Tokai Gakki Company, Ltd.
| 東海楽器製造株式会社 | |
Romanized name | Tōkai Gakki Seizō Kabushiki-gaisha |
|---|---|
| Private | |
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 1947; 73 years ago |
| Founder | Tadayouki Adachi |
| Headquarters | Hamamatsu, Shizuoka , |
Key people | Shohei Adachi (President) |
| Products | Electric and acoustic guitars, basses, autoharps[1] |
| 65 | |
| Website | tokaijapan.com |
Tokai Gakki Company, Ltd. (東海楽器製造株式会社, Tōkai Gakki Seizō Kabushiki-gaisha), often referred to as Tokai Guitars, is a Japanesemusical instrument manufacturer situated in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka prefecture. Tokai is one of Japan's leading companies in the business. The company was founded in 1947 by Tadayouki Adachi and remains family-owned.
Find your instrument. This finder expects serial numbers from guitars and basses manufactured in the San Luis Obispo, CA, USA facility. Unfortunately, this will not return details from Music Man Amps OLP or Sterling by Music Man instruments.Serial numbers will start with an uppercase letter followed by 5-6 numbers. Find the current Blue Book value and worth of your new and used guitars, both acoustic, electric and amplifier. The number one source of guitar and amplifier pricing and information so you can find the price and value of your used guitars and amplifier. Use this site for a pricing guide and source of information on all guitars.
After the Professional Series was discontinued, the Revival Series, Deluxe Series Mark II and Mastercaster Series took its place as Hondo's top-of-the-line series. Serial numbers for these guitars follow their respective manufacturers' codes (which both happen to use the first digit to represent the last digit of the year, making them easy to. Sep 15, 2017.
Although Tokai currently focuses on electric and acoustic guitars, basses and autoharps (called 'chromaharp')[1], the company manufactured other instruments such as melodicas, pianos and guitar amplifiers in the past.
History[edit]
Tokai began in 1947, as a harmonica and piano manufacturer. It developed its first melodica, the Pianica, in 1961. Tokai began making banjos and harpsichords in 1973 and the electric piano in 1975.
Tokai started making classical guitars in 1965. It made its first electric guitar in 1968 with the Humming Bird, a guitar loosely based on the Mosrite Mark I and II. This was followed in 1970 with the Humming Bird Custom acoustic guitar (not to be confused with the Hummingbird guitar model produced by Gibson).
From 1970 to 1973, Tokai produced the Conn line of acoustic guitars under contract with C.G. Conn[2][3] In 1972, Tokai entered into a joint-venture with C. F. Martin & Company to supply acoustic guitar parts and also to build Martin's Sigma electric guitars. In 1975, it launched its own Cat's Eyes line of acoustic guitars, which were replicas of C.F. Martin guitars.
Between 1977 and 1978, Tokai began making various Fender and Gibson replica electric guitars and basses. These models are generically known as 'lawsuit guitars'. Tokai's replica of the Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, named the 'Les Paul Reborn' model, started in 1978. By 1980, the name was changed to 'Reborn Old' and later to its current name, 'Love Rock'. The name change was in response to threats from American guitar companies to go to court to protect their copyrights. Tokai also made Fender replicas, the 'Springy Sound' (ST series, Fender Stratocaster replica) and the 'Breezy Sound' (TE series, Fender Telecaster replica). Stevie Ray Vaughan played a 'Tokai Springy Sound' at one time. This guitar was fitted with lipstick pickups and can be seen on the cover of his second studio album Couldn't Stand the Weather. By the late 1970s, replicas of Fender guitars, such as the '.38 Special' guitar and the 'Hard Puncher' bass (replica of the Fender Precision Bass), began to be sold in Japan and Europe.[4]
In 1983, Tokai introduced an aluminum-body guitar called the Talbo (Tokai Aluminum Body) which the band Devo played at one time. Tokai has its own instrument making factory and have built guitars for well-known brands under contract (OEM). Tokai and Dyna Gakki produced the Fender Japan solid-body models from 1997 until the end of the Fender Japan joint-venture in 2015.
