Tokai Guitar Registry

TGR is a community effort to collect enough information to reliably determine the manufactured date of these Tokai guitars.

83 thoughts on “Tokai Guitar Registry”

  1. Mystery - Date of manufacture for this Tokai Breezysound
    Luke

    Hi guys,

    I’m looking to date a tokai breezysound guitar I bought recently.

    It has no serial number anywhere, and has made in Japan stamped on the neck. The heel of the neck has A-8, and under the neck pickup A-10 is written on the body. I have pictures I can send of that would be useful.

    Looks like a rosewood fretboard on a maple neck. Double bound body. No marking on tuners.

    Here is a link to some photos – https://onedrive.live.com/?id=4B21D462F0B9EB74%21189&cid=4B21D462F0B9EB74

    I would be grateful for any information you could give me.

    All the best,
    Luke

  2. Tokai TST-62
    Jack Hemsworth

    Stevie Ray Vaughan Tokai Stratocaster

    One of the more notable users of the Tokai stratocaster was the late, great blues machine Stevie Ray Vaughan, reknowned for his monstrous attack and tone, SRV can be seen on the cover of his Texas Flood album with a Tokai stratocaster. Best playing strat I have ever owned…passing on to a Pro player…yeay You!

  3. Tokai Gakki Classical Guitar.
    tina

    I have a Tokai Gakki classical guitar. Purchased in Montreal Canada in 1969. It has a paper inside the box with the handwritten inscription
    Pandora’s Box #7 1969. I bought it from the original owner in 1976. Can’t find any info on it. Has anyone come across this guitar?

  4. Tokai Breezysound
    steve

    I bought my sunburst “tele” copy used in 1987; s/n on neck plate is 21016; top of headstock has non-Fender shape; logo is newer style w/”Breezysound” centered above the larger rocker curve on the lower headstock. I’ve studied most of the literature but I can’t seem to find an exact match. I’m looking for any help to determine when it was made. Thanks.

  5. Older Classical Nylon TOK7646 help needed?
    J.Pope

    I was given a Tokai Nylon classical model#TOK7646 as a gift…I was told its over 30 years old..but I can’t find any info on it anywhere…..If there is anyone out there who can help…Please. Thanks.

  6. Tokai Explorer
    Chris Price

    Hi, I have a Tokai Explorer in a very pale orange sunburst. It has 2 zebra pick ups and a tremelo. The head is not Gibson style but more of a pointed strat style. It has the mention Original Series and the serial n° is 3030063. I wondered if anybody can date it? I suspect that it is 83 but am not really sure. I also need to sell the guitar so if anyone is interested I would be happy to send photos. I should mention that there is some damage to the front but not too bad and does not in any way reduce the enourmous sound or the playability. The machine heads are not original. Thanks.

  7. Tokai Rickenbacker Copy of 330
    PETER GORMAN

    Hi I am looking to buy a Tokai Copy of of the Rickenbacker 330 colour Fireglo or trade my Tokai Goldstar sound for one email me if you are interested [email protected]. I just love Tokai guitar they are the best also have a Tokai 335 it’s just awesome sound without the big price tag. Peter

    1. Dude. Referring to guitars
      Anonymous

      Dude. Referring to guitars as “her” or “she” or “my bewdifull laydee” is just gross. Guitars are not women, and women, by extension, are not possessions.

  8. Tokai model number 32 - Western
    Dan Christiansen

    I wonder if anyone here knows anything about the Tokai Acoustic Western guitar, Model Number 32 ??

    It is the only thing (brand name + model number) that the label, inside the guitar says.

    It has a great crunchy sound, and is very ligt wheight.

    Hope to hear your comments 😉

    Best regards
    Dan Christiansen, Denmark

    1. Tokai model no. 32
      Anonymous

      Hi Dan
      I’m also trying to find out a bit more about this model of guitar. Like you say, the only information on the label inside the guitar is Tokai, guitar of quality. Model 32. Made in Japan.
      I bought the guitar new in Norway in the late 1970’s but can’t remember paying a great amount for the instrument.
      I see your post is an old one with no other replies. Did you find anything out?
      Paul Mercer – England

      1. Hi. My moter bought one of
        Anonymous Norwegian

        Hi. My moter bought one of those Tokai Model No.32 when she were young, somewhere in Norway. What a coincident. She did only preform on the local radio once, and that was here career.. Anyway, I picked it up a few years ago, replaced the original strings and figured that it was really good sounding. But I was curious. I wanted to know more about this guitar.

        So then I sent an email across to the UK where Tokai got some of their people, asking if they could tell me more about that one. They forwarded it to Japan where they looked in to it. And they could not find any documents or other information about it. So I’ll guess it’s hard to figure out more about this guitar.

