Korean Stamped No Letter Prefix Serial Number Neckplates

[Sigmania]

These seem odd, but may in fact be legit as they seem to follow the same numbering scheme as the Korean F prefix ones that occur 1995 to 2000. If so, they would probably be a second factory in Korea making Tokais at this time.

Many have the MADE IN KOREA ink stamp which would suggest a mfr date between 2000-2005.

At least one starts with a 7 and has the MIK ink stamp. Wondering if some were made after 2005 ?

The format could possibly be year/month/unit count.

YYMM#### or YMM####

5040175
7080024
7110032
7110073
03040042
0307030
03110132
04010041



It looks like these may date beyond 2005. If so, this may be the factory I had read about that kept making Tokais without authorization after Tokai moved -production to China?

 

[Sigmania]

SN 7080024

1997 ? 2007 ?

Identifying Tokai Jazz Sound

 

[Sigmania]

SN 03110132

AJB28 YSR

52513 ビンテージ 要整備 ケース付き TOKAI JB6... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

SN 04010041

AST25

tokai goldstar sound Tokai Fender | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Help needed to identify tokai p bass

SN 7110073

1997 ?

 

[Sigmania]

SB 03040042

1円スタート 中古品 TOKAI Stratocaster Limited... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

SN 5040175

1995 ?

ALS40

TOKAI トーカイ エレキギター LOVE ROCK MODEL ... - ヤフオク!

Feeling of use, scratches and stains can be seen.
Defective product with considerable damage Toggle switch) knob is damaged.
Volume knob is damaged.
There is a hole for mounting the pickguard. No pickguard removed.
There are other scratches. *
In the case of an E-ranked item with considerable damage and defects, operation unconfirmed, or a junk item, we cannot accept returns in the unlikely event that there is a problem.
Brand/Manufacturer: TOKAI
Product Name: Tokai Electric Guitar LOVE ROCK MODEL Love Rock Model Les Paul Brown

 

[Sigmania]

Might be referring to the ones here that appear to be from 2007?

As I've said on other posts, I've visited a shop close to my house here in Korea and the owner said he used to have the contract for Tokai in Korea. He said he's been to their Japan factory a few times, yadda yadda. I know for certain he has commissioned other guitars made at the same factry that were long after Tokai moved out of Korea as I've seen them in his shop and he's showed me some in the box. Whether the bullseye and other Canadian Fakais were done in the same manner is anyone's guess. But I do know that the factory that made Tokai in Korea continued to make them for the asking, long after Tokai pulled out and moved to China.

Jason

 

[Sigmania]

SN 7110032

MADE IN KOREA ink stamp...

1997 ? 2007 ?

Lefty Tokai Korea Goldstar Sound - Left Handed Sunburst ST | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

SN 0307030

TOKAI Stratotype Electric Guitar Serial No.0307030 Black★Simple inspection product