Tokai LS80 Love Rock Gold Top 1983
Tokai LS80 Love Rock gold top, made in Japan 1983. Tokai launched in 1947 and are certainly some of the most renowned instrument builders in Japan. The Love Rock models from the early eighties enjoy a reputation for being some of the most accurate replicas of fifties Gibson ever made, so this here is really something quite special. I always say that a good Les Paul sounds bright and lively, and this... oh boy, it's got so much zing. The pickups are bright and open with an superb warm and complex midrange and a sweet, chirpy top end. There's an immediacy and roundness to the low end too; it all just glues together so beautifully. The clarity and definition serve really well for clean tones... cleans are not always a strong suit for LP style guitars but this nails the brief. As you'd expect, into a dirty amp, this absolutely sings. The body is pretty close to a single piece piece of mahogany, just the top inch or so is a second piece. It's a sight to behild from behind too; the grain is subtle and reveals different patterns in varying light. The aged gold top... oh boy, it's stunning. The neck is a slim and superbly straight and comfy 60s style profile, it's effortless to move around and instantly feels like an old friend. The headstock has had a super tidy professional repair at some point, so it's now very strong and rigid, plus the repair is so nicely done you have to look pretty hard to see it. This is priced accordingly as a repaired guitar with no pickguard, you save up to $1k off what this might've otherwise listed for, despite the fact the repair most likely increased the functionality and tone of the instrument. This is probably the best LP style guitar that's graced the shop wall in a long time, so claim it for your own wall before I sneak it home with me quietly.
Model: Tokai LS80 Love Rock
Made: Japan, 1983 (serial 3014816)
Finish: gold top, cream binding, natural gloss back and sides
Neck: mahogany 1 piece, rosewood board, slim 60s style profile
Body: mahogany, two piece (small section joined up top)
Weight: 3.790kg
Mods: pickguard removed and not included
Pickups: Tokai '57 PAF Model humbucker x2
Case: basic non original hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has minor marks on the end and edges as well as some scuffs on the front. There's been a very tidy professional headstock repair done at some point, it's an excellent job and looks and feels almost invisible. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has a number of scuffs around the outside and some widespread minor surface scratches, no major marks. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body, no major marks though. The front has a few minor dimples around the bottom and back edge as well as some play wear on the horns, no major marks though. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have some normal wear but they're pretty even with plenty of height, 7/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/52 Moonshiners strings.