PRS-180, PSR-250 Santana Model PRS Copy

[Sigmania]

These are very rare Tokais.

The original Paul Reed Smith Santana model was first made in 1995.

Tokai first started making PRS copies in 2003 (LR30 and LR40 introduced at 2003 NAMM show).

So the Tokai version of the Santana model had to have been made after 2003, certianly not in the 80s as some have suggested on line.

So far I have not seen a serial number on one of these nor any paperwork/COA.

Note that there are 1 and 2 knob versions as well as dot and bird inlays.

 

[Sigmania]

Dot version with 2 knobs (1 volume, 1 tone).

Used TOKAI PRS 180VF TA Electric Guitar HH Rose FB W/HSC

Used TOKAI PRS 180VF TA

SPEC

Body: MAPLE purity tiger mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Pegs: SCHALLER Type
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: Original PU (Neck), Duncan HB (Bridge)
Weight: 3.8kg
Color: TA
Tremolo: Vibrato unit
Neck Shape: Unknown

Also discussed here: PRS Tokai

 

[Sigmania]

Another Santana Model

Listing mentions Jacaranda

100 Star Tokai Santana I PRS Copy Jacaranda

 

[player41]

I played a 1985 prs custom 24 years ago and it was one of the best guitars i've tried. I had the chance to buy a 35th annivesary, but i bought a 1993 custom 24 cause the 35th was so different or worse than the other 2. Now i've got a 1985 tokai Santana which is just as good as the 85 custom. Under the bridge pocket says 250. It's just a pleasure to play.

 

[player41]

I have Another made from tokai.

 

[Sigmania]

Prototype ? Super rare! Tokai? PRS SANTANA TYPE (Tokai Paul Reed Smith JAPAN VINTAGE Japan Vintage Santana

Description of item​

Thank you for visiting.
The details of this guitar are unknown, but it is a guitar made with quite luxurious wood and parts.
According to a person at a music store who is familiar with the equipment, it is likely a copy of the Santana model made by Tokai Gakki in the 1980s.
The body materials used are materials that are unimaginable these days, such as a beautiful veneer mahogany back and an extreme pressure solid flame maple top.
The neck is also one-piece mahogany. The fingerboard is probably Jacaranda. (Compared with my Jacaranda fingerboard guitar at home. Please judge from the photo.)
Bird inlay finished with abalone wood.
The pegs are Schaller lock pegs made in West Germany, just like the pre-factory PRS. I looked into the year of manufacture of the peg and it seems to be around 1970-1980.
Based on this information, it is estimated that the guitar was manufactured around 1980.
The control section is one volume (push to coil tap).
The neck side of the mini switch is the pickup selector, and the body end probably plays the role of the tone. (Details unknown. The impression is that the tone becomes brighter or darker)
The weight is unknown, but it is definitely under 4kg.
Considering the year of manufacture, it is in pretty good condition, but there are some cracks in the paint near the nuts. It seems that it has not reached the xylem.
It has good playability and can be used immediately.
It has the best sound and is an all-purpose product.
If you miss this opportunity, I think it's one that you'll never get.
This is a guitar that I originally thought I would never part with, but due to changes in my living environment, I have decided to put it up for sale.
It will be shipped in a special hard case.
Please consider it.

 

[player41]

The Yahoo Page cant be seen
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e1127140248

 

[Sigmania]

Hmmm. Shows up fine for me. Same as the link you posted.

 

[player41]

Maybe your location permits It, i cant see It.

 

[Sigmania]

Maybe your location prohibits it? I can see it.

You must be in Europe?

Try another service like JAUCE to access Yahoo Japan.

 

[player41]

It's blocked due cites

 

[player41]

The guitar is gone. I was trying to buy it, but they didn't want to unblock It.

 

[player41]

This is the tremolo spring backplate on my tokai Santana the serial number is from 1985

 

[Sigmania]

Interesting trem cover. I’ve been logging examples of those for some time. Most were on SS models.

Serial Numbers On Trem Covers

Your trem cover has a serial number that fits in with a bunch of Custom Editions with a CBS headstocks.

The problem with a serial number on a trem cover is obviously that it can be moved to a different guitar.

As I posted above:

The original Paul Reed Smith Santana model was first made in 1995.

Tokai first started making PRS copies in 2003 (LR30 and LR40 introduced at 2003 NAMM show).

So the Tokai version of the Santana model had to have been made after 2003, certianly not in the 80s as some have suggested on line.

So far I have not seen a serial number on one of these nor any paperwork/COA.

 

[player41]

What about the electronic cavity, it's the same as the high end tokai models. Same pots(D500k and the ECN-C4A capacitors found on the tokai ls-200 from the 80's.

 

[Sigmania]

That's interesting. I recognize that pot from LS200's.

How do you explain how Tokai could have made a Santana PRS model copy before PRS made that Santana Model?

 

[Sigmania]

Well, my mistake. It looks like he was playing what are probably prototypes as early as 1984 in this pohoto in Spain.



And production of a PRS Santana model started in 1988?

1988

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PRS_Custom_(1988)_Santana_guitar_(body),_MIM_PHX.jpg

 

[Sigmania]

I saw him at the Mountain Aire Festival in Calavares Co. California in 1988 and he was playing this guitar.

 

[player41]

The first Santana model started in 1995 which is known as the Santana 1 with the two miniswitch, the model started cuase two of his original guitars that Paul made in 1980 got stolen, so the remain guitar was sent to prs so they can make a couple of them, so in that case the model started from those specs adding a tone pot.

 

[player41]

Here is a concert from 1981