Tokais Made In Korea

[Sigmania]

Starting this thread as a place to sort out MIK Tokais since they are a bit of a mystery.

Korean and Chinese Tokais were typically lower priced models (roughly below 60,000 yen) built in Korea and China due to lower production costs in those countries.

Korean production of Tokais presumably lasted from the mid 90s (possibly 1994) stretching into the mid 2000s and possibly beyond.

It has been long thought on this forum that no legitimate Korean built Tokais had serial numbers. With that in mind, check out the following links.


Korean built "Tokais" with serial numbers:



Late 90s

Impressed neck plate serial numbers.
Korean Stamped Serial Number Guitars


2001

01 six digit serial numbers
01 Six Digit Serial Number Paper Label Korean

2002

Letter prefix serial numbers
Letter Prefix Serial Number Korean


2003-2004

Unauthorized 2003/2004 Fakais
Manufactured Under License For... Fakais

2005

05 six digit serial numbers
05 Six Digit Serial Number Unauthorized (?) Korean



THE FOLLOWING ARE POSSIBLY KOREAN OR CHINESE ?

2006

06 six digit serial numbers
06 Six Digit Serial Number Korean? Chinese?


2007

07 six digit serial numbers
07 Six Digit Serial Number Korean? Chinese?

2008

08 six digit serial numbers
08 Six Digit Serial Number Korean? Chinese?

2009

09 six digit serial numbers
09 Six Digit Serial Number Korean? Chinese?

 

[Sigmania]

reborn old's excellent 2013 thread on Korean Tokais.

*Edited here format for ease of reading. Content not changed.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20753

I'll be first to admit this is an ambitious post based largely on limited catalog info and on too few MIK example pics, but it's a start that hopefully other members can build on for dating and/or reference purposes, and hopefully help members who think they may be dealing with a fake.

Dates are approximate and subject to change.

No genuine MIK Tokai models have or had serial numbers outside of possibly 2006 Fine Corp "FC" or "F" prefix models if these were in fact produced in Korea and not China,

2003-05 Dillion produced "unauthorized Love Rocks" had clear cello serial # rear headstock decals ... see last pic at bottom of this post.

Certain MIK (made in Korea) attributes can help date your Love Rock within one of 4 production categories.

The main ones being TRC (truss rod cover) differences shown in the pic below and possibly a MIK headstock stamp after 2002.

If your MIK TRC doesn't look similar to one pictured below, you may be out of luck, but control cavity routes may help where a TRC has been replaced.

Later MIC (made in China) models ALL have/had serial numbers and other features differentiating them from Korean examples.

Most if not all Korean Tokais were designated for export purposes and have a center dimple headstock style.

All featured alder or laminate body and maple neck construction.

Rare examples with open book headstocks were likely destined for countries that didn't have patent infringement concerns.

-1995 ~ 1997 ALS------- ~ 1998 to ~ 2000 ALS---------mid 2000 to 2005 ALS-------2003+ MIK ink stamp-


1995~1997*

two screw pointed bell TRC,

ALS + ALC series catalog intro in 1995 had 3 models: ALS-36 bolt on neck + ALS-42, ALC-48 fixed neck.

1998 catalog

ALS 48 and higher alder models with set necks,
ALS 42 + lower alder or laminate body models.

Pearloid inlays and rosewood colored fret boards often found on set neck models. (may be actual rosewood... couldn't verify from pics)

opaque plastic instead of pearloid found on most bolt-on neck models.

1998 to early 2000

three screw pointed bell TRC.
Model specs appear to be otherwise unchanged.

mid 2000~2002

three screw arch shaped TRC introduced.
Model specs appear to be otherwise unchanged.

2003~2005

three screw arch shaped TRC
specs appear to be unchanged outside of introduction of "Made in Korea" ink stamp on headstock back sometime in 2003 or possibly 2004,

pic #4 (same as is MIJ ink stamp introduction on 2003 Japan models) until the end of documented MIK production.

Whether or not Korea continued Tokai production after 2005 and used serial numbers similar to Chinese ALS models, may be difficult to prove or disprove at this time.



Control cavity pics for various types:

1995-1999 ALS with pointed TRC

mid 2000 to 2005 ALS with arch shaped TRC

2009 Made in China ALS

Dillion unauthorized Canadian export

The Dillion cavity is different from others in that the cable channel and jack hole are at diagonal corner opposites (this pic was somehow flipped 180* on it's vertical axis), while Tokai ALS channels always route to the left side lobe and the jack hole is always in the right side lobe.

Arched TRC cavities have a flat routed right side lobe.

That flat is longer and follows route curvature, on the 2009 made in China example.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Catalog vol-18 1995-1997 LS-45 + LS-50 models + Catalogs vol-19 + 20 1998 + 1999 LS-50 + LS-55 models were all made in Japan but can be easily confused with early 2000 MIK models.

They share the same style of 4 screw bolt-on neck, same 3 screw pointed bell TRC, but were nevertheless produced in Japan.

External differences from MIK examples are mahogany neck and back construction instead of alder or laminate with maple necks. I believe most 1995-1999 MIJ bolt-on models have open book headstocks and necks aren't scarf jointed. I haven't found an export dimple MIJ headstock example of these yet.

