Age unknown

[King Kenny]

Any idea on this, bought and played for over a year. Light and great tone, but it’s history is unknown.
It’s a beautiful thing, check the phone.

Not a clue how old tbf

 

[Sigmania]

2016?

 

[Sigmania]

I am reluctant to say much more without more info and pics.

Can you post pics of the headstock front and back and say whether the top, sides and back are solid or laminated?

Some of these were made in China I believe. The label won't say that. It is just the generic label for all Tokai acoustics and says the company is based in Hamamatsu,Japan.

Looks like there is a joint in the neck heel. Is there a scarf joint in the neck down towards the headstock on the back of the neck?

 

[Sigmania]

Same guitar posted in April of 2020.

CE200E

Your guitar is newer than the ones they were talking about.

 

[Sigmania]

We really need more pictures if you want to sort this out.

Pictures of the headstock front and back, and the back side of the neck all the way down, may give us the clues we need to answer your questions.

Also the neck block inside the guitar.

And maybe even the binding. Looks like it has wood binding which is not cheap. Good clue.

Binding and the neck could even be Koa... Need better pics.

 

[King Kenny]

Any other angle or information needed?

Merry Christmas to one and all

 

[King Kenny]

Last lot

 

[Sigmania]

That is wild...

Looks like the sides and back are Macassar ebony?

I can't tell, but the binding may be koa. Hard to tell.

Does the grain from the back continue through? It doesn't look like it from what I can see, so that would make the back & sides laminates if that is true.

Top is solid spruce.

Neck has a scarf joint in the headstock.

The scarf joint is a cost savings thing.

 

[Sigmania]

My best guess at this point is that it is a Chinese build made in 2016, but a rather special one.

The old CE200s from the 80s were only 20,000 yen.

I don't think there is a Cat's Eye in this period that was 200,000 yen.

20,000 yen is roughly $150 USD so this is a head scratcher.

 

[King Kenny]

That is wild...

Looks like the sides and back are Macassar ebony?

I can't tell, but the binding may be koa. Hard to tell.

Does the grain from the back continue through? It doesn't look like it from what I can see, so that would make the back & sides laminates if that is true.

Top is solid spruce.

Neck has a scarf joint in the headstock.

The scarf joint is a cost savings thing.

 

[King Kenny]

Not right through so must be laminated?
I bought because of the sound box shape. Never seen one like this.

It’s a beautiful guitar

 

[Sigmania]

Yeah, it's large like a concert, but with the cutaway. Nice shape.

Here are pics with prices from the 2018 catalog.

Similar to the CE62 in some ways.

 

[Sigmania]

Also interesting that it does not say Cat's Eyes on the headstock.

 

[King Kenny]

Great info but not. CE200 ?

 

[King Kenny]

When bought I was told it was unique and specially made.
Tried to locate another or a trusted date tbf

I paid £375 for it, seller desperate for funds

 

[Sigmania]

Scarf joint visible on the side

Stacked heel

 

[Sigmania]

Lots of odd things about this guitar, but the label looks legit. Head scratcher.

By the way, here are some intersting pics re: its construction.

Scarf joint

Stacked heel.

What is the purpose of a scarf joint?

 

[Sigmania]

Great info but not. CE200 ?

True... And I can't find any from around 2016.

I'll keep looking. Definitely unusual.

 

[Sigmania]

Here is a CE62T-EA in koa.

Same widely spaced 12th fret markers.

 

[Sigmania]

The model number is throwing me off. That's a very high number for Cat's Eyes in this period.

I don't have access to a 2016 catalog, but I am thinking it would not even be in there.

It may be a protoype or a one off sort of thing?

The model number may essentially be a red herring.

Very unusual.