Tokai SG of Unknown Model

[8bit Barry]

I bought a Tokai SG yesterday. Seller didn’t know the model, Made in Japan, 2007.

It’s got a fabulous vintage C neck, one piece body, Gotoh pickups, F and R stickers on them.

I thought it was an SG 75 from the catalogue entry for that year, then inside the case I find a neck sales ticket that says ‘SG175 now known as SG212’, which must of been from a dealer.

With my other Tokai Reborn’s it has a stamp with the model number on the neck. I can’t find anything obvious.

Is the model number marked anywhere on the body / cavity? How can I work it out?

 

[Sigmania]

HNGD!

The model numbers changed between 2007 and 2009.

2007 catalog



2009 catalog

 

[Sigmania]

And the fret board stamps with model numbers ended in 1980 as I recall.

Check the neck pickup cavity. May be in there.

 

[8bit Barry]

Many thanks - it’s weirdly got one CTS pot, the other ones don’t seem to be the same make.
I’ll check the neck cavity and report back.

I wonder if it’s an SG-155 then?

 

[Sigmania]

I noticed the specs only mention the volume pots as CTS. Does the solder look like it is original on the others?

And with the model number, I pay more attention to specs than model number.

Sounds like yours has a one piece Honduran mahogany body and lacquer finish which is awesome.

 

[8bit Barry]

I noticed the specs only mention the volume pots as CTS. Does the solder look like it is original on the others?

And with the model number, I pay more attention to specs than model number.

Sounds like yours has a one piece Honduran mahogany body and lacquer finish which is awesome.

I will check. I’ll change strings and take some pics of the pickups / cavity and controls. It’s sounds really loud acoustically and has such a superb neck.

I’ll be stoked if it’s a premium series guitar.

I have the P90 version of this bought in 2004, a USG-P90 and it’s got a D-shape, which is also very enjoyable, but this is really class. Feels very vintage.

 

[Sigmania]

Here is the other possibly MIJ SG in 2007, the SG75. The rest of these are Chinese I believe (50,000 yen and under).

I just noticed it is also a one piece body.

 

[Sigmania]

By 2009 the SG75 is called an SG85 and has a two piece body.

 

[8bit Barry]

It’s so hard to tell if it’s one or two piece, I’ve been studying it for a while this evening and I’m still not sure!

 

[8bit Barry]

The back has no definite split, but if I study the lacquer.


Nothing in the cavity…


I don’t understand these two screws, the lacquer seems to suggest a different tail piece has been fitted at some point as it’s made a square impression.






Treble pot is CTS branded, the others are not


Is it supposed to have a higher pick-up ring on the bridge pick-up?

I’ve restrung it with 10’s and it’s SO much better playing than the 9’s that were on it.

 

[Sigmania]

Hmmmm. Those pickups are some that I hadn’t figured out. I can’t say for sure if those are original MK2 pickups.

Check out this thread:

Tokai Humbucker Models & Resistance

And get a very bright light like a headlamp to search for a seam.

 

[Sigmania]

And I guess we just skipped over the part about the head stock.

Can you post a picture with the serial number and the "Made In Japan" stamp?

 

[Sigmania]

I think I am seeing a center seam...

 

[Sigmania]

SG75 seems to have MK3 pickups. Hard to tell because the catalog scan I have is blurry.

The pickups you have I think may be the MK3 pickups.

 

[Sigmania]

This guitar is supposedly a 2006 SG75 and looks to me like it has a 2 piece body.

FS: 2006 Tokai SG-75

 

[Sigmania]

Here is a review of the SG75 and it says 2 piece body as well.

Review: Tokai SG-75

 

[Sigmania]

That note in the case screwed me up and sent me on a wild goose chase. I had originally thought it was a hang tag and so I made assumptions.

It is seeming like it is probably an SG75 as you originally thought.

 

[8bit Barry]

I think I am seeing a center seam...

View attachment 30650

You’re right - after careful examination today I can see a very subtle lacquer line - it a two piece but the blend is so good, it looks like one piece

 

[8bit Barry]

 

[8bit Barry]

And I guess we just skipped over the part about the head stock.

Can you post a picture with the serial number and the "Made In Japan" stamp?

Please see above.