The Earliest Breezy Sounds Breezys

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Sigmania

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Guess I should start keeping tabs on these since I am trying to sort out serial numbers and found a TE85N that is looking like it is possibly from 1978.

8003857 TE85N (Udonitron)
9004591 TE80OW (Cliff)
9005011 (Reborn Old)
9005178 TE80 (Len)
9005303 TE80 (Cliff)
9005249 (Reborn Old)
9005261 (Yahoo Japan)
9005420 TE80GS (Sigmania)
9005489 (Reborn Old)
9007235 ? TE80GS (Yahoo Japan)
9009767 TE50BL (Yahoo Japan)
0005753 TE85N (Yahoo Japan)
0006393 TE85N (eBay)
0010606 TE55N (Yahoo Japan)
0011778 TE50 BLR (Yahoo Japan)
 
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Udonitron's 1978 TE85

S/N 8003857

Udonitron said:
Mine is 8003857 but I think it is a pre-production model perhaps (Tokai brass 6 saddled bridge with no embossing and no headstock logo but has a heel stamp) with the original solder intact TE-A pups, slight tummy carve, colour, 1 piece body, 1M pots, etc.
Who knows but I love it all the same.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=22181&start=30

O1s1FWS.jpg


OtyGF1V.jpg


http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=26564
 
8003857 TE85N (Udonitron)
9004591 TE80OW (Cliff)
9005011 (Reborn Old)
9005178 TE80 (Len)
9005249 (Reborn Old)
9005420 TE80GS (Sigmania)
9005489 (Reborn Old)
 
Found this comment on my '79 by Peter Mac.

We may need to revisit this in light of more early examples...

Peter Mac said:
Hi guys,

Sorry my reply couldn't be under better circumstances. . .

OK, one major thing wrong with this guitar - the serial number being the one. It is from a 1979 ST model, made some time in the first 3rd of the year. The earliest Breezys were made after Nov'79 but most have 1980 serial# which I would imagine this one is. As the plate spacing is the same with '79, it is possible to swap them.
The bridge is original, body is one of the 4 finishes made available for TE-80 (BB, BL, GS, N) so it seems that - other than the serial number - it is quite a nice guitar. '79-'80 Breezysounds had either Maple or Rosewood boards.
Check for stamps on base of neck and under control panel to authenticate matching body/neck and the TEA stamps on the pickup base. Neck should have a 'V' feel to it and the body should have a Nitro finish.

Tokai officially launched the Breezy in April 1980 but according to serial numbers, models were released earlier - but not as early as 9005420. This number sits between 9005396, 9005422 and 9005424 which are an ST run of guitars, hence my earlier comment. Earliest Breezy number I have listed is 9010058 and the next 0006981 and 0007394.

regards
Peter Mac


http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22181
 
8003857 TE85N (Udonitron)
9004591 TE80OW (Cliff)
9005011 (Reborn Old)
9005178 TE80 (Len)
9005303 TE80 (Cliff)
9005249 (Reborn Old)
9005420 TE80GS (Sigmania)
9005489 (Reborn Old)
 

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January 1980 ad

New Series
Impulse that goes through the 80's, TE series!

Get through the blazing 80s!

The Technica TE series has finally arrived. This is an amazing guitar that inherits the production policy of the 1948 Broadcaster, and even surpasses the original in terms of parts precision and performance. This is a truly valuable guitar that breaks the conventional wisdom of models and is now being released. Adoption of L-type Tokai original tailpiece. A 6-way type bridge that guarantees reliable tuning. I got a steal and got a jack. Krewson type peg mount. The contents include the development of a new big up that reproduces the old sound. Also, as enthusiasts may have already noticed, the specifications of the TE series are slightly different from the original broadcaster. This was a decision made by the project team in response to the rapidly changing sound waves of today and the increasingly sophisticated and complex techniques of guitarists. The sound is sharp and bright, with an irresistible American feel. Due to its simple design, it has a wide range of adaptability, including rock, blues, soul, and country. There is no other way to hone your skills as a guitarist than with the TE series, which has infinite expressive power built into it. For more detailed information, we have prepared a special brochure, so request it now. At the same time, you will receive a comprehensive electric guitar catalog and a big sticker as a triple present. To request a brochure, open a 300 yen stamp and clearly write the number, address, name, age, and telephone number, then 430 Tokai Musical Instrument Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 36 Terawaki-cho, Hamamatsu-shi "Target YGI" TEL (0534) 41-3137 The 6th Tokai Dynamics is currently being held. Period: November 1, 1979 - April 30, 1980 ●Key chains, stickers, and posters for those who purchase an electric guitar, bass bass, cat's eye guitar, or banjo. present. If you purchase a Martin guitar, you will receive a Martin trainer and keychain as a gift. Please check at the music shop for details. Let's invite some guitar friends!

If I'm not busy, I won't be able to meet.

