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The Tokai Forum are pretty much the font of all knowledge for these - friendly bunch too.
http://www.tokaiforum.com/
1980 Tokai LS-80
I seem to remember that the model numbers refer to the list price so LS85Q would have listed at 85000 yen or something like that, so the same model number can be quite different depending on the year. Not sure if this helps at all.
They are poly not nitro if that matters to you?
They tend to be a little heavier than the Gibsons and the necks are leaning more towards the 60s than the fatter necks
I sold a 2010 LS85Q with Duncans, Grovers, 50s / CTS loom and an alu tailpiece for around £550 a couple of years back. I think I'd bought a Gator case for it to, so that was part of the deal
I'd say that it didn't feel as 'substantial' as my Gibsons, but it sounded just as good.
I think the price is right
I also think it is probably nitro -their nitro finishes look very poly like because apparently they get a nitro coat on top of poly which seems a bit strange.
The tokai is better made, looks better, better finish, better feel.
The gibson is lighter and is a perfectly good guitar. It also smells nicer!
Being a short fat bloke I tend to use the Gibson for gigs more than the Tokai but If I had to keep one for playability I would keep the Tokai,
It is absolutely fantastic and is level pegging with my Strat as my most-used guitar. And it was £350 used, with a hardcase AND aftermarket DiMarzios. Bargain of the century.
I have a Tokai LS150 and high end Tokai R4 replica. Both fantastic, especially the R4. I remember being really nervous when ordering a Tokai and strangely disloyal to Gibson but forgot all about it when I opened the box. I did upgrade the pickups but given that you can get mojo/oil city/deacci at good value it’s a good problem to have.
I might look at selling my LS150 to explore the MIJ tele or strats if anyone's interested.