1981 Tokai LS-200 — The Rare “Blister Maple” Top

It’s become exceedingly rare to come across an LS-200 from around 1980.
Even on auction sites, one might appear once a year — if that.

In April 2008, I acquired this 1981 LS-200, which had been listed by a shop.
When it finally arrived, it far surpassed every expectation I’d had.

The first thing that struck me was the top — unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
The figuring is composed of small, rounded patterns, almost bubble-like,
reminiscent of air pockets suspended in water.
This distinctive figure is known as Blister Maple —
and indeed, blister literally means “bubble.”
In Japanese, the term awa-moku (泡杢) expresses the same imagery perfectly.

Upon researching further, I learned that Blister Maple tops are extremely rare.
Even among high-end instruments — PRS models or Custom Shop guitars —
they appear only occasionally, and such examples typically command prices well over ¥500,000.
Even among the original Bursts, only one known example is said to feature this kind of figure.

When I obtained the guitar, it had been fitted with gold Grover tuners.
In May 2008, I replaced them with vintage Tokai Kluson-style tuners.
The lighter tuners shortened the sustain slightly,
but in exchange, the tone gained a warmth and sweetness that made the change worthwhile.

The pickups remain original DiMarzio PAFs.

Weight: 3.97 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 26, 2016)