Images of my guitar collection!

Hi everyone,

This is my first post so please excuse any mistakes that I might make - teething problems etc, etc!

I have been a reading the posts in the forum on a regular basis for the past 2 years but I have only just joined this evening, so a big 'thanks' to everyone, who without even realizing it, have helped me with some very useful information for the last 2 years!

I began to acquire my collection in December 2006 and I would like to share a few photos of the fruits of my labours with all of the forum members. I finally managed to photograph the collection a couple of nights ago and I have just finished compiling the images.

Please view the index image and I have also included a Hi-res image of every guitar. Ok, so they're not all Tokai's but I think that they're probably still worth a quick look!

Take care & play fair.

INDEX IMAGE: http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=GuitarCollection.jpg

Epiphone Japan 59 Limited Edition Les Paul 2001:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=EpiphoneJapan59RI2001.jpg

Fernandes RST-95G 2005:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FernandesRST-95Gyearuknown.jpg

Tokai ST60 1981:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiST601981.jpg

Gibson 57 RI Les Paul Standard 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=GibsonLPR57vos2007.jpg

Fender Classic 50's Stratocaster 2008:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderClassic50sStratocaster2008.jpg

Fender USA 57 Commemorative Stratocaster 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderUSA57CommemorativeStratocaste.jpg

Tokal LS60 1981:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiLS601981.jpg

Tokai Goldstar 1983-1984:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiGoldstar83-84.jpg

History HS-335 year uknown:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=HistoryHS-335yearuknown.jpg

Tokai ST50 1979:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiST501979.jpg

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 1986:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderAmericanStandardStratocaster1.jpg

Gibson 58 RI Les Paul Standard 2008:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=GibsonLPR58vos2008.jpg

Fender USA 52 RI Telecaster 2005:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderUSA52RITelecaster2005.jpg

Tokai ST80 Goldstar mid-eighties:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiST80Goldstarmid-80s.jpg

Aria ProII ST-50D 1979:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=AriaProIIST-50D1979.jpg

Tokai ES-135 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiES1352007.jpg

Fender Japan ST62-US 1994:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderJapanST62-US1994.jpg

Tokai Goldstar body - Springy sound neck:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiGoldstarbody-Springyneck.jpg

Aria ProII Les Paul Standard 1977:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=AriaProIILesPaulStandard1977.jpg

Fender USA 62 RI Stratocaster 2008:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderUSA62RIStratocaster2008.jpg

Greco SE-500 1979:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=GrecoSE-5001979.jpg

Tokai Limited Edition early eighties:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiLimitedEditionearly80s.jpg

Edwards E-LP-98 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=EdwardsE-LP-982007.jpg

Tokai ST50 body - ST80 neck 1981:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiST50body-ST80neck1981.jpg

Bacchus BST-64 2001:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=BacchusBST-622001.jpg

Tokai ST55 1981:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiST551981.jpg

Gibson ES-335 2005:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=GibsonES-3352006.jpg

Tokai ST80 1977:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiST801977.jpg

Tokai Goldstar 2000's:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiGoldstar2000s.jpg

Tokai LS83 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiLS832007.jpg

Tokai Goldstar 1984:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=TokaiGoldstar1984.jpg

Fender USA 57 RI Stratocaster 1992:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderUSA57RIStratocaster1992.jpg

Orville by Gibson special order 1992:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=OrvillebyGibsonspecialorder1992.jpg

Fernandes RST-50 early 80's:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FernandesRST-50early80s.jpg

Fender Japan ST62-105DMC 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderJapanST62-105DMC2007.jpg

Bacchus BLS-59 2001:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=BacchusBLS-592000s.jpg

Squier Classic Vibes 60's 2008:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=SquierClassicVibes60sStratocaster20.jpg

Applause by Ovation Electro-Acoustic year unknown:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=ApplausebyOvationElectroAcousticyea.jpg

Fender Japan ST57-TX 2007:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=FenderJapanST57-TX.jpg

Yamaha SR-550S 1977:
http://s701.photobucket.com/albums/ww14/CABARETKID/?action=view&current=YamahaSR550S1977.jpg

Wow!

Cool collection! If you ever need a babysitter, then give me a shout.

Ok, but only if your aged 18-21 with great legs and long, blonde hair!!! :wink:

Sorry. 33, hairy legs and short ginger hair...

Be cool to hear your thoughts on which is your favourite Strat. I used to have a Fernandes 95G and have been kicking myself ever since selling it, really was a sweet sounding and looking strat.

How does the new Squier Classic Vibe compare to the others?

