Collecting MIC Tokai pics.
It seems like the thinking on this forum is that Tokai moved production of lower priced models from Korea to China around 2005?
It seems like the switch over to China was not so clear cut.
Starting out looking for patterns in the serial numbers of what are possibly Chinese versus Korean builds.
Using only examples I have actually seen photos of.
Transition Korea to China?
FC + 7 digits (2006, 2007) Fine Corporation
Chinese Tokais:
CH + 6 digits (2005,
CH + 8 digits (2008,
7 digits (2009, ex. 9061006
C + 6 digits (2008, 2009, 2010,
CA + 9 digits (2010,
CN + 8 digits (2010-)
8 digit Fender clones "CE" mark (2015, 2016)
Questionable serial numbers:
6 digits (2005, ex. 05xxxx
8 digits (2009,
6 digits (2011, ex. 11xxxx
TM + 6 digit "Legacy Series" (2016,
TL Legacy Series guitars.
TW + 8 digits
Chinese factories making Tokais likely includes:
Fine Corp (2006 -2007) ? >
Fine Corporation - guitar, electric guitar, bass - EC21 Mobile
Yue Sen (2008-2009) ? >
Yuesen Musical Instrument Factory China - Electric Guitar, Bass, Acoustic Guitar
Saein Muical Co. (2010-present) ?
https://g04823.tradekorea.com/company.do
Emphasis on the "?" 8)
2005
"05" six digit white paint serial numbers over the finish.
Odd Seven Digit Serial Number Guitar
CH + 6 digits
CH Serial Numbers
2006
"06" six digit impressed (Korean?)
Six Digit Serial Number Gibson Copies
"06" six digit gold paint
Tokais Made In China
"FC06" (Chinese? Korean?)
FC Serial Numbers
"F06" (Korean?)
Monk's Head Headstock
2007
"FC07" serial number
07 seven digit
Tokais Made In China
2008
"08" six digit serial (Korean?)
Six Digit Serial Number Gibson Copies
"CH08" serial number (Chinese)
Tokais Made In China
"C08" serial number (China)
Tokais Made In China
2009
"09" six digit
09 Six Digit Serial Number Korean? Chinese?
"90" seven digit
Tokais Made In China
"09" eight digit
Tokais Made In China
"C09" serial (Chinese)
Tokais Made In China
2010
"CA10" serial number
2010- Present
CN serial (Chinese)
Tokais Made In China
It seems like the thinking on this forum is that Tokai moved production of lower priced models from Korea to China around 2005?
It seems like the switch over to China was not so clear cut.
Starting out looking for patterns in the serial numbers of what are possibly Chinese versus Korean builds.
Using only examples I have actually seen photos of.
Transition Korea to China?
FC + 7 digits (2006, 2007) Fine Corporation
Chinese Tokais:
CH + 6 digits (2005,
CH + 8 digits (2008,
7 digits (2009, ex. 9061006
C + 6 digits (2008, 2009, 2010,
CA + 9 digits (2010,
CN + 8 digits (2010-)
8 digit Fender clones "CE" mark (2015, 2016)
Questionable serial numbers:
6 digits (2005, ex. 05xxxx
8 digits (2009,
6 digits (2011, ex. 11xxxx
TM + 6 digit "Legacy Series" (2016,
TL Legacy Series guitars.
TW + 8 digits
Chinese factories making Tokais likely includes:
Fine Corp (2006 -2007) ? >
Fine Corporation - guitar, electric guitar, bass - EC21 Mobile
Yue Sen (2008-2009) ? >
Yuesen Musical Instrument Factory China - Electric Guitar, Bass, Acoustic Guitar
Saein Muical Co. (2010-present) ?
https://g04823.tradekorea.com/company.do
Emphasis on the "?" 8)
2005
"05" six digit white paint serial numbers over the finish.
Odd Seven Digit Serial Number Guitar
CH + 6 digits
CH Serial Numbers
2006
"06" six digit impressed (Korean?)
Six Digit Serial Number Gibson Copies
"06" six digit gold paint
Tokais Made In China
"FC06" (Chinese? Korean?)
FC Serial Numbers
"F06" (Korean?)
Monk's Head Headstock
2007
"FC07" serial number
07 seven digit
Tokais Made In China
2008
"08" six digit serial (Korean?)
Six Digit Serial Number Gibson Copies
"CH08" serial number (Chinese)
Tokais Made In China
"C08" serial number (China)
Tokais Made In China
2009
"09" six digit
09 Six Digit Serial Number Korean? Chinese?
"90" seven digit
Tokais Made In China
"09" eight digit
Tokais Made In China
"C09" serial (Chinese)
Tokais Made In China
2010
"CA10" serial number
2010- Present
CN serial (Chinese)
Tokais Made In China
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