The "Real" worth of vintage Tokai Guitars

[Kitarist]

So i was always curious how much would a new Tokai cost in our present year that was bought for example in 1979.

Here is how you can do this yourself too:

Example:

Tokai Springy Sound 1979: 80000 Yen New

Just use this history exchange rate tool:

http://fxtop.com/en/historates.php?A=80000&C1=JPY&C2=USD&YA=1&DD1=31&MM1=07&YYYY1=2012&B=1&P=&I=1&DD2=31&MM2=07&YYYY2=1979&btnOK=Go!

So the average was about lets just say 350USD

Now lets use the inflation calculator to calculate the actualy real worth of this guitar:

http://www.usinflationcalculator.com/

So it comes out at around 1100USD.

So a new guitar would cost me 1100USD if i would buy it today.

So it seems used prices for these guitars are fair enough

 

[marcusnieman]

That's interesting but "a perfect world" scenario that doesn't take current economic trends into consideration. A guitar is only worth what someone will pay for it and what you are willing to take. The last two Springy's I sold (ST60 and 80) both went in the $600 - $750 range - no way in today's world I'd have gotten $1100 for my ST80 - maybe a few years ago if I was lucky.

 

[iainblack]

I can get a TST 50 with tweed case delivered for 699.99 UK pounds. Not sure if the spec is 100% the same as a vintage ST50 but it looks really good:

http://www.tokai-guitars.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=126&category_id=18&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31

 

[iainblack]

50,000 yen today is 407 UK pounds - maybe an enquiry to the Tokai factory direct might be in order? Or is that a historical TST50

 

[iainblack]

maybe I'll attach a smaller photo to my signature! ;->

 

[iainblack]

there we go....

 

[iainblack]

there we go....

 

[iainblack]

not much smaller eh

 

[dombat]

I've just purchased this '84 ST50
Seems a good deal?
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190702686033&autorefresh=true#ht_500wt_1413

 

[iainblack]

Looks in good nick. The nut has been changed to a black (graphite / plastice one?)

 

[dombat]

I hope that it's not a plastic one
The saddles have been changed, the pickups too
But she's exactly what I was looking for, model, neck and gorgeous 2 tones sunburst

 

[iainblack]

Let us know how you get on. more photos please

 

[Vignale]

I think you won't be dissapointed Dom ;-)
This one came with these saddles and pickups: see post
Goldstar bridge/saddles question

 

[luis]

I really like "vintage", LS-80 neck profile specially. I haven?t found that kind of profile in any Love Rock. Thay are really good guitars and have that warm Les Paul sound I am after.