Tokai ST80, sunburst, made in Japan circa 1979. If you're a fellow MIJ enthusiast, you might know what you're looking at here already: a very, very good guitar. Tokai started making electric guitars in 1968, and by the mid 70s, they were making some truly excellent instruments. This one is a take on the 1954 Strat, so it's got all the fun vintage appointments: soft-V neck, two piece ash body, single-ply guard, three way switch... too legit to quit. The model numbers pertained to the original retail price in JPY, so this ST80 example went for almost twice the list price of the more common ST42 and got the nice specs to boot. Feel-wise, oh boy: the neck feels magic, the body is lightweight and lively and it responds enthusiastically to every note... very good. Plug it in, and there's more excitement: it's so clear, it makes the Tassie mountain air seem as stinky as downtown LA. The neck pickup is glassy, rich and round, while the bridge and middle are juicy and snappy with a certain angular fullness. The grain on show complements the subtle two tone burst perfectly, it's a very high quality piece of ash and a very classy finish. These come up around here approximately once every four or five years, so you'll probably have more wrinkles and debt by the time the next one arrives. Spring indeeed.

Model: Tokai Springy Sound ST80
Made: Japan, 1979 approx (serial 9002980)
Finish: sunburst, 'lacquer' gloss clear
Body: ash, two piece centre join
Neck: maple, one piece inc board, 25.5" scale, 7.25" radius, soft V shape
Weight: 3.275kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Tokai grey-bottom alnico single coil x3
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor dimples on the bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and light play wear on the back only. The back has a dent and some scratches on the back edge in the elbow area and scuffs along the back and bottom edges and near the neck joint. The sides have minor scuffs around the whole body, no major marks. The front has some scuffs along the back edge near the jack and rear strap pin, a scratch in the elbow area, a scuff on the top horn and some normal play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear but are pretty even with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.