Is It a ST60 or a ST80?

MIJvintage · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:33 am Post subject: Is It a ST60 or a ST80?

I've read here & there and I still haven't been able to determine if this Tokai is a ST60 or a ST80 model. I know that someone out there with more knowledge than me can make an educated guess. So, what is it experts?

Here's the set of attributes.

2 piece center seam body

steel block w/Final Prospect saddles

U stamped pups

script logo Goldstar

L11578 serial number, 3 color sunburst

So, is it a ST60 or an ST80? I'm sure the U stamped pups are going to be a determining factor but is that the only difference between the ST60 & the ST80?
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villager · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:12 am Post subject:

pretty sure its a 60..going solely by the pups..if the solder joints look untouched and they are original then i would say 60...

MIJvintage · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:19 am Post subject:

Thanks for the clarification Mark

I've been over this thing with a fine tooth comb and everything looks untouched under the hood, all virgin solder.

what pups would be on a ST80?
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villager · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:24 am Post subject:

E series...for early ST80 goldstars I think...

but togps is the expert on those..I am just an amateur..

MIJvintage · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:35 am Post subject:

thanks again villager; you have confirmed my suspicions, as I had my doubts that this one was a ST80

it would have been much easier if someone had not have taken the model sticker with the number off

IF I ever sell it, I guess I would label it as a ST60 but have no plans presently to sell; it's one of the best Strats I've ever played

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Peter Mac · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:58 am Post subject:

Hi guys,
this guitar is an ST-50 YSOR. It's the 'U' that gives it away, in that Goldstar sounds had different pickup letters for ST-50's and ST-60's - Springysounds did not.
It has an obvious Alder body, 1963 radius fingerboard and square string tree, but on an ST-60 Goldstar, the pickups are stamped "V'.

regards
Peter mac
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villager · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:01 am Post subject:

heh see i knew there was a real expert out there..!!!

thanks peter

MIJvintage · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:38 am Post subject:

thanks guys for the plethora of Tokai info; this forum is the place to go for info

I'm really glad that I now have a much better understanding of this animal, even though its value (technically) just dropped, again

So Peter, do you know what the difference between the U stamped and V stamped pups are? Is it the magnets, windings, any idea why the models ST50 and ST60 would have an original price difference of I suppose 10,000 yen, because of the pups?

This is some very interesting stuff, even if I am losing money

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javelin70 · Guitar God Joined: 09 Sep 2001 Posts: 822 Location: Sweden

Even more confusing is that Goldstar Sound strat specs (from the first year - 1984) say that TST-50 should have "ST Vintage mkII" pickups (stamped VII) (TST-60, ST Vintage pickups, stamped V as Peter Mac mentioned). Many early Goldstars however are equipped with the "U" stamped pickups used for the Springy's. "U" and "VII" pickups are not the same, the "U" pickups have slightly higher DC resistance.

I suspect Tokai continued using the "U" pickups they still had left and then replaced them with the "VII" pickups.

Mike

MIJvintage · Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:51 am Post subject:

Peter Mac · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:47 pm Post subject:

hi guys,
- Mike, that is a great point, considering that Tokai had 2 styles going ( ST for Local market and TST for export market) It could be that there were slight differences in the final build.

In terms of serial numbers, after 1982 they were purely cosmetic. They are designed to reflect the vintage model of Fender they are replicating - not Tokai serialing numbers.
To me, L115** would indicate a guitar made after 1984 if placed in a chronological build order.
Also in the detail of Goldstar the ONLY major difference between the ST-50 and the ST-60 was the pickups.....so spend another 30,000 yen and it will be an ST-70 [ not really - but the theory is somewhat correct]
Also why is it that it can't be a brilliant guitar - as you say the best Goldstar you've ever played- and not be an ST-80??
I have owned and played some real 5H1Tbox 1960 Fenders (worth 40 times as much as the ST-50) which should have been coffee tables.
It's not what brand you play - its how your guitar feels and reponds as you explore her tones...
regards
Peter Mac
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MIJvintage · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:

Peter Mac · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 10:37 pm Post subject:

Hi MIJ
My comment was more to do with the "i'm losing value" remark.
Personally I'm pleased a forum member is making enquiries about his 'Lucille' to better appreciate the gem he owns.
What I don't want to see is the type of snobbery that exists with other brands ( oh, it's ONLY a 50 series, mine's an 80 series)

I own a 1947 Harley Knucklehead - pretty rare bike. I don't ride with a club, i ride for me. When i stop beside other bikes - regardless of Brand - i always nod to the rider as a show of respect because i don't care what you're riding . to me it's the fact that you ride.

If we wanted to have a Tokai pissing comp i'd fare pretty well also - considering i have owned a 82 TLS-200 and Tokai M2002 prototype but this is not what it is about. How can you lose value when you've found the guitar that completes you.
It was not my intent to be offensive and if i was, i apologise and i say to you Thanks for being a member and sharing your opinions and questions, i look forward to hearing about further Tokais you will purchase and help kepp the legend living

regards
Peter Mac
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tokaigeezer · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:18 pm Post subject:

Hear, Hear Peter Mac!

I agree - I have some SS38 and SS40 Silver Stars that are killer, in every regard. Haven't swapped the pickups (they are 25-plus years old) and they are fun to play, even with worn frets. I don't care if I ever see or play an SS80 or higher. I also love my lowly LS50 Reborn Old.

To each his own, I say, but cork-sniffers of every stripe, from vintage wine to curly maple, are indeed tedious, IMO.

Have fun with the ax at hand!

Ducati · Guitar God Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 164

She's a beauty and I'm jealous! Looking for one just like it...