Japanese specs and prices

[japanstrat]

At http://www.guitarasia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=517&start=15&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=71c225540ac51e97f38abb910c034f7c

someone has measured various parts of Tokai's, Greco and Gibsons etc and also has there 1984/5 price.

For comparison the Orville by Gibson reissue models 1992-1995 sold for around the 200,000 to 230,000 Yen mark while the 1984/85 Gibson LP Standards were Yen 332,000 to 590,000 Yen.


I have been taking measurements of various Les Paul and its copies and would like to share some the measurements here. It does show some surprising results.

Measurements Taken:
- Length of Headstock. This is the length from the top tip of the headstock to the fret board.
- Width of Headstock. This is the width of the widest part of the headstock for example, with the open style headstock this will be the top of the headstock.
- Nut Width @ Top. This is the width of the fret board at the nut / fret board area.
- Nut Width @ Bottom. Measured from the neck / body joint area.
- Body Thickness (End). The thickness of the body is measured where the end pin is attached.


Guitars Measured - All in mm


Gibson Les Paul Cus ('70s)
H/S Length - 18.5
H/S Width - 8.5
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.3
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.6
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.9

Gibson Les Paul Std Classic ('90s)
H/S Length - 18.1
H/S Width - 8.0
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.6
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.6
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 5.3

Aria Les Paul Cus Copy Early (bolt-on '70s)
H/S Length - 19.1
H/S Width - 8.4
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.2
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.5

Greco Les Paul Std Copy (bolt-on '70s)
H/S Length - 19.5
H/S Width - 9.0
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.3
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.2
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.5

Tokai Love Rock LP Std (Set Neck Yr'80s???)
H/S Length - 18.2
H/S Width - 8.2
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.6
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.9

Ibanez Les Paul Std GoldTop (bolt-on '76 Guild Style HS)
H/S Length - 19.8
H/S Width - 8.5
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.7
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.4

Ibanez Les Paul Cus (bolt-on '77 Guild Style HS)
H/S Length - 19.5
H/S Width - 8.5
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.5
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.5

Greco Les Paul Standard Copy (bolt-on '7
H/S Length - 18.8
H/S Width - 8.0
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.5
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.8

Greco Les Paul Standard (Set Neck '80)
H/S Length - 18.0
H/S Width - 7.9
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.6
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 5.0

Epiphone Les Paul Standard (Set Neck '00)
H/S Length - 19.0
H/S Width - Not measurable due to headstock design.
Fet Width (@ nut) - 4.4
Fret Width (@ joint) - 5.6
Body Thickness (@ End Strap Pin) - 4.9


Inferences.

1. Even between Gibsons the measurements appear to differ significantly. The length and width of the headstocks between a 70s Custom and a 90s Classic are significant.

2. Amongst the samples of les Pauls measured here, the Gibson Les Paul Classic appears to have largest body thickness of 5.3 mm. Is this how Gibson differentiates the different models?

3. The most significant diffence amongst the copies is the body thickness. Copies of the 70s with plywood construction tend to have a body thickness of 4.5 mm. However, one sample which was the Greco made in 1978 had a thickness of 4.8mm close to the originals.

4. All Les Pauls (copies or originals) exhibited very similar fret widths measured at both points. The early 70s Aria and Greco had a width of 5.2 mm which was significantly smaller than the originals (5.6 mm). It is possibly attributed to the beginning of the copy era where they were still trying to get it right?

5. Even Ibanez with the same type of headstock (Guild Style) showed a different headstock length and width (1976 - 19.8mm vs 1977 - 19.5mm).

6. From the samples above it appears that the Tokai Love Rock (year unknown but probably 80s) and the Greco solid construction (1980 model) are the closest in these measurements to the originals.


I would certainly like to get more accurate measurements of others. Anyone like to share measurements of their Les Pauls with me?




I managed to locate a price list from 1984/85.

Yamaha
LP-400 (Standard) Yen 40,000
LP-500 (Standard) Yen 50,000
LP-600 (Standard) Yen 60,000
LP-800C (Custom) Yen 80,000
LP-1000 (Custom) Yen 100,000

Burny (All Standard)
RLG-50 '59 Yen 50,000
RLG-90 '59 Yen 90,000
RLG-120 '59 Yen 120,000
RLG-150 '59 Yen 150,000

Fresher
FL-450S (Standard) Yen 45,000
FL-500C (Custom) Yen 50,000
FL-400 (Standard) Yen 40,000
FL-450 (Standard) Yen 45,000
FL-500 (Standard) Yen 50,000
FL-550 (Custom) Yen 55,000
FL-800 (Standard) Yen 80,000

Navigator(?)
LPG-140 Yen 140,000
LPC-140 Yen 140,000 (Custom)
LPC-200 Yen 200,000 (Custom)
LPS-140 Yen 140,000
LPS-250 Yen 250,000
LPS-350 Yen 350,000

Tokai
TLC-60 Yen 60,000 (Custom)
TLC-100 Yen 100,000 (Custom)
TLC-110 Yen 110,000
TLS-50 Yen 50,000
TLS-60 Yen 60,000
TLS-80 Yen 80,000
TLS-100 Yen 100,000
TLS-100S Yen 100,000
TLS-150 Yen 150,000
TLS-200 Yen 200,000


For purposes of comparison, the alternative models available inlude:

Aria PE-60 Yen 66,000
Aria CS-350 Yen 38,000
Gibson LP Standards were Yen 332,000 to 590,000
Ibanez AR-300 Yen 100,000
Yamaha SG-2000 Yen 150,000