Question and some info about my Tokai Springy Sound.

[Kenmac]

I mentioned this before but I'm thinking of selling my Springy Sound. It's my least used guitar and I've already got a Goldstar Sound and a Fender Strat but I'd like to ask the experts on this forum about how much it would be worth? Here's the info about it. I originally bought it a few years ago from a guy who used it for gigging in his band and as a result there are a few dings in various areas. I'll be posting links to some photos I took of it this afternoon so you can see for yourself.

He replaced the original pickups with Fender Texas Special pickups which really gives it that "vintage" Strat sound and he replaced the pickguard with a tortoiseshell one. Other than that everything else is stock including the trem and the tuners are "Delux". The bridge saddles have the "Final Prospec" stamped onto them and the serial number is L03869 so I guess that would be around 1981 or so?

As far as playability goes, there are no problems even with the ding in the back of the neck. Soundwise, as I said, it really is that "vintage" Strat sound. I'm trying to finish off my collection and three Strats is too many for me. I'm currently shopping around for a Tokai Love Rock from the early 80's and I've been in contact with somebody who's offering me a pretty good deal. Okay this is my first time trying this with the images, here goes. (Sorry, some of the photos weren't as clear as they could have been.) BTW I've included a couple of shots of the gigbag. It's the most padded gigbag I've ever owned.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS1.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS2.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS3.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS4.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS5.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS6L03869.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS7.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS8.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS9.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS10.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS11.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS12.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS13.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS14.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS15.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS16.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS17.jpg

 

[Kenmac]

No responses yet? I realize I took a lot of shots but I wanted to cover as many angles of the guitar as possible. I'm looking to sell this guitar in the Toronto area this week so I'd really appreciate somebody letting me know what this would sell for as I don't want to under or overcharge.

 

[javelin70]

It's probably an '81 or '82 Springy, the model is ST-50 or higher. I don't know exactly what the value would be in USA/Canada but in Europe it would be at least $700 USD. I've seen them go for a lot more here (1000-1100 Euro) but I was able to find an '82 Springy in good condition last year for ~ $800-900 USD (without case). It has less dings and dents than yours and is in original condition except for the pickups (Seymour Duncan SSL-1).

Mike

 

[Kenmac]

Thanks javelin70. So do you think $800.00 Canadian would be a good asking price?

 

[Pegcityrocker]

Hey Ken, I think you should determine what model she is first. Have you ever removed the pickups and looked in the cavity? Have you ever taken the neck off to see what's stamped on it? It will be worth while to do so and post pics of that if you can.

 

[Kenmac]

One thing I don't want to do is take my guitar apart as I don't want to mess things up with it. When I first started playing guitar back in the late 70's I used to have a cheap Kay Les Paul copy that would occasionally go dead on me and I'd open up the quarter inch output jack, clear it out, put it back together and it would be okay for about a month or so then I'd have to do it again later. I guess the wiring was faulty in that guitar and yes, I've seen the members here posting pictures of their guitars with the necks and pickups out but you guys are braver than me.

 

[marcusnieman]

Well, you have to be prepared to answer the same question from a prospective buyer if he wants to know what the pickups are and to accurately list what your guitar is made up of. These guitars are put together very simply.....that's the beauty of a strat.

To look into the cavity is a VERY simple process.....simply remove or loosen your strings all the way and unscrew the little screws that go around the perimeter of your pick guard and the whole assembly comes out - pickups, selector switch and pots stay attached to the pickguard. Goes back on the way it came off......

Pulling a neck is equally simple.....it's attached by the four screws attaching the neck plate to the back of your guitar. Again, with the strings loose, unscrew the screws, and the neck pops right off. Reattach it same way it came off - no glue, no torque wrench, etc. Tighten the screws - just don't over twist them so you strip the slots.

 

[Kenmac]

I've reconsidered and I will take it apart later this week just to see what model this is. As I said in the first post, the previous owner replaced the pickups with Fender Texas Special pickups.

 

[Pegcityrocker]

Marcus is totally right on. And that's half the fun of owning Japanese guitars; trying to figure out exactly what they are.

 

[Kenmac]

Here's an update. I unscrewed the pickguard and took a picture. You'll see the number inside where the volume and tone controls sit. Sorry if the picture's a little on the blurry side. I must have taken about 6 or 7 shots and this was the best of the bunch. If I get too close, things get too dark and if I use the flash it washes everything out. I tried the zoom but that makes things blurry as well. Anyway the number reads:
8=110W X. Here's a link to the photo: http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r227/Netskenmac/Springysound/SS18.jpg