Hello all
I've been owning and playing guitars for years now. Never managed to be much good at it though. My Grandson (Ben) is the player, and he has a few nice guitars, including my G&L Tribute 500 recently fully set up by Martyn Booth.
Tokai is something I've never really taken any notice of, until I saw Ben's teacher uses one for all his session work, and he works with some very big artists. I did a bit of research and found a Black LS50, MIJ, 1981, on 'The Bay'. Turned out to very nice; very little wear, neck straight and ok, neck joint ok, frets in good order. The serial no seems genuine (ink stamped) with the number fitting to 1981; 3 piece body and 2 piece top with everything you'd expect from that year.
Here's my question. The pickups are Gotoh. On the back it says; Patent Applied For, Gotoh and it is ink stamped with a 'T'. Are these right for that year? They certainly seem so. Second, and you're all gonna hate this, I was looking to upgrade the instrument. Nothing radical, just cosmetics by replacing all the bits and bobs with gold plated. I'll keep all the original bits so it can be returned to spec. Now, the pickups; how good are they? Could I improve the Blues Sound quality by upgrading them.
You've probably guessed it's my Grandson who will be playing it, hopefully with a band soon.
Be grateful of any info.
I've been owning and playing guitars for years now. Never managed to be much good at it though. My Grandson (Ben) is the player, and he has a few nice guitars, including my G&L Tribute 500 recently fully set up by Martyn Booth.
Tokai is something I've never really taken any notice of, until I saw Ben's teacher uses one for all his session work, and he works with some very big artists. I did a bit of research and found a Black LS50, MIJ, 1981, on 'The Bay'. Turned out to very nice; very little wear, neck straight and ok, neck joint ok, frets in good order. The serial no seems genuine (ink stamped) with the number fitting to 1981; 3 piece body and 2 piece top with everything you'd expect from that year.
Here's my question. The pickups are Gotoh. On the back it says; Patent Applied For, Gotoh and it is ink stamped with a 'T'. Are these right for that year? They certainly seem so. Second, and you're all gonna hate this, I was looking to upgrade the instrument. Nothing radical, just cosmetics by replacing all the bits and bobs with gold plated. I'll keep all the original bits so it can be returned to spec. Now, the pickups; how good are they? Could I improve the Blues Sound quality by upgrading them.
You've probably guessed it's my Grandson who will be playing it, hopefully with a band soon.
Be grateful of any info.