LSS - when did these stop being one-piece bodies?

[occupant]

I've long admired LP Special type guitars and I remember that older LSS models had a one-piece body but it appears that even the most expensive LSS models are now two-piece bodies. Does anyone know when this change happened? Seeing as these are rather uncommon compared to LS models, I'm thinking that finding an older one would probably be difficult.

 

[Sigmania]

Depends on the price point, the year, and where made.

Here is an MIJ one from the 2012 catalog as an example

 

[occupant]

Thanks - I know that there's nothing magical about a one-piece body but I thought that it was great that you could get what would require a $4500 custom shop from Gibson for substantially less. I read that Tokai is putting production of the LSS256 on hold because they can't source enough quality mahogany to make even the two-piece bodies. Hopefully I can find one of the older models on the second hand market.

 

[Sigmania]

After a quick look through my catalogs it looks like they appear in the 2007 catal;og for the first time. And the 1 piece disappears in 2018.


2007
LSS80: 2-piece
LSS175: 1-piece

2009
LSS88: 2-piece
LSS195: 1-piece

2010
LSS90: 2-piece
LSS195: 1-piece

2012
LSS93: 2-piece
LSS195: 1-piece

2015
LSS104: 2-piece
LSS210: 1-piece

2017
LSS118: 2-piece
LSS225: 1-piece

2018
LSS124: 2-piece
LSS230: 2-piece

 

[Sigmania]

Here is a 2022 LSS230. Not the best pics and from the top it looks like a 2 piece body, but looking at the end it looks like it could be one? Or the seam is not where the color change is. Very hard to tell with all of the cropped photos.

Tokai LSS230 SYW MIJ Made in Japan | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Here is one. Seller says it is one piece. I can;t see the serial number. It is a bit rough/relic'd.

TOKAI LSS195(256) - Yahoo!オークション