Tokai Futura Headstock Explorers Made In Korea

[Sigmania]

Just collecting these.

No idea if they are legit/authorized.

Serial numbers have the letter prefix. Letter + 7 digits.

Letter Prefix Serial Number Korean

Examples found:

SN A0903467
SN J2902253
SN J2902254
SN J3102199

 

[Sigmania]

Made in Korea serial number with a J prefix.

SN J3102199

Tokai 58 explorer 2000s Natural korina | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

This one is missing part of the serial number at the beginning.

Possibly SN J2902253 ?

Serial Tokai Explorer 081747

 

[Sigmania]

One digit away??

Another one from 2009, but the pictures are gone.

SN J2902254 - Made In Korea

Help with a Tokai Explorer copy

 

[Sigmania]

Another one from 2005... So they are pre-2005.

Tokai Explorer/Futera on eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Here is the one with the partially missing serial number again.

Possibly SN J2902253 ?

90’s Tokai ‘58 Explorer style with Futura Split Headstock | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

SN A0903467

1990s Tokai '58 Korina Explorer Rare Reissue Futura Split Headstock & Original Hard Case! Global S&H | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

 

[Dave Robertson]

Here is the one with the partially missing serial number again.

Possibly SN J2902253 ?

90’s Tokai ‘58 Explorer style with Futura Split Headstock | Reverb

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Here is the one with the partially missing serial number again.

Possibly SN J2902253 ?

90’s Tokai ‘58 Explorer style with Futura Split Headstock | Reverb

View attachment 18824
View attachment 18825
View attachment 18827
View attachment 18828

Here is the one with the partially missing serial number again.

Possibly SN J2902253 ?

90’s Tokai ‘58 Explorer style with Futura Split Headstock | Reverb

View attachment 18824
View attachment 18825
View attachment 18827
View attachment 18828
View attachment 18829
View attachment 18831

View attachment 18829
View attachment 18831

Yes… this is the one I just purchased on Reverb and it does seem that the other one you posted was only one digit away from mine. Ending in 54 and mine in 53 with everything else the same. I would venture to guess that my obscured letter and digit that are missing is the J2 in front of the rest of the number.

Now… if that’s true… what does all that mean? J2902253
Since the other one found was J2902254.

 

[Sigmania]

I don't know other than they were made consecutively.

Nobody has deciphered these serial numbers.

And I still don't know if these are legit Korean made Tokais or are unauthorized builds.

There has always been a lot of confusion around Tokai production in Korea. And that is mostly because the folks at Tokai made it that way.

Korean builds were basically lower cost, budget models even though these are obviously well made guitars but they have maple necks to cut costs in production. Maybe even have scarf joints to reduce wood waste. And they were never promoted in the same way that their Japanese models were.

 

[Dave Robertson]

I’m not really impressed with the humbuckers on it so I’m replacing them and upgrading the wiring harness and the tuners. I wasn’t sure how it would sound, but they turned out very muddy and dark. Not much clarity. But I bought it anyway knowing that might be the case and but really wanting the body style. It is well made. Outside of some dings here and there it is as solid and well built as any of the Tokai guitars I have. Fit and finish are top notch.
It’s a keeper. With that body style being rare, I’m glad to have it.

 

[Sigmania]

Yep. They tried to keep the costs down with the electronics, hardware and wood selection.