Tokai Serial Numbers

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Sigmania

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Starting a thread to try and sort out the serial numbers on Tokais from the beginning to the present. Including Japanese, Korean, and Chinese builds.
 
Here’s the Fender style change that happened in early 1982?

2XhJ8gr.jpg



Earthquake Early Warning

● About serial numbers

THE SCOOP

We are finally here. The shocking Tokai Flat Top series. Even the serial number has been completely reprinted !!

What history has revived here. The weight proof of the era from the birth of the electric guitar to the establishment of the dung era-serial number. In the Tokai Flat Top series, the serial number of this traditional model is also beautifully reproduced. The serial number of the same number of digits is engraved on the Tokai electric guitar as it is the symbol of each age that has been carved since the birth of the electric guitar. TE, ST, PB, JB and Ss, these serial numbers are reprinted as shown in the table on the left. Only the Tokai Flat Top series can deliver the perfect replica model that you have dreamed of. In addition, it will be fully implemented from the guitar & pace of the product on February 1, 1982.


1948 ~ 1954 MODEL
3 or 4digits-on bridge plate
000 or 0000
* TE80 is originally this, but in Tokai, although the basic model is 1948 model, only the serial number is treated as 1955 or later from the viewpoint of the perfection of the guitar.

1954 ~ Pre-1956 MODEL
4digits-on neck plates.
0000-
Maple 1 Piece Neck Specifications
ST80, 100120. TE80, 120.

1956 ~ 1960 MODEL
5 digits-on neck plates
00000-
Maple 1 Piece Neck Specifications
ST50, 60. TE50, 70. PB80. (*ST55 as well)

1960 ~ 1964 MODEL.
L + 5 digits-on neck plates.
L00000 ~
All Rosewood (Flat / Earl) Fingerboard neck specifications.
ST50R, 60R, 70R, 80R, 100R, 120R. TE50R, 70R, 80R, 120R. PB70R, 80R. JB45R, 60R, 80R, 85FLR, 120R.

1964/1965 ~ 1976 MODEL
6 digits-on neck plates.
000000-
Random neck specifications.
ST70. PB70. TE200R. SS60, 60R. PB40, 40R, 48, 48R, 60, 60R

1976 ~ MODEL
7 digits-on head stock
0000000-
SS series (excluding SS60 and 60R) are stamped on the head.
 
Before this “earthquake” they all had 7 digits including Gibson clones which began with the year number digit, then a 0, then five more numbers. Y0xxxxx

So:

A 1979 would have a serial number of 90xxxxx.

A 1980 would have a serial number of 00xxxxx.

A 1981 would have a serial number of 10xxxxx.
 
Lol. I don’t have any illusions about coming up with anything definitive for them. Maybe just an outline of what we have seen, then letting that go.

As for Japan, it seems like the Gibson clones adhere to a date system and even some Chinese guitars.

Hoping you and others will jump in there since I’ve been focused on the early 80s. Much simpler. :lol:
 
Some wise person wrote this about Chinese serial numbers: :wink:

mdvineng said:
Sometimes the 3rd and 4th number indicate the factory, but which one?

Some of the Epiphone Chinese factory codes

12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China, uncertainty remains as to which factory)

15 = Qingdao (China, electric)

16 = Qingdao (China, acoustic)

17 = Unknown (China)

20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China, uncertainty remains as to which factory)

As to the OP, most certainly Chinese and that's enough really.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/posting.php?mode=quote&f=1&p=195690
 
Before this “earthquake” they all had 7 digits including Gibson clones which began with the year number digit, then a 0, then five more numbers. Y0xxxxx

So:

A 1979 would have a serial number of 90xxxxx.

A 1980 would have a serial number of 00xxxxx.

A 1981 would have a serial number of 10xxxxx.
I thought it the first two digits were the year? The third digit is buffer 0 and then 4 model numbers for a total of 7 digits. My Love Rock Les Paul is 0104347. The owner said it was a 2001.
 
I thought it the first two digits were the year? The third digit is buffer 0 and then 4 model numbers for a total of 7 digits. My Love Rock Les Paul is 0104347. The owner said it was a 2001.
Do you have pictures you can post? Hard to comment without more information.
 
Do you have pictures you can post? Hard to comment without more information.
No, I can't post camera shots anymore. The number are branded in the back of the headstock 0104347. If you had a 10xxxxx how would you know if that was a 2001 or a 2011? It should be either 010xxxx or 110xxxx.
 
01 could also be Nagano built in 1980. Really need to see pictures to know.
 

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