Other MIJ differences include typical MIJ control cavity routes with all 4 cavity lobes routed flat and Japan stamped hardware. MIJ bolt-on neck base models were discontinued after 1999.

Note that on these MIJ 1995-1999 bolt-on neck base models , the nut shape is sloped rather than rectangular in profile, and made of bone instead of plastic:

----------------------------------------------------------------

2008 ALS China headstock posted for comparison purposes:

2003-2005 Dillion unauthorized Tokai serial # example:

 

[Sigmania]

Six digit serial numbers like this one have yet to be attributed to Korea or China.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26596&p=199756&hilit=chinese+serial+number#p199756

Seven digit seem to be Chinese.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20753&hilit=sticky&start=15


Eight digit is also unclear.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26110&p=195654&hilit=chinese+serial+number#p195654

 

[Sigmania]

Unauthorized "Make In Korea" guitars made without permission from Tokai in Korea, and ordered by a dealer in Canada.

 

[Sigmania]

ALS48BB ?

Seemingly legit licensed Made in Korea Love Rock.

Note the lack of a serial number and white cover plates.

3 screw truss rod cover.

Export dimple.

https://reverb.com/uk/item/25408122-tokai-love-rock-mik-made-in-korea

 

[Sigmania]

"Unauthorized" gold top Love Rock

"Make in Korea"

1 screw truss rod cover.

Export dimple.

Closed "a" in Tokai. Pronounced "k".

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2035152762...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Another "unauthorized" guitar.

For the record....we categorically know for a 100% fact that this is a fake guitar...we know who placed the order in Korea and distributed them throughout North America.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12760

Unusual logo and oddly shaped truss rod cover.

Export dimple.

"Make in Korea" PRS style "Tokai".

1 screw truss rod cover.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-Ele...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[Sigmania]

"FAKAI" :evil:

"Unauthorized" Custom

"Make in Korea"

Export dimple.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=14259

 

[Sigmania]

More unauthorized "Tokais"


http://tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12984&highlight=fakai&sid=c59fc009b997c3553f9043285a857efa

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12587&highlight=fakai

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12573&highlight=fakai

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12034&highlight=fakai

 

[Sigmania]

More commentary on these "Tokais".

...these guitars are not higher spec for a start, they have maple necks. 2 This guy couldn't get his own way with Tokai so he ILLEGALLY had another company make these and then had the cheek to put Tokai on the headstock so he could trade off Tokai's name, also ILLEGAL. These guitars ARE FAKE Tokai's and are Lower spec, they may be good playing instruments but don't try and justify being sucked into buying one of these by misinforming other forum members........

Mick

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=12573&highlight=fakai

 

[Sigmania]

An apparently legit Korean built Tokai Love Rock ALS48.

"Open book"

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=25334

 

[Sigmania]

"FAKAI" :evil:


"Make in Korea" sticker

1 screw truss rod cover.

Export dimple.

https://www.gbase.com/gear/tokai-love-rock-2004-gold-top

 

[Sigmania]

ES60SB ???

ES model listed as Made in Korea Premium Series with lacquer finish.

"Open book" and has a six digit serial number and a "Made In" sticker, but hard to read with these photos.

3 screw truss rod cover.

https://ish.guitars/products/tokai-premium-series-lacquer-finish-es210-sunburst

2010 catalog

 

[Sigmania]

"FAKAI" :evil:

“Make in Korea” sticker

Possibly a 2004 build based on that TRC & serial number.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[mdvineng]

Dillons by the look of em.

 

[mdvineng]

Dillons by the look of em.

No idea on the 335 but doesn't look legit.

 

[Sigmania]

"FAKAI" :evil:

Interestingly they cropped the photo to remove where it likely says "Make in Korea"

Like this one from earlier post.

 

[Sigmania]

For reference re: Dillion unauthorized "Tokais"

Dillion produced unauthorized models distributed between 2003-2005 with white serial numbers numbers printed on clear adhesive headstock tape.

http://www.tokaiforum.com/posting.php?mode=quote&f=1&p=167294

 

[Sigmania]

That 2003-2005 date on the unauthorized builds aligns with all these 2004 pieces I have been posting.

 

[Sigmania]

mdvineng, would you share what you know about Dillion guitars?

Were they actually made in Korea? China?

Looks like there were Dillion guitars of Canada and a separate line in the US?

 

[Sigmania]

I found this on the Gear Page discussing Canadian vs. American Dillion guitars:

"And the previous poster who said that they are all made in the same factories is absolutely wrong. Both distributors are quick to tell you that the other guy's guitars are made who-knows-where but not where theirs are made. To reiterate -- these two outfits have no relationship other than they have a similar looking decal on the headstock. Plus they have both engaged in a very unprofessional public pissing match in the forums.

Bottom line for me is that the name "Dillion" is now contaminated beyond repair. There is no way to divine which of the 2 distributors is really at fault for that, but it hardly matters to the consumer. I'd steer clear of these things. Resale value is lousy, quality is a crap shoot, both distributors seem questionable, and there are other comparable import brands with far better reputation and support available."

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/dillion-guitars-usa-v-canadian.516502/page-3