The Period Of Mystery (1992-2009), Fitting Together The Puzzle

[Sigmania]

Gathering all the various puzzle pieces and see if we can figure out how this all fits.

Timeline:

Circa 1992, HSS MIJ Goldstars with 01xxxx six digit serial numbers...

Then no definitive Japanese built Tokai STs until 2009...

Meanwhile in that same period Tokai was absolutely making guitars for Fender.

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai Built Fenders
The Relaltionship of Tokai and Fujigen?
Tokai, Fender And Marks That May Hold Clues
Diving Board Necks On Tokais
Mystery Jazz Sound JB Bass
The Mystery Of The - Hyphen, Dash, or Minus Sign
Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 01xxxx 1991 1992
Hyphen "S" Guitars
Mystery Guitar With TOKAI Stamped Saddles
No Serial Number MIJ Goldstars
Help with identifying Tokai Strat with no serial?
The Changing Price Point Of Tokai Strats
Tokai Strat Copy Timeline 1977- Present

 

[Sigmania]

There are a series of guitars that mark the end of this period

One is an ST with no serial but "Made In Japan in ink on the neck heel.

Date stamps in neck pocket:

Sept 17, 2009
Sept 24, 2009

Assembled in October.






2009 Tokai Japan Goldstar Sound Strat Sunburst Guitar w/ Fender G&G Case | eBay


The following month there is a similar guitar that has a serial number. Assembled in November.




2009 Goldstar Sound strat, is this one a rarity?

 

[Sigmania]

Here is an odd non offending guitar, the GS100.

What I find interesting is that another member asked Tokai when they were made and they said 2008-2012.

Any GS100 players like to share their opinions?

The curious thing to me is that I found one on Reverb that has the "Made In Japan" mark on the neck heel and no serial number.

Looks like the all caps mark which I had thought was earlier than 2008.

 

[Sigmania]

Here is one of the GS100s opened up. Can't tell if it has a serial number or not.

Posted in January of 2010 so assuming the guitar is from 2009 or earlier.

Inside a GS100






The label on the Humbucker is the same type of label found on Tokai LPs from 2004-2006.

Like this one from 2004: