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fotp1428

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Hey all,

I'm looking to get a Tokai, as I've always heard good things and love that they are one of the few brands that still do matching headstocks. However, like with Fender, I'm lost at the different models they have. I'd imagine that some are lower end than others. I don't want to just go off price blindly, so I made an account to ask lol....what are the "higher end" models? Are there any to avoid? Are the modern Tokai's still on par with Fender American models? Orif I'm going to get a Tokai should I only look vintage?

Any help or direction to a guide or something is appreciated! I've found some resources but nothing that really directly gave me the answers i'm looking for

Thanks again!
Be well
 
Welcome!

Here is a thread I started on vintage matching head stock Tokais.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26339&p=199021&hilit=matching+headstock#p199021

Also the "Limited" model similar to "The Strat"

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26502&p=198826&hilit=matching+headstock#p198826

Painted neck thread

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26395&hilit=matching+headstock

I don't know much about the newer ones, their construction, etc. The head stock varies based on the market they are sold in. There are still Fender shaped head stocks made by Tokai for Asian markets. Not sure if that matters to you?

AST104 with matching modified headstock

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26180&p=196209&hilit=matching+headstock#p196209

TST100 with Fender shaped headstock

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=26148&p=195963&hilit=matching+headstock#p195963

Hope that helps
 
Thanks! That AST104 was actually one of the ones I was looking at. Have seen mostly positive things regarding it, but wasn't sure where it fell in the hieracrchy/quality
 
I think it is in the middle of the pack overall historically. For new Tokais, I think it is one of their most expensive production STs.

Lower priced new ones like the AST52 are made in China.

This one has a poly finish and 2 piece body. I am sure it plays well though.

All MIJ Tokais are great players it seems.

You can get older ST80s with nitro finish and 1 or 2 piece bodies and E pickups. Really hard, if not impossible, to find something like that with a matching headstock. They were typically ST55s in the early to mid 80s. Which had poly finish and a U neck.

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http://www.tokai-guitars.nl/ast104.html
 
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