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 Copied | Tokai Model | Serial 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 Frame | Logo Style | Example | Example 2 |
| til 1982 | Spagetti 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 |
| | |
| 1983 | Block Logo |
 |
|
| TST: | Springy & Goldstar Sound - Strat |
| | |
| 1984 | Script Logo |
 |
 |
| TST: | Goldstar Sound - Strat |
| TSS: | SilverStar - CBS Strat |
 |
 |
| Re-shaped headstock on USA models AST56 & 62 (US Market) in 1985 |
| | |
| 1985 | Script Logo & First appearance of modified headstock |
 |
 |
| AST: | Strat |
| ATE: | Tele |
| TSS: | SilverStar - Discontinued |
| | |
| TTE: | Breezy Sound - Tele |
| 1986 | Italic or Script Logo |
 |
 |
| Custom Edition | Modified Strats |
| Goldstar Sound | Strat |
| Breezy Sound | Tele |
| AST56 & 62 | Strat (US) |
|
