"HummingBird Custom" Labeled Guitars

[Sigmania]

Gathering examples of the "Humming Bird Custom" line.

The first ones were made in 1973, possibly slightly earlier?


730710 (F-150)
731229 (W-250)
7404x0 (F-200)
7405011 (F-150)
7907009 (W-200)

209015 (W-300)
30315 (W-250)
912094 (W-200)

49 5 24 (F-200) May 24, 1974
49 9. 02 (W-200) Sept. 2, 1974
49 9. 10 (W-250) Sept. 10, 1974






(1974 ad)

 

[Sigmania]

1973 catalog

Tokai Guitar Registry - Tokai Info: Guitar Specs, Catalogs, Magazine Reviews & Ads

 

[Sigmania]

W 300

1975 Tokai Custom Hummingbird- W-300 - Acoustic Guitar | Reverb

1975 Tokai - Hummingbird Custom W-300 with Hard Case. In great condition. Free Shipping
The HummingBird series was manufactured by Tokai Gakki in 1970-1974. This series of Tokai is a Predecessor of their more familiar Cat's Eye series, and this W-300 is the top line of that Tokai series.
Most acoustic guitar players around the world know that since late 1960s Japanese makers were creating wonderful copies of Martin, Gibson and Guild guitars. Many experienced players know that many of these copies sound better than the originals.
Brian May had his Tokai Hummingbird Custom since the Queens Sheer Heart Attack Tour 1974 in Japan and also on recordings in a Night At The Opera album 1975.
These HBs are made based on famous blueprints and enhanced by Japanese ingenuity and the highest level of craftsmanship, these guitars are very popular and recognized by the majority of international players.
The introduction of the Cats Eyes series coincided with the discontinuation of "Hummingbird Custom" guitars made by Tokai since early 1970s.
The Hummingbird Custom were the higher end model within the series and the W-300 is the top line of the series.
This guitar was made in 1975. Hummingbird guitars made through 1974 had a simpler and less ornamental logo. This one they went all out. Lots of detail in the build and the sound is amazing.
It offers great volume, combined with cool and sparkly tonality, especially suitable for rock, blues and/or other similar styles, not so much for slow lyrical pieces. With its current action plays super easy. The overall condition of this guitar can be described as excellent for its age. The condition of the fingerboard and frets suggests that this guitar hasnt been played a lot. It certainly can be played for many years to come.
Top: Solid Spruce

• X bracing with non scalloped braces /lacquer.
• Back & Sides: Indian rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany with 2-way truss rod.
• Nib covers along each side
• The action is set to 2.20 mm under E6 and 1.80 mm under E1, with still extra room on the saddle

 

[Sigmania]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184454678403

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI HummingBird custom ～ Cat's Eyes L.R.Ba... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI hummingbird custom fw-150 1973

 

[Sigmania]

Showa date: 49.9.10

September 10, 1974

Tokai Hummingbird Custom W-250 Acoustic Guitar Vintage Natural with Hard Case | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

F-200

May 24,1974

49 5 24 showa

ギター Tokai HummingBird CUSTOM F-200 - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

W200

SN 7907009

1979 ???

no TRC

12114547 Humming Bird CUSTOM ハミングバードカ... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

F-150

SN 730710

11-102 HUMMINGBIRD CUSTOM M F-150 直接引取り可 - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

1974 F-200

SN 7404X0

Tokai Humming Bird Custom F-200 Acoustic Safe delivery from Japan | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Brian May has had his Tokai HummingBird Custom since the Queens Sheer Heart Attack Tour in Japan in 1974 and also on A Night At The The Opera album 1975.

http://www.brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/pix/CIMG3003BriHubirdguitar690.jpg



___


Brian May on his favorite acoustic guitar - Tokai HummingBird

Brian May’s Red Special - The Book Launch

@34:04 "...HummingBird which I bought in Japan many years ago."

"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/184454678403


https://www.ebay.com/itm/184454678403

 

[Sigmania]

W-500

Tokai Hummingbird Custom W-500 1970's Natural Vintage Made in Japan MIJ w/ OHSC | Reverb

Make: Tokai
Model: Hummingbird Custom W-500
Year: 1970's
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Scale length: 25"
Weight: 4 pounds, 9oz
Nut Width: 1.73"
Neck Width at 12th fret: 2.12"
Neck Thickness at 1st fret: 0.85"
Neck Thickness at 9th fret: 0.96"
Case/bag: Includes the pictured OHSC
Made in Japan

 

[Sigmania]

circa 1970s Tokai Hummingbird Custom W-300 MIJ | Reverb

Very Good condition, 7/10, Made in Japan by Tokai Gakki Co Ltd in Hamamatsu, refinished back of headstock, replaced tuners with open holes. Scale length: 645 mm / 25". Nut width: 44,5 mm.

 

[Sigmania]

https://www.carousell.com.my/p/vint...bird-custom-w-200-acoustic-guitar-1120525470/

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai Humming Bird Custom F150 OOO size 1974 Natural | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

1974 ad ?

Humming Bird
SNOW FLAKES Finish HAND MADE

The CF Martin Company was founded in 1833 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. A century later, in 1933, the D 28 model, which could be called the origin of C&W, was completed for the first time, and by 1945 its position mark was in the shape of a snowflake called SNOW FLAKES.

Currently, it is said to be a fantastic masterpiece and is coveted by artists around the world, but it is extremely difficult to obtain. CF Martin and Tokai Gakki Manufacturing entered into a technical partnership in 1972, and after two years of training, 15 staff members recreated the Humming Bird Snow Flakes model completely by hand.

●To request a catalog, please enclose 50 yen and send to the address below.

Publisher: Fukuhara Musical Instruments Co., Ltd. 2-4-1 Honmachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151 03(376)0211




http://www.oldguitar.jp/book/sinkou/YG/yg74_08-05.jpg

 

[Sigmania]

You may notice the focus on the position markers in the Snow Flakes ad posted above.

Tokai would later name the Cat's Eyes line after the cat's eyes 12th fret position marker shape.

Origin of the Cat’s Eyes Name

 

[Sigmania]

As I was just saying..

CAT'S EYES
Reproduction of MARTIN GUITAR manufactured in 1900​

What is SNOW FLAKES?
The position mark is so named because it is the most delicate and graceful thing ever used on the world's famous guitars and is shaped like a ``snowflake.'' And this one was from C.F. Martin.

What is CAT'S EYES?
This is also a position mark, and was always used along with snow flakes.As the name suggests, it is a position mark that is reminiscent of the unique feline eyes of the feline family. It was given a name.



What is Humming Bird?
The C. F. Martin Company was founded in 1833 in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. A century later, in 1933, the D-28 model, which could be called the origin of the guitar, was completed. From then until 1945, the position mark was a snow flake. It was. Nowadays, this model is difficult to obtain, and is said to be a fantastic masterpiece, and is the object of admiration by artists around the world. After completing several years of technical training, we and C.F. Martin Co., Ltd. developed and produced the Hummingbird through a technical partnership. Both the design and tone reproduce the goodness of these historical masterpieces, using only the highest quality veneer, and employing a top plate design that produces beautiful tone and volume as you play. I am. Please try to get your hands on something really good. We deliver international products that are handmade with great care.




Humming Bird
CE-1000 ¥100,000
CE-1500 ¥150,000
CE-2000 ¥200,000
Other 10 types of devices
Inter agency C. F. MARTIN, GRETSCH, VEGA, AMPEG,

●To request a catalog, please enclose 50 yen and send it to the address below.

Manufacture and sale Tokai Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 36 Terawakicho, Hamamatsu City 0534-41-3137 Tokyo Office/Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 4-24-12 03-402-8919, 402-0309 Kyushu Office/1-16-9 Shimizu, Minami-ku, Fukuoka City 092-511-6263




http://www.oldguitar.jp/book/sinkou/YG/yg75_02-06.jpg

 

[Sigmania]

Looks like an E series guitar labelede as a Hummngbird Custom.

"E Series" Acoustics




https://jp.mercari.com/item/m65354395282