Just plotting the general trend of the most expensive Tokai STs offered over time (ST, TST, AST).
There is a marked drop off in the late 80s into the 90s then a huge void where I believe production shifted to making Fenders.
In 2009 we start seeing Tokai STs again that are definitely made in Japan, and the price goes back up accordingly, although these are not apples and apples due to inflation.
As an illustration, 100,000 yen in 1978 equates to 157,318 yen in 2021.
So an ST100 in 1978 cost roughly what the AST165 SEB cost in 2019.
From 1987-2012 I did not see any Sts in catalogs that were priced over 100,000 yen.
And during Korean production 1994-2005, STs are essentially 33,000 yen.
There is a marked drop off in the late 80s into the 90s then a huge void where I believe production shifted to making Fenders.
In 2009 we start seeing Tokai STs again that are definitely made in Japan, and the price goes back up accordingly, although these are not apples and apples due to inflation.
As an illustration, 100,000 yen in 1978 equates to 157,318 yen in 2021.
So an ST100 in 1978 cost roughly what the AST165 SEB cost in 2019.
From 1987-2012 I did not see any Sts in catalogs that were priced over 100,000 yen.
And during Korean production 1994-2005, STs are essentially 33,000 yen.
Last edited: