Any way to verify this is indeed a LS150 from '02?

brobar · Aug 15, 2019

Looking at a Tokai advertised as a LS-150 from 02. Since to my knowledge Tokai doesn't put model identifiers on their guitars... is there any way to verify this is indeed a LS-150 from 02? For those of you more in tune with Tokais... what would you be looking for to validate the authenticity of that claim?

It has been modified (different pots, caps, wiring, and pickups).

Here are some pics:

luis · Aug 15, 2019

LS150s are 2005 made if I stand correct, they were a 100 run, a Furuhashi-san creation. He told he found some higly figured maple and wanted to use it. 150s bacame a fixed model in Tokai catalog after

brokentoes · Aug 15, 2019

Probably not what you want to hear but my money's on that being a 2002 LS-70F

brobar · Aug 15, 2019

brokentoes said:
Probably not what you want to hear but my money's on that being a 2002 LS-70F

Nah... if that is the case then I DEFINITELY want to hear it because that does make a difference. =)

brobar · Aug 15, 2019

Are they usually labeled somewhere (control cavity... one of the pickup cavities) to make it easier to identify?

brokentoes · Aug 15, 2019

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But there was no LS150 in 2002 anyway as far as i know. If it has a 2 piece back then it's a LS70F.

When Tokai came out with a LS150 it was a plaintop. As mentioned above the special order LS150F's came out in 2005. Yours has flame so ........

marcusnieman · Aug 15, 2019

double post....sorry

marcusnieman · Aug 15, 2019

brokentoes said:
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But there was no LS150 in 2002 anyway as far as i know. If it has a 2 piece back then it's a LS70F.

When Tokai came out with a LS150 it was a plaintop. As mentioned above the special order LS150F's came out in 2005. Yours has flame so ........

Yeah, 2002 is a tad early. I have one I bought brand new and its a 2009. Serial number is stamped - not an inky and it has the small black made in Japan ink stamp at the base of headstock:

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=14375&start=0

brobar · Aug 15, 2019

A little more info from the guy:

It has the number 8 written in the bridge cavity and I think L1 or something like that in bridge. I bought it from a guy in the Netherlands who sold it as an LS150. Honestly, I really don’t know what denotes it as a LS150 other than I’ve heard they are finished in nitrocellulose lacquer and many newer models are not. This guitar is without a doubt finished in nitrocellulose. It’s a soft finish unlike poly which is hard glassy plastic like finish
Thanks,

brobar · Aug 15, 2019

A little more info:

Then you are probably correct. That’s good information. It definitely does have a 2 piece back. It is finished in nitrocellulose without a doubt.
Thanks,

Based on that info... pretty sure it is a LS70F?

brokentoes · Aug 15, 2019

It's not nitro, even if his keen fingers detect it. Unless it was refinished and thats doubtful given the serial number is still there.

2 piece back = LS70F.

The "F" means a flamed maple or sycamore veneer on top of a maple cap in this case.

-Alan- · Aug 16, 2019

Slightly off-topic - but are the Tokai flamed tops always a veneer ?

marcusnieman · Aug 16, 2019

brokentoes said:
It's not nitro, even if his keen fingers detect it. Unless it was refinished and thats doubtful given the serial number is still there.

2 piece back = LS70F.

The "F" means a flamed maple or sycamore veneer on top of a maple cap in this case.

You can't confirm nitro by feel alone. That's pretty funny. Acetone is the litmus test.

marcusnieman · Aug 16, 2019

-Alan- said:
Slightly off-topic - but are the Tokai flamed tops always a veneer ?

Not the high end models

Paladin2019 · Aug 16, 2019

The only high end models back then were the LS200 and LS320. Below that was the quilt top model (LS85Q?).

Best way to check - take the pickups out and see if the middle joint and grain lines in the cavity line up with the middle joint and grain lines on the top. If not => veneer => LS70F.

I'm betting LS70F. It's definitely Japanese.

brokentoes · Aug 16, 2019

Here's my 2005 LS150F for reference. Solid flame top

-Alan- · Aug 16, 2019

That is a thing of beauty.

(I'm really not envious in the least. No sir, not even the tiniest little bit. Honestly. No really..)

brobar · Aug 16, 2019

drool!!!

brokentoes · Aug 16, 2019

Thanks. It is a great guitar, holds up against my '81 LS120 and that says something.

luis knows more about these LS150F's than i do but from the ones i've seen pop up they are very nice to look at.

I wouldn't hesitate to go try that LS70F though if i was looking for a LP, just knowing what it is and isn't. Good you came here asking questions first.

brobar · Aug 16, 2019

I appreciate all of the responses and help.

I AM looking for a Tokai. But since I'm a Tokai n00b I'll definitely be running any potential purchase through you guys here first.

Thanks again.

The search continues. =)

-BB

Any way to verify this is indeed a LS150 from '02?

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