The Export, Transitional or "7okai Fat-Script" Logo

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Sigmania

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Edit: I first see this logo appearing on acoustic guitars from the early to mid 1970s, so it is a recycled older logo just as the script logo was.

Early 7, Export, or Transition Logo Gallery






Just wanting to highlight this unusual and misunderstood logo from 1982-1984.

I had confused it with a long time with the script logo, and thought it was from a later period.

In fact, the Tokai Registry says that it dates from 1985, which is not correct. It is earlier.

Once I realized that it was not the script logo, I was calling it a "transitional logo" and had thought it had to do with litigation with Fender in 1982, but now see that the logo, at least, pre-dated that litgation as it was used in the Spring 1982 catalog which was likely printed in late 1981.

Further, I had re-read the letter from Tokai to Leo fender dated April 8, 1982 and saw that Tokai was claiming at that point that it had never intended to import guitars into the US with the Fender style spaghetti logo or the Fender headstock.

So maybe this was planned, or at least an option, as early as late in 1981 when it was put on the 1982 catalog covers? Hard to know.

The guitars sporting this logo apparently shipped after the showdown in the UK between Toaki and Fenders proxies. So the use of this logo and the modified headstock for the US and other markets may have been independent of the lawsuit between CBS-Arbiter and Blue Suede Music in June and July of 1982... or not. Simultaneously, the "block logo" replaced the Fender style "spaghetti logo" in the UK market on "copy" guitars.

I had seen forum members Ian and Peter Mac refer to this logo as the "7okai fat script" logo in a thread from 2005, so I am calling it the "7okai fat script" logo as well as the "export" or "transitional" logo.

Strat copy codes?

Visually, it is a modified Fender style 7 (T) in front of the "script logo" used in the 70s and re-introduced in 1984.

As stated, from what I have seen the logo first seemed to appear on the Spring 1982 catalog intended for Japan. Likely printed in late 1981.

It was then used on the export guitars with modified headstocks (TSTs, etc) bound for the US and other markets where Fender held sway with copyrights, etc. by late 1982.

By 1983, guitars that were badged with this logo in the 1983 catalog included TST56, TST62, TTE52, & TPB57, TPB64, .38SP, .44MAG, FV45, FS40, EX55.

It looks like that in 1984, around the time the AST model was introduced, that the logo switched to the current "script logo". I don't know if any of the ASTs had the "export", "transitional", "7okai fat script" logo? The ones I have found had the script logo.

May be revised... 8)


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Last edited:
2005

Peter Mac said:
Hi guys

....The 7okai fat-script is unique to 82-83 US model guitars....

about a refernce book...i'm trying to write it.

regards

Peter Mac

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3400&p=13238&hilit=tst+56#p13238

2007

Peter Mac said:
Hi guys,
just a quick sorting here...
ST models are Japan only
TST models are export models from 1981 - including U.S.
AST models are U.S. models from 1984 onwards
US models are noticable by the altered headstock and the actual year being replicated - TST-56 & AST-56 : TST-62 and AST-62.
Build specs for the US models did differ slightly to other export models but the major componants like body and neck were the same for all ST/TST/AST guitars, and they were all Made in Japan.

regards
Peter Mac

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4700
 
It looks like TST, TTE TPB guitars had sen ash bodies.

1983 catalog:

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https://www.gbase.com/gear/tokai-tst-56-strat-1986-trans-orange



Cool and clean mid 1980s Tokai TST-56 Stratocaster style. Made in Japan in a beautiful trans orange finish over an ash body. Plays and sounds fabulous. Comfy soft V shaped neck Professionally setup and comes with a non original soft case.

Year: 1980s.

Model: TST-56

Serial: 1214.

Finish: Trans orange.

Case: Soft case.

Weight: 7 pounds 7 ounces.

Condition: Overall in very good to excellent condition less some minor dings and light finish worming.

Comments: Cool mid 80s Tokai.



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