Gold top LS55

[Len]

yes they look exactly (!) the same.

no screws sticking out of the neck PU baseplate, but the 6 holes are there

no holes in the bridge PU baseplate


nice Goldtop !!

 

[Sigmania]

OK well I can't thank you enough then.

I googled pics of MK2s and saw pretty typical looking base plates with no markings and screws going all the way thru.

I guess the screws go thru the magnet and stop?

Thanks again for the help!

 

[Len]

It?s just the way MK-IIs from that era look.

The newer Keiyo-produced ones look different (typical baseplate, screws through baseplate, braided wire), maybe you saw a picture of those.

I once did a forum search and got a rough idea of when they changed to Keiyo-production MK-IIs but have since forgotten when it was.
year 200x ?!

 

[Sigmania]

The newer Keiyo-produced ones look different (typical baseplate, screws through baseplate, braided wire), maybe you saw a picture of those.

Thanks! That's great info. Will do a search myself.

I think they sound great by the way. I just was trying to restore it so now my job is done. Thanks!

 

[Sigmania]

Len, I am seeing references to Goto produced MK2s with green and yellow wires.

If you find a thread or pics of ones like mine, please send me a link.

Much appreciated!

Could they be MK3s? Here are some with holes and no screws coming thru.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=17454&highlight=

And here is a pic of ones with base plate with no screw poles coming thru. MK1?

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9963&sid=7dd1249bce20206eae07e133b7de9deb

 

[luis]

Around 2005/2006 Keiyo started to source pickups to Tokai (MKII).
I had MKII and MKIIi in several guitars 2005 made.
Main difference between Gotoh and Keiyo would be the wire (regular insulated wire vs braided).

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20862&highlight=gotoh+mkii
http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=19383&highlight=keiyo

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks luis.

So I have been told by folks here that this guitar likely dates to the mid 90s.

Mine have black/gray wires.

Are mine older than the green/yellow wired ones? Are mine Goto as well?

If there is a thread on here of the history of Tokai Humbuckers I would love to find it and see what I have and where they fit in the evolution.

If there isn't one, I will start one. Would be good reference.

Thanks!

 

[luis]

I would say yours are Gotoh made SIgmania,check pic above in my last post to compare.

Just posting some info in the post you started.

 

[Sigmania]

Thanks Luis, what was confusing me was I saw the gray and black wires, but those pickups both have exposed screw posts.

Here is one you called a MK3 with no posts showing, but has a yellow wire. maybe a later version? Did the black/gray wired ones come first?

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4811&highlight=keiyo

 

[Sigmania]

I am still confused about two things.

First, is this a Japanese guitar?

Second, is it common for these to not have serial numbers? Could it be some sort of custom build?

Thanks in advance. :wink:

 

[Sigmania]

OK. So this is interesting. I just spotted this 1990 Orville with the same pickups?



Would love to get your thoughts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281139159212

 

[Diamond]

Thoughts on what?

 

[Sigmania]

Well if these are Tokai pickups why are they in an Orville?

I didn't think Tokai built any Orvilles. Looks like Fujigen to me.

Not sure if they are original, but if they are it leaves open the possibility that they aren't Tokai.

Can someone confirm what these are?

 

[Sigmania]

Just listed on ebay. Thinning the herd.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281183921976

 

[Diamond]

A thousand questions and then the guitar lands up on eBay?

 

[Sigmania]

Well, actually the order over the past 6 months goes more like bought LS80, bought LS120, bought LS80GT, bought LS55, bought ST60, bought ST80, and bought ST100 then realized I need money to pay bills. Only need one gold top.

 

[Sigmania]

Hi guys,

This guitar is an LS-55 due to it's set-neck, not colour and MIJ.
LS-50 was MIK with a bolt-on neck.
I would agree that this guitar is a 1990's build - the S-84 is not a date stamp.
In the 80's there was no LS-55 model.
Beautiful guitar, just needs a set of Seymour Duncans :lol:

regards
Peter Mac

I'm now thinking this guitar may in fact have been made in Korea and is the set neck version of the MIK LS50 of the time?

No serial number, double pointed TRC, red & blue cables in control compartment.

Definitely confusing.