1982 Vintage Tokai ST50 Springy Sound Vintage – Spaghetti Logo 'Lawsuit' Classic

This auction is for a Tokai Springy Sound ST50 – an absolute stunner from the legendary ‘lawsuit’ era. Springys are among the most collectable Made In Japan replica guitars and rarely appear on eBay. This one is in exceptional condition – a rare chance to buy the 1982 classic with all the cachet of a vintage guitar but with little of the wear.

This guitar is a faithful replica of the 1964 Fender Stratocaster – down to the 3-ply pick guard and 11 retaining screw design. The only difference is that it came factory fitted with a 5 way selector switch. The pickups are the highly regarded ‘U’ stamped originals – in fact everything on the guitar (except the tremolo arm, which is a replacement) is exactly as it was when it left the factory. No mods.

The guitar is in excellent overall condition and has clearly not been gigged. The Candy Apple Red metallic finish is a gem-like deep ruby red – with a hint of weather checking and one minor bruise to the bottom side (pictured). The body is Sen (Japanese Ash), the fingerboard is rosewood. The pick guard and pickup cover plastics have acquired a vintage off white patina. The bridge saddles are die stamped 'Final Prospec' and the brightwork has an aged patina.

The guitar has the much coveted ‘spaghetti’ style Tokai logo, designed to emulate the Fender logo. More cheekily instead of Fender’s own headstock text 'with synchronized tremolo', the Tokai says 'THIS IS THE EXACT REPLICA OF THE GOOD OLD STRAT.' Subsequent Tokai Strat replicas (such as the Goldstar) changed the wording, omitting the reference to the Stratocaster, presumably to avoid the ire of the US company.

This is a beautiful instrument to play, it has been professionally set up, with all the delicate bell tones and raging attack you would want from a high end Stratocaster – offering the sound of Nile Rodgers, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Hendrix at the flick of a switch. Strat maestro Philip Sayce rates these guitars so highly he uses them as stand-ins for his battered ’63 model called “Mother”. 

The guitar will be shipped with a padded gig bag. This is a guitar for collectors and investors as well as players. It will only appreciate in value if looked after.

This guitar is in the UK, no international shipping costs, no duty, no surprises. If you are based outside the UK please contact me first before bidding.

Anyone seriously interested in buying is welcome to try it out – I am in south west London and very easy to get to. Just e-mail me and we can fix a time.

Best of luck!