Tuesday 10 February 2015

After playing a few friends LS80's & LS100's etc I always dug these old Tokai's.
The lacquer finish just feels old and worn in like a favourite t-shirt or shoes.
I ended up buying this 1980 LS80 last summer but finally had it shipped this past week.
Weighs in at 9 lbs 7 ounces (not one of the lighter Tokai's that seem to be more common) & the stock Gotoh pickups were nothing special on this one however.
Not sure why Tokai, if modelled after a true 1958 Les Paul, squared off their neck heels?
Not a huge fan of them vs a true well rounded heel but it is a minor gripe I suppose.


Appears the previous owner played this a lot and it showed but it was quite a bummer to see he had it on a shitty rubber stand that melted the lacquer on the lower body and little rubber flecks have randomly melted into the finish throughout. Ah well, adds to the overall mojo I suppose. :D


Decided to swap the pups for some old double cream Tokai X stamped pups I had. Same font as the Z's and they sounded great but I really wanted the new set of A3 Mojotones in there.
While it was unstrung I did a quick re-crown and fret end dressing as these frets, while at about 60%, were a bit worn.


So back on the bench it went for the double cream A3 Mojo's and they shall stay for now, such awesome best bang for your buck pickups! I think I have 4 sets thus far and when they go on sale I jump at em.


That is all for now folks, off to work...





9 comments:

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  2. Yeah this is on Reverb as well.
    I could do $1600 shipped (Canadian) vs the $1600US I am asking on Reverb.
    Not making any money on it, just selling it for what I paid and LS80 and higher vintage Tokai's are going up in price lately like mad.
    Word is out on them for sure.

    Cheers!
    Chris

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  4. That is a 82-87 RLC-60.
    Dime a dozen guitar, they are nice but generally sell for around 6-800 depending on condition.
    Poly finished, rosewood board, etc.
    That is in nice shape but waaaay overpriced!

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  5. Thanks for the info! Just wondering what other guitars you have for sale?

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  6. I have quite a few but they are either needing a little work or are in mid refinishing states.
    You are wanting a LP I assume?

    I might be considering to sell this, order made for a customer.
    1988 Greco made by Tokai.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/bobenis/sets/72157650552322316

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  8. Also emailed you...would like to buy this Tokai LS80...how do we do this?

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