Tokai Humbucker Models & Resistance

[Sigmania]

1978 LS60

"X" marked pickups.

https://reverb.com/item/1208842-tok...urst-ls-60-mij-cij-with-hardcase-all-original

 

[Sigmania]

It is looking like there were two pickups in MIJ guitars concurrently by the mid 2000s.

The Keiyo with the steel braided cables, and a Gotoh made pickup (MK2 or 3) with green and yellow plastic wires.

Do you know if my pickups measure around 7.5 neck and 11.5 bridge, no marking on the back, braided wires, means that they are Keiyo?
I really like their sound too, bright, tight, precise and powerful on my LS.
I olso own the gotoh ones, with green and yellow wires: LP-A (8,5k) and LP-F (11,5k) have the same dc impedance on neck and on bridge.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13535&start=15

 

[Sigmania]

Keiyo type MK2 links:

In 2006 Love Rocks.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13535

In 2005 ES120.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6865

 

[Sigmania]

Keiyo Vs. Gotoh.

....the metal braided Keyio are (were) in higher end models than the Gotoh green and yellow wires

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=19383

BTW, there is some variation on mk2 pickups. This is bit confusing to me.

I think there is at least two kind of sets made by Keiyo, which are much hotter than Gotoh made mk2s on some premium series models.

Can't say that I am big fan of any of those mk2s but I definitely prefer Gotoh ones (neck about 7ohms and bridge 8ohms vs Keyio's 8/12+ ohms).

Put old Ibanez super70 pickups on my LC95 and it sounded MUCH better to me.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=130779

 

[Sigmania]

Hi guys,

the other thing to take into account are the bobbins.
eg.
Goto Mk2 78-80 LS-50+60 = double cream stamp on plate
Goto PAF 78-80 LS-80 = zebra+cover stamp on plate
DiMz PAF 78-80 LS-100-150 = dbl cream engraved plate

Tokai Mk2 81-83 LS-50+60 = double cream transfer on plate
Tokai PAF 81-83 LS-80 = zebra+cover transfer on plate
DiMz PAF 81-83 LS-100-150 = dbl cream engraved plate

Tokai Mk2 84-85 LS-50 = double cream transfer on plate
Tokai Mk2 84-85 LS-60 = zebra transfer on plate
Tokai PAF 84-85 LS-80 = dbl black+cover transfer on plate
DiMz PAF 84-85 LS-100-150 = dbl cream engraved plate

Zebra refers to 1 black 'screw' bobbin and one cream 'bung' bobbin. If the screws are in the cream bobbin, this is reverse zebra....or dbl cream.

Interestingly, Larry DiMazzio waited 20 years for the Gibson PAF patent to end before copyrighting the "Double Cream" configuration.

Even more interesting, when Gibsons' humbucker was given it's patent number in 1961 , it was a different number used on the "Patent Number" transfer on the bottom of the plate.

regards
Peter Mac

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=21006

 

[Sigmania]

Part II: Tokai PAF-Vintage MK2

These seem to be the ones made by Keiyo that are installed in all new MIJ Tokai humbucker guitars according to the 2005 catalog except for the few top models like the LS380 with JM Rolph PAFs and the new LS75 and LS80 which still have the MK3 version.

I already tested them in the new Love Rock II SEB which had similar specs as the current set (11.3 kOhm bridge, 7.5 kOhm neck pickup).

I don't know what kind of magnets they have, but from the output I would guess it's a little bit weaker than the previously tested Super Distortion clone, i.e. I didn't have to lower its height as much to balance it with the P-94 in the neck position.

Nevertheless this is still a rather high output pickup, but not in the same league as the Seymour Duncan Invader etc., more on the "Hot PAF" side, so naming them PAF-Vintage is stretching this label a bit in my opinion….

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=20880#20880

 

[Sigmania]

Wondering if these are MK4s?

Reverb listing doesn't say much about the guitar it came from other than it was a Tokai.

