montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 11:40 AM
Just joined Surf Guitar 101 and this is my first post. I acquired what I believe is a 1967 Tokai Gakki Hummingbird electric guitar. I have been all over the internet attempting to find information beyond just a photo. This guitar looks to be a very early version of a Mosrite copy. I have been trying to determine some type of value with no success. I read that some of these may have ended up in the hands of surf music players and thought that a 101 member might have some additional information. Thanks for any help.
Dick
AKA
Reverb
The Men From S.U.R.F. (Secret Underground Retro Fraternity)
www.menfromsurf.com
Last edited: Feb 09, 2014 11:49:16
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 11:46 AM
Welcome to sg101, Dick. Very glad you're here. That's quite a guitar you have. In case no one here knows about your guitar (unlikely) may I share a couple pics with some friends in Japan who might know something? You never know?
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Feb 09, 2014 11:47:07
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 11:52 AM
Hi Noel,
Thank would be great. I did find a 5 digit serial number stamped into the very last fret. Very hard to see but if will help I'll get out the magnified glass.
Dick
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 01:25 PM
Have you seen the entry about the TG Hummingbird on the Guitarz Blog? There's not much information, but it includes a link to a past eBay auction. Now whether eBay prices are realistic or not is another story... BTW, please note that the information supplied re the first of the two guitars being an upside down left-handed model is wrong. They are two different right-handed guitars, both named Hummingbird, as explained here.
You could also try to ask over at the Tokai forum. Doesn't look very active, but it's certainly worth a shot.
Finally, an old trick that might help you read the serial number: lay a thin sheet of paper over it and gently rub the side of a pencil lead on the paper.
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
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Matt22
Joined: Feb 15, 2007
Posts: 2854
Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 02:14 PM
Cool guitar! Looks like the product of a one-night stand between a Mosrite and a Rickenbacker!
Nice! Great links too, LeeVanCleef!
— Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
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The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 02:44 PM
Thanks to all those that have replied so far. Still running down leads. The two listed on guitarz have a little different configuration of switches. tuning keys and tail piece. It appears that this model went thru many changes in a short period of time. Please keep the suggestions coming.
Thanks
Dick
aka
Reverb
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4053
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 05:23 PM
I'm thinking it's an earlier model as some of the parts, pickups, bridge....are not yet Tokai Gakki but from other sources like Zenon and Guyatone.
Those particular gold foil pickups are a Zenon product, the knobs look Kawai.
These guitars came into their final form as Tokai picked up steam as seen in the more Mosrite-ish pickups, different bridge and knobs.
Values can very do to lack of familiarity in the general buying public but the Hummingbird is a rather sought after vintage Japanese guitar so you will see sales ranging from $400.00 up to a little over $1000.00 typically.
Very cool guitar!
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narciso
Joined: Mar 29, 2010
Posts: 324
Spain
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Posted on Feb 09 2014 05:26 PM
I think that the best way to determine its value nowadays is to look for some info in the Japanese market (yahoo auctions and so...). I saw one of them months ago in an auction and it was sold quite cheap, but it was quite beaten. It is a rare guitar.
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insectsurfer
Joined: Mar 22, 2006
Posts: 363
Los Angeles
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Posted on Feb 10 2014 01:49 AM
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 10 2014 09:39 AM
Wow!!! I am really impressed with all the replies to my post about the Tokai Gakki. I feel that I am getting closer to a true understanding of what I might have here but I still welcome any additional info that might be out there.
Thanks Guys. Keep the info coming.
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Feb 10 2014 10:07 AM
Beauty!
As this is a Mosriteish model, I suggest you also try www.mosriteforum.com for maybe some more info.
— The Hicadoolas
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surferjoemusic
Joined: Jan 01, 2008
Posts: 2107
Livorno
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Posted on Feb 10 2014 11:59 AM
Ciao Dick, I recorded half of Senor Surf last summer with a guitar like this. It sounds similar to a Jazzmaster but a bit more aggressive. Its value is about 1000-1200 EUROS... they were worth less money before, but the value has gone a bit up.
All I can say is that this guitar is amazing!
This is what I used. This is a guitar that I would buy.
— Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 11 2014 08:37 PM
Hey Lorenzo,
Thanks so much for all your efforts to keep surf music alive. I watched some video of your 2013 festival today. Looks like a great event and for sure the talent speaks for itself. Would love to attend some day. Also, I was talking with my drummer and he tells me that he has met you at either SG 101 convention or the Tiki event in San Diego the following week. He is a regular attendee for both events. He said to say hi.
Thanks again
Dick
aka "Reverb"
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 11 2014 08:44 PM
Again thanks to all that have replied. I have been in all parts of the world vie cyber space and still nothing exactly like mine. Especially not with the same type of tuning keys. Everything I have found have been metal tuners. My thanks to CrazyAces for shedding a little light on the pickups and knobs. If there is anyone out there that can add to my search please reply.
Dick
aka "Reverb"
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sonni
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 80
Vienna, Austria
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Posted on Feb 15 2014 12:53 PM
as mentioned before, there are quite similar guyatone guitars, some here on this blog
the blogger seems to be quite into freaky japanese guitars, maybe he knows more?
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Feb 15 2014 02:06 PM
The plot thickens...
On this very interesting page, "Humming Bird" is listed as an actual Japanese manufacturer of the '60s, along with the likes of Matsumoku, Kawai Teisco, Fujigen Gakki and Tokai.
Here's what the page says about Humming Bird:
Little-known manufacturer in operation in the early 1960's until 1968. Humming Bird made electrics that were copies of Mosrite guitars. It's possible they also made acoustics.
In light of what CrazyAce said above, maybe the earlier, Humming Bird made guitars were assembled using some parts from other manufacturers (HB being described as a "little known manufacturer", that would explain both this and the fact that the HB guitars are relatively rare). And maybe Tokai bought the HB plant after 1968 and rebranded the HB models? These are just wild guesses, as is often the case with vintage Japanese and European guitars.
In any case I highly recommend the page linked above ("Japanese Manufacturers of Made In Japan Badged Electric Guitars from 1960 to 1980") to anyone looking for some information on vintage Japanese guitars.
EDIT:
sonni wrote:
as mentioned before, there are quite similar guyatone guitars, some here on this blog
the blogger seems to be quite into freaky japanese guitars, maybe he knows more?
Once again, this is just guesswork, but I think the blogger may be confusing the quite similar looking Guyatone and Tokai Gakki badges, and that the guitars pictured on his blog are Tokais, like Dick's. I almost made the same mistake when I first read the original post.
Guyatone logo:
Compare with Dick's picture:
EDIT 2:
Woops, the guitars on the blog appear to be definitely Guyatones... my mistake. But then they're just generally Mosrite-shaped guitars and don't seem to be particularly related to Humming Birds.
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
Last edited: Feb 15, 2014 14:22:08
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 16 2014 01:03 PM
Hey Lee,
This is some of the best info so far. I am spending much time plowing thru all the information. There is so much to review. It is a little mind boggling. I think with the help of all that have replied that I am on the right track. One question that is still unanswered is this. It is looking more and more like Tokai purchased Hummingbird in the early to mid 60's and like Fender Tokai probably didn't want to throw away usable parts that they purchased in the take over. So they just used up those parts that came with the acquisition and when those were exhausted Tokai started redesigning. If that is the case how is it that the badge on my guitar is a Tokai/Gakki and not just Tokai. As yet I haven't seen any partnership association with Tokai & Gakki in the early to mid 60's or for that matter at all. Another thing that makes me think Tokai purchased Hummingbird is that my tuning keys, that appear to be original, look to be more of an acoustical tuning key than an electric tuning key. This might also be more evidence of the purchase of Hummingbird as they appear to be noted more for being an acoustic manufacturer than for their electrics. Well folk, keep those cards and letters coming. This is turning out to be a really fun journey.
Dick
aka
Reverb
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4053
Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Feb 16 2014 01:28 PM
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montecarlo71
Joined: Feb 09, 2014
Posts: 26
Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Feb 16 2014 02:32 PM
Thank you. One more piece of the puzzle answered. 
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Feb 16 2014 04:04 PM
Gakki actually means (in this context) "musical instrument(s)"
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
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