1981 Tokai LS-100 — The Last of the Great Era

The 1982 Tokai catalog hinted that laminated tops made from birch or satin sycamore might appear in production.
Yet, among the instruments I’ve examined from 1982 and earlier, I have never encountered such a guitar.

Tokai Gakki began producing Burst replicas in 1978, becoming the first Japanese maker to do so.
Their craftsmanship earned universal praise — but by around 1980, the landscape had changed.
Rivals such as Greco’s Super Real Series and Fernandes’ The Revival Series emerged, intensifying competition.
It also became increasingly difficult to source the high-grade figured hard maple required for those breathtaking carved tops.

Sadly, the quality of the LS Series declined after Tokai entered corporate reorganization in 1984.
Judging from instruments in my collection, even by 1983 the flagship models were already being built with younger, less mature maple.
In my view, Tokai Les Pauls made up to 1982 represent the final period of reliably top-tier quality.

It’s unfortunate, but true, that aside from their top custom models costing over ¥200,000,
the Burst replicas made by Greco and Fernandes could not quite match Tokai’s level.
Only Tokai succeeded in giving even its mid-range ¥100,000-class guitars beautifully carved, high-figured maple tops.
It may sound harsh to say, but the old adage applies here:
“Bad money drives out good.” The same can happen in guitars.

Pickups: DiMarzio PAF
Weight: 4.00 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 26, 2016)