1981 Tokai Cat’s Eyes CE-500CF – Handcrafted in Japan | Solid Top | Excellent Condition | Rare Original Hard Case

The Cat’s Eyes CE-500CF is a beautifully made Japanese dreadnought from the golden era of Tokai acoustic production. Handcrafted in Japan and built with the refined craftsmanship that made the Cat’s Eyes series so respected, this model delivers the classic vintage dreadnought look, feel, and tone that continues to win over both players and collectors.

This example features a solid spruce top paired with rosewood back & sides, giving it a warm, open, and mature voice with excellent projection. Visually, it has that unmistakable vintage Japanese acoustic charm – a clean natural top, dark rosewood body, elegant multi-ring rosette, and understated D28-inspired styling. The rare original hard case is also included, which is a great bonus and adds to the overall appeal of the guitar.

Tonally, this guitar sounds excellent. It has a full and balanced voice with warm lows, clear mids, and sweet trebles, making it equally enjoyable for both strumming and fingerstyle. It responds very naturally and has the kind of mature, open sound that you’d hope for from a well-kept vintage Japanese acoustic.

This guitar is in excellent condition overall, especially for its age. It has been well cared for and presents very cleanly. The neck is straight, the frets are healthy, and the playability is superb with a comfortable low action of approximately 2.25mm on the low E and 1.5mm on the high E at the 12th fret.

🪵 Features

• Year: 1981
• Model: Cat’s Eyes CE-500CF
• Style: Dreadnought
• Top: Solid Spruce
• Back & sides: Rosewood
• Bridge: Rosewood
• Handcrafted in Japan
• Finish: Natural
• Saddle: Bone (upgraded)
• Bridge Pins: Bone (upgraded)

✅ Condition

• Excellent vintage condition
• Very clean overall appearance
• No major structural issues
• Straight neck
• Healthy frets
• Comfortable low action setup: L.E. 2.25mm / H.E. 1.5mm @ 12th fret
• Great sound with a warm, open, and balanced vintage voice

🎁 Includes

• Rare original hard case

Please note: the original hard case may have a slight plastic smell when opened, which is common with Cat’s Eyes original cases. To keep the guitar protected, we will wrap it in a plastic bag before placing it inside the case for shipping.

🎼 Why this guitar?

The CE-500CF is one of those vintage Japanese acoustics that offers far more than its price suggests. With its solid top construction, strong projection, comfortable setup, and classic handcrafted Tokai build quality, it delivers the tone and feel that many players look for in older MIJ acoustics. Add the rare original hard case and excellent overall condition, and this becomes a very appealing example for both players and collectors alike.

🔑 Hashtags / Keywords

#CatsEyes #CE500CF #Tokai #HandcraftedInJapan #MadeInJapan #MIJ #VintageJapaneseGuitar #SolidTop #Dreadnought #OriginalHardCase #RooftopMusicUK