(SOLD) Tokai Custom Edition JSD503 Yellow Crackle 1987
Tokai Custom Edition JSD503, made in Japan around 1987. It's a perfect little piece of eighties excess, right? Tokai's Custom Edition popped up in the catalogs briefly from 1987-9, but the details are a bit vague and the models changed every year, so pinning down an exact model number can be tricky. This one is a classic Superstrat setup: ST shape, no guard, HSS pickups, Floyd-style trem, flat radius board, V/T controls... yep, all the stuff. The pickups, electronics and bridge have all been replaced at some point, but it's all in great order playing-wise. The neck is fast and stable, with a comfy shred-style D profile, big frets and a slim 41mm nut. The yellow crackle finish... heck, you can't ignore that, what a time to be alive. I have no idea exactly what happened, but there's a bunch of extra screw holes in the body, as pictured and described; exactly what the previous owner was trying to achieve isn't clear, but hey it was the 80s. The tone is awesome: the single coils are slightly overwound and offer plenty of attack and girth while maintaining a crisp clarity, and the humbucker is warm and balanced with a fat low end. Obviously this isn't for everyone, but it's surely perfect whichever one of you out there still owns leopard skin pants. Cue the fireworks!
Model: Tokai Custom Edition JSD503 (best estimate)
Made: Japan, 1987 approx (serial 214558)
Finish: yellow/black crackle
Body: basswood
Neck: maple, rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 12" radius, slim shred D shape, 41mm nut
Weight: 3.490kg
Mods: pickups, switch, pots, jack and capacitor replaced, bridge replaced
Pickups: flat pole single coil x2, Ibanez V7 humbucker
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples on the end and some light scuffs around the posts on the front. The neck has some dimples and rub wear on the back, it's clean and smooth in the hands. The back has rub wear on the belly carve and some extra screw holes on the lower horn. The sides have minor rub wear all around and some extra screw holes near the rear strap pin and on the bottom horn. The front has extra screw holes near the knobs, bridge, elbow area and up from the pickups, plus minor rub wear on the horns. Overall: good condition (6.5/10)
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 ib good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 9/46 strings.