1997 TOKAI LS420 LP STD 59RI FLAME TOP

I saw this on ebay a couple of years ago and kept the pics from the listing since I thought it was so amazing.

It listed for $3,799 by a seller in Tokyo and did not sell at the time on ebay.

Here is the text from the listing:

"Hello everyone!!! THERE ARE NO DELAYS OR PROBLEMS SHIPPING FROM TOKYO, SO NO WORRIES!!! Here is a ***NEW OLD STOCK*** 1997 TOKAI LS420 LP STD 59RI FLAME TOP for sale! THIS GUITAR IS A ULTRA RARE SHOP EXCLUSIVE MADE IN 1997. Three models were available, 58RI, 59RI, 60RI. Only 7 or 8 each model was made, TOTAL 23 MADE ALL TOGETHER. This guitar has a serial number starting with 9, so its a 59RI. 1-piece honduras mahogany body w/ real solid tiger flame maple top, medium profile honduras mahogany neck w/ deep neck joint, bound jacaranda fret board w/fret edge binding, all nitro lacquer vintage burst finish, all nickel vintage style hardware, factory original/installed TOM HOLMES USA PAF pick ups, weighs 3.8 kilos, 100% original w/original brown HSC!!! OHSC has some minor scuff marks.

THIS GUITAR IS A NEW OLD STOCK WITH CLEAR PLASTIC FILM STILL ON ALL THE PLASTIC PARTS, PICK GUARD AND PICK UP COVERS.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ONE OF THE HOLY GRAILS OF TOKAI GUITARS, THIS IS CERTAINLY "THE ONE" FOR THE COLLECTION. "

Thanks

Yeah that really is something! LS-420 in 1997 is what in 2013? LS-640? Hors de categorie?

Holy moly, Honduran, vintage style truss route, insane solid top, Holmes USA pickups; yep it's pretty special.

Admittedly that top is not for me, but I wouldn't let that stop me from buying it (if I had the cash that is... :lol: ).

Changed caps and pickups....Not an original guitar so far....

Never seen a 420 in 1997, Tokai had LS-300s very limited run and then LS-320...
LS-420s are recent denomination for LS-320 then LS-380 around 2005.....

Again a for Tokai non typical control cavity routing example from the late 90s

luis said:

Changed caps and pickups....Not an original guitar so far....

Never seen a 420 in 1997, Tokai had LS-300s very limited run and then LS-320...
LS-420s are recent denomination for LS-320 then LS-380 around 2005.....

Click to expand...

No they did make some rare ones that came standard with Holmes pickups.

Yeah the LS-420 designation... who knows? The seller may have just stated it based on the original price, as these don't look like part of the normal model line.

There are little things all over it that are not like the standard construction of a Tokai LS, so I think it has to be looked at as something very unusual and rare.

Maybe it's the LS-540 from the late 90s?

In the listing the seller states:

THIS GUITAR IS A ULTRA RARE SHOP EXCLUSIVE MADE IN 1997. Three models were available, 58RI, 59RI, 60RI. Only 7 or 8 each model was made, TOTAL 23 MADE ALL TOGETHER.

Click to expand...

Well, I have to see any proof about what seller states in the ad. I have noticed some blablabla in ads and I am very tired about it. Yes Tokai makes some special runs sometimes but.... I wonder if this one would be a LS-300(1995-96)related model.
I myself have a LS-320 '96 comfirmed to be a special order for a shop no serial number but a Tokai card(really good guitar).

In summary proof the guitar is what seller says and let us know the info he has as was usual in this forum.Do not keep the info for the sales only.....

I have one of those...

Some models did have Tom Holmes pickups, but the pickup routes don't look to be Tokai?

If anyone wants to pursue this and get more info from the seller, here is the link to the ebay listing 2 years ago.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180643935687&item=180643935687

:wink: