Tokai CE70T

[Lucke Luke]

I'd like some help with clarifying an acoustic that has been on ebay for over a year when I joked that if it was still for sale when I graduated I may consider it.... 8)

It's a 2003/4 model supposidly. The guy does not have any documentation or receipts.

The sticker in the soundhole says:
Model: CE70T (Although the description states CE170)
Serial: 008018

link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tokai-Cats-Eyes-CE70T-Handbuilt-Japan-Solid-Spruce-Solid-Rose-/172177311180?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

The description claims that it's japanese crafted, but I remember people saying that after a certain year, all acoustics were made in China.

As I say, it has been on eBay for over a year and thus I am dubious of the asking price. I'm aware that most people are unwilling to say how much something is worth, but with there being so few acoustics to compare with, etc. I would really appreciate some sort of indication of what it should be worth.

Thanks

 

[Cellarstrat82]

Hi there, I am the owner of that Tokai CE70T , which was purchased in Session Music Belfast (a combined Baird Sound systems & Session at the time). I bought the guitar new , it was made in Japan not China and my only error was that it is not solid rosewood but nevertheless is an impressive guitar in almost new condition. I bought that guitar to travel to Spain as was smaller but it was too good to travel so it didnt . I still have it as many people scammed my listing and it was falsely advertised everywhere at the time. I couldn´t care less what the public think . It is an honest high quality guitar and at the time I couldn´t decide between it and the larger dreadnought but I did and still have a Lowden L32 so didnt need the 0028 version.
I play the classical so always thought the neck was smallish to finger but was good for Joni Mitchell tunings .

And yes it is a rare guitar and I have only seen one of them ...my own . It sounded very similiar to a friends 00028 Martin. ...at silly money

I probably do have the receipt for it somewhere. Incidentally my father bought me a Tokai ST strat tobacco sb for my 16th birthday at Bairds Belfast and I still have that guitar too ..with some mods ...a very good ringing body that David Rossi in Valencia has worked on (among other guitars I own). A bit late for the reply but wished to put you right about this guitars history . It is a very good guitar and looks it too. Don´t be off put by the laminated rosewood .

Cheers
Tony Martin

 

[Sigmania]

Can you post pics? Also when did you get it?

 

[Sigmania]

Here is one from the internet.

美品 TOKAI Cat’s Eyes CE70T 2001年製 ハードケース付

It has a serial number that seems to suggest it was made in 1999?

1999 was before Tokai started making acoustics in China. I am not sure, but I don't think they made them in Korea before going to China. Probably made in Japan. Maybe someone esle knows?

 

[Sigmania]

2000 catalog

https://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai20020.jpg

 

[Sigmania]

Better scan

CE7OT
¥70,000
TOP/ Solid Spruce
SIDE & BACK / Rosewood
NECK / Mahogany U Shape
FINGERBOARD/ RosewoOd-
BRIDGE / Rosewood
MACHINEHEAD/Vintage Grover Style
HEAD STOCK INLAY /Flower Pot; White Pearl
POSITION MARKS / Snowflakes
PICKGUARD / Tortoise Shell Pattern
FINISH / Polyester

 

[Sigmania]

As of 2013 they were still making acoustics in Hamamatsu japan.

See here:

Tokai Gakki Factory Visit





A Day in Hamamatsu…

 

[Sigmania]

They did contract out lower priced electric guitars to Korean mfrs during this period, I am just not sure about acoustics.

 

[Sigmania]

And the guitar in the original post is from 2000.

Serial: 008018

 

[Cellarstrat82]

Hi Sigmania,

thks for your input there. ...been out of action for a week with Carpel Tunnel surgery on fretting hand so unlikely to be able to play for some time.

 

[Sigmania]

You’re welcome and hope you recover well.

 

[Sigmania]

Looks like yours was made in 2000.

 

[Cellarstrat82]

I guess that is a good thing ....still regret not buying the dreadnought as would have been more useful to me ...but however ...not sure if I should sell it or not as it never gets played

 

[Sigmania]

This CE30T has a made in Korea sticker and the serial number is close to yours.

Korean Made Cat's Eyes

Not sure which models were made there? Assuming there was a price level above which they were still made in Japan. I just don’t know.