Mahogany Strat AST 112

[Headley Grange]

Another new member throwing himself upon the wisdom of the hive....

Hello, longtime JPN guitar fan, I have my first Tokai and Im very impressed. Solid mahogany strat type, I really cant fault this guitar for fit, finish and quality. Not quite convinced about the electrics but we'll see.

Mahogany Strat AST 112MH Golden Sound

Im wondering if I can ask for info?
Serial number is 1608xx, body cavities stamped "NAT" "T5-9" (havent had the neck off) I think its a recent guitar. Love to have a date. Ive searched the site....
The HSS picks ups are unmarked. Any ideas what these are (pics)?
The wiring config is a new one on me- the 2nd tone control seems to blend or mix the bridge pup between HB and single coil. At full "off" only one coil seems to active, at full "on" both coils active. Could this be right?
Trem block. I think its pot metal, and I probaly relace it. There are at lkeast three configs for these. Its a JPN guitar, will JN Fender spec fit? Will Gotoh fit? Do Tokais use Gotoh hardware anyway?

 

[Sigmania]

Interesting.

It’s a 2016 guitar.

The pickups are low spec like MK3.

The T mark is interesting to me. They started using that when they were making Femders. Fender labeled guitars were marked with an F. But they weren’t making Fenders in 2016 I don’t believe. Hmmm.

 

[Sigmania]

Here’s a few more all mahogany ASTs.

All Mahogany Goldstar AST Models

 

[Headley Grange]

Thank you, I saw that thread.

 

[Sigmania]

Sure. So just trying to answer your questions.

Year made is 2016.

The 5-9 is a production code. 5 is the month made (May). The second number has not yet been fully defined but relates to production sorting apparently.

The T as I said seems to differentiate this as a Tokai, which as I said is odd. Makes me wonder if they were doing other OEM production in 2016. It’s generally thought they stopped making Fenders by 2009, but Tokai has a long history of making guitars for other brands.

The NAT is the color of the finish. This is an unusual color code and not one I have seen on a Tokai before. It’s usually just an N.

As for the wiring, I’m not sure about modern wiring on these. This is obviously not a vintage design so the controls on original design Tokais is pretty variable.

And not sure if you can switch the trem block on these with other MIJ blocks. Interesting that it’s pot metal. Another cost saving measure like those pickups apparently.

Hope that helps.

 

[Headley Grange]

Thanks you, very helpful.

It seems a mix of vinatge and newer specs- it has a six point vintage type bridge, inconveniently truss rod, machine heads, neck heel, trees and route (HSS excepted) of a vintage - but the flatter radius 22 fret board and some funky wiring.