DYNAMIC CAMPAIGN
REBORN OLD TOKAL Electric Guitars

TE-85N ¥85,000 (photo right)
●Natural Maple 1piece neck Sen Bead board beveled body TE-A Pickup Tokai Kluson type peg, plastic or cow bone nut, strings Darco Funki D-9300, Lacquer finish, L-shaped 6-way plus bridge, Color variation 80BL BOGS /BBR / BOGS JR (R stands for rose fingerboard, both ¥80,000

TE-50GSR ¥50,000 (photo left)
●Golden Sunburst, Rosewood fingerboard, Alder single-board body, TE-B Tiebe pickup, Old knob 3-speed switch, Tokai Kluson Type Peg, Nut, Darko Funky D-9300, Polyurethane finish, L-shaped tailpiece 6 way bridge, Color variations 50 BL 50BL / SOGS/SSN (R is rose fingerboard, both ¥50,000 ¥55,000)

26490-f53b2d46e44e5a230059061b41ec541f.jpg
 
Vintage Guitar Vol. 8
Scan 1.jpeg


>>> Round 4 >>>
Analysis! Tokai "TE"/"TTE" Series
In '79, the third wave "TE" series appeared!

After making its debut in 1978 with the ST and LS. which were later improved to an almost transcendent level of perfection. Tokal suddenly gained popularity and support to the point that it rivaled the preceding powerhouses such as Greco and Fernandes. The following year, they applied their advanced replica technology to create and release the TE.


Start of "TE" series

It was in 1977 that Tokai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co. Ltd. established Tokai" as its own brand. The situation in the domestic quitar industry at the time was that six years had passed since Greco released the "EG-360" in 1971. and although demand for copy models was increasing. The situation was not favorable tor new entrants as the manufaclurers had already eslablished their brand names. However. Tokai dared to take advantage of this by copying the Stratocaster model "ST" series
and the Les Paul model LS Series.

It started. By releasing these models that fully reflect the know-how we have acquired through thorough analysis of the original models, we hope to establish the brand image of "Tokai = detailed replica models.

In this way, Tokai gained a certain reputation with the "LS" & "ST" series, and then expanded its lineup one after anther to include the Jazz bass type. Precision bass type, and ES-335 tvpe. In 1979. the introduced the Telecaster model "TE" series.

The first lineup of the TE series was "TE-50"/"TE-55" which will soon be a higher-end model. Added "TE-80"/"'TE-85" which will be The earth lineup will be complete. This first lineup is a replica model. but after being familiar with the specifications of the original. there are some areas where we have added our own unique arrangements with an emphasis on practicality. One was the bride saddle. which did not have a 3-saddle type. but instead had a 6-saddle type that allowed for more fine adjustment. It was also determined that a cover was not necessary for the tailpiece, and the hem (the folded part of the bridge plate) for attaching the cover was omitted (advertisements at the time called it an L type Tokai original tailpiece'). Other things that stand out from the outside are the various installations.
 
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Scan 2.jpeg


For screws, the full shape of the screw head Is positive instead of negative. Even in the electrical parts. the volume characterisitics were made into an A curve rather than a B curve, which is more in line with the original. Additionally the pickup was set in the order of front/center/rear for ease of use and understanding, rather than imitating the original order of front/high cut/front/rear."TE"


The specs for Tokai's first line-up are below. It is as follows.

"TE-50"
Body: Machined wood or alder veneer
Neck: 1 piece maple or maple neck rosewood fingerboard. U shape
Pickup: TE-B type
Nut: made of resin
Peg: Tokal Kluson type
Bridge saddle: Chrome type
Paint: Polyurethane
Color: Maple 1-piece neck = GS/BL/BB, Rosewood fingerboard = GSR/BLR/BBE
Price 50.000 ven

There were also the following differences between the maple 1-piece neck and the rosewood fingerboard. Position mark• Maple white/rosewood black. Selector switch head: Maple= black/ Rosewood= white.


"TE-55".
"TE-55" is a natural version of "TE-50" so its specifications are the same as "TE-50". The price was 55,000 yen

"TE-80"
Body: Wooden or Alder 2 piece machined veneer
Neck: Maple 1 piece or Maple neck & rosewood fingerboard. V shape

Pickup: TE-A type
Nut: Beef bone or brass
Peg: Tokai Kluson type
Bridge/Saddle: Machined brass
Painting: Lacquer
Color: Maple 1-piece neck = GS/BIBB, Rosewood fingerboard= BLR/GSR/BBR
Price: 80.000 yen

"TE-85"
Since the "TE-85" is a natural version of the "TE80" its basic sperifications are the same as the TE80 but the specifications of the body material were different from the Senpei machined version. Price was 85,000 yen.

Appearance of "TE70" and specification changes.

In 1980, the "TE70" was added to the TE series, and this model was based on the 1964 Telecaster Custom, which was released by Fender in 1959. Tokai's unique specs which are different from the Tokai lineup, were incorporated throughout. First. the logo is placed between the nut and the string guide on all models, "but on the TE-70, it is placed between the string guide and the tip of the head. It is equipped with a 2-way type instead of a round type. The body uses a 3-ply pickguard. Cell binding was wrapped around the ouler circumierence of the body. The speicfications of "TE70" are as follows.


"TE70"
Body: 2-piece wood or alder veneer, cell binding
Neck: 1 piece maole or male neck & rosewood fingerboard, U-shape
Pickups: TE Hot
Nut: Beef bone
Peg: Tokai Kluson type
Bridge saddle: Chrome type
Paint: Polyurethane
Color: Maple 1-piece neck = YS/GS/WR/BB, Rosewood fingerboard = YSR/GSR,WRR/BBR
Price: 70.000 yen

With the introduction of the "TE70", specifications were cahnged to the first lineup. The most distinctive feature is the rosewood fingerboard type, and the position of the head logo has been changed to the same position as the "TE70".
 
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