Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-200, made in Japan 1982. Cat's Eyes was the acoustic end of Tokai's operation, running alongside all those now collectable Fender and Gibson style electrics from the same era. This is a lovely dreadnought in the style of a Martin D-28, so it's got the traditional square shoulder shape and the classic spruce/rosewood tonewood combo. It's warm and inviting to the ear, with a tight and tasty low end balanced against a chiming and defined treble. The neck is pretty moderate, slightly on the slim side and easy to get along with. The back and sides are especially pretty, there's some lovely grain on show here. For a guitar that turns forty next year, the condition is pretty remarkable too. Quirky, but loveable.

Model: Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-200
Made: Japan, 1982, Hamamatsu (serial 2908979)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: dreadnought style shape; laminate spruce top, laminate rosewood back and sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25.5" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 2.040kg
Pickup: none
Mods: none
Case: none (here's a good option if you need one)

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just a few dimples on the back. The back has widespread light scuffs around the middle and dimples on the outside edge but no major marks. The sides have no major marks, just some light scuffs in the elbow area and bottom edge, nothing major. The front has a handful of tiny dimples in the elbow area, bottom horn and bottom bout, no major marks. Overall: very good condition (8/10).

Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets look pretty even and in good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.