Newby

[andyb]

Here she is. 1994 Tokai ES-120
A few pics, as promised.
http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0005.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0004.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0009.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0010.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0020.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0019.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0013.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=R1132925.jpg

It just arrived yesterday and I've only been able to barely touch what it can do, but I can tell its a keeper.

 

[singemonkey]

Congrats. Real beauty.

 

[Diamond]

Here she is. 1994 Tokai ES-120
A few pics, as promised.
http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0005.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0004.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0009.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0010.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0020.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0019.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=IMGP0013.jpg

http://s1089.photobucket.com/albums/i354/edwardstele/?action=view&current=R1132925.jpg

It just arrived yesterday and I've only been able to barely touch what it can do, but I can tell its a keeper.

Beauty, all the best with it.

 

[marcusnieman]

Nice.. more of an orange/red hue to it than the usual tobacco bursts

 

[andyb]

yeah, and there's this unusual grain in the wood, almost like spots. I wonder kind of wood it is.

The guitar itself is quite light, about 3kgs.

 

[marcusnieman]

yeah, and there's this unusual grain in the wood, almost like spots. I wonder kind of wood it is.
.

That's called birds eye maple...

click on the thumbnail from this link for a closer look:

http://www.gregorypembertondesigns.com/Samples.htm

 

[andyb]

that's it, exactly

 

[andyb]

does Tokai commonly use this type of wood?

 

[marcusnieman]

does Tokai commonly use this type of wood?

You mostly see it used on hollowbody guitars - it's fairly hard, bright and expensive. Here is the definitive article on it:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2007/Sep/Birdseye_Maple.aspx

My 81 ES100 has it as well:

 

[jacco]

It's on the neck of my 1980 ST-55 too

 

[marcusnieman]

Nice...need to look at my necks now :wink:

 

[jacco]

Me, I prefer to look at the bodies

 

[andyb]

does Tokai commonly use this type of wood?

You mostly see it used on hollowbody guitars - it's fairly hard, bright and expensive. Here is the definitive article on it:

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2007/Sep/Birdseye_Maple.aspx

My 81 ES100 has it as well:

Thanks very much for the link to the birdseye maple article. Very informative. Makes me think the guitar I bought is more valuable than what I'd previously thought.

Of course, it plays and sounds great.

 

[marcusnieman]

Makes me think the guitar I bought is more valuable than what I'd previously thought.

Of course, it plays and sounds great.

Well, as an ES120 in 1994, I don't think it's at the bottom of the ES range (couldn't find the various ES models offered in 94). Great looking guitar and no doubt, it plays and sounds great.

 

[jacco]

Well, in the 1994 Tokai catalog on Vintaxe, there's only 2 models: ES100 & ES200.

 

[marcusnieman]

Well, in the 1994 Tokai catalog on Vintaxe, there's only 2 models: ES100 & ES200.

Here's Andy's label.....guess on the year?

 

[jacco]

Although I would expect a 7 digit serial number, I'd say 1994
Did these come in 6 digits too?

Besides this I found that on Vintaxe the 1994 catalog doesn't say it's from 1994, front or back. It only says volume 17. I know the 1984 catalog is volume 10, so it could be the 1991 catalog on Vintaxe..

 

[marcusnieman]

Noticed something else interesting..... don't the F holes look like they are bound?

 

[jacco]

So a recent build?

 

[marcusnieman]

So a recent build?

I've never seen a Tokai with bound F holes.... old or new. Nor have I seen one in that color. I'm puzzled by this one.