Tokai Silver Star guitars

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TommyR

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Does anyone have any information about these instruments? I have been offered one by a friend of a friend. I'm pretty familiar with Tokai's ST copies - Spring Sound and Goldstar Sound but this appears to be a late 60's /early 70's ST copy with larger style headstock. Guitar is white with black scratchplate, pick-up covers and volume/tone knobs. The logo is one of the backwards 7 type so it's dated from late 70s to 1980/81. I don't know if it's as collectible as Tokai's other ST models but it's a nice player. Any help would be really welcome. Thanks very much. Tom
 
Tommy,try YAHOO JAPAN AUCTIONS.I HAVE SEEN A PAIR ON SALE A WEEK AGO.
 
Silver Star series I have seen got a 70,s wider head or similar.SS-38,SS-48 AND SS-60 MODELS,only japanese market maybe,I am not sure.
 
Silver star series headstock I look feels very similar to a Fender JV series I saw in a guitar book titled "guitar handbook" by Ralph Denyer,page 63
 
Hi, I wanted to bring this back to the top to see if anyone could shed more light on the silver star topic since this thread, any info appreciated!
 
Hi guys,
The Silver Star series were Tokai replicas of the CBS-era Strats and had the model designation TSS instead of TST. Some models were offered with a 4-bolt neck (CBS 65-70) and some with a 3-bolt neck (CBS 71-on).
The 3-bolt neck had a bullet truss rod, black scratch plate and black Tokai logo. The maple fingerboards were stuck on the same as rosewood (i'm 90% sure)and the body was alder. Logo style was "spagetti" gold or black, changing to black script in 1984
This model does not seem to have continued after 1985. They were not imported to Australia.
regards
Peter
 
Thanks very much for that info, it seems like nobody really knows anything about these!!
 
Hi Charlie,
This model was not as successful as the TST series due to the fact that CBS still owned Fender at the time and players wanted the older style guitars.
Construction wise they were no different to the TST series in terms of quality so they represent excellent value.
regards
Peter
 
Thanks again, I just bought one on ebay, I hope I didnt get hosed too bad! I like the big headstock seventies look, I hope that their version of the three bolt neck is tighter then fenders was! Here is a link, if anyone is curious,
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1502583565&r=0&t=0&showTutorial=0&ed=1011136598&indexURL=0&rd=1
 
Sounds like there could be some interest in the Silver Star. I got one from a friend (Japan-based) and it's a really nicely made instrument. I've never played a 70's Strat but the fingerboard on this was nice and flat, with higher output p-ups than you'd find on 50s/60s reissues. Guitar had 3-bolt neck, micro-tilt etc. Only for the Japanese market as far as I know - none of the catalogues feature them on the Tokai Registry. A few people remark on its similarity to the SQ series Squiers of the mid-80s, at least in looks - any thoughts on this?
 
Hi Charlie and TommyR
The TSS on eBay was made between 1980-82, due to the logo shape, probably the TSS-48. The retail in 1982 would have been around US$600.00. At any price, buying an immaculate 20yo guitar in pristine condition with the quality of wood that was used back then is a bargain. Good score! Post some pics.
I'm pretty sure the TSS series was for Japan only so any that are surfacing are rare. The Squier guitars were made in Japan under license to Fender so they would have heaps of similarities to the Tokai.
regards
Peter

 
I should have it next week, I will try to do some better pics then that ad, will try to get some shots under the pick guard and that sort of thing,,if that original retail is accurate, then i guess it wasnt too bad, I have heard nothing but good stuff about the springys and goldstars, so i hope this is as good as they are, the japs didnt generally make junk for themselfs. Also, will there be any marks on the guitar itself to help nail the year down closer? thanks

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: charlie on 2002-01-16 19:37 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: charlie on 2002-01-16 19:42 ]</font>
 
Hi charlie
I look forward to seeing the pics.
As far as marks go I cannot help you. The model was not imported into Australia so I did not have the opportunity to examine new guitars. They may have had the oval sticker, but check the base of the neck for markings and inside the routed cavity. also any letters or marks on the pickups could give an indication to the model. With the TST series, the various models (TST50, 60,80) had different pickups in them.
Yhe main models were TSS-38 and TSS-48 so it is likely your axe will be one of these models - but lets wait and see.
regards
Peter
 
Well I still have not received my strat, lol, hopefully today, but i was informed by the seller that this guitar came with a five position switch. Is this normal? I thought all seventies fenders came with a 3? He is tossing in a three way switch too, just curious, also an SN question, every silver star pic i have seen they seem to actually have a unique SN is this not also true of the springys and goldstars?
charlie
 
Well, I finally got it,, its great, virtually buzz free, and nice tone, great playability, my only complaint would be that I like larger frets, but thats me, not it, so no complaints, as soon as i get a little ambition i will take some pics, thanks all!
 
I remember have heard something about a japanese Fender called silver star.Any connection with Tokai ones?
 
I just picked one of these up on Ebay, and it's a really good guitar: light, resonant, and it sounds great. It's one of those guitars that make you play it until your wife yells at you.
 
Hi guys,

Just a little more about this model....

I have found the TSS-38 pictured in the Volume 12 (1986) catalog. It features an alder body, maple neck with either r'wood or maple fingerboard, bullet truss-rod, modern bridge, 3x SS-Hot pickups and was offered with a black scratchplate on a Black, White or 3-tone S/B finish. Price 38,000 yen.

This is possibly the last year of manufacture as my Volume 15 catalog (1989) does not have the model.
regards
Peter
 
Ok, well, so i am a little slow, but am finally posting the pics of the silver star, sorry about the poor quality, any comments or knowledge welcome!

http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai1.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai2.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai3.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai4.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai5.jpg

http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai6.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai7.jpg
http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai8.jpg

http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai9.jpg


http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai10.jpg

http://pages.cthome.net/centuryexpress/tokai/tokai11.jpg
 
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