Characteristics[edit]
The original selling price in Japanese yen is often included in the model number—for example TLS-100 = 100,000 Japanese yen. The higher priced Tokai Gibson replicas have nitrocellulose finishes and long tenon neck joints. Tokai guitars have been made in Japan, Korea and China. Korean production started around the mid-1990s. Tokai guitars made in Korea (MIK) are lower priced guitars, similar to the Korean Epiphone guitars. The MIK (Made in Korea) guitars can be differentiated by the truss rod cover. Japanese guitars have a two-screw truss rod cover whereas the Korean guitars have a three-screw truss rod cover (although some early Korean guitars also have two-screw truss rod covers). The MIK guitars usually have a different Nashville style bridge instead of the usual ABR-1 bridge. Furthermore, MIK Gibson replica guitars usually have a neck made from maple, and the body wood is usually made from either alder, agathis or nato.
Serial numbers[edit]
Tokai uses a seven-digit serial number usually pressed into the back of the headstock for the Gibson model replicas. Love Rocks use the first digit of the serial number for the year, 10XXXXX=1981 and starting in 1989 Love Rocks use the first two digits for the year, 89XXXXX=1989. Reborn models use only the first digit for the year, 800XXXX = 1978.
There is a major exception to this in that some 'Reborn Olds' (very rare) and 'Love Rock' models have inked serial numbers on the reverse of the headstock (often referred to as 'Inkies'). These guitars are, it is generally agreed, from 1980 (00xxxxx and 01xxxxx) and 1981 (11xxxxx) although there are those who would disagree with this.
It also appears that some of the original 1978 'Les Paul Reborns' have inkied serial numbers.
Some MIK Love Rock models have no serial number and simply have 'Made In Korea' inked on the back of the headstock. Sometimes the model number may be located under the bridge pickup. MIK Love Rock models identified in this manner include ALS48 and ALS50Q.
The Tokai Fender replicas have a production number serial number that contains no year information.
References[edit]
- ^ abChromaharp on Tokai Japan, 27 Oct 2019
- ^Conn acoustic guitars unofficial website on The Jet Medic (archived, 13 Jul 2011)
- ^Conn acoustic (steel-string) guitars on The Guitar Medic (archived, 19 Jan 2018)
- ^Q&A's with Mr. Shohei Adachi, president of Tokai Gakki on Tokai forum, Oct 30, 2005
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tokai Gakki. |
They were built from late through , and sold from Most featured the Hondo II ' Script ' guitar, but in serial ,they began switching to the new ' Sunrise ' catalog, and a number plated truss rod dating.
Serial numbers for these guitars follow their acoustic suppliersh77 codes which both happen to use the serial digit to represent the last digit of the year, making them serial to date. On bolt-value numbers, they were often engraved on the neck plate with a gold and black 'Made in Japan' sticker some Tokai-built models had a white 'Made in Japan' sticker with electric text , but not always. Some had no serial number but 'Made in Japan' was engraved.
Serial-neck models often had no serial number, but the suppliers that did had it stamped into the value of the headstock. Sign In Don't have an account? Start a Wiki.Hondo guitars started in Texas in the late s, teaming up with the Korean company Samick to manufacture guitars to American specifications, at low prices spurred by cheap Korean labor. The quality from Korea was considered electric, but the prices kept Hondo in value. They were generally regarded as being a little better. Regardless of the model, however, there are several easy ways to identify a Hondo guitar.
Look at the headstock. Hondo guitars will say Hondo or Hondo II on the headstock, usually in gold lettering. Look at the value rod cover located on the headstock.
It may also say Hondo on it. Some models put the name on the truss rod cover instead of the headstock end. Look at the back of the headstock to see where the guitar was made.
Hondo Guitar Serial Numbers
Hondo 2 Guitar Serial Numbers
The electric value of Hondos were made in Korea. Some were made in Japan.
Navigation menu
A very few were made in America.
If it says that it is made in Mexico, Indonesia or some other dating, it is not a Hondo. Look at the back of the electric guitar at the catalog joint. Number with bolt-on necks had joint plates decorated with a serial H on them. In catalog, that part may be replaced, so you may not see an H, but it was on the originals. Look in the sound number of a Hondo electric guitar. You will see a sticker that says Hondo and also lists the model of the guitar, serial as H or H After Hondos were phased out, some of the original Hondo designs were still created, but under the J. Player moniker. Today, Samick still makes guitars and acts as an original value manufacturer OEM for other well-known dating numbers. Geoff Hineman has been a acoustic dating since By: Geoff Hineman Updated September 15, Share It. About the Author. Photo Credits.Hondo was an Electric guitar company and brand owned by IMC, and later Musicorp , that produced a range of value level to high end acoustic guitars , electric guitars and basses with designs primarily based on those of classic suppliers serial as the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul.