        But what i do know is that Tokai was established in 1947 referring to their Facebook-site. And my guitar is a Model No. 32. Did hey make any guitar before the Model No.1? I think it might be logical that they make the ones whit the model numbers first. What I’m guessing is that they should have made those before 1970 when they started to make their Acoustic Hummingbirds. But you bought yours in the late 70’s. Hmm..

        This is one of those hummingbirds. The pick guard and the fretboard seam familiar. Maybe they were producing the No. 32 on the side as their own model? I don’t know.

        All i really know about it is what you know and what you can possibly tell from the guitar itself. It features a truss rod which many people say were invented in the 1920’s(which do not tell us anything about the age or anything else of the guitar). The neck is tick and nice to play on of the strings aren’t sett to high. I won’t drop any conclusion on the value of this guitar because I really don’t know. I can’t find any pictures of it on Google. I can’t find it on eBay. Not a clue but the tough that it might be rare.

        What ever you do, just hold on to it. Cause it’s going to be hard finding another one.

        Sorry about the bad English, I’m from Norway.

  9. Sigma - Tokai Love Rocks
    AZ

    Looking for some info on a Sigma Electric I picked up a couple of years ago. Its a Les Paul Deluxe copy but can not find any serial number or identifying marks. I suspect that is an Tokai Love Rocks model but I did not see any references on Sigma reselling them. It still plays great. Any info is greatly appreciated.

  10. Early 70's Tokai History?
    Burton Weisman

    Anyone have info. fo a
    Early 70’s Tokai acoustic?

    classical neck/dreadnaught body

    Model No. TOK7647
    Serial No. C70122206
    Distributed by: G.M.C. Cleveland

    Thank you!

    Burton W.
    310-488-3767

  11. Tokai Love Rock model from 80's
    Harri Tuhkio

    I was wondering if someone could help… I have my Tokai Love Rock model from 80’s (someone said its EMG-USA model with 2 active EMG humbuckers and maplewood yellow colour but I don’t know..) but I would like to know what this model is exactly. The serial number is 5031057. Does this help you to tell what is the model exactly?

    Because I suspect this is the best guitar of ’em all.. 🙂

    Best regards,
    Harri Tuhkio
    Finland

    1. Emg Tokia
      Anonymous

      I have the same model its a 1985 made in Japan ltd with studio EMG pick up on it? i dont know the model namr as it has only has love rock on the headstock ,please email me stephenfell1 @hotmail.co.uk have you any more information please thank you

    2. Emg Tokia
      Anonymous

      I have the dame mod its a 1985 made in Japan ltd with studio EMG pick up on i dont know the model only has love rock on the headstock please email me stephenfell1 @hotmail.co.uk have you any more information please thank you

  12. Tobacco Sunburst Guitars
    Arne von Brill

    Hi!

    I am looking for some pics of tobacco sunburst Love Rocks.
    Could anybody help me?
    There don’t seem to be a lot of pics around.

    Thanks for your help.

    Arne

  13. 1969 or 70 tokai acoustic
    mike

    i was wondering if anyone has a rough idea of what one was worth. it is in excellent condition. minor wear from age. thanks.

    1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Kevin Book
      Kevin Book

      I’m looking for any type of info on this bass. Candy apple red finish. Has # 64 written on body under neck plate. Also has "6-12" stamped on the neck and "3-12" MRRV in the pickup pocket. Pickups are attached to a groundplate and has serial # L 24137 on neck plate. Tuners are REVERSE turning and says "Vintage Series" on the headstock. Bridge is the vintage Fender type with the saddles that hav all the groved lines in them. Bass is in great shape just a couple of dings in the paint.
      TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS BASS IF POSSIBLE….THANKS.

  14. TST40 Strat
    Malcolm Jacques

    I had a TST 40 Strat which I bought in 1984 and had till 1993. It was black with a white scratchplate and I’ve often wondered which era it was a copy of 50’S 60’S 70’S OR 80’S.Could you answer my query please.

    1. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... john kleinhenz
      john kleinhenz

      Need info Serial #20110, butterscotch w/ grain showing(mary kay) bridge saddles say"Final Prospec" deluxe tuners W/the oil hole in back,1 string tree with rubber grommet, fender strat style headstock not rounded at the top though, 4 bolt maple neck with very dark rosewood board, Bill Lawrence singles, all the 1 thru 10 numbers on the knobs are green. Abolne fret markers, thr head stock says Tokai(in spagetti logo) AST’62. "The quality Musical Instruments of the World" "Vintage Sreies" With a peacock or Phoenix type bird. Can anyone help me I.D. this awesome guitar?

