Help with new Tokai purchase

[sallyg]

Just got a tokai blacky strat. Goldstar with a "40" on the neck. Serial number is L31827.

Serial number makes me think it's an '83 but there is a number stamped on the inside that says "88." Pickups have a "VII" on them.

Can one of you kind Tokai gurus please tell me what you can about this guitar?

 

[colinhotrod]

Looks like an AST 40, It's more like a post 1985 guitar with the modified headstock. Nice guitar

Colin

 

[Anonymous]

Now that's interesting. AST40 as Colin said, but I didn't know they continued to use that neat little brass plate under the controls after they changed to the new headstock shape. Also earlier ST40s usually had ceramic pickups, but yours has the better Alnicos.

It's hard to give any kind of reliable date on those I'm afraid. The serial number doesn't help. And that isn't an 88, it's the colour code - BB for black.

Should be a nice Strat? Do you have any pics of the tuners?

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Just thought, I was thinking from a UK point of view, but we don't know where you are. If you add your location to your profile

like this
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it will help. Details changed at different times for different markets.

 

[sallyg]

Added photo of tuners and I'm in Nashville, TN.
Thank you so much for your help. Whatever information you can give me is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Anonymous]

What you really need is input from some US members, but from what little I know about the US market Goldies, that might well be one of the earlier modified headstock ones (i.e. 1985ish). Soon after this I think Goldies were replaced by the AST-56 & AST-62 models in the US.

But that's not definite - hopefully someone on your side of the pond can confirm or deny this.

And yes, the tuners are the correct type for an ST40. I wonder if the pickups are original, or if somone replaced the ceramic ones with the Alnicos you have?

 

[Diamond]

MustangSally

How does she sound?

 

[sallyg]

The guitar sounds fantastic. I got it off ebay so I don't know where it was purchased.

Is this japanese made? Not korean, right?

 

[Anonymous]

I assumed it was Japanese. If I'm right about the date it's definitely Japanese.

 

[Sigmania]

Just got a tokai blacky strat. Goldstar with a "40" on the neck. Serial number is L31827.

Serial number makes me think it's an '83 but there is a number stamped on the inside that says "88." Pickups have a "VII" on them.

Can one of you kind Tokai gurus please tell me what you can about this guitar?

This is a very old post, but it is an important guitar.

sallyg, if you read this I would love to get some more info from you.

This is one of the latest fender style serial numbers on a Tokai. Trying to document production date.

Can only see a coule of the original photos.

Thanks!