Tokai AST-108 S-Style MIJ Blue Burst Transparent Ash Rosewood Alnico 2 Made in Japan

Tokai Goldstar Sound AST108 BBS/R Blue Burst/Rosewood – 2016

Professor’s Notes

Really outstanding stuff from Tokai’s Contemporary Series. Tight fit and finish, high quality wood and hardware, and great sounding pickups. Sweetly chimey, focused and dynamic, this model manages to have a distinct voice while being undeniably familiar.

Specifications

Weight: 8 lbs 8 oz

Case: Basic Gig Bag

Nut width: 1.65 in

12th fret width: 2.05 in

1st fret depth: 0.84 in

12th fret depth: 0.98 in

Neck profile: U

Body: Ash

Body Finish: Transparent Blue Burst with polyurethane gloss finish

Neck: Canadian Hard Rock Maple

Neck Profile: Medium U

Nut: Cow Bone

Nut width: 1.65 in

12th fret width: 2.05 in

1st fret depth: 0.84 in

12th fret depth: 0.98 in

Scale: 25.5 in

Fingerboard Radius: 9.5 in

Fingerboard: Indian Rosewood

Position Inlays: Pearloid Dot

Frets: 22, Sanko SBB-214(Medium Size) Made in Japan

Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style Gotoh SD91-05M Lx6

Bridge: TE-VB 3-saddle Telecaster

Pickguard: 3-Ply White

Pickups: Tokai TE-Vintage Mk3 P-90 (neck), Tokai TE-Vintage Mk3 Alnico 2 Single coil (bridge)

Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup

Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone

Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome

Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag

Country of manufacture: Japan

Condition

This guitar is conservatively rated as Excellent condition. Built in 2016, it is essentially in new old stock condition, with few discernable signs of use and protective plastic film still on the pickups and pickguard. There is little to no fretwear. The neck is straight with no signs of warping or waviness and the truss rod has plenty of room in both directions. All electronics function as intended.

A thorough multi-point inspection, cleaning and professional setup has been completed. This guitar is setup for medium action with new D’Addario 10-46 roundwound strings, optimal relief, accurate intonation up and down the neck, and dialed in pickup height for the bridge pickup.  A well-padded Tokai gig bag is included as well as the original tools and warranty card. Upgraded gig bag or hard case options are available for an additional fee upon request, please message for details and options.

Overview

The overall look of the AST108 is unmistakably familiar, yet Tokai has managed to give this form a distinct voice compared to its peers. Despite Contemporary Series branding, the AST108 goes back to the Strat’s origins by using ash as the tonewood of choice for the body. Tokai’s transparent blue burst finish brings on deep blue green hues while still highlighting the gorgeous grain of the ash body. Select Canadian hard rock maple and Indian rosewood were chosen for the 25.5-inch scale, 9.5-inch radius neck. Shaped in a classic U-profile, the neck offers generous depth and shoulder with a gradual, comfortable taper from the 1st to 12th frets. This results in a neck that feels solid without excess bulk, familiar and inviting to play for long sessions. You’ll also appreciate the solidity of the incredible build quality and thoughtful hardware appointments: Gotoh SD91-05M Kluson-style tuners provide stable tuning and a classic aesthetic, while the Tokai ST-VK2 Tremolo bridge delivers stable tuning, accurate intonation and abundant sustain.

 Electronics and Tone

Strum the AST108 and you’ll immediately notice an authoritative voice with fantastic piano-like clarity and note separation. Thanks in part to the ash body, note attack is punchy and immediate with a slight lift to bass and treble, but with no shortage of midrange depth and complexity. There is a liveliness and responsiveness to this guitar sorely lacking in comparably priced competitors, rewarding both in terms of playing feel as well as amplified tone.

Traditional Strat-style controls—master volume, neck and middle pickup tone, and a 5-way selector—are paired with excellent Tokai pickups. Pairing wonderfully with this build, Tokai’s ST-Vintage MK3 single coil pickups with Alnico 2 magnets dish out warm, sweet tone, pushing midrange forward slightly, keeping treble in check and contributing to that previously mentioned fantastic note definition. The neck pickup is warm and round, the middle has lovely punch and bite, and the bridge pickup brings forward sweet treble, chime and sparkle. Quality Gotoh and Switchcraft electronic components are used to ensure great tone and reliability.