TWB-20 Pickups

[user 14269]

I bought these recently and have scanned this post for clues, but it seems they might have a back plate missing?

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

seems they might have a back plate missing?

No they're supposed to look that way, similar to the PCB base pickups Bill Lawrence designed for Gibson in the 80s. The TWB-20 comes in all sorts of configurations, with 6 slotted, 12 hex pole screws and blades and it seems it's actually the most offered "Tokai" pickup type on Reverb/eBay/etc., except...

...I tried 2 times (but not very hard) and can't find a Tokai guitar that actually had those? Apparently they were found in rather obscure guitars of all sorts but I can't find the connection to Tokai? Why are there so many of them out there?

 

[user 14269]

No they're supposed to look that way, similar to the PCB base pickups Bill Lawrence designed for Gibson in the 80s. The TWB-20 comes in all sorts of configurations, with 6 slotted, 12 hex pole screws and blades and it seems it's actually the most offered "Tokai" pickup type on Reverb/eBay/etc., except...

...I tried 2 times (but not very hard) and can't find a Tokai guitar that actually had those? Apparently they were found in rather obscure guitars of all sorts but I can't find the connection to Tokai? Why are there so many of them out there?

Cool. Tokai or not, they sound terrific so I'm happy enough though

 

[user 14269]

No they're supposed to look that way, similar to the PCB base pickups Bill Lawrence designed for Gibson in the 80s. The TWB-20 comes in all sorts of configurations, with 6 slotted, 12 hex pole screws and blades and it seems it's actually the most offered "Tokai" pickup type on Reverb/eBay/etc., except...

...I tried 2 times (but not very hard) and can't find a Tokai guitar that actually had those? Apparently they were found in rather obscure guitars of all sorts but I can't find the connection to Tokai? Why are there so many of them out there?

I did a bit of digging over lunch today and found a couple of comments, but nothing concrete. A couple of folk have suggested they're Double Eagles, made by GOTOH, a clone of Dimarzio Super Distortions.

 

[Sigmania]

Seymour Duncan Invader lookalikes.

格安3500円[’80年代製/国産インベーダーピック... - Yahoo!オークション

Description of item​

This is a "domestic" Invader pickup "TWB-20" made in the 1980s. As shown in the image, there is wear and deterioration due to age, and rust on the pole pieces. The DC resistance value is 8.62 kilohms (value of my digital tester) and the lead wire is 21cm long. Accessories include screws, springs, and escutcheons as shown in the image. Everything in the image is included.

 

[Sigmania]

These were in an Aria. Other folks were calling them Hot Blades.

Does not look like a Tokai built Aria.

Supposedly mid 80s.

 

[Sigmania]

guitarnoir
•1 yr. ago


Those pickups are stock, and I believe they were called "Hot Blades" (click on the photo in the link for a pic of the back):

* pick up Aria HOT BLADES II ham backing twin blade specification basis board type 1985 year Aria PUf58: Real Yahoo auction salling

Aria Pro II Hot Blades Humbucker 1980's Black | Reverb

Getting the Guitar…But Not The Girl! (Vintage 1985 Aria Pro II Knight Warrior Electric Guitar) | MyRareGuitars.com

Getting the Guitar…But Not The Girl! (Vintage 1985 Aria Pro II Knight Warrior Electric Guitar) | MyRareGuitars.com

 

[Sigmania]

I haven’t ever seen any evidence that these are TOKAI pickups.

I thought I once saw a mention of them in a single guitar in a catalog but I can’t find it and may be mistaken.

From seeing them in that Aria I would guess they are a third party pickup and not made by Tokai or Aria.

Maybe someone else will know who made them?

 

[Sigmania]

This Reverb listing says these blades were used in Aria, Tokai and Fernandes guitars.

1980s TWB-20 blade humbucker set Tokai Aria Pro II Fernandes 11.3k + 11.55k vintage made in Japan | Reverb

A pair of 1980s Tokai TWB-20 blade humbuckers as used by Tokai, Fernandes and Aria Pro II. In good condition with light wear and some patina on the metal. They read 11.3k and 11.55k so with those blades they would be pretty shredtacular!

They have original single conductor leads but a 4 conductor could be installed for splitting. They come with the original screws and springs.

Specs,

end + 32cm to hot

• Bridge 11.55k - 25cm lead to the bare

Neck 11.3k - 31cm lead to the bare end +

37cm to hot

• Blades = 55mm long and 3mm wide on both

Total depth top to bottom of legs = 25mm

 

[user 14269]

Looks like I unintentionally opened a can of worms here.

Thankyou Admin for moving this to its own thread. I guess, with so many adverts claiming them to be Tokai, it would be good to have evidence one way or the other.

 

[user 14269]

I have another sliver of information. My daughter remembers seeing a Gumtree advert selling a TWB 21 with photographic evidence of it coming from thr bridge of a 1982 Tokai Strat HSS.

That's still not proof, but it's a clue.

 

[Sigmania]

Do you have the pictures?

By the way, there were no HSS Tokais in 1982 that I am aware of.

We see the first ones in model year 1984 I believe.

 

[user 14269]

I did ask, but sadly not; hence me saying it's not proof.

I'll check with her regarding the year. I'm not sure whether it was claimed to be an 82 or she thought it was from 82 from the serial no.

I've also messaged the seller of my pups to see if he has any more info.

 

[Sigmania]

Yeah. The problem is that without solid evidence we are just spinning our wheels.

Pickups in a guitar are not evidence either since they can be changed obviously.

Would need to see the solder joints & pots to feel comfortable about them being original.

 

[Sigmania]

I found this. No idea if they are stock or even if this is Tokai.

Looks like an FSD, but not the best pictures.

ファイブスター - STP おやじ

 

[Sigmania]

Yep. 1983 ? FSD50

* Alder body
* Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard
* Bolt-on
* 2 Tokai TWB-20 blade pole humbucker pickups
* Extra Tokai Super Emotional Vibrato Unit trem system
* Kluson-type tuners
* Volume and tone knobs, 3-way toggle switch.

Tokai Super Edition FSD-50 Five Star | Reverb

 

[user 14269]

Yep. 1983 ? FSD50

* Alder body
* Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard
* Bolt-on
* 2 Tokai TWB-20 blade pole humbucker pickups
* Extra Tokai Super Emotional Vibrato Unit trem system
* Kluson-type tuners
* Volume and tone knobs, 3-way toggle switch.

Tokai Super Edition FSD-50 Five Star | Reverb

View attachment 46387

That's an impressive piece of detective work! I didn't know blades were even a thing back then. Thank you for putting the time in.

 

[Sigmania]

You're welcome. I have been curious myself.

The descriptions in te catalogs are vague. I am thinking they may have used them for a time in some Super Edition models, but hard to say which ones. Most of the ones I see are typical humbuckers with no circuit board and a generic silver back.

 

[Sigmania]

TOKAI Twin Blade Humbucker TWB-20 Base PU Front Good Condition TOKAI FSD-50