      1. Re: tokia strat custom
        iain black

        : : recently purchased a pink Tokia Custom Strat. I can find very little about this guitar. Help please!

        did you get any information?

  15. Tokai Humming Bird by Tokai Gakki
    Rick

    The Humming Bird (electric/solid body) was made in the late 1960’s and is somewhat rare, but not in particular demand. It’s essentially an early Mosrite copy and not made as well as the later Tokai guitars of the mid to late 1970s and early 1980s when Tokai greatly improved quality.

  16. Tokai GoldstarT40
    Paul Ketley

    I have a Tokai Goldstar, T40 model, wondering when it was made and how much it would be worth now?

    Any hellp would be appreciated.

    Cheers
    Paul

  17. Tokai Strat
    Randal Petrie

    I have a Tokai Strat, and I know of another one locally…these sold very well here in the 80s.
    I understand that the late Stevie Ray Vaughan also favoured these and collected quite a number.

    1. Re: Tokai Strat
      Eoin

      :
      :ive just traded in my japan 87 squier tele for a 82 silver star strat, man this is an awesome gat!
      bought for backup to my 88 us strat, its sounds&plays just as good as my no.1
      classic sounds from great pups(combination of woods and pups)these should cost twice the price, get one if you can

    1. Re: Tokai built for G.M.C. Cleveland?
      Rick Tillotson

      :Same story here. Back in the 70s I bought a Tokai acoustic from someone who worked at Ovation Guitar. Soon after I lost touch with her before finding out any background of the instrument. This model number is slightly different being TOK7656 instead of TOK7654 but also says it was built for GMC Cleveland Ohio 44113.

    2. Re: Tokai built for G.M.C. Cleveland?
      Ron Muevets

      : I have been given a Tokai acoustic 6 string. The model# is TOK7654 and was built for GMC Cleveland Ohio 44113. The serial # is 71060622.

    3. Re: Tokai built for G.M.C. Cleveland?
      Mike

      : I have been given a Tokai acoustic 6 string. The model# is TOK7654 and was built for GMC Cleveland Ohio 44113. The serial # is F70100540.

      I recieved a similar guitar from my father. As far as I can tell, he purchased it new in the early ’70s. I’ve yet to come across any other information regarding this particular guitar. If anyone is aware of an archive reference for model numbers/serial numbers, I’d love to know about it.

      Model No: 7654
      Serial: 71050698

      Looking at a recent Musician’s Friend catalog, I noticed it looks an aweful lot like a Gibson Hummingbird – general body shape, bridge shape, pickguard shape & decoration. This fits, the Hummingbird was a popular model established in the ’60s. I would love to know if this is a guitar of value before I consider converting it to an acoustic/electric. Mine has a generally good sound and feel, somewhat lacking in the mids, but clear with lots of top end crispness and bottom end volume. The neck is round, and a bit on the thick side; the fretboard particularly flat, the action reasonable. It has closed tuners of an unknown make. Mine is showing a bit of hump behind the bridge, but not terribly so. I will be using lighter strings than dad anyway, and intend to put the guitar in the hands of a qualified tech for evaluation, cleanup and any adjustment that may be required.

      1. Re: Tokai built for G.M.C. Cleveland?
        John

        I have the exact same guitar and it has the same hump behind the bridge. Otherwise it is in good shape. I am in the Cleveland area and bought the instrument used in the early 1970s. I have been considering having the top repaired. Have you had anything done to fix yours?

      2. Re: Tokai built for G.M.C. Cleveland?
        andres heredia

        : I too have a tokai tok7654. The serial # is 71050792. It was my guitar since I was ~17, bought in the 70s. I know nothing about it. Now my son plays it. I’d like to know it’s value before I go and buy him what I think is an "upgrade".

      3. Re: Tokai built for G.M.C. Cleveland?
        Mike

        I too have a tokai tok7654. The serial # is 71050792. It was my guitar since I was ~17, bought in the 70s. I know nothing about it. Now my son plays it. I’d like to know it’s value before I go and buy him what I think is an "upgrade".

    4. Re: This popular thread has been given its own page :... Andries
      Andries

      I have been given a Tokai acoustic 6 string. The model# is TOK7654 and was built for GMC Cleveland Ohio 44113. The serial # is F70100540.
      I would like to find out more about the guitar. As I said above this guitar was given to me by a friend.

