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Gibson style models’ serial numbers
All Tokai replicas of Gibson guitars, during the first 8 years of their production, had a serial number with 7-digits. The first digit was the year of manufacture. Serial numbers can be found at the following locations:
| Models | Location |
|---|---|
|
LS, LC |
Impressed on back of the headstock |
|
ES |
Impressed on back of the headstock and oval sticker in the f-hole |
|
SG |
Impressed on back of the headstock |
|
FV, EX |
Impressed on back of the headstock |
Serial numbers start as follows …
| Year | Serial Number |
|---|---|
|
1978 |
800xxxx |
|
1979 |
900xxxx |
|
1980 |
000xxxx, 001xxxx |
|
1981 |
101xxxx |
|
1982 |
201xxxx |
|
1983 |
301xxxx |
|
1984 |
401xxxx, 402xxxx |
|
1985 |
502xxxx, 503xxxx |
|
1986 |
603xxxx |
- In 1980, the mark of 10,000 manufactured guitars was reached.
- In 1984, the mark of 20,000 manufactured guitars was reached.
- In 1985, the mark of 30,000 manufactured guitars was reached.
In 1987, serial numbers had completed a complete cycle and in 1988 the year of manufacture was designated by the first two digits.
| Year | Serial Number |
|---|---|
|
1988 |
880xxxx |
|
1989 |
890xxxx |
|
1990 |
900xxxx |
|
1991 |
910xxxx |
The serial numbers of LS and LC series guitars, produced in 1979/1990 and 1980/2000, start with the same first 2 digits. We can therefore rely on the visible differences on these models to identify them:
| Year | Model | TRC | Headstock | Tuners | Serial Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1979 |
LS: Les Paul Reborn |
Bell |
Open Book |
2-ring Tulip |
900xxxx |
|
1980 |
LS: Reborn Old |
Bell |
Open Book |
2-ring Tulip |
000xxxx |
|
1980 |
LS: Love Rock Model |
Diamond |
Open Book |
1-ring Tulip |
001xxxx |
|
1990 |
LS: Love Rock Model |
Diamond |
Dimple |
1-ring Tulip |
900xxxx |
|
2000 |
LS: Love Rocke Model |
Bullet |
Dimple |
1-ring Tulip |
00xxxxx |
Fender style models’ serial numbers
All Tokai replicas of Fender guitars, during the first 5 years of their production, had a serial number with 7-digits. The first digit was the year of manufacture:
| Year | Serial Number |
|---|---|
|
1977 |
7000xxx |
|
1978 |
800xxxx |
|
1979 |
900xxxx |
|
1980 |
000xxxx; 001xxxx |
|
1981 |
101xxxx |
Serial numbers can be found on the Models in these location:
| Models | Location |
|---|---|
|
ST (’77 – early ’78) |
Small plate, under neck heel |
|
ST (early ’78 – up) |
Stamped onto large neck plate |
|
TE |
Stamped onto large neck plate |
|
SS |
Transfer underneath logo |
From 1982, only SilverStar continued the 7 digit number:
| Year | Serial Number |
|---|---|
|
1982 |
201xxxx |
|
1983 |
301xxxx |
|
1984 |
401xxxx; 402xxxx |
|
1985 |
502xxxx; 503xxxx |
|
1986 |
603xxxx |
In 1982, Tokai began a new numbering system for Models with steel neck plates based on the numbers used by pre-1964 Fender guitars. They were issued according to the year of the model being replicated and, like Fender, are not sequential to the year of manufacture:
| Year | Numbering System |
|---|---|
|
1948-57 |
4 digit |
|
1958-62 |
5 digit |
|
1963-65 |
L + 5 digit |
|
1966-70 |
6 digit |
| Year | 4 Digit | 5 Digit | L + 5 Digit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1982 |
0001 |
1100 |
00001 |
12900 |
L00001 |
L04000 |
|
1983 |
1101 |
1500 |
12901 |
13600 |
L04001 |
L06000 |
|
1984 |
1501 |
2600 |
13601 |
19500 |
L06001 |
L17000 |
|
1985 |
2601 |
3300 |
19501 |
22500 |
L17001 |
L30000 |
|
1986 |
3301 | |
22501 | |
L30001 | |
The Fender replicas with 5 digits Maple neck as well as those with L + 5 digits Rosewood neck 50 series are the models that were mainly produced during the first 4 years of the change.
These tables cannot be deemed 100% accurate, they are designed as a guide only to help determine the manufacture year of your guitar.
- Thanks to Cyrille Bernard for some of the pictures.
26 Responses
Hi there
I have a Tokai SG88 model with the serial #1126877, can anyone tell me what year this would have been made?