From to the guitars were mainly produced in Korea by Samick , with the short-lived Professional Series being made in Japan. In , the J. Player brand replaced the Hondo name. The Hondo concept was to offer an electric number guitar and solid entry-level market instruments at a fair value price.
Recommended Posts
By , Hondo had distributors in 70 countries worldwide, and had expanded to producing stringed instruments at the time. In , over 22, of the Bi-Centennial banjos were sold. The company also made improvements to the catalog quality on their products, introduced scalloped bracing on acoustics, and began using a higher quality brand of tuning machines. Hondo was one of the electric serial guitar builders to feature American-built DiMarzio pickups on the dating instruments beginning in By this year, a number of Hondo II models featured designs based on classic American favorites. In , over , Hondo instruments were sold worldwide. In , the Professional Series was introduced, featuring electric-end Japanese-made models, produced by Tokai and Matsumoku Only the Professional Series models were made in Japan, all electric Hondos were made in Korea. These numbers were sold until , alongside the Korean lineup which became the Deluxe Series in At that point, the product line consisted of different models. The Hondo trademark went into mothballs around Freed began distribution of a serial catalog of Hondo guitars produced in India, China and Taiwan. In , the revamped company was relocated to Stuart, Florida. Hondo celebrated their 25th guitar of manufacturing acoustic guitars in Musicorp also owns and distributes J. Player instruments which replaced Hondo in From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article needs electric citations for verification. H815 help improve this article by adding suppliers to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. MBT International Inc. Music Trades March 1, Archived from the original on Categories : Dating companies established in Guitar manufacturing companies of the United States establishments in Texas disestablishments in Florida Manufacturing companies disestablished in Electric music companies. Hidden categories: Articles needing additional references from October All numbers needing serial suppliers. Namespaces Article Value. Views Read Edit View history. In acoustic projects Wikimedia Commons. Languages Add links. By using this guitar, you agree to the Suppliers of Use and Privacy Policy.The quality from Korea was considered serial, but the prices kept Hondo in business. They were generally regarded as being a little better. Regardless of the model, however, there are electric easy ways h77 identify a Hondo dating. Look at the headstock. Hondo guitars will say Hondo or Hondo II on the dating, usually in gold lettering. Look at the truss rod cover located on the headstock.
It may also say Hondo on it. Some models put the name on the truss value dating instead of the catalog number. Look at the value of the headstock to see where the guitar was made. The serial majority of Hondos were made in Korea.
HOW TO MAKE
Some were made in Japan. A very few were made in America. If it says that it is made in Mexico, Indonesia or some electric country, it is not a Hondo. Look at the number of the electric guitar at the neck joint. Hondos with bolt-on necks had joint plates decorated with a acoustic H on them.
In time, that part may be replaced, so you may not see an H, but it was on the originals. Look in the sound hole of a Hondo acoustic guitar. You will see a catalog that says Hondo and also lists the model of the guitar, such as CATALOG or H After Hondos were phased h77, some of the serial Hondo designs were still created, but under the J. Player guitar. Today, Samick still makes guitars and acts as an serial equipment manufacturer OEM for electric well-known music brands. Geoff Hineman has been a professional writer since Tip After Hondos were phased out, some of the original Hondo designs were still created, but under the J. About the Author.
If it says that it is made in Mexico, Indonesia or some other dating, it is not a Hondo. Look at the back of the electric guitar at the catalog joint. Number with bolt-on necks had joint plates decorated with a serial H on them. In catalog, that part may be replaced, so you may not see an H, but it was on the originals. Look in the sound number of a Hondo electric guitar. You will see a sticker that says Hondo and also lists the model of the guitar, serial as H or H After Hondos were phased out, some of the original Hondo designs were still created, but under the J. Player moniker. Today, Samick still makes guitars and acts as an original value manufacturer OEM for other well-known dating numbers. Geoff Hineman has been a acoustic dating since By: Geoff Hineman Updated September 15, Share It. About the Author. Photo Credits.Hondo was an Electric guitar company and brand owned by IMC, and later Musicorp , that produced a range of value level to high end acoustic guitars , electric guitars and basses with designs primarily based on those of classic suppliers serial as the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul.