Up for sale is a used set of Tokai Love Rock Humbucker Pickups. These will fit Greco, Burny Ibanez, Epiphone and any other Les Paul Style guitars. Both have the chrome covers with creme surround rings. You get 1 Neck and 1 Bridge Pickup, 2 Cream Rings, 3 height screws & 4 springs. Please note that one height screw is missing. Both Pick ups were pulled form a Tokai Love Rock Guitar both pickups have 6-8 inches of 2 lead wire and are not coil tapable. 8.51Ohm neck & 14.23 bridge. There are not in mint condition and do show minor wear. I

https://reverb.com/item/2310953-tok...hare&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=2310953

Dates to 2003 or later evidently.

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1), short for Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restriction_of_Hazardous_Substances_Directive

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI 57 PAF

I believe this covered version was used on LS60&80 in 1983/84.

"These pickups were in an old early 80's Tokai I owned. From what I understand, these pickups were standard issue in Tokai's built during the early 80's. If you're trying to restore an old Tokai from that time period this is a great choice. The covers look chrome to me & have never been off. The bobbins under the screws look like they are cream. So possibly double whites or maybe zebra bobbins.

Bridge Pickup - 8.28k - 9" lead length Neck Pickup - 8.26k - 14.25" lead length."

https://reverb.com/item/60992530-to...are&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=60992530

 

[Sigmania]

Pickup test by hans-j?rgen

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4630

 

[Sigmania]

1980 LS50.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=10424

 

[Puck Luck]

Awesome info!

 

[Sigmania]

1980 LS60 Reborn Old with "D" stamped gotos.

Called "LS B Type" in 1980, and "LS Hot" by 1981 in the catalog.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265470756989

 

[Sigmania]

Awesome info!

Thanks. It’s a tangled mess.

I started separate threads on a few of the models including the LS Dynamic. I used your pickups in there.

Please add any more info that you have.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26711

 

[Puck Luck]

Awesome man. Unfortunately those are the only two tokais I have...for now..... 8)

 

[hans-j?rgen]

Pickup test by hans-j?rgen

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4630

Nice Halloween surprise! :wink: Sorry that the links to the sound and image files in that and other threads by me do not work anymore, that free webspace provider does not exist anymore. But I think I still have the MP3 files somewhere if someone is interested.

 

[Sigmania]

Great to hear from you hans. Hope you’re doing well. I would welcome any information that you have to share on the different kinds of humbuckers that Tokai used. There are lots of gray areas in there for me. Much appreciated!

 

[Sigmania]

Pulled these out of my reborn Tokai les Paul standard. Great pickups with creme bobbins. Great for a project guitar or any guitar that needs a pickup upgrade


https://reverb.com/item/1740225-tokai-mk2-exposed-tokai-paf

 

[Sigmania]

2002 Gotoh marked with red & white label.

Guitar looks like possibly LS70F?

LP-HF
LP-HR

https://mmguitarbar.com/products/20...me-top-electric-guitar-ice-tea-sunburst-japan

 

[Sigmania]

MKII

Black & gray wires.Can't see if embossed.
Cast brass plate.

https://reverb.com/item/59302132-hu...FtMt0PehLkDiCrFfF3YUIC45JXdNqrchoCP9sQAvD_BwE

 

[Sigmania]

DiMarzio Super Distortion & PAF in a 1983 LS100

It features a pair of USA-made DiMarzio pickups, with a PAF in the neck position which meters at 7.7k ohms, while the bridge pickup has been substituted for a DiMarzio Super Distortion that meters at 13.6k ohms. The PAF neck pickup is sensitive to pick attack, with a sweet treble character and tight lows. The more tailored midrange of the PAF ensures a high degree of note clarity too. The Super Distortion bridge pickup is overwound and powerful, offering ample midrange and growl. As the name suggests, it also handles distortion exceedingly well; opening up with plenty of rich, creamy breakup.

https://mmguitarbar.com/products/19...t-w-usa-dimarzios-case?variant=43218764202240