1984 Tokai TST-80 refin: back from the dead!

doudoubass · Last edited by doudoubass on Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:08 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi all Tokai lovers!
a few years ago, i bought this nice guitar from Japan, but she was in poor condition: scratched body paint, worn frets.
nonetheless, she sounded amazing and ringed like no other strat i used to have before this (Fender strat standard us, a Silverstar & another Goldstar).
Therefore, i decided to rescue that little beauty!

Firstly, my luthier made a refret with some vintage style frets and put real clay dot instead of the stock plastic wich looked cheap.
Secondly, i did my own refin for the body. I went with Ocean Turquoise (Motip can) for the paint and a thin nitro laquer for the finish. i did also a light relicing process to match the used neck finish.
Here is the result. That's really a wonderful instrument, and she plays like butter!

Before:

After:

i'd be glad to see another TST-80 to compare with mine and to found a little TST-80 club!

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j'adore mes Tokai!

Len · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:35 am Post subject:

I think the refin came out great!

nice guitar!

doudoubass · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:13 am Post subject:

thanks!
In real, the contrast between the nitro aged pickguard and the body paint is better and looks stunning!

Like a vintage Fender from the 60's...
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j'adore mes Tokai!

marcusnieman · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:16 am Post subject:

Nice color

iainblack · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

really nice to see the original features kept (stickers, damaged logo) and it looks very similar to the standard Tokai metallic blue colour. Well done on the restoration

Iain

bluejeannot · Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject:

Tres ,tres cool mon ami.Superbe.Vive le club TST 80!Gabe

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bluejeannot

doudoubass · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:11 am Post subject:

merci!
but where are your TST-80 pictures?

You know, no pix, no guitar!

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j'adore mes Tokai!

bluejeannot · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 2:20 pm Post subject:

Here`s my Goldstar St 80.Nitro finished lightweight 2 piece alder body ,celluloid pickguard,slab board,original factory fitted Di Marzio black backed pickups.My pride and joy. Gabe.

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bluejeannot

marcusnieman · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject:

bluesyrat · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:24 pm Post subject:

very nice guitar. Slab board and '64 pickguard. They continued to mix features on goldstar too

Tokai fantastic world...

marcusnieman · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 4:53 am Post subject:

bluejeannot · Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:55 am Post subject:

She sounds big,fat and woody.

Gabe.
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bluejeannot

doudoubass · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:33 am Post subject:

exactly like mine.
That's the 1st Strat wich rings and sustains like that!
Even unplugged, she sounds full and woody...

... and i love that "D" shaped neck, slightly wider and flatter than other Springy & Goldstar "C" necks
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j'adore mes Tokai!

Cali Girl · Guitar God Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 545 Location: USA

Nice choice on the blue.