Reborn Old
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2010
- Messages
- 481
- Reaction score
- 4
I would first of all like to thank Wulfman for pointing me to the store listing in Japan for this guitar.
With odds of vintage LS-120 models having solid flame tops being pretty low, (under 33% by recent estimates)
I thought the odds of a Tokai listed as an LS-80 flame top being solid topped, were that much smaller.
The store asking price was under current LS-120 veneer top valuations,
so I went ahead and purchased it with little hesitation, since the top was pretty appealing
and condition was described as "near mint", and an original hard case was included.
A NGD thread wouldn't be complete without pics:
The guitar arrived in near flawless condition.
There is no case damage and only a few rub marks on the back and zero fret wear.
This 30 year old time capsule definitely puts to bed the premise that a guitar has to be in player condition to be a worthy instrument.
There was no warranty card but '57 PAF pickups do point to an LS-80 model catalog designation.
There was a bell shaped TRC in the storage compartment and a pointed Tokai TRC and pick guard installed.
Seeing how thin finish is on the back, with mahogany pores showing through finish, I'm pretty convinced finish is lacquer
as the store suggested it was.
It sounds great unplugged and pretty good amplified as well.
It has a nice '58 profile neck and average weight at 2 ounces over 9 lbs.
A pleasant surprise when I removed pickups for a look :
With odds of vintage LS-120 models having solid flame tops being pretty low, (under 33% by recent estimates)
I thought the odds of a Tokai listed as an LS-80 flame top being solid topped, were that much smaller.
The store asking price was under current LS-120 veneer top valuations,
so I went ahead and purchased it with little hesitation, since the top was pretty appealing
and condition was described as "near mint", and an original hard case was included.
A NGD thread wouldn't be complete without pics:
The guitar arrived in near flawless condition.
There is no case damage and only a few rub marks on the back and zero fret wear.
This 30 year old time capsule definitely puts to bed the premise that a guitar has to be in player condition to be a worthy instrument.
There was no warranty card but '57 PAF pickups do point to an LS-80 model catalog designation.
There was a bell shaped TRC in the storage compartment and a pointed Tokai TRC and pick guard installed.
Seeing how thin finish is on the back, with mahogany pores showing through finish, I'm pretty convinced finish is lacquer
as the store suggested it was.
It sounds great unplugged and pretty good amplified as well.
It has a nice '58 profile neck and average weight at 2 ounces over 9 lbs.
A pleasant surprise when I removed pickups for a look :