1980 ST80 YSR
SN 0009419
1980 Tokai Springy Sound Model ST-80 S-Style Vintage Electric Guitar 100% Original w/ Case, Japan
Description:
Up for sale, a 1980 Tokai Springy Sound ST-80 in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. One of the more storied vintage Japanese Strat-style guitars, the Springy Sound models were celebrated upon their introduction for being a faithful, high-quality spin on the classic Fender platform, even finding their way into the hands of players like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Billy Gibbons.
Produced from 1978-83, this early Tokai features a two-piece Sen Ash body, prominent chunky V neck profile carve, dark rosewood fretboard, gray bobbin single coils, and single-ply pickguard on a gloss-finished three-tone Sunburst body. The ash body lends this Springy Sound a certain immediate note attack and midrange heft, and the rosewood board gives the guitar a sweetness and warmth. The trio of gray bobbin single coil pickups have a chewy snap and sparkle, with a round-sounding neck pickup and plenty of biting twang in the bridge position. Weighing 8lbs 3oz, this Tokai has been professionally setup here at Mike and Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, accurate intonation, and fast action.
The maple neck has a profile shape straight out of 1957, with a no-nonsense prominent V-shaped carve, measuring .875” deep at the 1st fret and .975” at the 12th. The dark rosewood fretboard has a 7 1/4“ radius and retains the original slender fretwire which is in fantastic shape with well-rounded crowns, showing only a hint of wear beneath the plain strings on frets 1-5. This guitar plays cleanly up the 25 1/2“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The original bone nut measures 1.650” (42mm) in width. On the headstock, the Tokai decal is present in spaghetti script next to the Springy Sound text, and the very forward “This is the Exact Replica of the Good Old Strat” motto and "Oldies but Goldies" text shows Tokai's intent of producing a vital, soulful iteration of this classic Fender platform. The stock set of Tokai-branded Kluson-style single-line tuners turn smoothly and hold their pitch well.
All of the stock electronics work as they should, with the Strat's Volume/Volume/Tone configuration, a five-way pickup selector switch and trio of single coil pickups. All of the original hardware is intact, and the chrome is quite clean with only a light dusting of patina on the bridge base and saddles. The saddles are even individually Tokai-branded in true vintage-spec fashion. The original gloss three-tone Sunburst finish evokes a 1962 Strat appearance and is remarkably clean. Cosmetic wear is limited to some pick scuffing across the strum path, a scant few minor dings on the lower bout perimeter and back, and a few faint scratches in the clear coat on the body as a whole. The smooth gloss on the neck profile is flawless.
This Tokai is a notably well-kept upper tiered Springy Sound model, complete with the original hardshell case which retains the Tokai badge on the exterior.