Which model Silver Star have I bought?

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I don't usually pay much attention to Silver Stars, but I've been curious for a while about how they compare to Goldstars & Sprringys. So when I saw one on eBay last night about to sell for less than ?200, I had to have a bid - and I won it for ?210, which seems very cheap to me.

So what have I bought?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230240989603&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=013

Pre 1982, from the decal, but which model? In the absence of the sticker on the back of the neck, how do I tell which model it is? I've looked at the catalogues in the Registry, but they don't help.

Any comments, guys?

Mike
 
Thanks Volker. Is that the lowest model SS? Shouldn't the pickups be stamped?
 
OK. I remember Luis saying that the 3 bolt neck actually worked properly on Silver Stars, because they were machined properly, unlike many 70s Fenders. That was one of the reasons that I decided to get this.

So I hope you're right, Luis! :lol:
 
Looks liek a SS36, but I'm not very shure. I have one Silverstar 36, '79 and is fantastic guitar for this price range (has maple fretboard). I posted detailed info in this thread http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=9982
Pickups also have no stamp.
Post some info when you'll compare it to yours Springy, I'm really curious ;)
 
Yeah so am I! Though it's really the comparison with a Goldstar that is relevant - my two Springys each cost me nearly four times as much, whereas Goldstars sell for much nearer the price I paid for this one.
 
Mike,
Tokai microtilt worked properly when adjusting I do know for a fact in both Silver Stars I own/owned.Let me know about yours.
Silver Stars are good working musician guitars and still at a good price for what such guitar you get. I also like neck grip and can achieve very good chording and funky sounds, besides being very bluesy.

In order to know which model your Silver Star is just check last fret for an engraved number, I can say clearly on my SS-36 1979 made.Altough sometimes it?s not so cler but if it is a 36 or 38...it?s the same guitar,just SS-38 are 1982 made and after.

I have to agree with you, I don?t like so much Tokai E stamped DiMarzio made pickups,I just tried them yestarday in a TST-80 and felt them brittle,yes very 80's sound but I prefer warmer ones as Antiquities that Navigator have......
 
luis said:
I have to agree with you, I don?t like so much Tokai E stamped DiMarzio made pickups,I just tried them yestarday in a TST-80 and felt them brittle,yes very 80's sound but I prefer warmer ones as Antiquities that Navigator have......

Yes, I think "brittle" is a good word to describe the Es.
 
I have a 79 ss36 with Maple neck, I paid a similar amount for mine, I think they are fantastic value and must be the vintage guitar bargain out there.

I don't have a Springy or Goldstar but I do have 2 Squire JV strats and I would say build quality is very similar. Pickups are a little thin sounding, but in a good way.

Mine plays really well, the previous owner had set it up nicely. Not sure how well the microtilt works as I haven't had to touch it. Put a set of 9's on it, tweaked the truss rod and I was away. Had mine for a while now and I have just realised that I probably play it more than most of my other guitars, actually I am going to play it now.........
 
Cool, I've just put my white Goldstar down. :p It will be interesting.

I just had a thought - do all SSs have black scratchplates, pickup covers etc? I think white looks much better, but I guess it's the 70s vibe Tokai were going for?
 
Stratman check this one out SS-38 H stamped pups

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320239451137
 
I preferred both SS-36s 1979 and 1981 made over a Fender Japan ST-55 E serial number(?84-87 made), better necks to me and "liver" guitars.....
Yes, Silver Stars are only Tokai bargains nowadays.....
 
bart said:
Interesting, what kind of body material do they have?

They have the same body as the Springy Sound, just different routing, the SS60 (extremely rare) has the same routing as a Springy though, the material is Alder and Ash for high end.

Mick

Edit: and Sen Ash for high end.
 
Ok great!
Should they all have the model number stamped on the last fret or only sometimes? :)
This one for example has not:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Silver-Star-Guitar-Black-MIJ_W0QQitemZ320239451137QQihZ011QQ
 
Stratman i bought a TS-9 mod to an 808 using the original vintage chip JRC 4558D not a reissue + 3 more chips with it,he bought that from the states, lost a few bucks selling that one bought it off of the same guy last year on e-bay.No problems :wink:
 
bart said:
Ok great!
Should they all have the model number stamped on the last fret or only sometimes? :)
This one for example has not:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Silver-Star-Guitar-Black-MIJ_W0QQitemZ320239451137QQihZ011QQ

i think it depends on the year guitar was made. my 79 SS has stamped 36 on last fret
I also play this guitar a lot, bridge pickup is a little bit thin but I use mostly neck and middle pickups and they both sounds great. and she's like a toy. definitelly a price/performance strat.
 
bart said:
Ok great!
Should they all have the model number stamped on the last fret or only sometimes? :)
This one for example has not:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Silver-Star-Guitar-Black-MIJ_W0QQitemZ320239451137QQihZ011QQ

I am sure that the stamping after the last fret ended in 1980 (same as the Springy etc), from 1981 Tokai started to use the small black oval shaped sticker on the back of the neck, near the neck plate, for the strats, and the back of the headstock for the Lesters.
 
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