The precursor of Tokai Gakki is Tokai Musical Instrument Laboratory founded 1947 for research and development of piano and harmonica.

Tokai Gakki is a guitar company which not only develops own products but also does original equipment manufacturing (OEM).  The company locates in Hamamatsu Shizuoka.

They started selling electric guitars from 1977.  LS series, Les Paul copy model were manufactured from 1978.
In 1984, Tokai lost lawsuit concerning the copyright, and they took company reorganization procedure.  After reorganization of company, they have been positively developed products up to now.  LS series from 1978 to 1982 are appreciated by high degree of perfection.

<HISTORY>

• 1947  Established Tokai Musical Instrument Laboratory for research and development of piano and harmonica.

• 1961  Succeeded invention of Pianica (harmonica with keyboard), and started producing and sales.

• 1965  Started manufacturing and selling classic guitars.

• 1968  Started manufacturing and selling Mumming Bird brand electric guitars.

• 1970  Started manufacturing and selling Mumming Bird brand acoustic guitars.

• 1971  Made a agency contract agreement with C.F.Martin & Co.,Inc., and started importing. At the same time, make OEM partnership for domestic production.

• 1973  Started manufacturing and selling banjos and cembalos.

• 1975  Started manufacturing and selling Cat’s Eyes brand acoustic guitars. Succeeded in development new type striking stringed electric piano(Light Piano), and started manufacturing and selling them.

• 1977  Started manufacturing and selling ST series guitars (Stratocaster model).

• 1978  Started manufacturing and selling LS series guitars (Les Paul model) and Upright Piano.

• 1983  Started manufacturing and selling TALBO guitars with aluminum alloy casting body.

• 1984  lost lawsuit concerning the copyright, and they took company reorganization procedure.

• 1985  Succeeded in development of MAT guitar which was made of carbon fiber and glass fiber, and started manufacturing and selling them.

• 1986  Established Tokai Gakki Co.,Ltd..

• 1996  Started reproduction of TALBO guitars.

• 2004  Took out a patent for SEB (Sound Effect Body).

• 2005  Succeeded in development of SEB Sound Stream Series, and started producing and selling them.

• 2011  Started producing and selling TA35 guitar amplifier.

（ by Wikipedia）