How about a 6 digit number on an LP type starting 08**** please???
Yes and I also have a 6 digit Tokai SG custom dimple head 100100 ?
Any ideas where and when it was made?
I have been trying to sort this out for ages, it appears that there may be some anomalies in earlier Tokai numbers, for example I have heard that some Tokai Gibson numbers between 1979-1981 were inked on with 6 numbers instead of being stamped.
Can this be verified as correct by anyone out there?
Thanks.
I have tokai goldstar serial number L15638 can anyone shed some light on it please
I’ve a Tokai Guitar (les Paul Shape) and it has 8 digits of Serial Number (CH 08083578) . Let me know the made of my guitar and the year of production please.
Thank you a lot ….!
Serial number starting with CH means Made in China (MIC)
the list is accurate,
bought my Goldstar sound in April 1984, Serial 18296, red maple neck 🙂
A have a tokai sg with serial number 9061904. Anybody an idea about the building year of this guitar
L03040 is the serial number of my Tokai Telecaster indicating early 1983, which is pretty spot on. At a recent service on the guitar, in the control cavity I had put a sticker indicating the date I bought it, April 7, 1983…
Beautiful guitar, still my main stage instrument, plays like a dream still
Hello Steve,
Thank you for your comment!
You bought your guitar in early 1983 but it was probably manufactured in 1982. Anyway, it’s very cool to keep this guitar for so long. Congrats!
hi guys.. can you tell me please what the serial number 1024*** say?
Tokai Love Rock model — “stamped” serial number back of headstock 0004095 —Anyone know year, country of origin? Thanks!
Hello there, I have an Tokai ES86SR. Serial nr.: 209178.
Can’t find nothing about it. It says: Hamamatsu, Japan.
Can you tell me more?
Greetings, and thanx in advance,
Frans
I have a TST-56 with the serial number 58763 stamped on neckplate. Any ideas?
What does TM prefix on the serial number of the jazz sound bass mean please?
Is a serial number starting with CA Korean…
I know CH is Chinese but not sure about CA.
Hi, does a Tokai Tele Breezysound with an 8 digit serial number, starting with 16 sound legit. Im thinking of buying it but want to make sure its a Tokai
No other markings.
Hi, looking to acquire a breezysound which is a TE70 in wine red, double bound, 6 saddle bridge. I have been told this is from the 80s and owner thinks it is 1985, however, there is a 4 digit serial number on neck plate which contradicts all the previous info I have researched on this model. Many experts have told me that this model should have a 5 serial number. Very confused and need some help…. Would be appreciated thanks.
Refer to the 4 digit S/N explained in the post.
Hi, looking to find info about Tokai Goldstar Sound “strat” serial number L30369.
Cheers,
Wade
Hello,
looking for info on this Tokai strat super edition with HH config and a Wilkinson Floyd Rose type bridge, I don’t know but looking at the features and the serial num as well as the catalogs, I think this was made in 1985 but then the serial num says otherwise according to this page. L + 5 digits on this site says it was made between 1963-65, any help? Thanks
serial number
L21544
Nope, according to this page it was not made in 63-65. Please read carefully, thanks.
“In 1982, Tokai began a new numbering system for Models with steel neck plates based on the numbers used by pre-1964 Fender guitars. They were issued according to the year of the model being replicated and, like Fender, are not sequential to the year of manufacture:”
MINULAA TOKAI BREEZYSOUND SER NO 226235 ISOON LAATTAAN KAULASSA PAINETTU, MIKÄ IKÄ?
Thank you for your research / hard work.
On a rainy day, I started to look into my Breezysound because I was changing strings / cleaning the hard to reach places.
I’d always assumed it was a 2000’s model, but 4 digit neckplate and some other details make me suspect it’s an ’85 /’86.
The only anomaly would be the 4 digits are 1570, but it comes with an ATE style headstock ( 1985 was the first year of this, I believe ).
I’m guessing that neckplates are in a big heap at the factory and this one found it’s way on to my guitar because it was lying around :).
At some point, I’ll take the neck off for further exploration, but I appreciate your efforts – I was unaware that I owned a ” vintage ” guitar 🙂
I HAVE ALOVELY TOKAI SPRINGY SOUND STRAT TYPE SERIAL 10904 MUCH MODDED,FLOYD ROSE TREM (period pukka) SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUPS ANYONE HELP WITH ACCURATE DATE? MAYBE 1980s.
Hi,
I have a Tokai Stratocaster Super Edition, white with black pick guard, HH. The serial number stamped on the neck plate is 6 digits and starts with 1156**, I can’t seem to figure out what year it’s from, but I think it’s from the mid 80’s? Am I correct here?