Also, don't forget to check out the Tokai Information pages for more
information. The guitars page also contains quite a bit of information.
| How old is my Tokai Fender replica? |
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Click here for information. |
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| What does the numbering system on the Fender replicas represent? |
The numbering system represents the list price of the guitar in Yen. For example a TST50 would have had a list price of 50,000 Yen.
Guitars with a model number ending in 5 indicate a metallic finish while those ending in 0 have standard colors.
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| How old is my Tokai Fender Replica? part 2 |
AST models first showed up in 1986, these early AST models are Japanese
as Korean manufacturing started in the 1990's. Prior to this Fender replica's
carried TST/TTE model numbers. If your guitar has the flattened Fender
headstock and a TST/TTE model then it was manufactured between 1983 and
1986.
Early TST/TTE models have a 4 digit serial number or maple neck guitars and
a L#### for rosewood neck guitars. |
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| What is the importance of the earlier TST/TTE model numbers? |
| The importance with the earlier TST/TTE is that the model also determined the shape of the maple neck - 40,50,55 have a '58 U shape neck whereas the 60,65,80 series have the '54 V shape neck(which has a very similar feel to the Eric Clapton strat). |
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| How old is my Love Rocks? |
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Click here for more information. |
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| Where was my Love Rocks made? |
Love Rocks were only made in Japan until recently, don't know the exact date. Korean models start with the letter A (ALS-##) and typically only have 3 screws in the truss rod cover. The wood used in contruction of Korean models is also different. Check the guitars page for the exact differences.
Keep in mind that Love Rocks built in the 1986+ with the ALS model numbers are Japanese made instruments.
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| What do the model numbers of TLS model Love Rocks indicate? |
The TLS model (Tokai
Lespaul Standard) did have a different shape headstock to the ALS (American Les Paul Standard?) that preceded it in 1986. These models are different from future TLS models. For example there was no TLS70 with a flame maple top.
The TLS models were as follows
TLS-50 : Base model, exposed pickups, plain maple top
TLS-80 : main model, covered pickups, flame maple LAMINATED top
TLS100 : a TLS-80 with DiMarzio pickups
TLS200 : Top of the line, Duncan pickups, SOLID flame maple top -
this model is closer to the original 1959 Gibson than all but the last 3
years of Gibson's Custom shop re-issues.
These models were manufactured between 1980-1985. |
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| What are some of the differences between Gibson and Tokai Les Paul style guitars? |
Concerning the Les Paul Customs. Released by Gibson in
1954, the original series ran thru to 1960 with a mahogony top, NOT
maple. When it was re-released in 1968, it had a maple top and has
continued to be produced that way ever since. All Gibson "re-issues" have
maple tops, even the Peter Frampton Signature - a 1958 copy though
Peter's original guitar had a mahogany top.
All Tokai TLC (Tokai Les Paul Custom) have mahogany tops making them a more
exact replica/reissue guitar than the Gibson models. |
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| How old is my Love Rocks, part 2 |
| Love Rocks need to be taken by the first 3 numbers.
The 1st number is year 1=81, 2=82, 4=84 ;the 2nd number must be 0
(don't know why) and the 3rd is an indicator of production run
1=1st run(early), 2=2nd run(late).
Starting in 1989 this scheme changed to the first 2 digits,
1989= 89xxxxx, 2000=00xxxxx, 2001=01xxxxx
The Les Paul reborns have a different style -
77=700xxxx 78=800xxxx 79=900xxxx |
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| What is the time line for Tokai guitar manufacturing? |
January 1947 Company commenced manufacture of Harmonicas in Japan.
May 1965 Production of acoustic guitars commenced.
February 1972 Technical Contract with C.F. Martin & Co for design of acoustic guitars.
December 1977 The first electric guitars made including 'Love Rock' and 'Breezy Sound'.
January 1982 The first cast alloy Talbos roll off the production line.
May 1999 The first of the Talbo Woodies are manufactured.
February 2000 Talbo bass guitars begin production.
April 2000 Talbo juniors hit the streets.
April 2001 Talbo guitars available in the US by direct order through the Tokai Guitar Registry. |
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| What can you tell me about my Tokai Silver Star Strat? |
| The Tokai Silver Star Strats were apparently designed specifically for the Japanese market and were never officially exported from Japan. |
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| The serial number on my Tokai starts with a F, what does this mean? |
| All serial numbers that start with the letter F are Made in Korea Tokai's. |
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