only model I've found that has similar wood specs is the ATE60TM from the 1985/1986 catalog, but that's a tele:
-selected tortoise maho top
-alder back
-1P hard rock maple neck.
In 1986 catalog there's models that look like yours but don't have the same knob configuration.

 

[settebello]

German Tokai Oldies catalog page 9 Heavy Metal Guitars middle row - VS80.
:wink:

Volker

 

[jacco]

Which year Volker?

 

[settebello]

Its inbetween the '85 and the '85-86 catalog in the registry.

Volker

 

[lifeline]

Jacco, re the Serial No whilst I agree it is 1985 could you explain how you know it's the last quarter of 85 please.

 

[jacco]

Its inbetween the '85 and the '85-86 catalog in the registry.

Volker

I think that's a 1982 catalog Volker

 

[jacco]

Jacco, re the Serial No whilst I agree it is 1985 could you explain how you know it's the last quarter of 85 please.

1985 L5digit serial range is from L17001 to L3000

 

[lifeline]

1985 L5digit serial range is from L17001 to L30000

Jacco, where has that information come from ???
I have several L serial No Goldstars & Super Editions, L22746 despatched April 84 purchased August 1984 See my post http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=17817&highlight=

 

[jacco]

Hmmm, old info I thought gathered by Peter Mac but it seems it's incorrect! It still features on the Tokaiguitar.de website:
http://www.tokaiguitar.de/content_images/SN1.jpg

I'm doing a production number count (mainly for vintage LS models) but it seems now that the STs need some attention too.
Any more info?

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=18721&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75

 

[CW]

Hi -

Looks very similar to mine:

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9995&highlight=super+edition


CW

 

[settebello]

I think that's a 1982 catalog Volker

I dont know,its maybe one of those VS80 Springy Sounds.

Volker

 

[CW]

Hi, Dave -

As no one else has answered any of your more specific questions...

Firstly, the head looks different to mine and the other similar guitars that I've seen. It's possible, therefore, that the neck has been changed at some point. Or it could be that Tokai just put a different neck on yours. And it looks like you've got one of the pickup covers missing.

So, what is it worth? It's really difficult to tell. Mine is an EXCELLENT guitar. On quality alone it should be worth a lot. Someone with one exactly the same as mine was advised by a music shop not to sell it for under ?950.

It's also very rare. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to make them collectible and, in some ways, may even make them less attractive to buyers. People don't know them so they don't know what they're getting so they're less likely to take a punt. Particularly if there are bits missing or doubts about it being completely original.

You could try selling it on ebay, but I'd say that you're likely to get much less than its true worth. Maybe ?200 or so. Depends really on who sees it. To get the right price for it, you'd probably need to put it into the hands of a guitarist who would appreciate it, but I'm not sure how you'd do that.


Probably not very encouraging, I'm afraid...


All the best,

CW

 

[DaveH78]

Sorry for the late reply guys, had a whole lot goin on recently.

However, i did take some pictures of the guitar in to a small guitar shop i stumbled across while out and about for work.
The guy was very friendly and done some research for me over a couple of days and he tells me the guitar is worth around ?1000 as it is now with non original pick ups and no tremalo arm and case and being dusty etc.
He also told me if i sourced some parts to get it back to as original as possible, got it serviced and cleaned off a friend of his, pack it away in flight case for 10-15 year it could be worth around 15-20k!!!! is this realistic? I not desperate for the 1k now so could put it away to posilby hand down to my kids for their future but if its never gonna be worth more than it is now theres really no point.
Thanks for your replys in advance

 

[CW]

I'd be VERY interested to know how he comes up with the 15-20k figure. Has be been time travelling?

Seriously, I don't know how anyone would be able to predict what something would be worth in the future. There are so many variables.


All the best,

CW