Probably a true LC-110 of around 1980. Your opinion ?

Harima_San

Hello,

I'm actually in contact with a seller that sells an old Tokai LC-110. He says the guitar is from 1980. The instrument has some little specialities that I can't identify completely, not beeing all fond with the older tokai's. Could you help me to make sure this is a legit guitar.

Serial number should be : 1016087

https://img.audiofanzine.com/image.php?lang=fr&identifier=image&size=normal&module=user&userPhoto_id=310862

https://img.audiofanzine.com/image.php?lang=fr&identifier=image&size=normal&module=user&userPhoto_id=310864

https://img.audiofanzine.com/image.php?lang=fr&identifier=image&size=normal&module=user&userPhoto_id=310863

...I will upgrade the images in a few time. I seem to have difficulties to upload in the moment.

aroomstudios · Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 11:38 am Post subject:

If the SN is 1016087 that means the guitar is 1981 or 2010 but it looks like a 81. Here is a 2010 for reference:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-LC145S-2010s-E-Guitar-Free-Shipping-Black-Les-Paul-Type/263433964742?epid=13013020114&hash=item3d55e34cc6:g:8LMAAOSws5BaWYII

http://www.tokairegistry.com/tokai-info/tokai-gibson.html

Why is the guy saying it is 1980?

luis · Guitar God Joined: 15 Sep 2001 Posts: 2392 Location: Spain

According to headstock motif it has to be mid/late 1981. I have a 1981 ES that has no motif but I have seen several with it..... If 1980 it should have an 110 engraved on last fret and an oval sticke i f 1981

duff · Posted: Wed May 02, 2018 3:59 pm Post subject:

81 tokai lc 110. I would have expected different tuners, but there arent many 110’s out there so not sure. The lc100’s had wafflebacks..(but also diamond inlay so who knows..)
Tailpiece also looks exchanged for a newer one..
I would buy that! Let me know if you don’t

Harima_San · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 1:21 am Post subject:

Arrigato Goizaimasu (or Thank you) for all of your kind replies.

duff · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 4:02 am Post subject:

This guitar has been posted before on this site..
http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9750&sid=1246da3359fd1ae92f4c52cdcd1b3fac

Fretboard doesnt look like ebony.. the grain on mine is smaller..

Harima_San · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 5:49 am Post subject:

Hello duff. Thank you for your link.

Ebony exists in different variations. This is obviously a piece of Macassar Ebony. Very appreciated in furniture today, and very vivid in it's brown/dark contrasts. But I agree it's very different looking than Gaboon Ebony (for example).

duff · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 9:04 am Post subject:

Yeah i know, but it’s weird the ebony on this one is completely different from the one on my lc-100 and on the es-150’s.. i always thought ebony was denser.. the grain on this one looks more like regular rosewood..
I’m no expert.. just saying it’s different on mine and that it’s weird they used different kinds on basically the same guitar.

brokentoes · Posted: Thu May 03, 2018 9:16 am Post subject:

I like striped ebony. I'm not big on the 3 pickup Les Paul however. That one looks very nice. Good luck.

Harima_San · Posted: Sat May 05, 2018 12:57 am Post subject:

No problem Duff San, you are welcome and you taking part in this discussion was appreciated from myself.

Little update on the thread. The deal is done, this guitar will shift owner in june. I must reserve a plane ticket to go and snatch her. I let you be informed.

Peter Mac · Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 9:14 pm Post subject:

Hi guys,

This LC-110 is from MY1982. The headstock inlay was only used in the 1982 Model Year ( Oct-81 to Oct-82)
I can't make out the first number, the 2nd is '0' 3rd is unclear and the last 4 are legible. It's almost like an owner was trying to replicate the 1960 Gibson serial number pattern.

regards
Peter Mac
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The world will not end today...because it is already tomorrow in Australia.

Harima_San · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 5:16 am Post subject:

Hello Peter,

Thank you for your input. I only come checking into this forum occasionnaly because he's quite quiet.

We will probably have an incoming update because I bought this guitar. Maybe a little lot of work to do on it to become her clean, but I don't care. It will be a good project for the upcoming winter time.

bluejeannot · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:08 am Post subject:

http://www.wood-database.com/macassar-ebony/ Stunning guitar Harima San .Maccassar ebony is a beautiful and very expensive tonewood.Sharing as it does some of the tonal qualities of Brazilian rosewood It makes a very attractive and toneful wood for high end acoustics too.
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bluejeannot

bluejeannot · Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:11 am Post subject:

http://www.sheppardguitars.com/ebony1.htm Like this beauty from Gerald Sheppard
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bluejeannot

Harima_San · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:26 am Post subject:

The Sheppard looks gorgeous. Even if I'm well married to my Guild accoustic, this one looks interesting too.