Tokai Custom Edition TE-75 Black 1980s/90s (RARE!)

A fantastic and increasingly hard-to-find example of the Tokai Custom Edition TE-75, this vintage Black model is a superb example of the more adventurous side of Tokai's Japanese-made instruments. Essentially a Super Tele, the TE-75 takes the familiar Telecaster-inspired body shape and gives it a decidedly more aggressive makeover, pairing it with a sharp Jackson/Charvel-style pointed headstock, a single powerful bridge humbucker and a licensed Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo.

The TE-75 features a wonderfully straightforward control layout, with a single L.WHITE humbucker in the bridge position and one master volume control. It's a brilliantly uncomplicated setup that puts the focus firmly on the character of the bridge pickup, making for a direct, responsive and wonderfully no-nonsense playing experience.

This Tokai is in Very Good condition and, to our knowledge, remains all original with the exception of the saddles on the licensed Floyd Rose Double Locking Tremolo, which have been replaced prior to listing. The high-gloss black finish does show a collection of dings, scratches and general marks around the body, as you would expect from an instrument of this age and particularly with a gloss black finish, but it retains plenty of visual appeal and has exactly the sort of character you would hope to see from a well-played vintage Japanese instrument.

From a playing perspective, this one is a real pleasure. It is currently set up with a beautiful and effortless low action, while the tuning remains remarkably stable thanks to the double-locking tremolo system. The neck feels fast and comfortable in the hands, making this an extremely enjoyable instrument for everything from expressive lead work to heavier playing styles.

And, of course, it sounds superb. The combination of the bridge humbucker, simple master volume control and Floyd Rose-equipped platform gives the TE-75 a wonderfully direct character, with plenty of punch, attitude and sustain. It's a great example of the Japanese manufacturers' ability to take familiar designs and reinterpret them into something with a character all of its own.

As with every new arrival that enters our store, this Tokai has passed through the trusted hands of our on-site workshop team, where it has been thoroughly inspected, professionally set up, and prepared to ensure it is in tip-top shape for its new home and owner.

A rare and seriously cool vintage Tokai Super Tele with a distinctive combination of classic Tele-inspired body styling, aggressive pointed headstock, bridge humbucker and double-locking tremolo. Add in the effortless low action, remarkably stable tuning and superb tone, and you've got a very compelling Japanese-made instrument from the era.