Auction Won Tokai Custom

[Guitarzandstuff]

I had one of these before and traded it away due to the basswood body and my snobbery. I believe this is the same. At least I am hoping so….

can anyone confirm, this should be basswood? Not that I’d kick Mahogany out of bed…

Tokai Custom

 

[Deftone]

I'd be nervous as hell buying from that site.

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

Fingers crossed! Bought probably 30 guitars from them through the years. Never an issue…

 

[brokentoeswalker]

I thought it was the white ones that had the basswood backs usually. Maybe check the catalogs.

 

[scott 351 wins]

I was looking at that one yesterday. Is it MIJ or MIC?

 

[brokentoeswalker]

Its definitely MIJ. Even looks like it has nibs. I dont have any 90"s Tokais myself. That one looks in nice condition. Is the plastic still on the pickguard ??

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

Its definitely MIJ. Even looks like it has nibs. I dont have any 90"s Tokais myself. That one looks in nice condition. Is the plastic still on the pickguard ??

In one or two pics, looks like plastic on the guard but looks clean nonetheless. Wanted another ever since I traded the old one away. If Buyee comes through, Ill have one in every color, the other 2 being 1983s

 

[brokentoeswalker]

I think i also saw plastic on the pickups as well. You might be getting a nice minty guitar. I have always liked the double split diamond that this year Tokai and the late 80's Greco custom have.

Congrats.

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

I think i also saw plastic on the pickups as well. You might be getting a nice minty guitar. I have always liked the double split diamond that this year Tokai and the late 80's Greco custom have.

Congrats.

thank you! And looking closer, there is def plastic on the pickups. Who know what from but a good sign that it’s probably plastic on the guard as well

 

[o0mobius0o]

Here's one I had from 1989 with the same headstock inlay. Doesn't look like mahogany.

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

Here's one I had from 1989 with the same headstock inlay. Doesn't look like mahogany.

See, that’s the beauty of these… while not correct or “traditional”, basswood and maple work very well together as proven by a lot of high end builders. Why wouldn’t one want a single cut made like this?

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

So FedEx is finally in possession of this one. I’m hoping I dodged the Buyee curse by this point. Amazing that it still has the plastic on the pickguard and pickups (def can see it clearly in one pic). Hopefully it’s straight, lightweight and as clean as it looks!

 

[Natima]

Here's one I had from 1989 with the same headstock inlay. Doesn't look like mahogany.

Huh, no that one absolutely DOES look like mahogany to me. Just a bit on the lighter coloured side.
Perhaps fiji or plantation grown.

A lot of mahogany now comes from plantations and it's a lot lighter in colour.

 

[brokentoeswalker]

That does look like basswood to me. Tokai uses mainly African hog and from the ones I have they dont look like that white one. The catalogs state basswood for those years also so it's a fair bet. I wouldnt get too hung up on it though. Looking forward to your Ngd!!

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

I received this guitar on Monday and extremely happy! It’s about as clean a guitar I’ve ever seen. Plastic still on pickguard, pickups and backplates. No nicks or scratches… will post pics when I snap some. It’s been a long week!

 

[Natima]

That does look like basswood to me. Tokai uses mainly African hog and from the ones I have they dont look like that white one. The catalogs state basswood for those years also so it's a fair bet. I wouldnt get too hung up on it though. Looking forward to your Ngd!!

Where the tape has been removed from the neck pickup route is red and porous, and you can see a clear line between the dark mahogany and the white maple under the finish. Definitely mahogany. Basswood has no such pores or redness, it's more akin to alder or polar in its white consistency!

 

[o0mobius0o]

I don't have the guitar to look at anymore, but I recall the grain being tighter than I thought mahogany should be.

 

[brokentoeswalker]

Natima is correct. That white one is hog. I just looked at pictures of my WR Tokai and its virtually the same. It looks very plain in the tape off spot compared to looking at the body from the outside. I dont think '89's had basswood options either.