Hi Loudmouse. OK, well first a disclaimer ? there are many others here with more knowledge than I have about these guitars, so maybe they?d like to chip in? Second, an apology ? this a very loooonnnnggg reply ?
1.Serial Number ? we discussed this above & it remains the main point of contention. Supernout made a cryptic comment about the inked S/N?s, he explains it here http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2788&highlight=inked See also this thread re. early Reborn with no number at all ? http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1213&highlight=stamped
2.Double Ring Tuners ? to repeat, AFAIK those tuners were not used after 81. If that?s right, and if the tuners are original to your guitar, then the guitar is 80/81 for certain. Supernout once mentioned Tokai re-issues from 2001, but I don?t know if that could explain guitars like yours? Maybe someone else would care to comment on that?
3.Circuit Board in Control Cavity ? this is always seen on early LS50/60 Reborn & early Love Rock (LS80 & upwards got discrete caps). However, I?ve no idea when, or if, Tokai ever stopped using the board ? maybe they still use it on some models today? The cap may give a clue ... maybe someone could id a date for that?
3. Pickups ? Tokai used Gotoh right from the start, from 1978 to present day (though a few higher models had Duncan?s or DiMarizio?s, & current LS320 has SD Seth Lover?s). I?d never noticed any pups with Hex Key adjustment, but see these two threads from Dana re. ?original 1981" LS50 Goldtop with hex adjusters http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2416&highlight=pole and
http://www.backyardbullet.com/GT.html .
Note also the very recent thread from Japscot, who describes his Love Rock as having hex poles (81 Serial ie S/N=101xxxx). Maybe the Hex adjusters were common at a particular date ? someone here must surely know about those?
4. Truss Rod Cover ? photo shows typical MIJ ?bell-shaped? truss cover, used from very first Les Paul Models of 1977-78 up to present day (different cover on MIK). Exactly same cover on my 82 Love Rock.
5. Pickup Cavity ? I haven?t seen those holes before, but I haven?t seen inside enough Tokais to know if it was done a certain dates (early or late). Anyone?
6. General Appearance ? Old guitars always show signs of age, even if they?ve spent most of their life in the case. Metal parts tarnish, plastic parts discolour, finish may become dull etc. So in most cases it?s easy to tell a 3 year old from a 20 year old. The signs are always there, & in many ways this is truly the best guide (regardless of S/N or fittings), however, some guitars do remain in deceptively fine condition despite the passing of decades, so it does need an experienced eye.
7. Maple Top - OK, here?s a crazy sounding comment?.your top appears to be 3-piece unmatched plain-grain, & looks to me very similar to tops on LS50 Reborn & Reborn Old from 1979-80. Although these tops are unmatched & without flamed stripes, the grain does have an attractive swirled pattern which is often quite prominent & quite characteristic. Of course I?m not saying your guitar is a re-badged Reborn, but the top may just be a clue to use of the same wood at a similar early date.
In summary ? none of this is conclusive. And as we?ve said here many times, apart from the S/N there?s often very little to distinguish the date or model of a Tokai Les Paul (unless it has a sticker, or model/date id in pup cavity ? or unless it has early Reborn decal). But, leaving the S/N out of the equation, & apart from my lack of knowledge over Hex-key poles, I?d have to say your guitar looks to me just like a straightforward early 1980-81 Love Rock LS50.
Ian.