Six Digit Serial Numbers Starting With 01xxxx 1991 1992

[Sigmania]

SN 018217

TOKAI HARDPUNCHER Tokai Hard Puncher | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

Unfinished ash HSS body.

check bost

1991 Made by Tokai Gakki Ash wood 3-piece special order product Unpainted unused item

In 1991, I asked an acquaintance of mine at a musical instrument store to purchase a special order body for a Tokai Gakki Strat.

Changes SSH specification The upper right part of the tremolo hole is slightly protruded so that the gap is not visible even if the Floyd Rose is installed.
Photo 6 There is a knothole here and it is filled in

Neck pocket size 56.3mm Depth 17.4mm Weight 2.3Kg

However, due to various circumstances, I was unable to complete it, so I'm here now.

It has been seasoned for 31 years since I got it, so I think it's just the right time for production.Please use NC, NR.

 

[Sigmania]

SN 017724

Jazz Sound Bass Type | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

SN 017703

TOKAI ベース - ヤフオク!

 

[Sigmania]

Circa 1991/92 AST in Purple Burst (PPB) finish.

SN 014621

Tokai Custom Edition トーカイ ストラトキャス... - Yahoo!オークション








1994 catalog

 

[eborej]

Circa 1991/92 AST in Purple Burst (PPB) finish.

SN 014621

Tokai Custom Edition トーカイ ストラトキャス... - Yahoo!オークション

I have the same model in the same color with serial number 015251. It's the AST483 PPB in the 1994 catalog.


Here's the warranty card that came with it:

 

[Sigmania]

Cool to see one with the warranty card!

Have you checked your pots to see if they are dated?

I love that purple burst finish. That is a real looker.

 

[eborej]

Cool to see one with the warranty card!

Have you checked your pots to see if they are dated?

I love that purple burst finish. That is a real looker.

Doesn't appear to have any codes on the pots:

 

[Sigmania]

Nope. Sometime in 1992 the dateable pots disappear.

So yours is likely late 1992-1995 or so in my opinion.

Seems like the ST/AST product line shrank around 1995 when Korean production began and the Hamamatsu factory production focused on making Fenders.

Tokai "Made In" & "Crafted In" Fenders

1995 catalog offering of ST models. All made in Korea.



The next STs I can verify Made In Japan are early 2000s all caps no serial ST models.

All Caps "MADE IN JAPAN" No Serial Guitars

 

[Sigmania]

I just took another look at the 1994 catalog and noticed the AST483 has L White pickups, but the AST481 has MK3 pickups.

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Sigmania]

This is a rough timeline I had put together re: the use of pots in Tokai St models over the years. Just saw that at least one of the pics is one of your guitars.

Examples of Tokai 250k ST pots.


View attachment 2350

Seems like these pots spanned the period of all Springys into Goldstars,

I have seen these on Tokai ST/TST/ASTs from 1978-1984 at least?

Not sure who made them.

View attachment 2344
1978 & 1979 catalogs.

View attachment 2338
1979 ST100

View attachment 2347
1981 ST80 MRR


View attachment 2339
1983 TST70 Goldstar.


View attachment 2348
AST-56. Those pickups introduced by late 1983/1984. Used Tokai AST-56 Vintage Series Electric Guitar Sunburst

"YM X"

View attachment 2351
(Voidoid56's image)
Then after that the "YM X" codes that I have seen on Goldstars starting in 1985.


View attachment 2349
From Voidoid56's post above on a 1985 TST50.

I think these "YM X" pots were made until 1991or 1992?

A250KOhm
MADE IN JAPAN


View attachment 2352
(also B of course)

And then by the mid 90s we see these ones.

Value of the pot over MADE IN JAPAN (2 lines)


View attachment 2341
(eborej's photo "Tokai Custom Edition" Guitars)


View attachment 2345
All Caps MADE IN JAPAN No Serial Number Guitars

They seem to extend into the early 2000s at least on no serial all caps MIJ Tokais.



GF

View attachment 2354
GF by 2009

View attachment 2346
Tokai Goldstar Sound"1965 Stratocaster" 3 Tone Sunburst, Alder Body,The best Strat You'll ever Play | Reverb

And continuing on into 2014 at least

View attachment 2343
2014 Tokai Goldstar Sound AST-118 S-Style Electric Guitar Ash Body Blue Burst, Japan

 

[Sigmania]

I have the same model in the same color with serial number 015251. It's the AST483 PPB in the 1994 catalog.

View attachment 32492
Here's the warranty card that came with it:

View attachment 32493
View attachment 32494

I created separate threads for the AST481 and AST483 since they are not very common.

Would love it if you posted pics of yours in the AST483 thread.

AST483 Gallery

 

[Sigmania]

SN 017856

Tokai Electric Guitar Red Used | eBay

 

[Sigmania]

SN 017724

AJB45 BB ?

I believe the 4 screw tuners started being usde on these lower model around 1987?

1987 1988 TJB45 YSOR

Listing for this bass:

Jazz Sound Bass Type | eBay




1994 catalog:

 

[Sigmania]

SN 015473

Curious. This sure looks like a TST60. I would have guessed it was made in the mid 80s.

Round string guide & MIJ sticker, but cheap saddles and 01xxxx serial number.

Partscaster??

Would love to open it up.

【a2】 TOKAI GOLDSTAR SOUND トーカイ ストラト... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[Sigmania]

SN 017946

I asked the seller re: the pots and no reply.

This serial number range is likely the ink stamped pots that don't yield a date directly. 1992-

So sirca 1992 TE50GSR ?

Tokai Breezysound Telecaster - 1980's - Sunburst | eBay





1991 catalog

 

[Sigmania]

SN 017882

中古 TOKAI CUSTOM EDITION トーカイ カスタムエ... - Yahoo!オークション

 

[ATO]

Spotted on Gumtree UK - still has original shipping box

013696

Tokai Custom Edition Stratocaster Sunburst MADE IN JAPAN in mint condition purchased in Dec 1991 from John Ham Music in Swansea ( his brother was the legendary Peter Ham who was a member of the group Badfinger ). I dont think it has ever been played and is in its original box and has its purchase receipt...you will not believe that the guitar is over 33 years old. It has a tiny paint chip at the back and that is it, and also has the cellophane on the Backplate cover. Comes complete with its tremolo arm ..Please let me know if interested. SERIOUS OFFERS ONLY. CASH ON COLLECTION ONLY, WONT POST or DELIVER

 

[Sigmania]

SN 013916

Pot code: 1 5 (May 1991)

For sale on FB

1991 TE50BL