What model is this Love Rock

wordman80 · Plucker Joined: 22 Aug 2016 Posts: 2

Hello everybody,

Can anybody tell by the attached pictures what exact Tokai Love Rock model this guitar is? The serial number starts with 50, which should be a 2005 model from Japan.

Any hints on the model or on identification methods would be much appreciated.

Markus

http://www.safetyfirst-rock.de/01.jpg
http://www.safetyfirst-rock.de/02.jpg
http://www.safetyfirst-rock.de/03.jpg

dombat · Guitar God Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 311 Location: France

Serial # starting with 50 means 1985
But yours is rather a 2005 one

wordman80 · Plucker Joined: 22 Aug 2016 Posts: 2

Would you also know what exact model it is? I was hoping it to be a LS 150.

ibicus · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:30 am Post subject:

With a top like this you have good chances to own one 150

Mick51 · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:43 am Post subject:

No FEB. Is it a refret?
1985 should have a sticker on the back of the headstock. Any sticker or residue?
Anything written in the neck pickup route?
Appears to be a one piece back, which would favor a higher model.
1983 thru 1985 models were all over the board compared to specifications. Tokai was quite inconsistent in those years.

In 2005 there was a run of LS150s with more highly figured tops. From the post a couple above, this would appear to be a part of that run.
_________________
There is no revolution, only evolution..

brokentoes · Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:37 pm Post subject:

I have a 2005 LS150F. It's in my signature. Take out the pups and look in there. Solid flame top will be evident and there could be some writing in there.

Congrats !!

Kokopelli · Plucker Joined: 26 Sep 2016 Posts: 9

Hello guys,

I really need your expert help!

OP posted this:

"Hello everybody,

Can anybody tell by the attached pictures what exact Tokai Love Rock model this guitar is? The serial number starts with 50, which should be a 2005 model from Japan.

Any hints on the model or on identification methods would be much appreciated.

Markus

http://www.safetyfirst-rock.de/01.jpg
http://www.safetyfirst-rock.de/02.jpg
http://www.safetyfirst-rock.de/03.jpg"

He is now offering this guitar for sale and I am interested in this Les Paul.
If it is a indeed LS-150 that is. Is there any possibility to make sure? Can anyone of you guys give me some information on it. I could ask him for more pictures, too, if the ones he posted aren´t enough to really identify the guitar. But I really need help on this and would appreciate it a lot.

PS: Awesome forum

brokentoes · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:21 pm Post subject:

Hard to tell from 3 pics.

It's missing it's poker chip so it's lost at least half it's tone !!! Haha just kidding. It looks modified beyond that as well with new pups, strap locks, switchtip etc. Ask for some cavity shots underneath the pickups and some pics of the electronics. LS150 should have a 1 piece back but that's very hard to tell unless in hand.

Kokopelli · Plucker Joined: 26 Sep 2016 Posts: 9

Thanks for the quick answer.
Yeah, I guess it is really hard to judge by just 3 pics. I will ask him to take a shot of the electronic cavity and one from underneath the PU. I don´t really care that much about the PUs, because with lots of my guitars I end up changing them anyways in the long run.

But I don´t know if the original pickups in these are good or not, are they?

The 2005 LS-150 should not have a veneer, am I right? But I guess that´s hard to see on a picture isn´t it?

I really have to identify this guitar, because I won´t be able to try it out before buying. But as far as I know Tokais are pretty consistent and I couldn´t afford a Gibson LP anyways..
PS:
Does anyone on this forum have the exact specs of a 2005 LS-150? I just can´t find it anywhere for this particular year... :-/

brokentoes · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:43 pm Post subject:

Well from the pic it looks like it could be a solid flame maple top. Nothing is for certain however without proof. I'm no expert on veneers and how good they can look. I have a 2005 LS150F as well (in my sig) a picture of the cavity under the pup will show if it's indeed a solid flame maple cap or otherwise. If it is a solid flame cap the grainlines will extend into the cavity.Tokai had a special run starting in 2004 not in any catalog with a solid flame maple cap. If it is veneer flame it could be a 2005 LS140F. Like you said peoples choice of pickup tone is subjective.

Kokopelli · Plucker Joined: 26 Sep 2016 Posts: 9

Here are some more pictures which might help to identify this Les Paul:

foto upload

Kokopelli · Plucker Joined: 26 Sep 2016 Posts: 9

I think this picture shows that it is not a LS-150 I guess...

It is a two piece body.

brokentoes · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 11:38 pm Post subject:

Yep, that's a two piece for sure. Veneer flame. I have a veneer flame Greco LP thats one of my favourites.

Still looks like a nice axe but it's not a LS150F. It's either a LS140F or a LS98F then i guess.

Kokopelli · Plucker Joined: 26 Sep 2016 Posts: 9

brokentoes · Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 10:11 am Post subject:

I think the only difference between the LS140F and the LS98F is that one is finished in lacquer and has a deep joint neck tenon join with the body with the possibly a higher grade of veneer and better appointments of bridge and tailpiece. (LS140F). The LS98f is finished in poly.

I'm sorry to say that i don't really know the differences in the way Tokai's neck tenons look as i only have one but perhaps forum member Diamond who has had probably 100's of different model Tokai's pass through his hands could advise you by looking at that neck cavity picture. Perhaps you could PM him.