CABARET KID said:

Hi everyone,

This is my first post so please excuse any mistakes that I might make - teething problems etc, etc!

I have been a reading the posts in the forum on a regular basis for the past 2 years but I have only just joined this evening, so a big 'thanks' to everyone, who without even realizing it, have helped me with some very useful information for the last 2 years!

I began to acquire my collection in December 2006 and I would like to share a few photos of the fruits of my labours with all of the forum members. I finally managed to photograph the collection a couple of nights ago and I have just finished compiling the images.

Please view the index image and I have also included a Hi-res image of every guitar. Ok, so they're not all Tokai's but I think that they're probably still worth a quick look!

Click to expand...

Very, very nice! I've managed to collect collect a few myself over the years....

some collection for 2 years an 2 months, where did you find them all - ebay? London guitar shops? Whatkind of prices were you paying for the tokai strats?

Very very nice - where's that drool icon we had yesterday


A nice collection of both old and new. Do you play them all or are you more of a coillector? What's your favourite strat and LP? If it's a collection do you think the newer guitars will increase in value? I'd be interested to hear your views.

Once again nice collection. Thanks for sharing. Good photography too.

Dave

I guess my favourite strat is the USA 57 RI. There's just something about the sound from the older, non-bevelled pups that sound warmer and have more character than the newer bevelled ones. It may not have the best wood-matching on the body and even though the photos don't show it, the body has a much deeper red colour in the sunburst than most of the other two tone strats, which are more of a brown colour. Can't remember the exact weight but it's one of the lightest at around 7lb 2oz. Bought it from the USA. The 86 American standard is also a brilliant guitar, you can see that at this time Fender were only making a handful of guitars per day - the quality shows!

The Squier Classic Vibes 60's strat is a great guitar for the price. I didn't like tortoiseshell guard and replaced it with a mint green one that I had lying around. The neck's slim & wide (9".5" I think) with medium jumbo frets that are well finished. The body looks to be solid alder. The pickups are'nt bad too, fairly hot on the bridge but non of them have that 'real' vintage harmonic structure to the tone but good for the price non-the-less. The block is a little unsubstantial but at ?220.00 for the whole thing I really can't complain and would definitely recommend it. I only got it to replace one of my Goldstars for gigging!

I collect them but when I get the time I also play them in the house.

Not too sure with regards to future value of the newer models. The world is a strange place at the moment! Hopefully if I can hang on to 'em all, then in about 20 years time my son will then be approaching 30 and he will inherit them and they might be worth at least the equivalent of what I paid for them originally but who knows!

Not really a Les Paul guy but I can appreciate just how beautiful some of them look! The Epiphone Japan '59 has a stunning top and looks like a Gibson '59 at a quick glance but my fav player is the Bacchus BLS-59. I installed a pair of Seth Lovers in it and they sound sweet.

By the time I paid the shipping and customs charges on some of the Tokais from Japan they probably worked out a little cheaper than the 'going' EU prices at the time. I buy a lot of the older Japanese models from Yahoo Japan. There's some great buys on there at the moment, if you don't live in the UK that is! A pound is worth about 2 peanuts and 3 grains of rice at the moment, so I won't be getting anymore from Japan until and if the exchange rate improves in my favour.

Hey Innadaze,

That's a mega- collection, bet you have lot's of friends!!!

Made me wanna buy more now - stop it you bad man!

That's quite a collection! I think the nicest looking is the light blue Springy ST55 - is the colour code on that SO (Sonic Blue)? It looks more like Daphne Blue, but I don't think Tokai did that colour.

So you have a Goldstar ST80? Would you mind starting a new thread on that guitar. with more detailed pics? There are quite a few Springy ST80s around, but we have seen very few Goldie 80s, so a closer look would be very welcome.

Your blonde Fernandes looks just like the one JohnA sold - did you buy it from him?

Are you sure your US Standard Strat is an 86? I have an 86 62RI (date on neck butt), & I understood that in 86, after the new Corona plant opened, they were only making a handful of guitars each day, and these were only the vintage re-issues. The Stratocaster chronicles suggests that the first new Corona Standards appeared in 1987.

So your favourite, the US57RI, is a 92? Do you know if it's one of the all nitro models? I know the 80s ones were, and I know that they later started to use a poly sealant coat (which has made the newer ones far less impressive instruments, IMHO), but I can't find the date when the poly coat was introduced. I suspect 90s, but maybe you know whether the 92 was all nitro?

Anyway, enjoy them all. People like you and Innadaze are very useful for me - you both convince me that I don't have too many guitars!



