Tokai LS-75Q

[Aleksi]

Hello everyone,

I have a Tokai LS-75Q that I bought as new somewhere between 2000...2002 if I remember correctly. I did find the Tokai catalog from TokaiRegistry.com that I remember being brand new when I bought the guitar. Turns out it was the 2000 catalog, so my memory should be pretty close to the actual year.

Here's a link to that page: http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai20009.jpg

I also attached a pic I had, I can take better pics if anyone needs them.

I've developed a problem with my left shoulder/hand going numb after playing the Tokai for a longer period. It's not weight relieved (unlike my Gibson Les Paul Standard 2008, which I can play fine for longer periods) and I'm considering trading / selling the Tokai and getting another weight relieved Gibson instead.

I searched the TokaiRegistry forums for info on the 75Q's, but came up with very little. If anyone can help me in determining what I have and what it's worth would help me a great deal. It's a great guitar to play and if it isn't worth too much money I'll just keep it.

BR,
Aleksi

 

[reborn old]

Sorry to hear that Aleksi. Have you already tried using a wider guitar strap ?

It's much the same as todays LS-107Q I would think, so a new one would cost around 107,000 yen new today.
The biggest problem is quilt tops appealing to a smaller market of buyers, so it may take a little longer to get a fair price for it.

Specs were:

- Quilted maple veneer over a maple top
- Mahogany 2 piece back
- Mahogany neck with a medium tenon
- rosewood fingerboard
- MkII Keiyo pickups
- Poly finish

Best of luck !

 

[Aleksi]

Hi!

I've tried a few different straps (my brother does some leather work and has done some straps for me) but with little luck. It's apparently a pinched nerve in my neck that's causing it.

Anyways, thanks for the info. That price seems to in line with what I remember paying back in the day. Don't really know if it's worth selling, it's a good player!

Br,
Aleksi

 

[reborn old]

I forgot to mention ...

The 1st two digits of the serial # are the last two digits of the year on LS models made after 1988,
if you want to be sure of the year yours was produced.

Cheers.

 

[Aleksi]

OK, that's good to know. However I haven't found a serial on my Tokai. I've understood the 75Q was made in Japan at that point and should have serials on the back of the headstock?

BR,
Aleksi

 

[reborn old]

I should have checked your attached pic and saved us both a lot of time, Aleksi,
but no serial number and a three screw plastic truss rod cover would mean yours is a made in Korea ALS-50Q model.
ALS-50Q specs are listed in that same catalog. (ALS-42Q model had a bolt on neck)

ALS-50Q's have alder backs and maple necks instead of mahogany, but build quality is reportedly pretty good.

This thread should help you narrow the production date to about the time you bought it : http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20753

 

[Aleksi]

Dammit you're right, it does seem to match with korean ALS-50Q. The trussrod cover would confirm it's made between 2000 and 2005. My headstock doesn't have the tiny dimple though. Well, that drops the value for it so definitely keeping it!

Thank you once more for your help. If you want pics for yourself for archives just let me know.

Br,
Aleksi

 

[Aleksi]

Actually I do have follow-up question: does Q (quilted gravure print) actually mean it's an printed figure just slapped on top of the maple? Hopefully not a dumb question, the word print is just confusing.

 

[TheWilly17]

Korean made Tokai would fetch 107,000 yen in early 2000's??? Seriously? I guess that means MIJ ones are a bargain today.

 

[reborn old]

I sent you a PM Aleksi