(SOLD) Tokai Traditional Series LSJ-54 x Leadbetter Rabid Dog Relic White 2018
Tokai Trad Junior style, relic white, made in China 2018. This is a fun one! The bones of the guitar is a Tokai LSJ-54, their affordable take on the LP Junior genre. It's a model that does well in Japan, the general consensus is that they're a well made instrument that punches very hard for the cash. This one, along with five others, made it into the hands of Leadbetter Guitar Co in Mornington, Australia, who've beefed it up and applied a relic finish. First, the upgrades: it's all USA under the hood. The pickup is Gretsch Filter'Tron humbucker, which is paired with some Dimarzio pots and Switchcraft bits to make for a deluxe signal path under the hood. They've stripped the original poly finish off, applied a relic, then added a new 'thin skin' topcoat to round it all out, and it looks awesome. The fretboard edges have been rounded off and it's had a good setup, so it's playing nice and smoothly. The tone is great: angry and snarly, with an expansive shimmering treble lending definition and cut to the weighty lows and mids. This is a lot of fun: send it straight into a dirty amp and let the mile-wide smile take over your dial.
Model: Tokai Traditional Series LSJ-54
Made: China, 2018, relic and mods by Leadbetter Guitar Co, Mornington VIC Australia
Serial: CN18080340
Finish: vintage white, original poly stripped, relic applied, new 'thin skin' satin poly topcoat applied
Body: mahogany
Neck: Canadian maple, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim 60s shape
Weight: 3.125kg
Mods: refinished including relic treatment, pickup replaced, all electronics replaced: Dimarzio 500k pots, Switchcraft jack and switch, orange drop capacitor
Pickups: Gretsch Filter'Tron humbuvcker
Accessories: Tokai gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: relic finish. The headstock and neck have the relic treatment but no other major marks. The body is the same: heaps of marks, the appear to all be part of the relic treatment, see the pics for a good idea. No major structural damage.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/52 strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only