Special Limited Run Tokai LS Models

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Sigmania

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We have seen a few limited run Tokai LS guitars recently.

Just hoping to form a list of known limited run guitars.

Current list:

Crossroad

Dear Rock

Golden Era

Guitar Universe

Guitar Planet (?)

Honda Sound Works

Hibiki
Hibiki HLS Models
Hibiki HST Models
Hibiki HES Models

Kurosawa
Kurosawa Models
Kurosawa and Terada

Neo Select
Neo Select Tokais
The "Neo-Select" tokai guitars.

Pacifix
Pacifix Exclusive Limited Run Special Order Tokais

Reborn Old
"Reborn Old" Reborn

Retrospec (aftermarket relic)
"Retrospec" Aftermarket Relic Model

Rock Inn Japan
Rock Inn Tokais
 
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Guitar Universe

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26467

2uGKnPt.jpg
 
"Reborn Old"


http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26577&p=199592#p199592


Seems like they are limited run special orders made for dealers using the “Reborn Old” name and script from 1980.

Possibly began as a special order line as early as 2010 with a modified or "tombstone" headstock made for the German market.

Later runs, like the one in 2014 for Rockin Japan, had the open book headstock.

And I have found one example with an export dimple headstock from 2015.

QiR320a.jpg


Image showing Reborn Olds from 1980, 2010, & 2014 (L-R).

Early examples seemed to be plain or gold tops with the Tombstone headstock (Faber?), but by 2014 you start seeing flame tops with open book headstocks (Rockin Japan).

In fact, by 2016 many examples have insanely figured solid maple tops and some had jacaranda fret boards (Rockin Japan JFB model). And the Hibiki HLS LTD 5A in 2019 is an exceptional guitar.
 
In the early 00s there were two UK runs, around 24 instruments total, where Tokai bodies were sent to the UK and given custom hardware/electronics and a relic finish.
 
Think I found them.

"Retrospec"

UK limited run post production relics stretching over several years beginning with a Les Paul Reborn “Retrospec” in 2001.

Headstock.jpg


http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=3604&highlight=retrospec

Paladin2019 said:
The relics were LS70F's that were sent to the UK, refinished in nitro and given new hardware/electronics by an independant relic'ing agent.

There were 12 made in 2002 and another 12 in 2003 - apparently there were 'retrospecs' before that and there may have been some made in 2004.
 
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Pacifix (2006)
Hibiki (2009)
There was another well know japanese guitarshop I got a special LS from in 2007, he had those ES with block inlays too..... special runs
 
felixcatus said:
Weren't there some "Golden Era Re-issue" Tokais too?

Good one. Do you know when these were made? I don't know much about them.

I am remembering a different mfr (Bison) making one with a very similar logo and name.

Doweled like a Nagano Tokai or Greco.

WrdgOby.jpg


weKkhUn.jpg


http://japaneseguitars.blogspot.com/2014/12/bison-golden-era-reissue-mystery.html

Here is one with the tombstone headstock that the Reborn Old from around 2010 had.

It looks like the serial number is from 1980?? That would be the year of the Reborn Old line.

Interesting parallel with that date and the later version of the Reborn Old from 2010.

https://reverb.com/item/1705219-tokai-golden-era-re-issue-1980-2-color-sunburst


qJKO2zR.jpg


INBv3Jm.jpg


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RMPShYy.png
 
Real Standard Toshi Kamiya is the japanese dealer, well respected and great experience with him! 8)
 
Sigmania said:
felixcatus said:
Weren't there some "Golden Era Re-issue" Tokais too?

Good one. Do you know when these were made? I don't know much about them.

I think I have some info on these 'Golden era RI' models, on my pc.
Not home right now, so I will get back on this.
 
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