Tokai Gibson Copy Information

Tokai Model Specs & History

Tokai Les Paul copy model number prefixes map to years. Currently do not have documentation for 1990-1994.

Date information

Notes:

• This information applies to all Tokai Gibson copies (V, Explorer, ES, etc).
• Up to 1989 all serial numbers have a 0 in the second digit
• Easy to confuse 1980 and 2000 - see above note
• Third number indicated production run 1=1st run early, 2=second run late in year
• Les Paul Reborn models: 1977 = 700xxxx, 1978=800xxxx, 1979=900xxxx
• 1989+: 89=1989, 90=1990, 00=2000, 01=2001, etc
• All Love Rocks with the "LS" & "TLS" prefix in the model are Japanese.
• All Love Rocks with the "ALS" prefix are Korean. However, this change didn't occur until sometime in the mid 1990's, around 1995 or 96. Previous ALS models were made in Japan.
• "A" rule only applies to Gibson & Fender copies.

The following model numbers map to certain years.

• LS models from 1976/77 to 1982/83
• TLS models from 1983 to 1989
• ALS models from 1985 to 1986 or late - US Market only
• LS models from 1995 to present are manufactured in Japan
• ALS models from 1995 to present are manufactured in Korean
• NLS models for North America from 2003 to present

The following model numbers map to certain years.

Tokai Model #	Les Paul Year
LS70	1956 Model
LS70-AG	1956 Rare Model
LS100S OR	1957 Rare Model
LC60,100 & 110	1957 Refine Model
LS50,60 & 80	1958 Model
LS100,120,150 & 200	1959 Model

Here are the specs for the LS models as outlined in the 1979 catalog. Thanks to Scott for having this page translated.

Translated into:

	LS-50	LS-60	LS-80	LS-100	LS-150 "Custom Made Only"	LS-200 Pro Mdl "Exact Cstm Ordr Only"
Neck/Headstock Angle	1 piece mahogany / 14�	1 p mahogany / 14�	1 p mahogany / 18�	1 p mahogany / 18�	1 p mahogany / 18�	1 p mahogany / 18�
Finishes*	CS, BS, GT, BB	CS, BS	OS, BS, GT, BB	CS, BS	OS, CS	OS, CS
Pickups				2 Dimarzio PAF	Dimarzio PAF/Super Dist**	User Option
Nut	Handmade Bone Nut
Strings	Dahlco Funky Lt Gauge
Top/Back			2 piece carved maple 1 Piece mahogany	2 piece carved maple 1 Piece mahogany	Tiger Stripe 1 Piece mahogany high-quality electronics	Best Tiger Stripe 1 Piece mahogany high-quality electronics
Price (in Yen)	60,000	70,000	92,000	112,000	150,000	200,000
w/o case	50,000	60,000	80,000	100,000	138,000	188,000
case	10,000	10,000	12,000	12,000	12,000	12,000

Notes:
*Color: CS=Cherry Sunburst, BS=Brown Sunburst, GT=Gold Top, OS=Old Sunburst, BB=Black
** A Dimarzio Super Distortion is easily identified by hex-shaped pole pieces

Here are the spec for the model numbers, throughout the time line many specs remain the same but the pickup types change. Only Japanese models are covered below.

Instrument	Features	Series Differences	Notes
50 Series	Body: Maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Pickups(1999+): PAF Vintage MK3, exposed Pickups(ALS 86): MAR - Michigan Accurate Reproduction, exposed Pickups(early 80's): '57 Vintage MKII, exposed Pickups(1982): LS Dynamic-II, exposed	1999 LS55D has flamed sycamore laminated top	In 1999 the LS50/55 had bolt-on necks Becomes LS60 in 1997 50 series was dropped in 2000
60 Series	Body: Maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Pickups(1999+): PAF-Vintage MK2 Pickups(1986): MAR Pickups(1985): Tokai 57 Vintage Pickups(1982-1984): LS Vintage MkII, exposed	None known	Set neck on all models Becomes LS65 in 1995 Becomes LS70 with Flamed Sycamore top in 1997 2000 LS65 has a 2pc maple top
70 Series	Body: Flamed sycamore laminated top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Pickups(1999+): PAF-Vintage MK2	Becomes LS75 in 1997 75Q has a quilted maple laminate top 75S has a maple top	Appears in early 80's then, in 82 only available in gold top. Reappears in 1997.
80 Series	Body: Flamed laminated maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Pickups:Tokai PAF 57	Colors: VF, CS, OS, GT, BB
100 Series	Body: Flamed laminated maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Pickups:Dimarzio PAF	Colors: VF, CS, OS, GT, BB
LS150	Body: Solid maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Rosewood Pickups:Dimarzio PAF & Super D	Colors: VF, CS, OS, GT, BB	Becomes LS180 in 1995 Becomes LS200 in 1997 with ebony fretboard
LS200	Body: Solid maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Ebony Pickups:Seymour Duncan	Colors: CS, VF, HDC	Quilted top in 1995 Becomes LS220 in 1997 only
LS320	Body:AAAA Solid maple top; Mahogany back Neck: Mahogany-set neck Fingerboard: Jacaranda Pickups:Seymour Duncan	Colors: CS, VF	First available in 1997