1982 1983 1984 TE60 TTE60 ABR

[Sigmania]

SN L08395

3 way bridge.

TOKAI/トーカイ テレキャスタイプ エレキギター ... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

1984 catalog

3 saddle bridges on TTE70 and up

 

[Sigmania]

1985 catalog

 

[Sigmania]

I am guessing this is a TTE50+, but not sure why the 3 saddle bridge.

Always exceptions with Tokais.

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Isn't that AB (All Black) (R)?

 

[Sigmania]

Yes

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Just asking because the catalog doesn't seem to list that as a color option and didn't that only come up with the Custom Edition later in the mid 80s catalogs?

 

[Sigmania]

There is currently a Springy on Facebook with a similar serial number that is all black. An ST50 plus 10 so has a 60 sticker. All black rosewood.

 

[Sigmania]

And this one.

SN L02734

1982 Tokai ST60 Springy Sound - Black | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

It was called ABBR too I believe.

 

[Sigmania]

First catalog mention?

1984: Green catalog (Vol. 8 )

Colors:
VF (violin finish)
CS (cherry sunburst)
OS (old cherry sunburst)
GT (gold top)
BB (black)
AG (all gold)
ON (old natural)
OR (old red)
WR (Wine Red)
WN (Walnut)
SB (Sunburst)
CH (Cherry Red)
OW (Olympic White)
TR (Tokai Red)
N (Natural)
YN (Yellow Natural)
SW( Snow White)
MR (Metallic Red)
YS (Yellow Sunburst)
GS (Golden Sunburst)
FO (Flamingo Orange)
BL (Blonde)
AB (All Black)
AB (Antique Brown: TEA)
RR ( Rosewood)
SG (Silver Gray)
MB (Metallic Blue)
PG (Pastel Green)
GR (Green Sunburst)
Note:
The detachable neck rosewood fingerboard model is additionally marked with R.
Specifications and prices are subject to change without notice.
Coloring may differ slightly depending on the material and other characteristics.
YS colors of TST, TTE, TPB-V, and TJB are marked as YSO because of their old finish."

 

[Sigmania]

So maybe it is something like a late 1983/84 TTE50+10 ABR?

 

[Sigmania]

BINGO!

Tokai Breezysound Telecaster 1984 Black | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

And check this out....

Not sure if this is legit or a someone's own personalization of their guitar?

SN 230143

1987/88

Pots are September 1986 and April 1987

VGS by Tokai Telecaster. In good condition. A couple chips and some wear on the paint but in good condition overall and all original. I had a friend in Japan ask Tokai about it and this is what he sent me." VGS is a Japan store brand. It's from a run of guitars which were produced for a store in Nagoya, Japan as kind of their in-house brand or a promotion. Roughly 1986. Not many were produced. VGS stands for "Vintage Guitar Sound". He said there might be some documentation for it somewhere, but he's not sure. This information comes direct from Tokai's company president Mr. Adachi. " This is a very thinly disguised Tokai Breezysound. It has a Tokai bridge, TEB stamped pickup and vintage tuners. The frets are good and the tuners are vintage style. Everything on it is exactly what you would find on a Tokai Breezy Sound. It comes with a vintage hardshell case from a 70s Ibanez Telecaster. Weight is 7lb 1.75oz. Neck has a 7.25" radius. Nut width is 1.65". String width at nut is 1.375"
VGS by Tokai Breezysound Telecaster 1986 Black | Reverb Canada

 

[Sigmania]

Another one with a swapped out neck. Has the 60 sticker on the original neck.

SN L12769

Tokai Breezysound (telecaster) 1982? "Black Beauty" w/ extras | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

By 1989 the similar model is TE40ABR

6 saddle bridge.

 

[Sigmania]

1984 catalog...

 

[Sigmania]

SN 216226

1986/87

No.065921 東海楽器 TOKAI TL BLK/R JAPAN VINTA... - ヤフオク!

 

[eborej]

These use to sell for peanuts five years ago. I got a great deal back then on my 1983/84 TTE60 ABR (picture taken just before Halloween):



Greco also made a non-catalog all black Tele in 1982 just before Fujigen switched over to making Fender Japan guitars.

 

[eborej]

SN 216226

1986/87

No.065921 東海楽器 TOKAI TL BLK/R JAPAN VINTA... - ヤフオク!

View attachment 23094

Sold for 88K Yen (approximately $605 USD) and now up on Reverb with better pictures for $1299 USD:

https://reverb.com/item/72411167-19...e-vintage-t-style-electric-guitar-black-japan
I know that there's a lot of flipping going on now and there are shipping related costs factored in but that's quite the arbitrage opportunity. Should have bought more of these when they were selling for 25K Yen.