Early Robin RV2

[W. Thomison]

From the catalog appears to be a 1982 RV2. Guitar Center special! What an outstanding V neck...has a real vintage Fender feel to it. One I couldn't pass it up for the money. What sustain this baby has..and is very playable. Does anyone know what type of pickups were installed in the RV2 guitars? I have read the early models were made in Japan...the tremolo in this guitar is stamped so. Were the early models made by Tokia, ESP...? It appears to be 99% original. Only exception being the plastic ring around the jack switch. Looks like a previous owner busted the jack switch. Even the tuners are Robin stamped.

Thanks, WRT http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/1131.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/1132.jpg

[Ken Jones]

Any gold logo Robin was MIJ.

Any 21 fret Robin was made by Tokai.

The pickups are "Tokai '57 PAF" models. In other words, Gotoh pickups that Tokai put their sticker on (which Robin peeled off the back of each pickup when the guitars arrived from Japan). These are KILLER pickups. If you ever want to sell the pickups - let me know!

The cracked top by the jack is very common. I would say that 50% of the RV's I've seen are cracked like this. The wood is very thin here, and if you have a cord sticking out and knock the guitar over - well - it's going to break.

[W. Thomison]

Ken, thanks for the info. I agree the pickups are outstanding. Is the hardware Tokai too? The trem unit seems of good quality and the tuners seem to hold the guitar in tune...even when I dive or pull up hard on the trem.

Again thanks for providing me the details. This is my first Robin...but now I'll be looking for more. WRT

[Ken Jones]

All of the parts on these guitars were made by Gotoh. My understanding is that Gotoh made (makes?) about 95% of all the parts for Japanese manufacturers. IIRC, most of the AllParts line is made by Gotoh, too.

If you look at the tuners and bridge saddles on a Tokai "Springy Sound" from this era, they will have "Tokai" stamped on these parts (some Tokais have "Final Prospec" on the bridge saddles) just like the Robins have "Robin" stamped on the parts on their guitars.

[Rodney DeVillier]

Cool....I own the exact same guitar. I bought it used in 1986. It's now very far from original. I have EMG's in it (I feel bad about the guy talking about the pick ups, I threw them away..lol) It's been refretted with jumbo frets and it has a Khaler top mount tremolo. I own a lot of guitars but this is is still my main one...

[Luke]

These are interesting to compare...I guess maybe Ibanez was also working with Tokai?

http://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/4248.jpghttp://robinlovers.com/discus/messages/6/4249.jpg