Help dating this Love Rock

[zaiber]

Hi all,

I bought this Tokai Love Rock quite some years ago in a rather used state for a very good price - I thought so at least (around 300 USD).

It's just been sitting in the basement but during a recent cleanup I picked it up and put some new strings on it.

Man it sounds amazing - best LP tone I've ever heard - and I've owned expensive real deal Gibson LPs and ES 335's.

It is *rather* banged up I would say - been played and moved around a lot clearly - tons of nicks and dents on front, back and neck - not to mention the headstock.

Also someone put unoriginal Grover tuners on it which probably contributed to the cracked headstock lacquer.

Anycase - I was thinking about having it restored by a luthier - but was curious to know what model and year it is?

By its wear and tear alone I would suspect it's quite old - maybe around 80-85?

if someone can point me in the right direction I would be grateful.

Have submitted pics of this lovely guitar - which is currently dissasembled for initial cleaning - hope it rings a bell with you fine people.

Thanks!

/best
Michael Hove, Copenhagen DK

 

[Sigmania]

My guess would be 1981 LS50CS.

The three piece top and what are likely LS Dynamic pickups are what make me think that.

LS Dynamic Pickups



Finish is a form of polyester I believe. Not nitrocellulose.

 

[zaiber]

**** - that was fast - thank you so much for the id of the guitar - I am quite taken back by how good this old lady sounds - will post some pics after the restoration.

/thanks

 

[Sigmania]

There may be a stamp in the neck pickup cavity with the model number to confirm it as an LS50.

The only other option would be an LS60.

Definitely not an LS80 or above with the 3 piece top.

Nice guitar.

 

[Sigmania]

Here's the LS50 in the 1981 catalog.

The pickups in the LS50 changed 4 times in a year.




1982 catalog