Mike

CABARET KID said:

I guess my favourite strat is the USA 57 RI......... It may not have the best wood-matching on the body and even though the photos don't show it, the body has a much deeper red colour in the sunburst than most of the other two tone strats, which are more of a brown colour.

Click to expand...

A 57RI shouldnt have any red in the Sunburst, the 3 tone SB with red was introduced around 1959, same time as the rosewood boards. Yours looks to be a standard 2 tone SB - i.e no red.

As far as I know, it's only Tokai who messed around with the SB colours by using 2 tone on RW board guitars, & 3 tone on maple board guitars. Still looks strange to me, even though I own two of them!

stratman323 said:

Anyway, enjoy them all. People like you and Innadaze are very useful for me - you both convince me that I don't have too many guitars!



Mike

Click to expand...

+1 :lol:

Dave

Hi Stratman 323,

Sorry for the confusion!

When I say red I don't mean the sunburst has a third colour applied, what I mean is that the actual brown colour of the sunburst is more of a golden, reddy brown than the usual 'mucky' brown colour! Possibly not as historically accurate but everyone who has seen it reckons that it's much nicer aesthetically.

Thanks for the info anyway - nice to know that you guys are on the ball!

The code for the ST55 is SO but I agree it does look more like a Daphne blue!

WhenI get a little time I will open a new thread on the Goldstar ST80. I am not even sure that it is an 80 to be honest! I bought it from Japan so I kinda just took 'pot luck' on the purchase and hoped for the best. I can't find a join in the body and I have looked really hard but there's probably one there somewhere. The neck is a slab board which I think is quite rare. The pickguard is a bit strange though, the fit above the trem is a bit wide suggesting maybe that it's not original. I don't know what the pups are but they sound great! They have black bobbins and a small, 'patent applied for' sticker attached to each. They also have cheap looking plastic wires instead of the vintage cloth insulated ones. Still looks, sounds and plays great though and I have no intention of changing anything!

I think that the Fernandes RST-95G might be from JohnA. I bought it off eBay in December from a chap in Middlesborough I think! I have since got a gold Fender trem cover for it to make it look even prettier!

I know that Fender officially launched the American Standard at the NAMM show in January 1987 but they probably already had stocks to send out to the stores immediately and these must have been constructed sometime in 1986. The neck date on mine is: 09-13-86.

I am no expert, so I ain't really got a clue as to whether or not the USA 57RI has a poly undercoat and there's no way that I can be bothered or even want to do an acetone test to find out! I don't know if you have noticed but some of these early to mid 80's RI's seem to be on ebay for a lot of money now!

A slab board neck on a Goldie? Yeah, that's rare, I don't recall seeing that before. I think a Goldie ST80 should have a V neck, like a Springy, & it should have a nitro finish - that's the main difference with an 80. If you post pics of the underside of the scratchplate, someone should be able to say if it's genuine Tokai. If it has the brass plate under the controls, it's a Tokai. E pickups would be the other indicator of an ST80, so if they have been changed, that makes identification harder.

Yep, John's in Middlesborough. I played that Fernandes when it lived in London with another forum member. Even though the neck is too chunky for me, it's a very fine Strat.

Interesting to hear about the 1986 US Standard - looks like the books are wrong. Cool, I've already learned something new today, & I haven't even had lunch yet!

Yes, the 80s USRIs seem to be going up noticeably in value. I'm glad I bought my 83 last summer from the US when it was 2$ to ?1 - it would be too expensive now. Magnificent guitars, the only models that are actually better than a Springy ST80, in my opinion. I may have a black 88 62RI for sale soon.....

Yes I have two '80 V necks even though one of them is on a 'Blackie' ST50 body but the Goldstar 80 is a rosewood board, so surely this shouldn't have a V neck? By the way if I remember correctly it does have the little brass plate that the pots etc are attached to. I have an ST60 with the E pups but these sound as good if not better!

Yes, strangely enough, even a RW board Springy ST80 has a V neck. Historically wrong, I know, but then so is an ash body on a 60s Strat copy. I assume a Goldie ST80 is the same, but they seem sooooo rare.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the E pickups, but they do make identification of the different models easier.

Well, I never knew that! Cool.

Nice to see another Bacchus fan out there ; like that BLS 'Live Road' & the BST-64V

Welcome to the forum Cabaret Kid! Yes it was me you bought the RST-95G from, it's a 2005 model by the way. I didn't miss it until I say the pics just now, it was a lovely guitar, but I found myself playing nothing but my Bacchi, so she was sat there doing nothing!!

Some collection you have there, some VERY nice guitars!