Tokai ST80 1982

[Omiewise65]

Finally found ‘the one’ for me , I’d say !
Some scarfs from being rocked for 36 years constantly by the same owner .
Neck feels awesome ! Liked the U neck on my ST50 , this V neck fits much better with my big hands .
I’m very happy so far .
Looks like it‘s not that easy as I thought, to find E pickups .
But I already bought one from Gottfried , hopefully they’ll pop up every now and then .

 

[Sigmania]

Oh cool. Congratulations! HNGD!

And complete sets of E pickups pop up on Yahoo Japan. I'll keep an eye out for you.

 

[Sigmania]

Just saw this single pickups on YJ

Tokai Eスタンプ グレーボビン ピックアップ / m... - ヤフオク!

 

[Omiewise65]

Not sure which one would fit for the bridge section. The one with the lower output , I‘d guess ..?
Have to wait until the pup from Faber has arrived . Thanks a lot anyway

 

[Homeras]

Not that long ago a complete pickguard with Es was for sale on kleinanzeigen

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Not sure which one would fit for the bridge section. The one with the lower output , I‘d guess ..?

The hottest one goes usually to the bridge position (but it doesn't have to).

 

[Sigmania]

That one that measures 6.15 is higher than almost all I have seen.

Usually they all read the same. Usually like 5.8 or so.

 

[Omiewise65]

Found a full set of E stamped pups in Spain , via Reverb ! EUR 290 + 25 shipped . Comes out of a '83 Goldstar .
Already on the way !

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Congrats! That's pricey but it restores the guitar's value, while a set of fancy new PUs for the same price wouldn't.

 

[Omiewise65]

Is there any chance to find a ST80 body plank for sale ?
Found out that I was ripped when I traded in my lovely LS 50 for the do called ST80 .
Intonation is possible with the saddles screwed all up as far as possible .
Right above the tremolo screws .
Guess it is a ST50 or ST60 body where only the U neck fits snug , while my V neck won’t .
You‘ll never stop learning, oh well .

 

[Sigmania]

That is interesting. Are the neck and body codes the same?

My understanding is the same year guitars were drilled the same on all STs so the necks should be interchangeable.

Hole patterns evolved before 1981.

 

[ATO]

Is the truss rod set correctly as that can cause intonation issues. Looks like it's had a refret with tall frets, are they properly crowned as that could cause issues too. Is it just intonation that's making you think that something's been swapped? Surely codes will confirm as Sigmania says.

 

[Omiewise65]

As neck and body have different stamps , I guess they were not made for each other from the Tokai factory . Japanese builder never would have done a job like this .
In fact both , the neck and the body are definitely Tokai.
Intonation works out fine but there‘s a 2mm gap between the neck and the pickguard which shouldn’t be .
Compared to my ST50 it is very reasonable.
I love this guitar . She‘s got what she deserves , E stamped pickups , all original , out of a 1983 Goldstar , today .
Sounds soo good .

 

[Omiewise65]

Yes , she‘s got a refret with medium jumbos , I guess .

 

[Omiewise65]

Intonation wise that’s the best solution I can get . Looks like the holes of the neck screws should be about 2mm back

 

[Sigmania]

Can you post pictures of the codes and of the holes in the neck pocket and the neck?

I am really curious about what you have.

If the body and neck are from 1982 they should have been cut with CNC. That gap is making me wonder what you actually have.

 

[Omiewise65]

Pics

 

[Omiewise65]

Pickguard is not original but fits perfectly

 

[ATO]

Wonder if the neck pocket has been opened up at some point to fit a non tokai neck.

 

[Sigmania]

Hmmmm. The months are only one month apart potentially, so it could be a mated pair.

I am also noticing some interesting stuff in the body stamps.

Color code of WB. No idea what that is.

Edit: Looks like W8 actually.

Also an A which could mean it is an ST80 body.



I need to think about this. Puzzling.