Odd (Non CN) No Prefix Serial Numbers, Chinese? 2015, 2016
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simonmcroft
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Alas not. They're just cheap Chinese junk, and I tend to ditch them ASAP.
simonmcroft
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At this point, I'd like to sound a note of caution. I'm happy to help to expand the pool of knowledge about Tokai instruments with serial numbers or specific features that don't seem to 'fit'. What I don't want this to turn into is some kind of witch hunt against Tokais we simply don't know enough about.
As a reference point, I used to own a Korean LP-style Tokai with a blank where the serial number should have been. It wasn't a fake: it was the pre-production unit Tokai took to the NAMM dealers' convention to create all the forward orders for the whole production line that followed. Although I no longer have the guitar or the documentation, I had a full paper trail, and it was totally genuine. Without that provenance, it would have been natural to wonder if the instrument was even a real Tokai. (Actually, it was a brilliant guitar and I was a mug to sell it, handsome profit or not.)
While I've had my doubts about the provenance of my Tokai Jazz Sound, the serial number appears to stack up, so I'm not going to rush to say it's a wrong 'un. It plays really well, looks very well made, and it stands up tonally to my two Fender Jazz Basses. (One has CS pickups and the other was made in the US in 1989. Both great instruments.)
The only reason I've changed the bridge, and am about to upgrade the electrics, is I know that's all it will take to turn this Tokai into a bass that is as useful as the other two.
As a reference point, I used to own a Korean LP-style Tokai with a blank where the serial number should have been. It wasn't a fake: it was the pre-production unit Tokai took to the NAMM dealers' convention to create all the forward orders for the whole production line that followed. Although I no longer have the guitar or the documentation, I had a full paper trail, and it was totally genuine. Without that provenance, it would have been natural to wonder if the instrument was even a real Tokai. (Actually, it was a brilliant guitar and I was a mug to sell it, handsome profit or not.)
While I've had my doubts about the provenance of my Tokai Jazz Sound, the serial number appears to stack up, so I'm not going to rush to say it's a wrong 'un. It plays really well, looks very well made, and it stands up tonally to my two Fender Jazz Basses. (One has CS pickups and the other was made in the US in 1989. Both great instruments.)
The only reason I've changed the bridge, and am about to upgrade the electrics, is I know that's all it will take to turn this Tokai into a bass that is as useful as the other two.
No Korean LS models that I know of had serial numbers.
The only exception I know of had the letter prefix serial numbers, modified headstocks, are called NLS by Active Music who later lost their distributorship for committing fraud, and are likely counterfeit or "bootlegs" as you call them.
Here are a bunch of legit Korean LS models. Note that none have serial numbers.
Love Rocks Made In Korea 1995-1997
Love Rocks Made In Korea 1998-2000
Love Rocks Made In Korea 2000-2005
The only exception I know of had the letter prefix serial numbers, modified headstocks, are called NLS by Active Music who later lost their distributorship for committing fraud, and are likely counterfeit or "bootlegs" as you call them.
Here are a bunch of legit Korean LS models. Note that none have serial numbers.
Love Rocks Made In Korea 1995-1997
Love Rocks Made In Korea 1998-2000
Love Rocks Made In Korea 2000-2005
And the Chinese guitars are fine. They were never expensive guitars, but offer a lot of bang for not much money.
With Korean and Chinese guitars you get less expensive woods, pickups, pots, switches, finish, hardware, etc. Most people switch out the pickups and electronics eventually.
And Korean and Chinese guitars typically sold for less than 60,000 yen. That’s $400 at the current exchange rate.
With Korean and Chinese guitars you get less expensive woods, pickups, pots, switches, finish, hardware, etc. Most people switch out the pickups and electronics eventually.
And Korean and Chinese guitars typically sold for less than 60,000 yen. That’s $400 at the current exchange rate.
Here is one that does not appear to have any serial number at all and has the blue dot SImon mentioned.
https://www.bax-shop.es/bajos-para-diestros/tokai-ajb-44-yellow-sunburst-bajo-electrico
https://www.bax-shop.es/bajos-para-diestros/tokai-ajb-44-yellow-sunburst-bajo-electrico
Features
Product characteristics
- Number of frets 20
- Number of strings 4
- Active tone control no
- Settings pills SS
- Type of pill single coil (passive)
- Union mast bolt on (ruckled)
- Type fingerboard Palisandro
- It includes case no
- Includes case no
- Color burst
- Country of origin/manufacturing China
- Left-handed no
- Material body alder
- Model under J
- Scale long scale
- String-thru-body yes.
- Type body solid
Weight and dimensions include the package
- Weight (including package) 7.2 kg
- Dimensions (including package) 58,0 x 35,0 x 13,0 cm
Product characteristics
- electric bass guitar
- series: Traditional
- colour: Yellow Sunburst
- body: alder
- neck: maple, bolt-on
- Fretboard: rosewood with white position markers
- fretboard radius: 9.5 inches
- string nut: 41.3 inches, synthetic bone
- number of frets: 20
- scale length: 34 inches (864 mm)
- Bridge: vintage style with 4 adjustable saddles
- Tuners: Standard Open Gear
- hardware: chrome
- pickup: Tokai Single Coil JBC-F X2
- electronics: 2x volume, 1x tone
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Possibly related TM and TW serial numbers?
The Legacy ones are known to be unauthorized guitars and cost Jade Music their distributorship for Tokai in Australia.
TM Serial Numbers, Chinese? 2016
TW Serial Numbers, Chinese? 2018
The Legacy ones are known to be unauthorized guitars and cost Jade Music their distributorship for Tokai in Australia.
TM Serial Numbers, Chinese? 2016
TW Serial Numbers, Chinese? 2018
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