What years were Tokai Cat's Eyes made and serial numbers

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DLH

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Does anyone know what years the Tokai Cat's Eyes acoustic guitars were made?
I recently found one I'm inerested in buying but I'm confused about the serial number
It's 8 digits starting with a 1 then 7 others, the last two being 05
I thought they only had a 7 digit serial number, though I have seen a few others with 8 and always starting with a 1
The owner says it's 1980 but I thought the last two digits were for the year made.
 
Hi DLH, I'm in a similar position. Sorry I'm not sure either to be honest so of no use to you as a response I guess, aside of the fact I too though the last 2 digits signified the year of manufacture.

I've an SJ299 (Gibson SJ200 copy) S/N 165284 and I was told 84 Japanese made. I'm not bothered at all of its Japanese, Chinese etc I love it, but I too am intrigued by its history?
 

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markmcafferty, your guitar was made in 2016 in China.

They use a different serial number system.

First two digits are the year.
 
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The older Cat's Eyes did not say "Tokai" on the headstock.

Here's a MIC SJ299 I assume is similar to yours?

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Tokai SJ299 | Reverb
 
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Cat's Eyes production had shifted to China by 2010 from what I have found.

New Member with Cats Eyes Quries

surfinbernard:

"I just had a message back from Bob (his seems to be the only shop selling these models that I can find) and he confirmed that they are actually made in China. He says they are made under strict supervision of the Japanese craftsmen and from the best woods..."
 
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From the Reverb ad linked above:

Gloss Finish
Solid Spruce Top
Mahogany Neck
Flamed Maple AA Back & Sides
Rosewood headstock veneer
Rosewood fingerboard

Compensated Bone Bridge

Tokai SJ299 | Reverb UK
 
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From February 2017:

爱音乐,寻设备,悦生活 - 米饭星

Tokai Guitars launches Cats Eyes acoustic range
2017-02-07

New line-up features 25 models of acoustic guitars, ukuleles and basses.

Tokai Guitars has announced a brand new
acoustic line-up, featuring travel guitars, ukuleles, and high-end dreadnought models.

The Cats Eyes acoustic range features 25 new models and each one comes with either a padded gig bag or hard shell case.

The range starts with the TAG OOO at £139.99 and goes through to the CE190, which has an RRP of £1.495

Check out the full list of models and their RRPs and specs below:

SJ299
Acoustic Jumbo

TOP: Spruce
SIDE & BACK: Flamed Maple
NECK: Maple
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
BRIDGE: Rosewood
COLOR: Natural Gloss
 
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