Here is an auction I found for an AST-56 that was apparently given to SRV as part of an endorsement deal in 1985.
Based on the documentation in the auction, SRV was given two "lawsuit" guitars by Tony Dukes of IMC in Texas in 1984. IMC also distributed Tokai guitars. One of the "lawsuit" guitars was a Springy shown on the cover of his album "Texas Flood".
Then in 1985 he was apparently given another 5 guitars.
This is an auction for one of the guitars given to him in 1985.
https://bid.gwsauctions.com/auction/60/item/stevie-ray-vaughans-stage-used-tokai-ast-56-guitar-9945/
(*Note the error where the auction listing says 1993. I assume that is supposed to be 1983?)
Stevie Ray Vaughan's Stage Played 1985 Tokai AST-56 Electric Guitar Featured on Catalog & Poster W/Extensive Documentation -
This 1985 Tokai AST-56 electric guitar was an endorsement guitar played on stage and pictured on print advertisement by iconic blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie Ray Vaughan had a relationship with International Music Corporation, the U.S distributor of Tokai Musical instruments made in Japan, since 1993 when they sold him two demo guitars for less than dealers cost.
Stevie Ray and Tommy Shannon were approached in 1985 by Tony Dukes, who was a friend of Stevie Ray's and worked for IMC, to see if they would be interested in an endorsement deal.
After the deal was made they gave the musicians 5 guitars and 2 basses over the next few months, including this AST-56, which was played by Stevie Ray on stage in Worcester, Massachusetts on March, 24th 1985. Stevie Ray Vaughan was also featured with this guitar in a photoshoot for the Tokai 1985 catalog with the artist on the cover and a large poster with multiple images including Stevie Ray and Tommy Shannon.
This guitar comes with a notarized letter of authenticity from Tony Dukes, who set up the endorsement deal, a copy of the endorsement contract, and a letter of authenticity from the collector who acquired it from Dukes. Serial No. 2045.
Stevie Ray Vaughan is considered to be one of the most iconic and influential musicians in the history of blues music, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. After quickly becoming one of the leading figures in the blues revival of the 1980s, Vaughan and four others were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in 1990. Vaughan's music continued to achieve commercial success with several posthumous releases and has sold over 15 million albums in the United States alone.
PLEASE NOTE, PRE-AUCTION SALES: GWS reserves the right to sell any Lot(s) through a negotiated transaction at any time prior to the conclusion of the auction. If a Lot is sold through a negotiated transaction, it will be withdrawn from the auction. Please email [email protected] to submit a pre-auction offer.
Based on the documentation in the auction, SRV was given two "lawsuit" guitars by Tony Dukes of IMC in Texas in 1984. IMC also distributed Tokai guitars. One of the "lawsuit" guitars was a Springy shown on the cover of his album "Texas Flood".
Then in 1985 he was apparently given another 5 guitars.
This is an auction for one of the guitars given to him in 1985.
https://bid.gwsauctions.com/auction/60/item/stevie-ray-vaughans-stage-used-tokai-ast-56-guitar-9945/
(*Note the error where the auction listing says 1993. I assume that is supposed to be 1983?)
Stevie Ray Vaughan's Stage Played 1985 Tokai AST-56 Electric Guitar Featured on Catalog & Poster W/Extensive Documentation -
This 1985 Tokai AST-56 electric guitar was an endorsement guitar played on stage and pictured on print advertisement by iconic blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughan. Stevie Ray Vaughan had a relationship with International Music Corporation, the U.S distributor of Tokai Musical instruments made in Japan, since 1993 when they sold him two demo guitars for less than dealers cost.
Stevie Ray and Tommy Shannon were approached in 1985 by Tony Dukes, who was a friend of Stevie Ray's and worked for IMC, to see if they would be interested in an endorsement deal.
After the deal was made they gave the musicians 5 guitars and 2 basses over the next few months, including this AST-56, which was played by Stevie Ray on stage in Worcester, Massachusetts on March, 24th 1985. Stevie Ray Vaughan was also featured with this guitar in a photoshoot for the Tokai 1985 catalog with the artist on the cover and a large poster with multiple images including Stevie Ray and Tommy Shannon.
This guitar comes with a notarized letter of authenticity from Tony Dukes, who set up the endorsement deal, a copy of the endorsement contract, and a letter of authenticity from the collector who acquired it from Dukes. Serial No. 2045.
Stevie Ray Vaughan is considered to be one of the most iconic and influential musicians in the history of blues music, and one of the greatest guitarists of all time. After quickly becoming one of the leading figures in the blues revival of the 1980s, Vaughan and four others were tragically killed in a helicopter crash in 1990. Vaughan's music continued to achieve commercial success with several posthumous releases and has sold over 15 million albums in the United States alone.
PLEASE NOTE, PRE-AUCTION SALES: GWS reserves the right to sell any Lot(s) through a negotiated transaction at any time prior to the conclusion of the auction. If a Lot is sold through a negotiated transaction, it will be withdrawn from the auction. Please email [email protected] to submit a pre-auction offer.