      Regards
      Andries Kleynhans

      1. Tokai 7647 Classical
        Eran Brown

        Hi All

        I am from Israel . I bought this model from Amazon 2 years ago. Why because I bought a Tokai ART 180 Classical in Tel Aviv in 1969 which is in tact with me till today. for what I know 1. Tokai is still an active guitar builder in Japan tlil now but they ceased producing classical guitars for many years now only electrical, the 7647 is solid . sounds OK but not more and I was told by an expert it is a basic guitar. but plays well

        Hope this is helpful

      2. Tokai classical guitar .
        Stephen H

        I recently purchased a Tokai classical guitar no 7647 serial 71050557 , and would like to know more about this guitar . any help would be greatly appreciated ..

        P.s it does not read ( tok ) next to the model number as I see others have stated about theirs ….

        Thank you .

  18. Tokai Info
    Stephen Morgan

    Try Tokaiforum.com, and sister site Tokairegistry.com. They have postings of Tokai Brochures were you can get a pretty good idea of models offered in the past.

  19. Which Love Rock?
    Steve Morgan

    and what are the specs?
    I have 2000 Love Rock, (0004144). I was told it was a flame maple top from the store I bought it at (www.12fret.com), but notice on Tokai’s website some have a flame sycamore top. I also noticed some loverocks are laquer nd some polyester.
    How can I determine my model, and the spec’s for sure?

    1. Re: Which Love Rock?
      tom

      : and what are the specs?
      : I have 2000 Love Rock, (0004144). I was told it was a flame maple top from the store I bought it at (www.12fret.com), but notice on Tokai’s website some have a flame sycamore top. I also noticed some loverocks are laquer nd some polyester.
      : How can I determine my model, and the spec’s for sure?

      1. Re: Which Love Rock?
        Steve Morgan

        2 screws on a bell shaped trussrod. I haven’t removed the front pick-up since I changed ’em to Gibson Classic 57’s, and never thought to look, or didn’t notice at the time. I intend to try the new Burstbuckers so I’ll take a peak then.

      2. Re: Which Love Rock?
        Steve Morgan

        2 screws on a bell shaped trussrod. I haven’t removed the front pick-up since I changed ’em to Gibson Classic 57’s, and never thought to look, or didn’t notice at the time. I intend to try the new Burstbuckers so I’ll take a peak then.

      3. Re: Which Love Rock?
        tom

        : : and what are the specs?
        : : I have 2000 Love Rock, (0004144). I was told it was a flame maple top from the store I bought it at (www.12fret.com), but notice on Tokai’s website some have a flame sycamore top. I also noticed some loverocks are laquer nd some polyester.
        : : How can I determine my model, and the spec’s for sure?

        Remove the front pick-up and look in the cavity. You should see the model # there. Also, if your Love Rock has 3 screws in the truss rod cover, it is Korean. Two screws for Japan.

        1. Re: Which Love Rock?
          Darkmavis

          sounds like u have a l75q mate..i have one….mahog back and neck (1 piece neck and body) quilt top…ect.ect.ect all gothoh even the pups…..new for around a grand in the uk mate…great guitar.. 🙂

  20. Tokai Love Rock Gold Top Soapbars Bigsby Style Bridge
    Mike

    Just picked up a goldtop, with soapbars, bigsby style bridge, scarf joint at third fret, no Serial#, Bridge screws go into inserts, one piece
    mahogany back. Havent seen any others with the bigsby, any ideas as far as date. From the sounds
    of it its Korean. Sounds and plays great though.

  21. tokai hardpuncher
    davidv

    i recently bougth a tokai hardpuncher, which is a copy of the Fender precision bass. Can somebody give more detailed information (specs, original hardware, etc) about this bass? Thanks!

  22. Tokai Fretless Bass
    Ben Moloney

    Im looking for the year of manufacture of my Tokai fretless Jazz style bass. It has an OLDIE BUT GOODIE tag on headstock and a serial no LI 3688 on back plate.

    1. Re: Tokai Fretless Bass
      Paul Dunne

      : Im looking for the year of manufacture of my Tokai fretless Jazz style bass. It has an OLDIE BUT GOODIE tag on headstock and a serial no LI 3688 on back plate.

      Are you THE Ben Moloney? If so, you sure know who I am! Please contact me when you can. I’d love to hear from you again.

      Paul.

    2. Re: Tokai Fretless Bass
      jeff

      Does it have fret markers? : Im looking for the year of manufacture of my Tokai fretless Jazz style bass. It has an OLDIE BUT GOODIE tag on headstock and a serial no LI 3688 on back plate.

