Rough timeline for ST serial numbering systems:
1977- 1982: Date based serial number system
The Earliest Springys 1977-
1980-1981 Some Tokais models made in Nagano
Tokai In Nagano 1980, 1981
1982- ? Humbucker Telecasters with six digit serial number 10xxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting with 10xxxx
1982-1986: Fender style model based serial number system beginning in February 1982
Fender Style (Flat Top Series) Serial Number System (1982-1986)
Fender Style Serial Numbers Ended When?
Late 1982-1983: Export logo TST-56 & 62 guitars.
The Export, Transitional or "7okai Fat-Script" Logo
TST-56 Gallery
TST-62 Gallery
Late 1982/83: Script logo appears (outside UK?)
3 Piece Script Logo Goldstar Decals 1982/83
Late 1982: Block logos appear in the UK
1982/83 Block Logo Gallery
Mid 1983 Script logo appears in the UK & new Vintage MKI (V) & MKII (VII) pickups appear
1983 Goldstars Script Logo
VII ( Vintage MKII ) ST Single Coil Pickups
1983- Extra Tokai E.T.
"Extra Tokai" ET
Featured in mid year 1983 catalog
1982 - 1983 Springy to Goldstar transition
1983- Super Edition TSD & ASD
Super Edition TSD & ASD Guitars
1984-85 ? Hard Puncher, etc. six digit serial numbers 10xxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting with 10xxxx
1984- Limited Edition TST Models
Limited Edition TST Guitars
1985- Custom Edition Models
"Tokai Custom Edition" Guitars
1985-1986: Some five digit serial numbers (2xxxxx) on lefty Goldstars.
Five Digit Non-Fender Serial Numbers On Tokai Strats
1985-1986: Six digit serial numbers appear starting with 11xxxx for non traditional Strat type guitars in the Limited Edition, Super Edition, and Custom Edition, lines.
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 11xxxx
Early 1986: Fender style serial numbers end.
Fender Style Serial Numbers Ended When?
Early 1986 Six digit serial number starting with 2xxxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers With 2xxxxx 1986 1987 1988
1989: Five digit serial numbers starting with 1xxxx.
Five Digit Serial Numbers 1xxxx 1989 1990 ?
1991-1994 ?: Six digit starting with 01xxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 01xxxx 1991 1992
1994-2009: Big blank spot during Fender production? Low spec Korean models no numbers, Chinese have serial numbers.
Tokai "Made In" & "Crafted In" Fenders
1996-2005 Korean production of most Tokai branded AST models
Korean Stamped Etched Impressed Neck Plate Serial Number Guitars
Early to Mid 2000s: All caps “MADE IN JAPAN” inked on heel of neck, and no serial number.
All Caps MADE IN JAPAN No Serial Number Guitars
2005-2009: Upper and lower case "Made In Japan" inked on heel of neck. No serial number.
Upper And Lower Case "Made In Japan" No Serial Guitars
2005- Chinese AST models
Tokais Made In China
2009- present: date based serial numbers inked on heel of neck similar to Fender.
2009 Goldstars
2009, 2012: Special order Springys commissioned by Faber Germany.
Springy Sound Limited Runs 2009, 2012
1977- 1982: Date based serial number system
The Earliest Springys 1977-
1980-1981 Some Tokais models made in Nagano
Tokai In Nagano 1980, 1981
1982- ? Humbucker Telecasters with six digit serial number 10xxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting with 10xxxx
1982-1986: Fender style model based serial number system beginning in February 1982
Fender Style (Flat Top Series) Serial Number System (1982-1986)
Fender Style Serial Numbers Ended When?
Late 1982-1983: Export logo TST-56 & 62 guitars.
The Export, Transitional or "7okai Fat-Script" Logo
TST-56 Gallery
TST-62 Gallery
Late 1982/83: Script logo appears (outside UK?)
3 Piece Script Logo Goldstar Decals 1982/83
Late 1982: Block logos appear in the UK
1982/83 Block Logo Gallery
Mid 1983 Script logo appears in the UK & new Vintage MKI (V) & MKII (VII) pickups appear
1983 Goldstars Script Logo
VII ( Vintage MKII ) ST Single Coil Pickups
1983- Extra Tokai E.T.
"Extra Tokai" ET
Featured in mid year 1983 catalog
1982 - 1983 Springy to Goldstar transition
1983- Super Edition TSD & ASD
Super Edition TSD & ASD Guitars
1984-85 ? Hard Puncher, etc. six digit serial numbers 10xxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting with 10xxxx
1984- Limited Edition TST Models
Limited Edition TST Guitars
1985- Custom Edition Models
"Tokai Custom Edition" Guitars
1985-1986: Some five digit serial numbers (2xxxxx) on lefty Goldstars.
Five Digit Non-Fender Serial Numbers On Tokai Strats
1985-1986: Six digit serial numbers appear starting with 11xxxx for non traditional Strat type guitars in the Limited Edition, Super Edition, and Custom Edition, lines.
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 11xxxx
Early 1986: Fender style serial numbers end.
Fender Style Serial Numbers Ended When?
Early 1986 Six digit serial number starting with 2xxxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers With 2xxxxx 1986 1987 1988
1989: Five digit serial numbers starting with 1xxxx.
Five Digit Serial Numbers 1xxxx 1989 1990 ?
1991-1994 ?: Six digit starting with 01xxxx
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 01xxxx 1991 1992
1994-2009: Big blank spot during Fender production? Low spec Korean models no numbers, Chinese have serial numbers.
Tokai "Made In" & "Crafted In" Fenders
1996-2005 Korean production of most Tokai branded AST models
Korean Stamped Etched Impressed Neck Plate Serial Number Guitars
Early to Mid 2000s: All caps “MADE IN JAPAN” inked on heel of neck, and no serial number.
All Caps MADE IN JAPAN No Serial Number Guitars
2005-2009: Upper and lower case "Made In Japan" inked on heel of neck. No serial number.
Upper And Lower Case "Made In Japan" No Serial Guitars
2005- Chinese AST models
Tokais Made In China
2009- present: date based serial numbers inked on heel of neck similar to Fender.
2009 Goldstars
2009, 2012: Special order Springys commissioned by Faber Germany.
Springy Sound Limited Runs 2009, 2012
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