Dead mint 2014 ES196VNT

[jselect]

I got this guitar today.

Tokai recently discontinued the ES series from the product catalog on the official website.
I don't know if the craftsman retired or if it was a cost issue,
but it seems certain that Tokai's traditional ES series has been discontinued.
After knowing that fact, I was looking for a new Tokai ES.
I found a new ES produced in 2014, so I got it.
I will use it regularly from now on.

 

[jselect]

another pic.

 

[jselect]

I would like to ask the forums, especially Sigmania, who has a lot of knowledge.

Did Tokai really stop producing the ES series?

What worries me is that the capital investment has been made and the structure of the company has changed.
As was the case with Gibson in the Norin era, the company's virtues are often lost.
The discontinuation of Tokai's ES series this time gives me such a bad feeling.

How about that？

 

[Sigmania]

I honestly don't know. Here is their web address if you want to try contacting them.

東海楽器製造株式会社

I use Google Chrome since I don't speak Japanese.

 

[jselect]

I honestly don't know. Here is their web address if you want to try contacting them.

東海楽器製造株式会社

I use Google Chrome since I don't speak Japanese.

Thank you, Sigmania. I will try.

 

[guitar hiro]

that's a very nice one from YJ seller kumanoi2006; I had bid on it but my bid wasn't a 'serious' bid.
Ending bid price was a bargain IMO; congrats.

What is the neck thickness like at fret 1?

 

[jselect]

that's a very nice one from YJ seller kumanoi2006; I had bid on it but my bid wasn't a 'serious' bid.
Ending bid price was a bargain IMO; congrats.

What is the neck thickness like at fret 1?

I don't have a caliper on hand right now, so I can't tell you numerically, but the feeling of holding the neck is "thick and solid".

 

[jselect]

This is another image taken while illuminating the flash.
As you say, to be able to buy a 9-year-old Tokai ES blonde in brand new,
with a great flame look, and for less than $980 is a real bargain.

 

[settebello]

A bargain.Congrats.

 

[jselect]

A bargain.Congrats.

Thank you,settebello.

 

[Sigmania]

Really beautiful.

Looks like it has Keiyo pickups in it?

Keiyo MK2 Pickups

 

[jselect]

Really beautiful.

Looks like it has Keiyo pickups in it?

Keiyo MK2 Pickups

Pickups has metal braided wire. Made by Keiyo??

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

Heh, the neck PU routing pic is nicely showing the quartersawn spruce layer I was rambling on about recently!

 

[jselect]

Pickups has metal braided wire. Made by Keiyo??

There are many guitar manufacturers in Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture. according to the website "Matsumoto Guitar Maker", Keiyo was a pickup manufacturer established in 1954 by the person who was involved in the development of the Teisco TG-54, the first electric guitar in the Japan, and worked on pickups for Bacchus, Momose, ESP, etc. in addition to Tokai. It is said in Japan that it is a manufacturer that makes pickups closest to PAF.

 

[Sigmania]

Can you post a link to that source? It’s been really hard to find out who made them. I also found that connection with Teisco. Or is that from what I posted?

 

[jselect]

Another pics.
Yes, I can see the quartersawn spruse layer.

 

[jselect]

Can you post a link to that source? It’s been really hard to find out who made them. I also found that connection with Teisco. Or is that from what I posted?

http://garakutaguitar.com/MatsumotoGuitars2.html

 

[jselect]

This one.

 

[jselect]

Can you post a link to that source? It’s been really hard to find out who made them. I also found that connection with Teisco. Or is that from what I posted?

I do not know the same connection or not.

 

[Sigmania]

Oh thanks! I will post that in the Keiyo thread so others can see it.