Springy Sound or Goldstar?

[AKV13]

Hi All,

Please help me determine what I have here!

Backstory: My dad picked up this guitar in the early/mid 80's from a friend who bought it new. The logo on the headstock must have been removed by the first owner. I started learning on this guitar in 6th grade and always just thought it was some cheap knock off as it was not branded. Last Christmas my dad offered it to me for my kids to start learning and i took it. I started searching for what it was and stumbled on Tokai using the "oldies but goldies" sticker still on the headstock. I've started dipping into the rabbit hole but there is a lot of scattered info and I was wondering if you could help me with model/year/any relevant info!

based on the limited research and comparing pics it looks like it could be an '82 springy sound '57-'62 replica based on the 5 digit serial number. I've also looked into goldstars and it may line up as one of those as well. The B/E string guide on the headstock is throwing me off as many pics I see are not rounded like this one, not sure what that means. Can anyone tell me what model this might be? thanks in advance!

 

[Sigmania]

What pickups are in it?

 

[Sigmania]

Based on what I can see, I would say it is a 1983 TST60YS Goldstar. Possibly early 1984.

So should have E or V marked pickups.

1954 soft V neck?

1983 Goldstars Script Logo

Pics under the hood would help confirm that and give us the month built, etc.

 

[AKV13]

Based on what I can see, I would say it is a 1983 TST60YS Goldstar. Possibly early 1984.

So should have E or V marked pickups.

1954 soft V neck?

1983 Goldstars Script Logo

Pics under the hood would help confirm that and give us the month built, etc.

here is what I found, what does it all mean? was your inital thought correct? thx!

 

[Sigmania]

Cool. I would say made in May 1983.

1983 TST60YS

The pickups changed to V by the fall of 1983 and the number is way too high for it to be 1982.

 

[AKV13]

Cool. I would say made in May 1983.

1983 TST60YS

The pickups changed to V by the fall of 1983 and the number is way too high for it to be 1982.

cool thank you! which pickups are more desirable the E or V? Also, do you know if its possible to find an original headstock logo to restore it back to looking original? would it be the 3 piece decal or the 1 piece decal? thanks again!

 

[Sigmania]

There is some debate as to whether the E and V are the same pickups. I think they read very close to one another. I would have to check to be sure.

As for decals.... Are you in the UK? Is the guitar from the UK?

In the UK the decal changed several times in 1983.

 

[Sigmania]

E marked, black & white cloth wire (ST60 and above 1978) ~ 5.7 - 5.9k Ohm

MKI, V marked, black & white cloth wire. "Vintage" pickups. AST/TST60 ~ 5.7 - 6.3k Ohm

Tokai Single Coil Pickups

 

[Sigmania]

And looks like you would have the script logo decal.

March/April 1983 Change To Script Logo And Model Names

I need to check and see when the slogan changed from fanatics to the quality instruments slogan.

 

[Sigmania]

It is looking like your guitar probably had the easier decal to find. That is a bonus.

The quality instruments slogan script logo. Available on eBay and elsewhere.

Documenting these since the Registry says they don't exist.

First script logo I have logged so far seems to have been made in December 1982...

SN 11552

Newbie :) Confirmation of my Goldie - 84 TST-50?

Pickups changed to V and VII in model year 1984 (appearing in at least one example made in November 1983).

VS-1 first in use in ST100 & 120 in 1982, and in 1983 shift to TST80 and 100.

First examples of script logo Goldstars are 3 piece decals with the slogan "Made In Japan By Rock And Roll Fanatics".

3 Piece Script Logo Goldstar Decals 1982/83

Note that block logo and script logo decal Goldstars overlap. Different markets. Block logos first appear as Springys as an apparent remedy to the lawsuit in the UK in the spring/summer of 1982. So far, have not seen a script logo Springy....


Serial numbers:

3 piece decal ("Rock And Roll Fanatics")

Maple:
11552
13695
14635

Rosewood:
L12041


1 piece decal ("The Quality Musical Instruments")

Maple:
16721

*0619 (TST80)
*107628 (TST70)

Rosewood:
L09544
L11189
L12968
L13115

 

[Sigmania]

Seems like some had a silver sort of finish as member ATO pointed out. I need to check. I think his was a 3 piece decal though.

3 Piece Script Logo Goldstar Decals 1982/83

ATO's photo

 

[Sigmania]

Here is the decal on my TST70 made in June 1983.

 

[AKV13]

There is some debate as to whether the E and V are the same pickups. I think they read very close to one another. I would have to check to be sure.

As for decals.... Are you in the UK? Is the guitar from the UK?

In the UK the decal changed several times in 1983.

Thank you for all the info! To answer your question here, the guitar and myself are in Canada.

 

[Sigmania]

I think you are good with the gold script logo decal with the slogan "Quality Musical Instruments..."

 

[Sigmania]

And good for you for restoring it! TST60 is a sweet guitar.

 

[AKV13]

thanks so much, this has been a fun discovery!

 

[Sigmania]

You are welcome. Nice guitar. Enjoy!