Description

Born Again, Baby!  1978 MIJ Tokai LP Reborn- sounds and pays great. In a very Gibson-esque style it sports a heardstock repair and various dings from pure rock and roll!

The Tokai LS-50BS is a vintage-style electric guitar that belongs to the renowned Tokai Love Rock series. Modeled after the classic Gibson Les Paul, the LS-50BS (with BS standing for “Brown Sunburst”) offers excellent craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and vintage-inspired aesthetics. Built in Japan, Tokai guitars from this era have gained a strong reputation for their attention to detail and tonal excellence, making them highly sought after by collectors and players alike.

Key Features

Body and Construction

  • Body Shape: The Tokai LS-50BS features the classic Les Paul-style single-cutaway body, which provides excellent access to the higher frets while maintaining a balanced, solid feel.
  • Body Material: The body is typically made from mahogany, with a maple top, similar to the construction of classic 1950s Les Pauls. This combination offers a warm, resonant tone with great sustain and clarity.
  • Finish: The LS-50BS model comes in a Brown Sunburst (BS) finish, which gives it a vintage look, reminiscent of classic sunburst Les Paul guitars. The high-gloss Poly finish enhances the visual appeal of the wood grain, making it both visually stunning and durable.

Neck and Fingerboard

  • Neck Material: The guitar features a mahogany neck, which complements the body for rich, resonant tones and provides great stability.
  • Fingerboard: The fingerboard is typically made from rosewood, offering a smooth playing surface and contributing to the warm, balanced tone. The rosewood adds a rich, dark contrast to the lighter brown sunburst finish.
  • Scale Length: Standard 24.75 inches, which is the classic scale length for Les Paul-style guitars. This scale provides a familiar feel and tension for players used to vintage Gibson models.
  • Frets: The LS-50BS is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets, allowing for easy bending and smooth playability across the neck.
  • Neck Profile: The neck usually has a comfortable, vintage-inspired profile, making it suitable for a wide range of playing styles.

Hardware

  • Bridge: The guitar comes with a tune-o-matic bridge and stop tailpiece, ensuring excellent intonation and sustain, as well as easy adjustments for string height and action.
  • Tuners: Vintage-style Kluson tuners are typically used, offering reliable tuning stability and a classic look.
  • Pickguard: The LS-50BS is equipped with a removable pickguard, allowing players to choose between a cleaner aesthetic or traditional Les Paul-style protection.

Electronics

  • Pickups: The LS-50BS is fitted with two humbucking pickups, designed to emulate the rich, powerful tones of vintage PAF-style pickups. These pickups provide excellent output and clarity, making the guitar versatile for various genres such as rock, blues, and jazz.
  • Controls: The standard Les Paul control layout is used, featuring two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a 3-way toggle switch for selecting between the neck, bridge, or both pickups.
    • Neck Pickup: Provides warm, smooth tones with rich sustain, ideal for bluesy leads or mellow rhythm playing.
    • Bridge Pickup: Offers a brighter, more cutting tone with plenty of bite, perfect for rock and lead playing.
    • Combined Position: Blends the tonal qualities of both pickups, providing a well-balanced sound for rhythm and lead playing.

Specifications

  • Body Material: Mahogany with maple top
  • Neck Material: Mahogany
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Frets: 22 medium jumbo frets
  • Scale Length: 24.75 inches
  • Pickups: Two humbucking pickups
  • Bridge: Tune-o-matic bridge with stop tailpiece
  • Controls: Two volume knobs, two tone knobs, 3-way pickup selector
  • Finish: Brown Sunburst (BS) Poly
  • Tuners: Kluson-style tuners

Country of Manufacture

  • Japan: Tokai guitars from this era were made in Japan, renowned for their exceptional build quality and attention to detail. Tokai’s reputation as one of Japan’s top guitar manufacturers ensures that the LS-50BS is a durable, reliable instrument with excellent craftsmanship.