I just bought a Tokai jazz sound fretless on eBay, after doing a bit of research. I’m pretty excited, but wondering whether I should manage my expectations.
From the reading I did, it looks like it’s a 1981 JB85. The Jaco copy model. And it seems to be in pretty good condition for it’s age. A little too good maybe. I wasn’t able to prove its age, but it seems to have several hall marks of an ‘81 model. The SN is 6 digits beginning with 1. The headstock is ‘lawsuit’ era. The tokai font is of that era. However, it has a badass bridge which the seller says was an owner upgrade by a previous owner. I have seen a few newer models that come with a badass bridge installed, so that raised a question mark. I also know that Japanese market guitars retained the fender shape headstock, so the shape of that may not be evidence to date it.
So, not 100% certain of the age, but I was sure enough to hit the buy now button. I wasn’t really too bothered about getting a bargain and at £399 it was worth a gamble.
Can anyone give any other pointers for verifying age?
I have read that they are up there, in quality terms, as USA fenders. Are they really that good? And if it turns out this is not from that golden era, is the quality consistent in newer guitars?
I’ve barely heard a bad word about tokai, since I heard about them. Are they all that?
Anyway, I’m new to the forum but will report back when it arrives, for anyone that’s interested. Pics to follow.
Thanks In advance for any info/ advice.
Cheers
Paul
From the reading I did, it looks like it’s a 1981 JB85. The Jaco copy model. And it seems to be in pretty good condition for it’s age. A little too good maybe. I wasn’t able to prove its age, but it seems to have several hall marks of an ‘81 model. The SN is 6 digits beginning with 1. The headstock is ‘lawsuit’ era. The tokai font is of that era. However, it has a badass bridge which the seller says was an owner upgrade by a previous owner. I have seen a few newer models that come with a badass bridge installed, so that raised a question mark. I also know that Japanese market guitars retained the fender shape headstock, so the shape of that may not be evidence to date it.
So, not 100% certain of the age, but I was sure enough to hit the buy now button. I wasn’t really too bothered about getting a bargain and at £399 it was worth a gamble.
Can anyone give any other pointers for verifying age?
I have read that they are up there, in quality terms, as USA fenders. Are they really that good? And if it turns out this is not from that golden era, is the quality consistent in newer guitars?
I’ve barely heard a bad word about tokai, since I heard about them. Are they all that?
Anyway, I’m new to the forum but will report back when it arrives, for anyone that’s interested. Pics to follow.
Thanks In advance for any info/ advice.
Cheers
Paul