1978 Tokai Cats Eyes CE-1000S Clarence White Model Vintage Herringbone Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar w/ Case
$2,299.99
$2,299.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1978 Tokai Cat's Eyes CE-1000S dreadnought acoustic guitar in near-mint, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. An very unusual and exceedingly rare guitar, the CE-1000S didn’t officially appear in a Tokai catalog until 1981, where it was explicitly advertised as a Clarence White model. Faithfully recreating one of Martin's most storied Pre-War D-28s, this Tokai features the oversized soundhole and bound, inlay-less fingerboard associated with Clarence White's Guitar, an instrument that would achieve greater fame in later decades in the hands of Tony Rice.
Circa 1972, Martin and Tokai began an official partnership, in which Tokai was the exclusive dealer of Martin guitars in Japan, while also producing officially licensed Martin models for the Japanese market under the "Cat's Eyes" banner. On many Cat's Eyes models, the text on the serialized instrument labels would also directly reference Martin, stating "C.F. Martin & Co. Japanese Counterpart" (this branded example predates the labels). The Cats Eyes models are among the finest steel string acoustic instruments to ever come out of Japan, and are head and shoulders above many of their USA-made contemporaries.
This CE-1000S is a D-28 in every respect, featuring a solid spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides, with a mahogany neck and solid ebony fretboard and bridge. A guitar befitting the reputation for extremely fine Japanese fit and finish work, this Tokai Cat's Eyes dreadnought offers a broad, powerful sound, rich and detailed across all strings with a sparkling, dry treble register. The midrange is immediate and dynamic, responsive to both fingers and a flatpick, with plenty of projection on tap. As one would expect from a high-end instrument bearing the Martin seal of approval, this CE-1000S has an ideal blend of overall clarity, warmth, natural bloom, and smooth punch. Weighing 4lbs 14oz, this Tokai has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Soft V, medium depth, measuring .850” 1st fret, .955” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, no inlay
-Frets: Slender, full factory height, faint wear beneath B and high E strings on frets 1-6
-Scale Length: 25.4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Grover Rotomatics
-Serialization: 78-suffix stamp on neck heel block with model info
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce top, Indian rosewood back/sides (all solid)
-Bracing: X
-Hardware: Ebony bridge with bone saddle
-Plastics: Dark red tortoise pickguard
-Marquetry: Herringbone purfling, multi-ply bound oversized soundhole
-Branding: “Cat’s Eyes: C.F. Martin & Co. Japanese Counterpart” brand central to back
Crack-free and well-kept, there is some light speckling in the clear coat on the rims in particular. Cosmetic wear on the gloss finish is limited to light pick scuffing (bass-side soundhole and extending beyond the pickguard) and a handful of finish scratches central to the back, well shy of "buckle rash." The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original black tolex Harptone-style hardshell case with green plush interior is included.
Circa 1972, Martin and Tokai began an official partnership, in which Tokai was the exclusive dealer of Martin guitars in Japan, while also producing officially licensed Martin models for the Japanese market under the "Cat's Eyes" banner. On many Cat's Eyes models, the text on the serialized instrument labels would also directly reference Martin, stating "C.F. Martin & Co. Japanese Counterpart" (this branded example predates the labels). The Cats Eyes models are among the finest steel string acoustic instruments to ever come out of Japan, and are head and shoulders above many of their USA-made contemporaries.
This CE-1000S is a D-28 in every respect, featuring a solid spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back and sides, with a mahogany neck and solid ebony fretboard and bridge. A guitar befitting the reputation for extremely fine Japanese fit and finish work, this Tokai Cat's Eyes dreadnought offers a broad, powerful sound, rich and detailed across all strings with a sparkling, dry treble register. The midrange is immediate and dynamic, responsive to both fingers and a flatpick, with plenty of projection on tap. As one would expect from a high-end instrument bearing the Martin seal of approval, this CE-1000S has an ideal blend of overall clarity, warmth, natural bloom, and smooth punch. Weighing 4lbs 14oz, this Tokai has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 12-53 bronze strings and easy-playing action.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Soft V, medium depth, measuring .850” 1st fret, .955” 9th fret
-Fretboard: Ebony, no inlay
-Frets: Slender, full factory height, faint wear beneath B and high E strings on frets 1-6
-Scale Length: 25.4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Tuners: Grover Rotomatics
-Serialization: 78-suffix stamp on neck heel block with model info
Body Specs:
-Wood: Spruce top, Indian rosewood back/sides (all solid)
-Bracing: X
-Hardware: Ebony bridge with bone saddle
-Plastics: Dark red tortoise pickguard
-Marquetry: Herringbone purfling, multi-ply bound oversized soundhole
-Branding: “Cat’s Eyes: C.F. Martin & Co. Japanese Counterpart” brand central to back
Crack-free and well-kept, there is some light speckling in the clear coat on the rims in particular. Cosmetic wear on the gloss finish is limited to light pick scuffing (bass-side soundhole and extending beyond the pickguard) and a handful of finish scratches central to the back, well shy of "buckle rash." The smooth gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original black tolex Harptone-style hardshell case with green plush interior is included.
