reborn old
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I want to start a MIJ anomaly thread of sorts, in the hopes members can check here when they stumble on made in Japan mystery guitars that vary from catalog specs.
I thought 1983 to 1985 Tokais might be a good place to start since many specs change from prior years.
These spec changes sometimes vary from guitar to guitar within certain models, complicating identification even further.
A 1983 LS-60 flame top I owned years ago:
Specs included : VF finish, 18* headstock angle vs 14* (found on LS-60 domestic models in earlier years),
57 PAF stickered zebra Gotohs, found on LS-80 models in previous years, and not on LS-60's.
The flame Maple top was probably a new 1983 LS-60 feature, based on the '59 model description in the 1984 catalog.
There is no mention of an LS-60 model whatsoever in the English 1983 translated Tokai catalog,
an accidental omission perhaps ?
That English catalog lists LS-50's as being solid plain tops and LS-80 and LS-100 models as veneer flame tops.
The only models listed with a one piece back and solid flame top in the 1983 English catalog are LS-150 and LS-200 models.
In the 1983 - 1984 catalogs LS-120's aren't mentioned whatsoever, but LS-120 solid tops with valid headstock oval model stickers are know to exist in substantial numbers.
I haven't found a 1983 Japan catalog, but it may be the very same as the 1984 Japan catalog, which does list an LS-60 '59 model.
The 83 +84 LS group picture is the same in both catalogs.
Joe Walsh LS-100 Cherry top models and LS-75 AG (all gold) models are listed in 1983 + 1984 catalogs, but are believed to have been discontinued by the end 1982. Not 100 % sure of this however, because both models are fairly rare.
I encourage anyone who has encountered MIJ catalog exceptions, regardless of brand or model to share them here, with a focus on how they differ from listed catalog specs.
I thought 1983 to 1985 Tokais might be a good place to start since many specs change from prior years.
These spec changes sometimes vary from guitar to guitar within certain models, complicating identification even further.
A 1983 LS-60 flame top I owned years ago:
Specs included : VF finish, 18* headstock angle vs 14* (found on LS-60 domestic models in earlier years),
57 PAF stickered zebra Gotohs, found on LS-80 models in previous years, and not on LS-60's.
The flame Maple top was probably a new 1983 LS-60 feature, based on the '59 model description in the 1984 catalog.
There is no mention of an LS-60 model whatsoever in the English 1983 translated Tokai catalog,
an accidental omission perhaps ?
That English catalog lists LS-50's as being solid plain tops and LS-80 and LS-100 models as veneer flame tops.
The only models listed with a one piece back and solid flame top in the 1983 English catalog are LS-150 and LS-200 models.
In the 1983 - 1984 catalogs LS-120's aren't mentioned whatsoever, but LS-120 solid tops with valid headstock oval model stickers are know to exist in substantial numbers.
I haven't found a 1983 Japan catalog, but it may be the very same as the 1984 Japan catalog, which does list an LS-60 '59 model.
The 83 +84 LS group picture is the same in both catalogs.
Joe Walsh LS-100 Cherry top models and LS-75 AG (all gold) models are listed in 1983 + 1984 catalogs, but are believed to have been discontinued by the end 1982. Not 100 % sure of this however, because both models are fairly rare.
I encourage anyone who has encountered MIJ catalog exceptions, regardless of brand or model to share them here, with a focus on how they differ from listed catalog specs.