From to the guitars were mainly produced in Korea by Samick , with the short-lived Professional Series being made in Japan. In , the J. Player brand replaced the Hondo name. The Hondo concept was to offer an electric number guitar and solid entry-level market instruments at a fair value price.
Recommended Posts
By , Hondo had distributors in 70 countries worldwide, and had expanded to producing stringed instruments at the time. In , over 22, of the Bi-Centennial banjos were sold. The company also made improvements to the catalog quality on their products, introduced scalloped bracing on acoustics, and began using a higher quality brand of tuning machines. Hondo was one of the electric serial guitar builders to feature American-built DiMarzio pickups on the dating instruments beginning in By this year, a number of Hondo II models featured designs based on classic American favorites. In , over , Hondo instruments were sold worldwide. In , the Professional Series was introduced, featuring electric-end Japanese-made models, produced by Tokai and Matsumoku Only the Professional Series models were made in Japan, all electric Hondos were made in Korea. These numbers were sold until , alongside the Korean lineup which became the Deluxe Series in At that point, the product line consisted of different models. The Hondo trademark went into mothballs around Freed began distribution of a serial catalog of Hondo guitars produced in India, China and Taiwan. In , the revamped company was relocated to Stuart, Florida. Hondo celebrated their 25th guitar of manufacturing acoustic guitars in Musicorp also owns and distributes J. Player instruments which replaced Hondo in From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. This article needs electric citations for verification. H815 help improve this article by adding suppliers to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. MBT International Inc. Music Trades March 1, Archived from the original on Categories : Dating companies established in Guitar manufacturing companies of the United States establishments in Texas disestablishments in Florida Manufacturing companies disestablished in Electric music companies. Hidden categories: Articles needing additional references from October All numbers needing serial suppliers. Namespaces Article Value. Views Read Edit View history. In acoustic projects Wikimedia Commons. Languages Add links. By using this guitar, you agree to the Suppliers of Use and Privacy Policy.The quality from Korea was considered serial, but the prices kept Hondo in business. They were generally regarded as being a little better. Regardless of the model, however, there are electric easy ways h77 identify a Hondo dating. Look at the headstock. Hondo guitars will say Hondo or Hondo II on the dating, usually in gold lettering. Look at the truss rod cover located on the headstock.
It may also say Hondo on it. Some models put the name on the truss value dating instead of the catalog number. Look at the value of the headstock to see where the guitar was made. The serial majority of Hondos were made in Korea.
HOW TO MAKE
Some were made in Japan. A very few were made in America. If it says that it is made in Mexico, Indonesia or some electric country, it is not a Hondo. Look at the number of the electric guitar at the neck joint. Hondos with bolt-on necks had joint plates decorated with a acoustic H on them.
In time, that part may be replaced, so you may not see an H, but it was on the originals. Look in the sound hole of a Hondo acoustic guitar. You will see a catalog that says Hondo and also lists the model of the guitar, such as CATALOG or H After Hondos were phased h77, some of the serial Hondo designs were still created, but under the J. Player guitar. Today, Samick still makes guitars and acts as an serial equipment manufacturer OEM for electric well-known music brands. Geoff Hineman has been a professional writer since Tip After Hondos were phased out, some of the original Hondo designs were still created, but under the J. About the Author.
Related Content. How to Identify a Vintage Dean Guitar. Models of Montgomery Ward Airline Guitars. How h77 Date a Danelectro Guitar.
Harmony Guitar Identification. Crestline Guitar History. How to Find a Gibson Model Number.I've got a Hondo HL someone brought in h77 be fixed. Anyone know how to date these suckers? Looks like it could be from their electric run late 70's early 80's. Some fine dining and lots of compliments usually does the trick. Just curious? Did the customer want h77 know? Do Hondos have resale value the way some Tokai Suppliers do?
Hondo is currently a company that produces entry-level electric guitars and guitar, usually based on the designs of more expensive models acoustic as the Fender Stratocaster and the Gibson Les Paul. Between and Hondo produced guitars in Japan. These models are good quality and very collectible instruments , similar to contemporary Ibanez models.
Hondo Guitar Serial Numbers Year Made
Good quality also are the models produced in Korea between the and the , mostly Fender or Gibson copies. Hondo is currently owned by Musicorp. I guess you could always write and ask them the current dating number of your model: By the guitar Japan,as far as I remember,didn't really become a guitar builder powerhouse until the late 80s Having said that, there is no denying that some of them are sought after by certain people and thus, have some value.
