Tokai partscaster Strat, TST-56

[Aleš Foff]

Hello - what do You thing about this black nitro Tokai partcaster Strat? Which Year it is? Neck is 85 (I know it) but what about the body? Number on plate is: 222961 and Nitro lacquere really looks like original. Also it looks like Swamp Ash body, definitely not like Sen wood. EDIT: It's probably: Maple neck 1981- 83 (TST-56, US export), Ash body 1981- 83 (TST-56, US export) and hardware (plate, bridge, switch etc.) is early 1987 (AST-56). re-fretted with jumbo frets, and Nitro lacq. refin from 90s. https://photos.app.goo.gl/gCjBZ6hwQXYYSKLc9

 

[Sigmania]

Welcome.

I only see one picture and it doesn’t tell us much.

Need pictures showing the headstock and under the pickguard and butt of the neck.

That serial number is 1987/88

Not sure how you could know the neck is from 1985? Care to share how you know that?

Or how you know the body is nitro?

I see the checking in the finish. A nitro Tokai body should have an "A" stamp.

Does not look like a typical Tokai body from the pictures.

They would not finish a 2 or 3 piece body in nitro for example and the color looks off in the photo for a Tokai black finish.

 

[Aleš Foff]

It's a 85' neck becouse of headstock unique shape. In bridge sedles is writen: "FINAL PROSPEC" - if it says something..? My guess is that it's probably some old refinish, it's acetone soluble. The body is definitely Tokay, but what year? Probably so 1987/88. it's a thin layer of black lacquer, it's really black, only like this in very bright sun it turns transparent to purple haha.

 

[Aleš Foff]

Lollar Tweed (2011) loaded, soft V neck from the late 1950s. I compared it to many 56 and 57 Custom Shops. It's definitely a Strat killer. I have had it for 8 years and I will never give it up.

 

[Sigmania]

Well, I would caution you about making assumptions with Tokais. Most of the info out there is wrong.

That neck is a TST-56 neck with the export logo. It dates to late 1982-1984.

TST-56 Gallery

Unusual to see the flame in that neck. Nice one.

The TST-56 model was replaced by the AST-56 by 1985

AST-56 Gallery.

And you are saying the body is definitely Tokai, but I don't see any evidence of that in the pics you posted. Would need pics showing the neck pocket and pickup cavities to know.

 

[ATO]

Seems to be a six digit 2##### serial?

 

[Aleš Foff]

Yes, 6 digits.. unfortunately the witnesses are dead, but the last info was: "I had this beautiful brindle neck and I was looking for a suitable body for a long time" - the guitar belonged to a bluesman who played it every day in a bar in Prague for 20 years, unfortunately I don't know who it was , I will try to start a search in the message here in Prague if anyone recognizes her. And a friend bought it from him, who after a few years sold it to me when he was raising money for an older Les Paul - he had already passed away. There are frets that have been changed at least once. As I Wrote, there are "Original Prospec" sedles - maybe it says something..

 

[Aleš Foff]

Well, I would caution you about making assumptions with Tokais. Most of the info out there is wrong.

That neck is a TST-56 neck with the export logo. It dates to late 1982-1984.

TST-56 Gallery

Unusual to see the flame in that neck. Nice one.

The TST-56 model was replaced by the AST-56 by 1985

AST-56 Gallery.

And you are saying the body is definitely Tokai, but I don't see any evidence of that in the pics you posted. Would need pics showing the neck pocket and pickup cavities to know.

Tnx - I'll look at the body - at the foot and at the crevices of the pickups when I change the strings, but I don't think there's anything written there.

 

[Sigmania]

OK. If it is a Tokai it will have a code stamped in black ink. Also some tell tale signs in the routs and holes bored.

 

[Sigmania]

Seems to be a six digit 2##### serial?

Yes, 222961

 

[Sigmania]

The body is very unusual for a Tokai besides just the color and finish.

It looks like ash or something (not alder) and is 2 or 3 piece.

You can clearly see a seam in this picture that also shows the wood grain a little.

 

[Sigmania]

I am thinking the body may even be a 1987/88 Custom Edition super strat?

Custom Edition 1986 1987 "Lady Killer" Mirror Guard Super Edition SD 65/70/80

Color almost looks purple like an AST483, but those are about 3-4 years later.

AST Mystery - Similar To AST483

 

[Sigmania]

For reference, here is an SD70 Custom Edition in see thru blue about 600 units away from your serial number.

When you take off the pickguard you should learn a lot. Just take lots of pictures in the cavities, etc. Use a flash on some pictures in case the code is under the stain.

SN 222342

SD703

STBL (see thru blue)

22 frets

1987

Tokai Custom Edition “oldies but goodies” Super strat Trans blue original vintage mij japan | Reverb

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[Sigmania]

Here are some other options for the body, but they are later models (early to mid 90s) than the serial number suggests (1987/88).

AST481 Gallery
AST483 Gallery
AST Mystery - Similar To AST483


AST483