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Pricing and availability

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Description

The Tokai Silver Star is a classic solid body electric guitar that brings vintage flair and reliable performance to musicians of all skill levels. Crafted with precision and attention to detail, this instrument is renowned for its authentic vintage tone, drawing inspiration from the golden era of electric guitars. The Silver Star features a sleek design and a comfortable neck profile that makes it easy to play, whether you're strumming chords or shredding solos. Its high-quality materials and craftsmanship ensure durability and excellent sound quality, making it a favorite among guitar enthusiasts.

Equipped with three single-coil pickups, the Tokai Silver Star delivers a versatile range of tones, from crisp and clear highs to warm, full-bodied lows. The 5-way pickup selector switch allows for seamless transitions between sounds, providing musicians with the flexibility to explore various musical styles. The inclusion of a vintage-style tremolo bridge adds an extra layer of expressiveness to your playing, enabling smooth and controlled vibratos.

Whether you're performing on stage or practicing at home, the Tokai Silver Star is a reliable companion that will inspire creativity and enhance your sound. Its classic aesthetics paired with modern playability make it a standout choice for guitarists looking to capture that timeless vibe.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar
  • Three single-coil pickups
  • 5-way pickup selector switch
  • Vintage-style tremolo bridge
  • Comfortable neck profile for easy playability
  • High-quality construction for durability and sound integrity
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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tokai Silver Star.

Features and functionality

  • The Tokai Silver Star comes with a Seymour Duncan JB Junior in the bridge, known for its high-output tone ideal for rock genres.

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  • The guitar includes Japanese Gotoh hardware and A250K pots with a 47nf capacitor for the lead circuit, and an A250K Volume and B50K Tone with a 22nf capacitor for the rhythm circuit.

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Comparisons

  • Owners often compare the Tokai Silver Star's build quality favorably against USA Stratocasters, noting its superior neck shape and playability.

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  • Owners compare the Tokai Silver Star favorably to 1960s Strats, noting it plays as well or better than some vintage models.

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Mods and upgrades

  • The Tokai retains its original neck and middle pickups, providing authentic vintage tones, while the bridge pickup upgrade offers a modern twist.

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  • Owners recommend replacing the lead circuit's A250K Volume pot with an Alpha A500K pot to retain the Jazzmaster 'jangle' without harshness, and using a 33nf NOS Matshushita capacitor.

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  • Replacing the stock jack with a Puretone jack is a suggested modification for improved durability and performance.

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Value and pricing

  • A Tokai Silver Star is valued significantly higher than a Squier Classic Vibe, suggesting a potentially uneven trade in favor of the Tokai.

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  • A 1981 Tokai Silver Star SS-40 was listed at $870 plus $80 shipping, but a sold listing in better condition was found for $500, indicating potential overpricing.

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Build quality

  • Tokai Silver Star TJM-140 utilizes a 25.5" riff sawn Maple neck with a skunk stripe and a Rosewood fretboard featuring a 9.5" radius for enhanced playability.

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  • The 1983 Silverstar has a 7.25" radius neck with small vintage frets and a narrow nut width, praised for its high-quality wood that plays well after 40 years.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Stock string spacing is 55mm with the Gotoh bridge, which can cause outer strings to be close to the fretboard edges, especially noticeable for heavy-handed players.

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User experience

  • The color "Old Lake Placid Blue" is noted for being slightly darker, adding a unique aesthetic appeal compared to typical Lake Placid Blue finishes.

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  • One owner prefers their 1982 Tokai ST60 Springysound over a 1988 American Standard Strat and other electrics, highlighting its exceptional playability.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Mayer uses Tokai Silver Star

John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

...
Verified via Photo

In this Instagram photo posted by John Mayer, he can be seen holding a Tokai Silver Star solid body electric guitar with maple fingerboard and black finish. Photo was posted November 2016. The caption reads:

New for '17 #thesearchforeverything

See how Chris McQueen uses Tokai Silver Star

Chris McQueen

Guitarist

Snarky Puppy

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Verified via Stella-k

Chris McQueen can be seen playing a Tokai Silver Star in several photos from the "Snarky live" feature on Stella-k, where the model is clearly identified on the guitar's headstock.

Album Usage

The Tokai Silver Star has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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Community setups

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Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    rotten77
    rotten77

    Gear IQ 87