Tokai SS-80 YS - 1981
Lacquer, One Piece Sen Body, DiMarzio FS-1
SOLD
Modeled on a 1976 Strat, the Silver Star line was Tokai's large headstock Strat model. These models were introduced in 1979 and offered until 1984. Unlike the guitars these were based on, quality of the Tokai's was consistently very high.
The SS-80 was the top of the line Silver Star and had some features unique to it. The SS-80 was the only Silver Star model to come finished in nitro cellulose lacquer and featured a brass nut and 'Long Sustain' brass key-hole bridge saddles. Additionally, this was the only model to come equipped with special DiMarzio high output FS-1 "Fat Strat" pickups, which are still made described as offering a higher output, with smoother and fatter sound over stock.
This SS-80 is a 1981 in 3-Tone Sunburst and has a One-Piece Sen body. Sen is a type of Japanese ash that is prized for the intricate patterns of its grain. Stamps in the neck and body confirm they came together from the factory and show the SS 80 and the YS 3-Tone Sunburst color code. Neck is maple and the tuners are Schaller type with pinched tuners that only came on the higher models Silver Star's.
When I purchased this guitar, it had brass saddles installed on the original bridge, but not the original key hole saddles. I was able to track down a set of vintage Japanese key hole saddles which I installed and fit much better than the saddles the guitar came with. Additionally, one of the pickup covers was too short, so I installed a DiMarzio cover which fit perfectly.
Other than the saddles and one pickup cover, as best I can tell the guitar appears to be all original, including the DiMarzio FS-1 pickups which make all kinds of serious 70's Strat sounds. These pickups sound best with plenty of gain!
Condition overall is excellent, but there are bumps and scratches as you would expect given its age. The leather case it had been stored in had a nylon lining which has made some light impressions on some of the finish which can only be seen holding it under the light a certain way. I included one photo you can see this.
SS-38 and SS-40's regularly come up for sale, whereas the Tokai SS-80's are quite rare. These are built to the same high standards as Springy Sounds, but this is an opportunity to get the highest grade SS, finished in Lacquer and with a one-piece Sen body.
At close to 40 years old, these are very high quality vintage copies of the guitars many bands favored in the 70's.
Guitar is located in the US
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