Mixed Symbols = & -

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

I am seeing these mixed codes on guitars from certain periods.

Still trying to untangle the pattern and what it means.

Some have = sign on the body, - on the neck.

Others have - on the body, = on the neck.

Examples:

-Body/=Neck
1985 pot dates
1987 SN 224974

=Body/-Neck
1985 SN 22558
1985 SN 2678

1987 SN 212846
1987 SN 214092
1987 SN 214268
1987 SN 214394
1987 SN 217619
1987 SN 218501
1987 SN 219226

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

AST 56 - Looking for info

Pots are from March 1985. (53).

Production code says it was assembled in April.

AST-56SW.

Mixed codes.
- Body code
= Neck code.

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

1987 AST40 R OW

What Tokai do I have

SN 217619, pot date January 1987, production date February

=Body
-Neck

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

"Vintage Series" 1987 TST40 OW

A little help please.

SN 214092, pot date January 1987, production date February.

=Body

-Neck

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

Tokai club

SN 214394

TST40 OW

Should be a production date of February 1987 based on other serial numbers.

Unfortunately I can't see the pots to date them.

Mixed symbols on codes again.

= Body

- Neck

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

SN 214268

Made in February, 1987.

1987 TST50MRR

=Body
-Neck

Also note, another mixed symbol 1987 guitar. = on the body, - on the neck.

Barks:

"Bought it new in first quarter of 1987. First ever consignment of Tokais for Ryde Guitar Centre , Isle of Wight. Had 50 sticker and Deluxe stamped tuners. The choice in the shop was ST40, ST 50 or ST 55. Prices ?239, ?279 and ?299 respectively. Choice was limited for an Isle of Wight lad, so these where very exotic and exciting when they came in. I bought this one for the colour and rosewood neck, and the fact the ST40 tuners looked cheap and had a similar plugged in sound to the Squiers. All the ST 55's where maple neck only and I'm not a great fan - Grey bobbin pickups. Been SD since 1989, originals long gone. Body is 3 piece Alder. Interesting that it may be a year older than I thought."

New Member Post - please help date AST56!

Sigmania · Jan 14, 2023

This is a weird one.

1987 TE80A

TE120 would have 4 digit serial number with the maple neck.

SN 224974

Pots date to September 1986 and April 1987

Serial number is consistent with a June 1987 production.

So one pot replaced?

But the production code is December. The month is 12...

This is the first guitar I have seen where the production code is not consistent with the pot date, following a month or two behind, and certainly would expect the pot dates to be in line with serial numbers where others have been so consistent. But these are rare guitars, and possibly was cut in December 1986 and not assembled til six months later as these were premium one piece swamp ash bodies I believe. I also doubt they were only 80,000 yen. TE80A not shown in a catalog until 1989 it seems. Same rounded corners in the neck pocket as my TE120. A pic of the inner edge of the neck pocket might reveal that a hole was drilled from there to the control cavity since it seems to be a one piece body. Mysterious guitar.

-Body
=Neck

1982 Tokai TE-120