The earliest vintage ES models originally didn't have an orange label?

[jselect]

The earliest vintage ES models originally didn't have an orange label?
I've been worried about this for a long time, so I searched on the Internet and extracted the data.

[ES100]
serial number / label/ inlay

1011029 no no
1011054 no no
1011093 no no
101162x (mine) no no
1011639 no no
1011641 no no
1011734 no no
1011824 no no

1013289 yes no
1013388 yes no
1013502 yes no

1013776 yes flower
1013892 yes flower
1014080 yes flower

[ES150]
1011762 no no
1011891 no no

1013022 yes no
1013048 yes no
1013492 yes no

From these results, it can be inferred that the engraved serial number on the back of the head, last four digits of1000s did not have an orange label and no inlay on the head.

There was no data in the 2000 series, but when entering the 3000 series, there is an orange label, and there is no inlay on the head.

And after about 3700S, there is an orange label, and there is a flower inlay on the head.

 

[Sigmania]

Check out the changes in the LC headstock.

I think the blank headstock in 1980/81 had to do with finding an original design and getting away from the Gibson style split diamond? With the LC at least.

Guessing they were trying to avoid litigation then created some unique headstock in lays.

1981 arch top catalog.

 

[jselect]

Greco, Fernandez, and others had crown inlays that looked exactly like Gibsons on the ES type heads, but when Tokai released the ES type, they were nothing (I personally like this head without inlays). The inlay from 1982 is certainly an original design, but disproportionately luxurious for the dot-positioned ES type, which I personally don't like. I gave up that type of ES100.

 

[jselect]

Sigmania, how about your opinion concerning "No label"?

 

[Sigmania]

I don't know much about these. Kind of at the limit of what I know.

You might like this flyer though.

It is a scan from VintAxe from 1981.

That photo was also used in the 1981 arch top catalog.

 

[Sigmania]

And then a later Alvin Lee model.

No in lay.

TEN YEARS AFTER | IconicPix Music Archive



Alvin Lee model Tokai



Tokai ES180-AL "Alvin Lee Signature" seethrough red | Reverb

 

[jselect]

I don't know much about these. Kind of at the limit of what I know.

You might like this flyer though.

It is a scan from VintAxe from 1981.

That photo was also used in the 1981 arch top catalog.

View attachment 9903

Oh, this 1981 ES150R does not have orange label.
Thank you for your info.

 

[Sigmania]

The inlay from 1982 is certainly an original design, but disproportionately luxurious for the dot-positioned ES type, which I personally don't like. I gave up that type of ES100.

That flower in-lay was taken from an inlay they used on banjos in the mid 1970s.

T-1000 R Banjo

They probably had it handy. I think the catalog translation calls it "birds & flowers".







1982 catalog

 

[jselect]

Mmmmmm.......It's just my personal opinion, but after all, this flashy head inlay does not suit the ES in the dot position. Dot ES is best with a simple appearance.

 

[Sigmania]

Understood. It looks like the genesis of it is:

Ornate 1920s Gibson Mastertone banjos > Tokai banjos in the mid 1970s > flagship 1982 ES200

The dots are essentially "less than" the flag ship ES200 and I agree they don't match.

But part of a larger story.

Gibson TB-4 Mastertone 5-String Conversion Banjo prewar bluegrass

 

[jselect]

Thanks for the great information. The design of the fingerboard inlay also came from the banjo. Very well understood.

I simply respect your inexhaustible depth of information. Thank you very much.

 

[Sigmania]

It's fun. I think I am a frustrated detective.

 

[chuckyz2]

The earliest vintage ES models originally didn't have an orange label?
I've been worried about this for a long time, so I searched on the Internet and extracted the data.

[ES100]
serial number / label/ inlay

1011029 no no
1011054 no no
1011093 no no
101162x (mine) no no
1011639 no no
1011641 no no
1011734 no no
1011824 no no

1013289 yes no
1013388 yes no
1013502 yes no

1013776 yes flower
1013892 yes flower
1014080 yes flower

[ES150]
1011762 no no
1011891 no no

1013022 yes no
1013048 yes no
1013492 yes no

From these results, it can be inferred that the engraved serial number on the back of the head, last four digits of1000s did not have an orange label and no inlay on the head.

There was no data in the 2000 series, but when entering the 3000 series, there is an orange label, and there is no inlay on the head.

And after about 3700S, there is an orange label, and there is a flower inlay on the head.

Mine has no orange sticker and is 1011762 in your list. It has no orange label but is obviously a real deal 81' 150 Cashew
I thought it may have came loose or was taken out for a fraud copy. Good to know it didn't come with one. Where did you find the info on the ES-150's especially on my guitar. I would like to see it.

 

[luis]

I guess Tokai took the idea from here: 70's early 80's Les Paul Artisan

 

[Sigmania]

Yep. Lots of folks mimicking the designs of early Gibsons in the late 70s/early 80s.

I used to like the Ibanez Custom Agent guitars from the late 70s that had a headstock & fretboard similar to an early F model Gibson mandolin.

Ibanez Custom Agent – model 2405 (sunburst)



1974 Gibson F5

Gibson F5 Mandolin 1974 (consignment) SOLD

 

[jselect]

Mine has no orange sticker and is 1011762 in your list. It has no orange label but is obviously a real deal 81' 150 Cashew
I thought it may have came loose or was taken out for a fraud copy. Good to know it didn't come with one. Where did you find the info on the ES-150's especially on my guitar. I would like to see it.

I found the info of yours on YAHOO JAPAN.

 

[chuckyz2]

I found the info of yours on YAHOO JAPAN.

Was that the auction the guy I got from, bought it from? About 8 months ago or so? Or was there another article about it?

 

[jselect]

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o1053077952
This one.

 

[jselect]

chuckyz2, is this yours, right?

 

[jselect]

Was that the auction the guy I got from, bought it from? About 8 months ago or so? Or was there another article about it?

Yes, 2022 of June.