Tokai ST60 Springy Sound | 1980 Made in Japan

The Tokai Springy Sound is a highly regarded line of Japanese-made Stratocaster replicas produced between 1977 and 1983. Often cited as some of the finest "lawsuit era" guitars, they are celebrated for their meticulous vintage-correct specifications that many players believe surpassed Fender's own American production at the time. The series gained international fame when Stevie Ray Vaughan posed with one on the cover of his 1983 album Texas Flood.
 
1980 is considered the peak of Tokai craftsmanship, and this ST-60 is the "sweet spot" in the range – offering the 2-piece body and high-grade pickups without the massive price jump of the nitro-finished ST-80. This example is a transitional "GS Special" export model, confirmed by the "GS" and "X" stamps in the pickup cavity. The "Oldies but Goldies" decal on the headstock is a hallmark of early lawsuit-era Tokais, substituting for the "Original Contour Body" text found on Fender Stratocasters. The "60" cavity stamp and "E" stamped grey bobbin pickups confirm its high-tier pedigree.
 
1980 Tokai ST60 Springy Sound for sale. Made in Hamamatsu, Japan. Solid Sen Ash body. One-piece maple neck with a period-correct walnut "skunk stripe" on the back. 7.25" radius. Original E-stamp grey bobbin pickups. 3-ply pickguard. Hard case included. 3.2kg.
 
View detailed photos including cavity stamps, pickup stamps and wiring
 
Test it for yourself at our Sydney shop, or we can ship it safely to your door anywhere in Australia. Contact us for a shipping quote.
In stock at Guitar Garage Sydney. $2,800
 
Key Features
Year: 1980
Made in: Japan (Hamamatsu)
Serial: 0015067
Model: ST60 Springy Sound (GS Special export spec)
Finish: Sunburst
Body: Solid Sen Ash (2-piece, premium grade)
Neck: One-piece maple with walnut skunk stripe
Fingerboard: Maple
Radius: 7.25"
Scale: 25.5"
Pickups: 3 x original E-stamp grey bobbin Alnico single-coils
Controls: 5-way switch, Volume, 2 Tone
Bridge: 6-screw vintage tremolo, Tokai stamped saddles
Tuners: Kluson-style nickel
Weight: 3.2kg
Case: Hard case
Condition: Very good vintage condition
Cavity Stamps: 60, GS, X
Pickguard Stamp: A
Headstock Decal: Oldies but Goldies
 
Sound and Tone
Original E-stamp pickups deliver glassy cleans and articulate spank. One-piece maple neck adds zing and brightness. Sen Ash body keeps low end tight and resonant.
 
Feel and Playability
One-piece maple neck with comfortable soft V profile. 7.25" radius. Lightweight 3.2kg. Resonant and balanced.
 
Condition
Very good vintage condition. Small chip on side of body shown in photos. Honest play wear consistent with age. All electronics and hardware are original with untouched solder joints. 60 cavity stamp, E-stamp pickups, and GS/X stamps confirm high-tier export pedigree.
 
Background
The Springy Sound was produced between 1977 and 1983 and is considered one of the finest "lawsuit era" guitars. The ST-60 was a mid-to-high tier model, positioned above entry-level ST-40/50 models. The "E" pickups are hand-wound reproductions of 1954 units. This example features the rare combination of a one-piece maple neck with a 3-ply guard, plus GS/X export stamps. 1980 is considered the peak of Tokai craftsmanship.
 
📦 Ships Australia-wide. View delivery times →
 
See also our other vintage Tokai guitars.
Tokai Love Rock LS136F | 2021 Made in Japan
Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-400 | 1977 Made in Japan
Tokai Jazz Sound Bass | Early 1980s Made in Japan
 
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