1983 Goldstars Script Logo

[Sigmania]

I just spotted something really cool in Peter's book.

Note the catalog dates!

Script logo guitars in a catalog printed March 1983!!!

Having that date confirms what I had been thinking. That it was a mid year change in 1983.



"Transition Models : BLOCK style for the European market

In late-82 the logo altered to a BLOCK lettering with the low flyer altered to 'MADE IN JAPAN BY ROCK AND ROLL FANATICS'.

This logo was used in late 82 / early 83 and was shipped with both Springy Sound and the new Goldstar Sound decals. These were offered to the U.K. market and some parts of Europe, whilst Asia (including Australia) still used the Spaghetti logo.

Interestingly, no catalogs were released showing the Block logo - 1982 Vol 6 (printed Dec '82) shows the spaghetti Springy logo whilst 1983 Vol 7 (printed Mar '83) shows the script Goldstar logo."

Tokai: The Vintage Guitars 1977 to 1986 by Peter McGovern

 

[mdvineng]

I use Imagebb for pictures.
I wonder if the Tokai publications dept were like some others, in that they sometimes used old photo images in later catalogues to save time and money etc
Also catalogues would be different, especially for the US Market.

 

[Sigmania]

They definitely reused pictures from day one. The very first catalog with color pictures in 1978 (?) used many of the same pictures in the second catalog.

 

[Sigmania]

Not sure what of this is original?

Tuners obviously changed.

The interesting thing to me is that it has datable pots. They date to August 1984 (38).

Other interesting thing is the VII (MKII) pickups are in it already.

And one more interesting thing is the round string tree because the VII (MKII) pickups were in TST50's.

So Partscaster?

Wish I could see the serial number and neck & body codes.

Maybe someone bought this that will show up here?

Calling Tokai experts

 

[Sigmania]

Amazing pictures with warranty card!

June 1983? U pickups.

TST50 OWR

SN L09544

Unfortunately the warranty card is not filled out with date of purchase.

SOLD WTS: 1982 Tokai TST-50 Goldstar Strat Rose board nice condition

Aoyama Oyaji

 

[bluejeannot]

My 81 VSB with a removed Spag and replaced with Script Logo. So I assume it was not shipped in 81 and was possibly modified later in 82?
Plus this odd ball bass that looks more of a 70's made guitar. Did Tokai have this Script Logo all along before the Fender threats etc?

My 81 VSB 80 also the ghost imprint of the same spaghetti logo lurking under the later script logo.This was done at the factory it seems ,and more than once too! Why though?

 

[Sigmania]

Yep.



The spaghetti logo is different. It was held up in a lawsuit because of the word “Strat”.

Maybe the block logo guitar above had the word Strat in it?

I have seen a block logo where the word Strat seemed to have been possibly cut out.



Someone must have screwed up to not catch that. Language barrier I would guess.

Then switch to rock and roll fanatics n

 

[Sigmania]

Bizarre to see this after all of the dust up.

Looks like the first block logos were Springys and had the old catch phrase saying it was an exact replica of the "good old Strat" that a judge said they cannot do months before this would have been printed. So someone messed up.



Then this



Then

 

[Sigmania]

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE-CHANCERY DIVISION

Before: MR. JUSTICE FALCONER

8th June 1982​

"... in so far as the defendants now wish to try to secure the release of those 205 guitars bearing that infringing mark "Strat", possibly on the basis of being able to delete the infringing mark, they must follow the procedure which is set out in the appropriate statute relating to the position"

Lawsuit?

 

[Sigmania]

I may need to rethink this notion that the pickups changed with the new modles in 1984.

I am seeing some Super Editions with numbers I thought were from 1984 with U pickups.

Hard to say when these numbers actually occured without pot dates.

Super Edition TSD Guitars

 

[Sigmania]

Looks like the script logo was used as early as 1982....

The Script Logo Started When?

Notwithstanding its use on acoustics in the 70s.

 

[Sigmania]

Multi Piece Decals In 1983 On Fender Clones

 

[Sigmania]

Adding an '83 script logo SIlver Star

TOKAI TSS-48 TSS-48/BLK/1983/SILVER STAR/Large head/3 points/machine head r | eBay

 

[bluejeannot]

1983 TST-80 YS with E stamp PUs & a V neck:

View attachment 3074

This is a TST 60.Poly finish E pickups ,2 piece body V neck. round string tree ,4 digit serial number. I have owned two,still own one.

 

[Sigmania]

I hadn't really realized that some Silver Stars kept the date based serial numbers at least until 1983.

1983 SS40 MB

Tokai SILVER STAR SS 40 METALLIC BLUE | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai GOLDSTAR SOUND TST-50GS TST-60GS 1983年... - ヤフオク!

TST50GS

August body code

U pickups

Description:

Tokai Gold Star Sound.

I got it about 4 years ago as a TST-60 made in 1983, but it might be a TST-50 based on the specifications of the pickup. I couldn't decide even if I looked it up, so I listed both in the title.

Lately, I've been getting more and more guitars, so I don't have a chance to play it, so I decided to put it up for sale in the hope that someone could use it.

There are some differences from the catalog specs in 1984, so it seems that the specs are probably mixed in the transitional model from Springy sound to Gold Star sound.

Alder 2-piece body, body color is transparent GS (Golden Sunburst), maple 1-piece neck. The pickup is a U-stamp, but a knitted lead wire is used. Normally, a maple 1-piece neck should have a 1-ply pickguard, but for some reason a 3-ply pickguard is attached from the beginning. The bridge saddle is stamped with "FINAL PRO SPEC".

Currently, the neck is almost straight, and the frets are a little worn, but it's nothing to worry about when playing. (It is subjective to the last) There is no problem with the electrical system, and there is no gully.

There are rust on the metal parts, fine scratches, missing paint, etc., but I think it's a beautiful one considering the model year. However, since the strings are old, please replace them with those of your choice.

The arm was not originally attached, so it is not included, but the hard case shown in the image is included. Since it is fragile, please consider it as a bonus for shipping and storage. (The guitar stand in the image is for photography purposes and is not included.)

This guitar is about 40 years old. Although it is in a state where it can be played without any problems, we are waiting for a bid from those who understand that it is a second-hand product.

 

[ATO]

The one above looks like a 6 digit serial on the plate - not very clear though.

 

[Sigmania]

It’s so hard to see I didn’t comment.

I wish I could see it, and it’s not in the description.

The six digits with 2xxxxx start in 1986.

Six Digit Serial Numbers With 2xxxxx 1986 1987

The six digits with 11xxxx might be 1985 but I’m still looking for some with pots we can date.

Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 11xxxx

And there are some really weird ones that are 10xxxx that show up on spaghetti logo TE70 examples with tremolo bridges and at least one script logo bass.

Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting with 10xxxx

Let me know if you find any other examples. I’m always on the lookout.

 

[Sigmania]

1983 TST50 FO

Looks like by November the new pickups were going into Goldstars. That is if this is original wiring (with the exception of the bridge pickup of course).

Pot dates September 1983

November production date.

MKII (VII) pickups.

Can't see the serial number.

Tokai ST55 Goldstar Sound 1984 Flamingo Orange | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

April 1983?

84 Tokai Goldstar Sound Strat MIJ Made in Japan Stratocaster Extra Tokai Bridge | Reverb