Need help identifying early 80s Tokai Springy Sound

[Russian Vadim]

The fact that the pickups have been written on and the wire tie is not original makes me a little suspicious.I suppose the owner may have replaced the original pickups with something else and the put the Es back in for the sale?Gabe.

It's possible, Gabe. The seller won't admit to that I think. The most I'll get out of him is standard Homer's answer - "It was like that when I got here". Not particularly fond of the three-tone burst. I think it's a ST-60 not ST-80. For $1300 I'll pass.

 

[Tonka]

Hey folks! Vadim here from Russia. Could you help me identify which model is this Springy Sound and if it is legit:

I'm working on getting more pics of it, particularly, the bottoms of the pickups, the serial number. I'm not sure the the model number is etched in the last fret. So I have no idea what is it. ST-50, 60, 80? I doubt it's ST-80 or ST-100.

On the higher resolution 1st photo I got on my HDD saddles definitely have TOKAI on them. Since it's a two piece body it can be ST-60 or ST-80.

However what with the Tokai decal being available I just can't tell for sure if it's TOKAI all the way yet.

The seller claims it's a 1980. From a higher res pic of the back I can almost discern the first digit being "1" which would indicate it being a 1981 model. Hard to tell still.

Is it me or does the picture laying down not have the truss rod cut out ?

 

[Russian Vadim]

Is it me or does the picture laying down not have the truss rod cut out ?

I noticed that too. That pic might have been taken before it was done. In any case I've decided not to buy this one. The guy in Moscow wants $1300 for it. And I think it's ST-60.

 

[villager]

st80 v neck st60 c neck

 

[Sigmania]

Wulfman, That ST80 looks incredible! I have a couple Greoc strats, but those pickups on yours got my attention. Are they DiMarzios? How do they sound?

The rounded off staggered poles remind me of the poles on my Excel pickups.

Thanks.

 

[3rdstone]

Vadim, very nice Springy! I think the ST-50s and up are all pretty much well made with great materials.

Here is a pic of the 1980 ST-80 I had, from the sen ash guitars I have seen this one looks more like regular ash to me.

I have absolutely nothing of value contributing to this discussion, but I just had to comment that this is a truly gorgeous Tokai strat! I just love those ash grains together with a nice burst.