Limited Edition TST Guitars

[Sigmania]

Bad link.

 

[Sigmania]

L17563

1984/85 ?

Tokai Stratocaster limited edition

 

[Sigmania]

TST36H ABR

SN L18775

TOKAI Limt'd Edition STRAT all black HH Stratocaster JAPAN 1980s w/Tokai bag EX | eBay

 

[Garold86]

Hi,

I have one of these - L23632. It's a HSS in All-Black.

I believe it's a 1985 example - there's nothing on the pots themselves to date, but there are some control cavity markings, including a couple of = sign, which I believe on the Goldstar's went out in 1985 itself? If anyone can help decipher what the code relates to, I'd be most grateful.

Additionally, if I can help in anyway with wider identification, let me know.

 

[Sigmania]

Very cool. The Fender style serial numbers ended in the Spring of 1986 from what I’ve been able to gather using pot dates.

I agree that your guitar is probably 1985. By early 1986 the numbers were around L30000.

And good point about the = sign.

I had been going by what Peter Mac had said about a year or so ago in another thread where he seemed to be implying that symbol disappeared by 1985.

What code is on your neck?

I have actually found mixed symbols of = and - going into 1987.

Mixed Symbols = & -

 

[Garold86]

There's nothing on the neck - it's painted black all the way down the heel (makes for a snug neck pocket!) and if there was anything it's long since gone.

Interestingly though, there is a very faded "36" in white pen underneath the neck plate.

 

[Sigmania]

That's wild, the 36 in white. I have not seen that before.

TST36HS-ABBR

 

[Sigmania]

TST36HS-ASWR

SN L23938

Excellent TOKAI SS36 Limited Edition 1982 Vintage Electric Guitar Ref.No.5288 | eBay

 

[Garold86]

I dug the multimeter out at the weekend, just to have a look at the pickup outputs.

Neck / Middle, a totally respectable 5.25/5.45k.

The bridge humbucker, a perforate-your-ear-drums 17.25k. I knew it was hot - I didn't realise it was quite that hot.

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI LIMITED EDITION Black and White | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai トーカイ エレキギター 限定版 Limited Ed... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/tokai-limited-edition-1984-goldstar-1772843887

Description:

Rare example of a Tokai Limited Edition strat copy based on the Goldstar Sound body with four bolt neck but featuring hardware and the H stamp pickups found in some models of the Silver Star. Unlike other Limited Editions which preceded the modern designed Custom Editions appearing in '85 this model is still very firmly in the vintage mould, with slim frets and low/ medium output pickups. It is in fantastic condition for a guitar over thirty years old. All parts are original with only the trem bar missing. The neck is true and with truss rod (access at body). Fretboard is a very nice rosewood and the frets almost wear free, in great condition. There are a few minor bumps with the only really noticeable one on the headstock (see pic). Electrics work fine with no crackles and the pickups have a great vintage sound, with the 2 and 4 positions providing the famous strat "quack". Set up with a set of used lightweight strings. No case.

Body: alder
Neck: one piece maple vintage profile
Fretboard: rosewood
Frets: vintage profile 90%.

 

[Sigmania]

SN 111626

Tokai Stratocaster HH "limited edition" Matching Head 1981 White japan import | Reverb Canada

 

[Sigmania]

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b1090858914

 

[Sigmania]

SN L21640

TOKAI トーカイ ストラトタイプ エレキギター シ... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

Tokai LIMITED EDITION TST36H 80年代 動作良好 - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

SN 112663

Tokai エレキギター ストラトキャスタータイプ l... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI トーカイ TST エレキギター シリアルNo.L1... - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

SN 226509

Same seller has multiple similar guitars, and it looks like they have been switching parts...

Serial number is late 1987/88

August production code

Pickups and pots are from pre-1984...

【1985 Vintage】 Tokai TST-60WR Limited Edition Made in Japan Electric Guitar | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

SN L23512

Σm4828 中古 TOKAI トーカイ エレキギター スト... - ヤフオク!