Tokai stratocaster pre law suit

Details

Type:		Private Advert
Price:		£650 or offers above
Updated:		More than 21 days ago

Description

Here we have my treasured pre lawsuit Tokai Springy Sound strat with a rare brass backplate and tremolo arm, serial number 1016454. The metallic gold finish looks gorgeous complemented with all the original gold plated hardware and maple deep glossed neck.
I bought it new in 1981 from Musical Exchanges in Birmingham wanting a cleaner sounding guitar. As I couldnt afford a Fender at the time it was suggested that I try the Tokai and I was blown away. I have tried many Fenders since but have never found one that comes even close. Fender were right to take Tokai to court because they made a guitar which not only copied the good old strat but made it sound and feel better.
When I bought this guitar it was being used as a demo model and the shop had had to remove the waterslide logo for legal reasons as it resembled the Fender one just a bit too closely. I have replaced it since (just the Tokai word) but I have since realised that it is a later logo. Anyone who buys this guitar will see where the original logo used to fit. Im not sure when it was made exactly except that it must be sometime pre 1981.
This is a rare opportunity to buy a pristine example of this much-revered guitar especially as I took to the bass 10 years ago and as such the Tokai has been rarely used. I have loved owning this guitar but it begs to be played. The woods have had 28+ years to dry out and the resonance is terrific.
The only thing I regret is that in the 90s I wanted a raunchier sound and chopped into the original scratchplate to fit a dual coil humbucker. When I came to my senses I reverted back to the original set up but had to buy a new scratchplate. I still have the original as proof of this youthful butchering.
This a genuine sale and its only that the guitar deserves to be played as it was intended to be that I have decided to reluctantly pass it on.
If you know your Tokai history then you know what this guitar is really worth. I am pricing it to sell so no silly offers please. Comes provided with an old wooden guitar case just to keep it in, if not wanted then thats fine.