Looking to get a new Tokai

Tokai Forum

Help Support Tokai Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

IcedTea

New member
Joined
Apr 20, 2015
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hello all! This is my first thread on the forum so i'd appreciate if you guys could help me out :)

I'm heading to Japan in december and i'm looking to get a new Tokai Stratocaster. In particular, I am looking for this exact colour:

Tokai ST50a "Mary Kaye" Stratocaster
http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/non-fender-s-type-guitar-forum/166563-tokai-st-50a-mary-kaye-strat.html

So I emailed Tokai Japan and got this reply.

"Dear Cusotmer,

Thanks for your inquiry to Tokai Gakki.
I am afraid TST50 Mary Kaye strat is only available for international sales.
The most important thing is that the shape is not available in Japan.


It is also possible to send directly to Singapore if you can afford some additional fees below...."

Does this mean it is not possible to get one cheaper in Japan? I did some research and realised there are two lines of Tokai Stratocasters, the Japan line has a different headstock and slightly different body shape (probably because they can't be the same as Fender Japan), while the international one from Tokai UK is accurate.

Tokai UK:
http://www.tokai-guitars.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=126&category_id=18&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31

Tokai Japan: http://www.tokaijapan.com/AST.html

It then seems that I have to get the TST-50 from Tokai UK, but it doesn't state the finish (I prefer nitro) and also I won't get to demo it before playing. It does not state neck radius and fret size either. Most info on TST is about pre-1985 and I can't find much info on new ones.

I also think that there are supposed to be higher end versions TST-80 or TST-100 but I can't find much about them. They apparently use 1 or 2pc bodies with nitro (maybe) and better pickups (dimarzio?).

If you guys have advice on where I am able to find a better deal for one, or would like to recommend any alternative guitars similar to this, that would be great. Thanks in advance!


Keep Rocking,
IcedTea
 
Tokai TST50:
http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=159596&highlight=#159596

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=22420

Seems the TST has vintage frets and most likely 7.25" radius. AST on the other hand 9.5" radius and medium frets. Of course, AST/ATE has different body shape and headstock but is more modern in appointments.


Regular ST50 vs ST50 blonde
http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=159171&highlight=#159171

Seems the Blonde finish with gold hardware is 200 pounds more expensive but is 2pc body.


I am sure this would help both myself and anyone looking for info on the new Tokai Strats. I am also open to any other guitar suggestions. I hear bacchus is a really good deal especially secondhand.
 
IcedTea said:
Tokai ST50a "Mary Kaye" Stratocaster
http://www.strat-talk.com/forum/non-fender-s-type-guitar-forum/166563-tokai-st-50a-mary-kaye-strat.html

It then seems that I have to get the TST-50 from Tokai UK, but it doesn't state the finish (I prefer nitro)

Welcome to the forum.

Here's one in lacquer finish.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top