Tokai Premium Series LC230S-BB Black 2020
Tokai LC230S-BB, black, made in Japan 2020. Tokai stuff is always very good, and this is right up there with the fanciest offerings they do, so... it's extra very good. It's a take on the classic late 60s style LP Custom, so you get all the gold hardware, 7-ply binding etc, which looks great. The finish is topped with thin clear nitro, so you can see some checking lines and hazing starting to form already, even though it's not exactly an old guitar and hasn't seen a tonne of play. It looks gorgeous, and the quality of the fit and finish is extremely high. The neck is a generous C shape, not exactly slim but not a baseball bat either, and the ebony board looks and very luxurious. The neck pickup is clear and fat, with a warbling midrange that cleans up beautifully for thick jazzy chords. The bridge pickup is notably more angular and midrange-focused, with plenty of snark and kick to get a dirty amp singing with gusto. There's a lot to like here, I suspect you could spend two or three times the cash for an American-made example and come away with less guitar more often than not.
Model: Tokai LC230S BB
Made: Japan, 20 Aug 2020, Tokai Gakki factory
Serial: 1942307
Finish: black, gloss nitro
Body: African mahogany, maple cap, unchambered
Neck: one piece African mahogany, ebony fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, moderate 1960 style shape
Weight: 4.465kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Tokai MK2S PAF-style humbucker x2
Accessories: original paisley case, cert of authenticity
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor dimples on the bottom edge and very minor scuffs on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has minor scuffs near the switch cavity and electronics cavity, dimples in the elbow area and widespread light checking around the body. The sides have minor checking around the body as well as some dimples near the jack. The front has some scuffs around the knobs and back edge, some rub wear in the elbow area, dimples up from the pickups and play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
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 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only