Tokai uses a seven-digit serial number usually pressed into the back of the headstock for the Gibson model replicas. Love Rocks use the first digit of the serial number for the year, 10XXXXX=1981 and starting in 1989 Love Rocks use the first two digits for the year, 89XXXXX=1989. Reborn models use only the first digit for the year, 800XXXX = 1978.
Tokai Guitar Serial Number Cn
There is a major exception to this in that some "Reborn Olds" (very rare) and "Love Rock" models have inked serial numbers on the reverse of the headstock (often referred to as "Inkies"). These guitars are, it is generally agreed, from 1980 (00xxxxx and 01xxxxx) and 1981 (11xxxxx) although there are those who would disagree with this.
Some MIK Love Rock models have no serial number and simply have "Made In Korea" inked on the back of the headstock. Sometimes the model number may be located under the bridge pickup. MIK Love Rock models identified in this manner include ALS48 and ALS50Q.
This may help, it was posted by Richtone Music in 2008 who was one of the main two Tokai sellers in the UK "Tokai UK are using a different factory of late and the serial numbers we've seen have CH at the start". 2008 was the year production changed from Korea to China. So there may be some cross over models.
MN - M = Mexico, N = Nineties (1990s), the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.MZ - M = Mexico, Z = 2000's, the first number following the serial number prefix is the year.
Some Squier IIs were made in India around 1989-1990. The head stock is marked "MADE IN INDIA". Made in India Squier IIs seem to follow the made in USA serial numbering scheme. For example, a 1990 made in India Squier II serial number would start with N0 plus 5 digits. The serial number is printed on a sticker located on the back of the neck, close to where the neck attaches to the body. Because the number was placed on a sticker it is fairly common for the serial number to be missing.
Some more recent Squiers, including the Vintage Modified series (serial numbers starting with SH), were introduced in 2007. The VM series is marked "Crafted in India" on the rear of the head stock, and the serial numbers are not stickers, but printed and sealed on the rear of the head stock.
[quote name='Bill-R' timestamp='1355535794' post='1899809']Tokai use to list the Rockinbetter on there home site back in the early 80s but had Tokai on the TRC but it was not for export (A number of there guitars were not export back then Strats mostly) and they are still listed in there guitar search on there forum, it was around 84 they started using Rockinbetter on there TRC, they also made rockinbetter lead guitars as well as basses. there seems more on there forum about the guitars than the basses but it all before the mid 90s. but the site has not been updated in almost 10 years or more so I think it dead now.. there is also the fact that Ric took action again Tokai back in the late 80s and stoped them imported into the USA and Canada. I think Gibson tried to do the same but lost!!! in germany!!!it was just after this that Tokai parted company with Rockinbetter. after that Rockinbetter were removed from there site by then. they were made in China then and had been for a few years. the early bolt necks were made in Japan and are hard to find some have Tokai on the TRC and the later thru neck have Rockinbetter.in the early 2000 rockinbetter was very had to find in the uk and its only in the last 3 or 4 years that Tokai Ltd uk have started to import them again in any great number.Robert Murdock started the Tokai guitars (UK) Ltd in 2002 and hase been importing them since then as far as I can tell. there was a Tokia Korea and i dont know it it has anything to do with the other two companys.before that it was imported by Tokai Japan into the UK. again Tokai Japan could be just the importers before 2002.it is really hard to find out who now makes them and where. most do not have serial numbers so that makes them harder to trace. Cort seem the most likely. the ones with s/n mostly start CN and that Cor-Tek!look up Tokai RG43 it was there copy ric 330 and one of there best sellers and they also made a 12 string and i think that the guitar that ric stoped them importing to the USA.here is a link of the paul weller ric 330 tribute using the Tokai rg43 and the certicate.[url=" "] [/url]sorry i can't give you more information.[/quote]I've looked through all the Tokai catalogues (covering the mid 70s to 2004) that I can find - both those available on-line and the ones I have physical copies of. There's been a large range of copy basses available over the years, mostly P and J types but also a handful based on Gibson models and even a couple of Warwick-a-likes from the 1989 catalogue, but I can't find a single 4001/4003 style bass in any of them.The 2000 catalogue has two Rickbacker guitar copies (which say Tokai on the TRC so obviously they have no problem making branded copies of RIC instruments) but still no Rickenbacker style basses.I'm also a regular browser of the Japanese Digimart site which acts as a search engine for the major Japanese music instruments retailers for both new and second-hand stock. I have never ever seen a Tokai branded copy of a Rickenbacker bass on there. Pretty much every Japanese-made instrument, not matter how rare, turns up on Digimart at one time or another, so the lack of RIC-style Tokai basses makes me pretty certain that they do not and never did exist.If you can provide hard evidence of an actual Tokai branded 4001 or 4003 bass or at least a scan of a Tokai catalogue showing one, I'll be happy to modify my opinion. Until them it is my experience that they only people making a big deal about the supposed connection between Tokai and Rockinbetter are those with ones to sell.
