1989 or 1990 Mystery Love Rock - 3D Top

[Sigmania]

SN 9001763

Seller obscured serial number, but listed later with number showing and same damage to the back on the upper bout.

Very unusual top.

Serial number is confusing but has to be a 1989 or 1990 guitar. Not 1979.

https://jp.mercari.com/item/m25570057283

 

[Sigmania]

SN 9001763

Listed again by another seller.



TOKAI LOVE ROCK LS-50 エレキギター 弦楽器 ト... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

The serial number is very close to this Grandy

SN 9001787

SN 9001787

1980-90ｓ Grandy TOKAI トーカイ製 レスポール ... - ヤフオク!

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[Sigmania]

I just realized this guitar has a very similar top, but stained dark.

Same year?

SN 9001028 ?

1989 or 1990 LS65 ? 3D Top Love Rock In Germany

90's TOKAI LOVE ROCK - made in JAPAN - 3 D QUILTED MAPLE TOP - KILLER PLAYER | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

SN 9001763

Listed a third time in a month. All different pictures (and seller?).



SN 9001763

Free shipping from Japan TOKAI 1990 Les Paul Standard LOVE ROCK Japan Vintage

Description​

TOKAI Japanese Les Paul Standard manufactured in 1990

The frets are about 70% rattling, so I think they're semi-warped, but the sound is great.

This is a gorgeous guitar and is made of very high quality wood.

The model is probably LS60.

There is a scratch on the 2nd string 17F and it gets caught when choking.

 

[Sigmania]

Seller told me the top on SN 9001763 is maple laminate.

 

[Sigmania]

It looks very different depending on the angle as shown in the different listings.

Maybe it is just a very wild laminated top?

 

[skikdi53]

It looks very different depending on the angle as shown in the different listings.

Maybe it is just a very wild laminated top?

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Hi Sigmania,
I bought this guitar before Reading your comment.
Did you need some pics or informations ?

 

[Sigmania]

Oh wow. That is a very unusual top.

Please share pics if you can. And if you pull the pickups to look in the cavities please take lots of pictures. The model number may be in the and the edge of the top going into the compartment will be interesting to see.

Thanks!

 

[skikdi53]

Some pics

 

[Sigmania]

Very cool! The pots are March 1990. So that means it’s a 1990 guitar and not 1989.

Is there a number ink stamped in the neck pickup cavity partly under the finish? Like LS65?

 

[skikdi53]

I don't seen any number in the pickup cavity, i will check again tomorrow morning.

 

[Sigmania]

That would be so great.

Did you notice if the top is a laminate? Pretty wild pattern.

And here is where I thought there could possible be a model number stamp, but it is probably not there. Worth looking.

 

[skikdi53]

I don't know how laminated will be, you cannot do that with the pics ?

 

[Sigmania]

If you can take very clear sharp pictures of the edge where the top goes into the pickup compartment we should be able to see the transition. But it would need to be well lit and in focus. Also clear pictures of the screw holes where the pickup rings were mounted would be helpful.

 

[skikdi53]

?

 

[Sigmania]

Thank you.

So from this picture I can clearly see that the top is separate from the maple cap.



What I am trying to figure out now is if it is a wood laminate or a fotoflame type of covering?

I assume it is a wood laminate since it looks different at different angle and lighting in the photos.

When you look at it does the grain move in the light the way wood does?

 

[Sigmania]

My guess is that it is an LS65. LS55 was probably a plaint top based on later catalogs.

Some to compare with.

LS55 and 65 Mid 1990s

Here are the specs in the 1900 & 1991 catalogs

Both models offered in CS finish like yours.

 

[skikdi53]

Thanks.
Finaly, is it quilt or fotoflame?

 

[Sigmania]

Fotoflame isn't wood. It is like a photographic print that looks like wood.

Fotoflame wouldn't change its appearance at different angles like your guitar seems to.

What threw me off on your guitar is there are horizontal lines in the grain that make it look like different pieces of material pieced together. See image below where the lne goes between the tone knobs.

At other angles those lines vanish, so I would assume it is a wood laminate with a very unusual grain.

Not quite quilt in my opinion, but not quite flame either.

Pretty unique really. Almost looks like satin fabric.