1985 Love Rock Questions

[Sigmania]

Hi guys.

I just bought my first Tokai. Long time Ibanez collector and now Greco collector. Can anyone tell me about the guitar I bought on ebay? I am guessing it might be an LS150? Has one piece back and a flametop (tho the pics aren't so great without a flash). One thing that I had read the guitar should have if it was an LS150 is fret edge binding. I am wondering if it was re-fretted? Will have it in hand next week, and can look at it then.

As a Tokai newbie, I am not sure about the reputation on these. Looks like in my reading that the quality changed on Tokais sometime in 1985, when the company went thru some changes.

 

[Sigmania]

 

[Reborn Old]

Specs began to vary in 1983 actually, including some LS-80's reported as no longer having FEB.

According to the 1985 and 1985-86 catalogs :
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai8514.jpg
http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai_85-86_electric_p6.jpg

LS-80 => 57 PAF pickups, ... I'm guessing... (catalog listed as: Michigan Accurate Repro)
LS-100 => Dimarzios
LS-150 => model not listed in 1985 catalogs
LS-200 => SD SH-1's (custom order model)

Hopefully, you'll have a better idea when it arrives, if pickups are original..

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks!!

Any idea if this finish might be nitro?

Looks like I have some swirls/scratches to repair on the headstock.

 

[JVsearch]

Those frets look pretty big - it may have been re-fretted.

Looks a pretty good score though!

 

[Reborn Old]

Up to 1983 LS-80 and up are nitro finished,
not sure for 84-85 LS-80s but suspect they are also.
I would just test finish in an inconspicuous pickup cavity location using acetone when you check your pickup brand.
Tokai nitro doesn't dissolve as readily as nitro from other brands IIRC,
but poly should be completely unreactive to acetone.

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks guys. So are you thinking it's an LS80?

 

[Sigmania]

I got a case for this Tokai. Can someone confirm if this is the right one for a 1985?

I saw a green lined one too but figured that was for an earlier guitar.

 

[luis]

The case seems to be modern,please put closer pics, logo and handle specially.
There were two kind of cases: a black with green lining inside for cheaper models 50 and 60 and a LIfton replica bron with pink lining inside for LS-80 and up.....
Gibson had serveral qualtiy of cases back in 50s so it is not so rare Tokai had two kind of cases too.Those old cases are sturdier than recent ones.
Regarding new style Lifton cases, I have seen several variation up to four ones with slightly different small details.

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks. Here are the pics. Seller said it was late 80s/ early 90s case.

 

[Sigmania]

It looks similar to a 2005 case I have seen, but the strap that holds the lid is in a different place.

 

[luis]

It is a modern case but sometimes the plaque where Tokai Gakki is engraved and the handle is different every certain years. Old cases have half moon style handle whereas modern have a more squeared handle some bigger in siza than others but not so big as Gator cases (which are good enough for me and a good replacement).

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks Luis. That's too bad. So it's not as old as the early 90s? I may refer the seller back here. Thanks.

 

[luis]

I am not sure when Tokai changed from old to new cases. Just think 1985-86 were years of changes at Tokai. I can tell you mid 90s cases have no screws to fit Tokai Gakki Co Ltd plaque but 2000s have.

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks Luis. I told the seller. Will try to swap it out for an older one if I can swing it.

If anyone here has one to sell, please let me know thru a pm. Thanks!

 

[luis]

Old Tokai cases are not cheap,just have that in mind.

I am checking catalogs for info and I found in 1986 it seems to have a new case but the pic is small http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai86_10.jpg
Look to make it bigger or search for a 1986 Love Rock which are really hard to find if any...LIfton brown style case is called LP-140....

1985 have old cases it seems http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai8518.jpg
Unknown catalog from Germany with old cases http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/oldies_p8.jpg.

1997 says black cases only http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/v1912.jpg
2000 new cases http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai20024.jpg ,denomination for brown LIfton case style is LP-180


Hope it helps!

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks Luis! Those are really great links! Looks like I will keep this newer case until I can find an older one I can afford.

 

[Sigmania]

I just got the guitar and was able to take it apart and take some pics.

I was able to figure out some things, and have more questions about others.

-Veneer top
-Body is one piece mahogany
-Neck is one piece mahogany
-Medium tenon
-Fretboard is rosewood (not sure which one?)
-Tuners look replaced with some sort of locking Kluson type tuner. Finish scratched from drilling. Knucklehead.
-Strap button screws on replaced with a drywall screw and a machine screw. Scratches from drilling. Again, knucklehead.


I have questions about other stuff tho:

-Is this top maple or sycamore?
-"Love Rock Model" was painted on top of the finish. Is that normal? I think I have seen at least one other Tokai on line with the "Love Rock" paint coming off.
-Electronics may have been changed?
-Pickups are unmarked. No idea if they are original?
-Not sure what the finish is? It's glossy, and when I tried a sample area with nail polish remover it did not seem to get tacky or come off.
-There is the residue of paint or just gunk on TRC. No idea what that is?
-What is the nut made of?
-Is this the original pick guard?

Link to pics here:



http://s1079.beta.photobucket.com/user/visualvoyage/library/1985 Tokai Love Rock

 

[Barks67]

What is it's serial number?
exempting the flame - it is very similar to my 1985 Love Rock, which does indeed have curious specs - such as original bell TRC, one piece back and two piece maple top. Mine has brass saddles though on the bridge.

As for the headstock, the silk screen does rub off if repolished- and looks like it may be due to repair in your case - as the whole front is a MOP veneer painted black. I believe older models where a true inlay?

I say this as on mine, one of the original tuners collapsed/exploded on a gig in mid 90's. I sent it to a luthier to have Schallers installed and he followed standard procedure and was starting to enlarge the hole for installation when suddenly a big chunk came off the front - totally unexpected as he assumed it was just lacquer on black paint and wood - as in other Les Pauls he'd worked on. He repaired it and was extremely apologetic about the fact that the Love Rock scripting was now faded as he tried to blend the repair.

Look closely at the lower part of the T on Tokai and around the D tuner

http://s650.beta.photobucket.com/user/katbarks/library/2%20Tokai%20Guitars

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks! That's amazing. To clarify, are you saying that the overlay on the headstock is mother of pearl and not wood veneer? I looked where the TRC mounting screw holes are drilled and it looks like wood on mine. See pic below.

Also were the original tuners stamped "DELUXE" or "TOKAI ?

I hate these locking Kluson types. I am stringing them up now and they are a huge pain!

Thanks so much!

Oh, and here is the serial number:

And a peek under the TRC.