[size=4].....it's all an a clever play on words, isn't it? I've been there now myself and asked. ....[/size][size=4].......if anyone need further proof e-mail them, them being 'Tokai 1947 Japan' directly:- [url=" "] [/url] it seems a number of people do, ask when & where they made Rockinbetters...usual answer is they have nothing to do with Rockinbetter & Tokai UK??? (insert Tokai something) or what ever they care to call themselves currently. It's private UK company with no connection bar the word Tokai, so yes it is a Tokai Rockinbetter, only not the Tokai you are thinking of, confusing isn't it? [/size][size=4]Even better say you want like to place an order for 2000, if one feels they are hiding something. [/size][size=4]I'm was puzzled why Tokai Japan haven't pursued this with a 'cease & desist order', though what can they do about it, the actual bass's don't have Tokai written on them, or anyone elses come to that, although more than a few sales sites say they are a Tokai so adding coal to the fire....[/size][size=4].... although maybe I shouldn't be so surprised. I worked for a Japanese company for many years and the Japanese aren't a very litigious nation, generally. [/size][size=4]Possibly best to think of the Rockinbetter as a very pretty looking bass that looks similar to a Ric'....I've a hunch someone is having a nice tickle out of these no name, no serial number bass's.[/size]
[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1355577715' post='1900119']I've looked through all the Tokai catalogues (covering the mid 70s to 2004) that I can find - both those available on-line and the ones I have physical copies of. There's been a large range of copy basses available over the years, mostly P and J types but also a handful based on Gibson models and even a couple of Warwick-a-likes from the 1989 catalogue, but I can't find a single 4001/4003 style bass in any of them.The 2000 catalogue has two Rickbacker guitar copies (which say Tokai on the TRC so obviously they have no problem making branded copies of RIC instruments) but still no Rickenbacker style basses.I'm also a regular browser of the Japanese Digimart site which acts as a search engine for the major Japanese music instruments retailers for both new and second-hand stock. I have never ever seen a Tokai branded copy of a Rickenbacker bass on there. Pretty much every Japanese-made instrument, not matter how rare, turns up on Digimart at one time or another, so the lack of RIC-style Tokai basses makes me pretty certain that they do not and never did exist.If you can provide hard evidence of an actual Tokai branded 4001 or 4003 bass or at least a scan of a Tokai catalogue showing one, I'll be happy to modify my opinion. Until them it is my experience that they only people making a big deal about the supposed connection between Tokai and Rockinbetter are those with ones to sell.[/quote]How do i post a picture,i have a picture of a ric copy 330 with a tokai TRC its from there (Tokai) forum it around about page 220 in the guitar section, there are a few picture on the forum but you have to take a bit of time looking,Tokai Guitar Registry. if you look through it you will find ric copys there with the shark fin TRC and Tokai name.i belive that the ric copy RG43 was only made for two years, the 4003 bass was made for about 4 or 5 years with the Tokai TRC. after the its like it was contracted out and made in China, Rockinbetters have not been made by Tokai since around 1994.the ric copy RG43 and the Bass 4003 were not exported and only sold only in Japan, there was also some some Gibson and Fender copys that were not for export too, mostly strats and Tele. the were never ever in the catalogues just like the ric copys but there are still lots of them around with the Tokai name and s/n.i have heard that the same Factory makes Dillon that makes Rockinbetter but never haing seen a Dillon i could not say if they are the same.the fact that Tokai Japan have had nothing to do with Rockinbatter since 1994 and the fact that Tokai guitars Uk took over the importing of them in 2002, i think that has caused the mistaken idea that Tokai Japan have someting to do with them now or in the recent past and that clearly is not the truth.is your looking for a Tokia ric copy then it will be almost 20 years old. anything after that was nort made by Tokai.can i also say i do not have a Rockinbetter for sale or have anything to do with anyone selling them,i just happen to have one and have tried to find out where it was made. 2ff7e9595c
Comments