Tokai Silver Star SS48, sunburst, made in Japan 1981. Tokai started making Fender-style instruments in the mid-seventies, a few short years before this was born. They deconstructed genuine vintage Fender examples to take exact measurements before setting out to build replicas to an outrageously tight quality standard, a similar approach to Fender's own Custom Shop takes today. The Silver Star models were their 70s style instruments, so this has the hex-tuners, bold logos, black guard, bullet truss rod and block saddles as per a late 70s Strat. The neck is a superb piece of quartersawn maple with a light flame through it, paired with a gorgeous open-pore dark chocolate rosewood board. It's a lovely slim quick shape and feels like a million bucks. The body is pretty light for an ash example, and with a few decades of play on the clock it's ringing out truly with the lightest touch. The tone on deck is lush: thick and rich through the mids, convincing natural low end, heaps of chime and sparkle... it's gorgeous, one of the best sounding Strats in the shop for sure. There's a few marks on the finish, but hey, that's part of the appeal, right? This is a prime example of why these 'lawsuit era' guitars are so well renowned: it's simply superb.

Model: Tokai Silver Star SS48
Made: Japan, 1981 approx (serial 1014873)
Finish: sunburst, gloss poly, 3-ply black guard
Body: sen ash 
Neck: maple with maple board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, slim C profile
Weight: 3.630kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Tokai ceramic magnet single coil x3
Case: none

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some marks on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the bac only. The back has widespread dimples and scuffs but no major marks. The sides have dimples and scuffs around the whole body, again no major marks. The front has some dimples on the back edge, scuffs in the elbow area and some standard play scratches on the guard and horn. Overall: good condition (7/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets are freshly dressed and polished, so they're in great shape with plenty of height, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.