2002 – My First Tokai LS-200

I acquired this LS-200 in 2002 — my very first one.

At the time, Tokai’s regular production models went only up to the LS-120.
The LS-150 and LS-200 were custom order models, built in small numbers for discerning players.

The LS-200 was designed as a faithful reproduction of the original Burst —
a body of Honduran mahogany, a top of flamed hard maple, and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.
Every material was carefully selected.

And yet, when you stop to think about it, it’s a curious story.
They devoted their utmost craftsmanship to create a “copy.”
Why would anyone go to such lengths for something that wasn’t even their own design?

I imagine the moment Tokai’s luthiers first held Tomi Hidaka’s original Burst,
the one they used for 3D reference data.
They must have realized — perhaps with a mix of awe and humility —
that the guitars they’d built until then suddenly looked like crude wooden toys by comparison.
And so they resolved:

“We’ll build one just as magnificent. We can do it.”
That pride and determination as craftsmen — and their deep reverence and awe for the original —
are what gave birth to the LS-200.

Instances of modified LS-200s are quite rare,
but for those trying to distinguish an LS-200 or LS-150 from a modified LS-120 or LS-100,
here are some identifying points:

• Finish: A strong yellowish cashew lacquer indicates an LS-200 or LS-150.
  (Some examples exist without it, though.)

• Headstock logo: If the Tokai logo is inlaid, it’s an LS-200 or LS-150.
  To check, gently run your fingertip over the logo —
  if it feels raised and uneven, it’s an inlay;
  if perfectly smooth, it’s simply a decal sealed under clear coat.

Weight: 4.28 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 26, 2016)