2008 Custom Shop Koa LS

[Sigmania]

Gathering examples of these, but so far I have only found photos of one.

SN 0817404 owned by:
Hisashi0731 (2008) Japan
Wallyguitar - mylespaul forum (2008) Dallas, Tx.
f5joe - Tokai Forum (2009) Knoxville, Tn.
eBay seller (2009)
Axchisler (2009) Chicago, Il.

I have seen posts about one in the US and another one that Gottfried had for sale. All from around the same time.

So it seems there were at least 3 of these made.

Specs:
Top: Two piece Koa AAA
Body: One piece mahogany
Neck: One piece mahogany, long tenon
Fingerboard: Rosewood w/ aged inlays
Tuners: Gotoh Vintage style
Pickups: Vintage MK2
Bridge: TOM style w/ Aluminum tailpiece
Capacitor: Sprague Orange Drop
Pots: CTS
Switch: Switchcraft
Finish: Lacquer

 

[Sigmania]

SN 0817404

August 2009 post by f5joe.

FS: 2008 Tokai Custom Order Koa Love Rock

For Sale is my 2008 Tokai AAA Koa topped Love Rock.
They are constructed with specs equivalent to the high-end LS-230 Love Rocks as told by the dealer (approx. $2300 USD list).

Here are the basic specs:

Made in Japan 2008
Two piece AAA Koa solid top
Solid one piece mahogany back
Solid one piece mahogany neck
Rosewood fingerboard w/ aged inlays
Vintage MK2 pickups - Currently has WCR Icebuckers Zebra bobbins as shown (these are $385/set new)
Gotoh Vintage style tuners
TOM style bridge w/ Aluminum tailpiece
Nitrocellulous lacquer finish
Standard Les Paul style controls/CTS pots/Switchcraft switch
Sprague Orange Drop caps

 

[Sigmania]

SN 0817404

Sept 2009 post by Axchisler.

2008 Tokai Love Rock Les Paul - Custom Shop Koa Top

 

[Sigmania]

Axchisler post November 2009.

https://www.tokaiforum.com/threads/is-this-a-real-japanese-84.15042/

 

[Sigmania]

November 2009 post by Axchisler.

https://www.tokaiforum.com/threads/tokai-ls90q-hdc-payment-sent-now-the-waiting-game-begins.15013/

 

[Sigmania]

Post from December 2008 on the mylespaul forum.

Original owner? Wallyguitar.

Koa Tokai Love Rock arrived today

This is my new Tokai LS-230 Love Rock custom ordered with a Koa top. It arrived today from Japan. I need to give a shout out to Hisashi0731 for a smoothe transaction. This is the second guitar I've bought from Hisashi and both experiences have been great. He always carries killer Japanese made LP style guitars. I've been through dozens of Gibson LP's over the last 15 years including 7 Historics in the last 7 years. I still have a Killer R8. In the last few years I've been really fascinated by high end Japanese made LP's. This is my third Tokai. I must say that the attention to detail and workmanship on the Tokai's I've owned has been very impressive. This new one I just received is no exception. The new Koa Tokai is killer in every way. Not a flaw to be found. Amazing workmanship. Long tenon, nitro, solid Koa top (no veneer). The fretwork is amazing and the setup was perfect right out of the box. Very impressive for the money I spent. The Japanese craftsman really take pride in their work and it shows. One of the details I noticed was they even radiused the notches in the bridge saddles....nice touch....even Gibson doesnt do that. Perfectly cut bone nut. Stays in tune well and the intonation is spot on. I threw on a fresh set of 10's today and let her rip for a few hours. I'm very happy with this purchase. Here's some pics from the seller...I havent taken any of my own yet....been to busy playing it!

 

[Sigmania]

December 21, 2008 Wallyguitar on the mylespaul forum.

"Today I installed some zebra WCR's and took some new pics. It plays and sounds like a good LP should. The WCR's sound killer in this guitar."

Koa Tokai Love Rock arrived today

 

[Sigmania]

Photos shared by Gottfried at Tokai Germany.