Description

Mid 80s MIJ Tokai Limited Edition TST-36 dual Humbucker Strat, $649!

Overview: The Tokai TST-36 is a Japanese-made electric guitar known for its high-quality craftsmanship and vintage-inspired design. Modeled after the classic Fender Stratocaster, the TST-36 offers a blend of traditional aesthetics and modern playability. Tokai, a well-respected manufacturer, is known for producing guitars that often rival or surpass the quality of their American counterparts.

Key Features:

  • Body:
    • Finish: Gloss polyester
    • Shape: Double-cutaway Stratocaster-style body
  • Neck:
    • Material: Maple
    • Neck Profile: Slim “C” shape
    • Fingerboard: Rosewood
    • Scale Length: 25.5 inches (64.77 cm)
    • Frets: 21 medium-jumbo frets
    • Inlays: Dot inlays
    • Nut Width: 1.65 inches (42 mm)
  • Hardware:
    • Bridge: Vintage-style synchronized tremolo bridge
    • Tuners: Vintage-style tuners
    • Pickguard: 3-ply white black pickguard
    • Electronics:
    • Pickups: Three single-coil pickups
    • Controls:
      • One master volume control
      • Two tone controls
      • 5-way pickup selector switch
    • Output Jack: Side-mounted

Design and Aesthetics:

  • Body Shape: Classic Stratocaster design with contoured edges for player comfort
  • Headstock: Features the Tokai logo and “Oldies but Goldies” script, mimicking the classic Fender headstock shape
  • Finish: High-gloss finish that highlights the wood grain and adds a touch of vintage flair

Sound Characteristics:

  • Bright and Articulate Tone: Known for its bright, clear sound with plenty of high-end sparkle, characteristic of classic Stratocaster single-coil pickups
  • Versatile Sound: The 5-way pickup selector switch allows for a wide range of tones, from warm, mellow neck pickup sounds to bright, cutting bridge pickup tones
  • Dynamic Range: Suitable for both clean and overdriven tones, offering excellent dynamic range and responsiveness

Applications:

  • Genres: Ideal for rock, blues, pop, and funk
  • Usage: Suitable for both live performances and studio recordings due to its versatile sound and reliable build quality

Manufacturing Location:

  • Country of Origin: Japan. Tokai guitars are known for their meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, making them highly sought after by collectors and musicians alike.

Notable Users:

  • Rock: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top has been known to use Tokai guitars, appreciating their quality and vintage tone.
  • Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan, although primarily associated with Fender, also appreciated the craftsmanship of Japanese-made guitars like Tokai.
  • Indie: Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys has used various vintage-style guitars, including models similar to the Tokai TST-36, for their distinctive sound.
  • Classic Rock: Joe Walsh of the Eagles has praised the quality of Japanese-made guitars, often seen with instruments that offer vintage tones similar to Tokai’s models.