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Tokai Fender Copy Information

By '85/'86 the headstocks on the Fender copies are not exact replicas of a Fender headstock. Seem to have more of an angle to them - close but not exact, this change may have accurred as early as 1982 in the US. Check out the picture from the '85/'86 catalog, on the catalog page, to see what I mean. Also, this may have taken place earlier we just haven't been able to determine how much earlier.

The other indicator on Fender copies is the Tokai logo on the headstock. At some point in time the 'T' was changed from a backwards 'F' look to a normal looking 'T'. The 1986 catalog pics show the new Tokai logo, need to determine if this happened earlier than 1986.

Important Points

  • In late 2002 early 2003 Tokai added serial numbers to the back of the headstock on Korean models. These serial numbers ALL start with a letter.
  • The number stamped on the back of the neck plate is not a serial number but a Fender model ID number. Using the table below this number can be translated into the year/model Fender being copied.
  • Tokai added the 'L' in front of serial numbers starting in 1981.
  • To determine when Tokai manufactured your Fender copy use the chart below (with pics).

Tokai Fender Replica Time Line

This information is from the 1982 Catalog.
Year CopiedTokai ModelSerial Number Scheme*
1948~1954 Model
3 or 4 digits on bridge plate
TE80
1954~Pre-1956 Model
4 digits on neck plates
ST80, 100, 120
TE80,120
Serial Number 4 digits
1956~1960 Model
5 digits on neck plates
ST50, 60
TE50, 70
PB80
Serial Number 5 digits
1960~1964 Model
L+5 digits on neck plates
ST50R, 60R, 70R, 80R, 100R, 120R
TE50R, 70R, 80R, 120R
PB70R, 80R JB45R, 60R, 80R, 85FLR, 120R
Serial Number L+5 digits
1965/1965~1976 Model
6 digits on neck plates
ST70, SS60/60R
TE200R
PB40/40R, 48/48R, 60/60R, 70
Serial Number 6 digits
1976 Model
7 digits on headstock
SS60/60R 7 digits on headstock
*This is Fender's serial numbering scheme and is only included to determine which model of Fender guitar is being copied by Tokai.


Tokai Manufacture Date Chart

To determine when Tokai manufactured your Fender copy use the headstock/logo shape chart below.

Time FrameLogo StyleExampleExample 2
til 1982Spagetti Logo
Dating:First digit of serial number
TST:Springy Sound - Strat, Goldstar's had script logo through 1983
TSS:SilverStar - CBS Strat
TTE:Breezy Sound - Tele
  
1983Block Logo  
TST:Springy & Goldstar Sound - Strat
  
1984Script Logo
TST:Goldstar Sound - Strat
TSS:SilverStar - CBS Strat
Re-shaped headstock on USA models AST56 & 62 (US Market) in 1985
  
1985Script Logo & First appearance of modified headstock
AST:Strat
ATE:Tele
TSS:SilverStar - Discontinued
  
TTE:Breezy Sound - Tele
1986Italic or Script Logo
Custom EditionModified Strats
Goldstar SoundStrat
Breezy SoundTele
AST56 & 62Strat (US)

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