What do I need to know when buying a Tokai ST-80?

[Mark Abbott]

Hi

I'm wanting to buy a late 70's to early 80's Tokai ST-80. The guitar has to have a V neck, and all maple fingerboard. I would very much prefer if the guitar also had an ash body.

How do I know if a guitar is an ST-80 or an ST-50?

How do I know what year the guitar was built?

I did see the stuff on the home page but I didn't understand it.

I've seen some of these guitars sold with gig bags, this strikes me a little odd that they don't come with a case.

I look forward to your advice.

Regards

Mark

 

[felixcatus]

How do I know if a guitar is an ST-80 or an ST-50?

ST80 should have "E" pups, nitro finish, V-neck? (not sure all have Vs), 2 piece body. All features an ST55 doesn't have.

I'm wanting to buy a late 70's to early 80's Tokai ST-80..

How do I know what year the guitar was built?

Spaghetti logo are the early ones

Roughly:
'77 ↔ '78 serial stamp in body neck pocket /small neck plate
'78 ↔ '82 serial stamp in body neck pocket /1st digit neckplate number

(guys, correct me if I'm wrong here)

 

[Mark Abbott]

Thanks for reading my posts and replying Felix.

One of the obvious problems is parts have been replaced over the years; pots would be typical and quite acceptable, though pickups are the next item to be replaced with whatever was fashionable at the time.

I have seen a couple of supposed ST-80's with either no logo or a Fender logo on them.

http://www.guitarsjapan.com/1980_Tokai_ST-80_Springy_Sound_1957_Strat_Replica.html

I'm still curious about cases versus gig bags, did models like the ST-80 really come with gig bags instead of tweed cases?

 

[marcusnieman]

They never came with tweed cases. Here's a comprehensive post with photos that I put up of a 1980 ST80M(aple fretboard) that I bought this year.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22623&highlight=st80


I also found a 1980 ST80R(osewood fretboard) that I bought later. Same case. I put up pics of it too but I can't find the post.

If you do a forum search under ST80 and read up on them, many of your questions will be answered.

 

[Mark Abbott]

I did some reading up on posts, but I found guys asking the same sort of questions as me. Reading your post it confirms the ST-80's may have been available in a hard case. I'd have to continue reading.

I love your ST-80, I hope I find one like it.