  23. Les Paul Clone
    Joe Korchnak

    My local guitar guru tells me it is a Tokai. There is no name on the instrument. Top is a naturally finished (honey colour) in one piece lightly flamed. Body is three piece mahogany. Neck is two piece maple with a rosewood finger board. Split diamonds on the head piece Body, neck and head all bound. Finger board has block inlays. Neck is a bolt on ; the cover plate (four screws) has a serial number…1053404 and the following STEEL ADJUSTABLE NECK..MADE IN JAPAN. The truss rod cover has three screws and the bottom of the bell is flat butting the nut. The guitar shows little sign of use and is pretty and plays well at least as well as my 1958 Les Paul which I recently sold.
    Can anyone in web land shed any light?

  24. 1962 bass
    rob wild

    I’ve yet to see another 1962 ‘precision’ replica- bought 1996 brand new in b’ham u.k. very very good quality. any idea when these were made and how many?

  25. want to know more
    Carol Mott

    Please tell me if you can give me some more info on my guitar eg:
    value and where it came from and how old it is.

    It is an acoustic light tan top with rosewood back. the neck has what appears to be mother of pearl squares and it also trims the neck down either side. the pick guard is black with a T on in, there is an inlayed design around the sound hole almost mozaic. The bridge is in the shape of a mustach. The label on the inside reads Made expressly for and distributed by G.M.C. Cleveland Ohio 44113
    serial #F70111105 made in japan. Oh and its a six string

    I hope you can give me some insight to my query I absolutely love this guitar it has beautiful sound I would love to know more about it.

    Thanks Carol

    1. Tokai Guitar
      Ben

      Hello I hope you don’t mind me emailing you out of the blue like this but I found your post on this site about the Tokai acoustic get tar made for GMC Cleveland. I have the opportunity to buy the same guitar and wanted to know if you ever found out in any information about it. Do you know if it is solid woods at all? The serial number of the one I am looking at starts with 70 so I guess it is from 1970 but I have no idea. Any information would be fantastic. Thank you so much!

  26. tokai guitar
    Dale Fickes

    hi,i need some info on a tokai i just got.headstock reads tg and humming bird.back reads tgk and tokai gakki.any help??
    thanks in advance,Dale

    1. Re: tokai guitar
      Griffin

      I first saw the Tokai "Humming Bird" in a guitar book. Twas an original guitar design that Tokai manufactured between 1967-68; sort of a Mosrite Ventures design–reverse Strat body, etc.–nice looking guitar generally. There’s also a line of Tokai acoustic guitars bearing the "Hummingbird" name–Gibson acoustic copies.

    2. Re: tokai guitar
      Brett

      I have a guitar which says TG Hummingbird on the headstock but does not say Tokai anywhere.
      It looks like some sort of Mosrite copy & has on board fuzz & Moseley style trem.
      I have no idea how old it is though.

      1. Re: tokai guitar
        Mike Robinson

        : I have a guitar which says TG Hummingbird on the headstock but does not say Tokai anywhere.
        : It looks like some sort of Mosrite copy & has on board fuzz & Moseley style trem.
        : I have no idea how old it is though.

        Probably 1968. Early TOKAI. Want to sell it? I am looking for one.

  27. Post copy of "56 Strat
    Ron Hawkins

    I have a post law suit Tokai copy of a ’56 Strat
    The only number I can find on the guitar is stamped on the back plate that holds the neck screws.
    This number is 2989
    Can any one tell me anything?

  28. tokai guitars
    scotty ingram

    I have 2 tokai’s,a 57 sunburst strat and a les paul custom copy.I aquired the strat in ’83 and the paul about ’94.Iwouldnt part with either though I have owned real gibson’s and fender’s in the past.Let me know what information you need and I’ll be happy to help.To finish of my collection of these axes,I’m looking for a tele,but do you know if there is such a thing as a les paul Jnr copy by tokai,single or double cutaway.I play for a living, so these instruments don’t live under my bed. ……..regards Scotty Ingram

    1. Re: tokai guitars
      Jeff

      I just love Japanese-made guitars. Naturally, I own a couple Tokai’s. I recently purchased the Firebird V clone, and a strat clone. There is not currently such thing as a Tokai Les Paul Jr clone. I’ve looked at all sorts of Tokai guitars and never come across a Les Paul Jr. A couple of my friends agreed as well that there is no les Paul Jr. Tokai.

    2. Re: tokai guitars
      Harry Wester

      Hi! I’ve got a Tokai Breezysound… Does anyone know how to date back it? I’d really like to know
      when it’s been made. Answers via email, please!

      HaW

      1. By the way
        Harry

        :
        : Hi! I’ve got a Tokai Breezysound… Does anyone know how to date back it? I’d really like to know
        : when it’s been made. Answers via email, please!

        : HaW

        The serial # is 017730

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