WTB - White 3-ply scratchplate/pickguard for Goldstar TST40

fury_dice

Hi all. New to this forum but a long-time (since 1986!) owner of lovely Cream/rosewood Goldstar of 84/85 vintage. Just scored a black/maple 1984 (I hope!) TST40 from Fleabay but someone (probably not the previous owner) has butchered the scratchplate trying to get to the truss-rod screw. Would love to find an original Tokai white three-ply scratchplate to begin the resto of this guitar. PM or email me if you have anything suitable and we can haggle; I am in the UK and can pay via paypal. Cheers.

fury_dice · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 12:35 pm Post subject:

Not having much luck with this

. Lots of US scratchplates about, but the screwhole positions are different and ideally I don't want to make any new holes in the body.

In the absence of a Tokai original plate, can anyone recommend a brand or model to look out for where the holes would line up? Cheers. David

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

It seems like Tokai used different pickguards on the AST/TST-40 models. They were not exact replicas of any model year like the "50" and better models. If you look at my AST-40 Tokai used a pickguard with the screws placed like they were on the late 50's/early 60's Fender strats:

The Fender '62 reissue strats have the same pickguard:

This is an american vintage '62 ri strat.

The only difference should be the screw between the neck and middle pickup, the position of that screw was changed sometime in 1963. Most Goldstar Sound strats are '64 replicas and then the screw is placed nearer the middle pickup, like this:

A Fender replacement pickguard should fit if you choose the correct model or maybe Allparts, they make really good pickguards.

Mike

stratman323 · Guest

Mike,

Quite correct about the screw holes, most people don't realise that Tokai RW board models are 64 copies, whilst most Fenders are 62 copies. Nice guitars you have there - what are the pickups on the white one? They look like Seymour Duncan Hot Stacks?

It's the red one I'm really interested in though. It looks very like my Fender, with knocks and wear. I'd love to see some more pics of that, if you have any?

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

stratman323 · Guest

Ah, a Master Built relic - they go for silly money! I assumed it was a Goldstar, and I was curious how a poly finished guitar could age quite like that.

I'm trying out a Hot Stack in the bridge position on a Strat, & I'm not sure if I like it or not. I've never seen them used in the neck or middle positions though. Clearly they work for you though? Metallic Red is a gorgeous colour.

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

fury_dice · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the input on this

Just had another look at both guitars and it looks like the 40 has the later style of plate (the screw between the middle and neck pickup is nearer to the middle pickup) rather than the '62 reissue' style, so a replacement should be easy to get.

The cream one does seem to have the '62 style though

Thanks again. David