(SOLD) Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-280D Dreadnought Acoustic 1982
Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-280D, made in Japan 1982. These old Cat's Eyes acoustic guitars were well received in their day and are generally well regarded in our day. The shape is based off a Martin D-18, the classic spruce/mahogany dreadnought design. This one gained a bit of MIJ bling with an abalone rosette and binding around the top. It's got a slim, comfy round neck that's held up well over the decades and feels good in the hands. The tone is warm, full and understated; it's a perfect fireside strummer and would surely record nicely. There's a bit of standard wear to show for forty years of play, including a bunch of appealing checking lines on the top... so cool. This has a lot of charm and really looks and feels like a vintage guitar. Plus, the brand on the headstock is weird and wonderful, right?
Model: Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-280D
Made: Japan, 1982, Hamamatsu (serial 2800981)
Finish: natural, gloss poly
Body: dreadnought style shape; laminate spruce top, laminate mahogany back and sides
Neck: mahogany, rosewoof fingerboard, dovetail joint, 25.5" scale, 15" radius
Weight: 2.095kg
Pickup: none
Mods: none
Case: basic non-original vintage hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some minor marks on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, but there's a few dimples on the back. The back has widespread light scuffs and dimples but no major marks. The sides have no major marks, just some light scuffs around the whole body and a little graze on the bottom horn. The front has widespread checking lines, scuffs and dimples and some notable play wear on both shoulders; nothing nasty though. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: action is moderately low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. Frets look pretty even and in good shape, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 12/54 Moonshiners strings.