Help identifying Vintage White Love Rock.

[Gonzalo2203]

Good afternoon, fellow Tokai lovers.

I´m the proud owner of a LS-150F Honey Burst (which I love). Last week I purchased (second hand) a lovely Tokai Love Rock in Vintage White. It´s got that aged cream/ivory color, as the guitar is 10 years. I could date it looking at the serial number (CN 12030336) as a 2012 guitar, made in China. It has a rather dark "rosewood?" and it has killer action and tone, despite being Chinese-made. I haven´t weighed it, but is a bit heavier than my MIJ Love Rock (4 Kg), so I guess its wood is mahogany, at least its body. The stock tuners have been swaped for Gotoh ones. For the price, I think it´s great!
Out of curiosity, I´ve been trying this past week to identify its exact model and specs. The late owner doesn´t remember it, although he stated it is an equivalent of today-made ALC-80. I´ve looking on the net for the serial number and catalogues, but couldn´t find anything. I looked through the 2012 Tokai catalogue, but it doesn´t feature Vintage White as an available colour for Chinese-made guitars, at least for a "Les Paul Custom" kind-of guitar. Maybe I didn´t see it?
So after much time looking for any info, I found this forum, which I love. I hope any of you who has vast knowledge about Tokai guitars can help me identify this one.

Thanks you very, very much in advance!!
Gonzalo 2203

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

This would be the equivalent in the 2011/12 UK brochure:

 

[Gonzalo2203]

This would be the equivalent in the 2011/12 UK brochure:

View attachment 25836

Thanks for your early reply! It does seem like it´s one of those, but still can´t see Vintage White as an option. Maybe colours vary from country to country?

 

[Sigmania]

I suspect it is actually a snow white ALC50 that has "aged". Does it smell of tobacco at all?

Maybe pull a pickup and see if there is a difference in color in the paint under the ring, and see if there is a color code stamped in the cavities.

2012 catalog


Vintaxe scan

 

[Sigmania]

2010 catalog

 

[Sigmania]

2015 catalog

 

[Gonzalo2203]

I suspect it is actually a snow white ALC50 that has "aged". Does it smell of tobacco at all?

Maybe pull a pickup and see if there is a difference in color in the paint under the ring, and see if there is a color code stamped in the cavities.

2012 catalog

View attachment 25837
Vintaxe scan

Many thanks for your effort! I´m not quite sure, as it seems too "yellow" to be a 10 year-old aged Snow White finish, but the previous owner was a gigging musician, so it´s possible. In one of my pictures you can see the "shadow" that the pickguard (the previous owner never got rid of it) left. The colour is pretty "creamish", a little far from white. Anyways, I´m gonna swap the pickups (I have a spare Jackson J90C and an Invader), so I´ll see if the colour there is white. Thanks again.

 

[Sigmania]

Yeah, good call. Definitely has yellowed over time.



Some finishes can really react to something in the environment.

I have seen ST55 placid blue Springys turn almost green. I assumed it was cigarettes. Those have a poly finish.

Heavily Discolored Lake Placid Blue ST55 Springy

 

[Gonzalo2203]

Yeah, good call. Definitely has yellowed over time.

View attachment 25842

Some finishes can really react to something in the environment.

I have seen ST55 placid blue Springys turn almost green. I assumed it was cigarettes. Those have a poly finish.

Heavily Discolored Lake Placid Blue ST55 Springy

Wow, that´s a whole different colour. I´ll keep you posted of what I find when I remove the pickups. Cheers!

 

[Gonzalo2203]

Hello again! I swapped the pickups, and the pickup cavities were Vintage White inside, definitely not Snow White. Anyways, some pictures for you to see. Cheers!

 

[Sigmania]

Interesting.

There has obviously been some color change.

A coupe of things are possible:

1. It is a non catalog color for that model. That would be unusual for a Chinese build. They didn't really do special orders as far as I know.

2. The finish yellowed over time. The parts exposed to the air & light yellowed at a greater rate than areas not exposed.

 

[Sigmania]

Here is a Chinese 2006 LC with a similar color situation.

Catalog lists as Snow White, but seems to have yellowed.

Tokai custom identification

 

[Sigmania]

2008 Chinese

Pretty white, but binding yellowing?

Korean LS-136 Custom? Date and value?

 

[Sigmania]

2010 Limited Edition (different factory)

Still very much snow white.

Tokais Made In China

 

[Sigmania]

I am personally suspicious of the poly they used on your guitar and the other one that yellowed.

Not the sort of thing you wold even notice except on a white guitar.

 

[Gonzalo2203]

You are right, It may be a fast white-ish finnish yellowing, as the guitar is 10 years old, and often played live. Also, the body wood is quite clear, so it must be basswood, not mahogany. So the dating must be correct. Anyways, the guitar is really heavy, despise being basswood, and it is thicker than my MIJ Love Rock. The J 90C pickup suits the guitar perfectly, punchy and gritty.
Thanks again for helping me in this matter. Rock on!

 

[Sigmania]

Absolutely. The Chinese Tokais can be great players. Lots of positive reviews. Enjoy.

 

[Gonzalo2203]

Absolutely. The Chinese Tokais can be great players. Lots of positive reviews. Enjoy.

Thanks again!!