Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

[jonnymangia]

Guys,

I am GASSING for a Paul and I just can't part with up to $2K right now so I'm going for a lower priced alternative. I've been hearing a lot of good things about Tokai's. Did a search on Ebay and they range from around $500 to about $1500. Which models or years should I be looking for? And as for Epi's, how are the newer ones? Is it just a question of swapping the electronics out to be in the ballpark of an authentic LP?

Thanks!

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

My firend got a Tokai (He's not my firend anymore, hesa douchebag but long story) and he said it was really good (never got to play it because he turned ****tardish a couple days later). As for the Epi's, I've heard mixed reviews.

I say look for used Gibbys man, theres a place near where I live that have some used LP's for like $1500...but theres a hug chance you don't live near me

 

[dani]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

mij tokais.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

Used GIbson... buying a Tokai or Burny is IMO stealing (there´s a reason they aren´t allowed to be sold in the US, it´s called Intellectual Property Theft / Trademark violation).... Or buy a properly licensed copy such as a Heritage

I don´t support stealing music or any other Ideas, sorry....

BTW, you can get a real Gibson (LP Studio) for under 1k as well

 

[big_black]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

Used GIbson... busing a Tokai or Burny is IMO stealing (there´s a reason they aren´t allowed to be sold in the US, it´s called Intellectual Property Theft / Trademark violations )

They are licensed, it's not theft. I'm sure it's part of the licensing agreement- to not sell in the US. There is a reason Gibson doesn't want Tokai/Edwards/etc. over here...they can continue to be substandard.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

AAAH??? I´m 100% sure Tokai was sued in the past......

They may have licensed them out since, but if they´re not selling in the US there´s no "need" to do so (though it would still be proper...)... something tells me they´re still not....

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

There are what people describe as Lawsuit models from the 80's (fantastic guitars 100% replicas down to the very last detail bar the name on the headstock!) but I don't think Tokai were ever sued. Could be wrong - try www.tokairegistry.com and www.tokaiforum.com for more info.

Don't discount Korean Tokais they're great quality and ideal for moding and I'd choose one any day over an Epi

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

I'd try and find a used Les Paul as well. Nice Studio's are a dime a dozen, as are Standards.

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

Tokais and Burnys are the only way to go my friend. Try to find one in a shop around you(I seem them pretty often over here on the West coast). They make high quality(sometimes on rare occasions actually better than the origional) guitars.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

I stand corrected, it seems that there were threats of a lawsuit and then a "gentleman´s agreement"... my bad..

In this case: Used gibson or a good Tokai... great guitars (I´ve played them, but until recently thought that there were licensing issues)

 

[Lee Bob]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

I'd go with the Tokai. I have an Epi LP and it is ok, but definitely required the mods I've made (pups, switch and pots) to make it a giggable guitar. However, my MIK Tokai PRS copy is a fantastic guitar even though it's bone stock. I am currently looking to grab a MIK Love Rock to mod and make my main guitar.

 

[kherman]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

I really like my Diodati guitars.

They are not exact replicas. They have a different headstock and horn shape.
excellent MIJ quality.
They are sold here in the USA by Pete Diodati.
www.diodatiguitars.com

Only thing I didn't care for were the stock Gotoh pickups. I suggest swapping them for your prefered pickup combo.

Another suggestion is the Fernandes Ravelle Deluxe. Very well made MIC guitar. They come stock with real Duncans. Mine has the Jazz/JB combo.

The horn shape actually helps balance the guitar and keep it from shifting when playing sitting down.

Other mahogany neck/body carved maple top thoughts.
Hamer USA Studio
Dean EVO Premium (Czech made)
Brian Moore i2p
Ibanez Artist Prestige(most are maple set neck though)
Yamaha (SG)SBG 2000 or 3000
ESP ECLIPSE II (little thinner body)

Look for them used on Ebay.

For replicas, as mentioned.
Tokai MIJ
Edwards ESP www.espguitar.co.jp
Burny MIJ
Orville/Orville by Gibson
Epiphone Japan/Elite/Elitist
Greco

Ibanez, Yamaha, and Aria Pro made replicas in the 70's and early 80's as well.

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

ok so it seems the Tokai are the way to go for a replica. Is there a diff. btw the MIK or MIJ? And does it matter what year they were made?

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

late 80's and up are really good. Ive never found one from then that I didnt like.

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

Guys,

I am GASSING for a Paul and I just can't part with up to $2K right now so I'm going for a lower priced alternative. I've been hearing a lot of good things about Tokai's. Did a search on Ebay and they range from around $500 to about $1500. Which models or years should I be looking for? And as for Epi's, how are the newer ones? Is it just a question of swapping the electronics out to be in the ballpark of an authentic LP?

Thanks!

IMHO



Epiphone < Tokai Love Rock < Epiphone Elitist


The pickups in the new epiphones are much better than the older ones, but in stores I see a lot more alder bodies from china than from korea. Tokai's are great though.

 

[kherman]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

ok so it seems the Tokai are the way to go for a replica. Is there a diff. btw the MIK or MIJ? And does it matter what year they were made?

Yes, thee is a difference in build between the MIK and MIJ Tokai.
The MIJ are closer to a real LP than the MIK.
MIJ feature:
African mahogany one piece set neck.
African Mahogany 2 piece body.
Carved solid maple top. (LS80f and LS85q feature a flame and quilt veneer over the maple top)
Bone nut.
Indian rosewood fretboard.
Gotoh hardware and pickups.

The LS200 and LS300 use actual Honduran mahogany, actually carved figured maple tops, brazilian rosewood, CST pots, etc...
On par with Historics.

MIK feature:
Hard rock maple neck with scarfed on headstock.
Alder or asian mahogany body.
Carved alder or asian mahogany top with figured veneer.
rosewood fretboard.

Kent

 

[jonnymangia]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

And re: the Epiphone's, it seems that the Custom series is a cut above the rest of the regular line. You guys agree with that? That alpine white model is pretty sweet and would not look bad in my collection!

 

[kherman]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

And re: the Epiphone's, it seems that the Custom series is a cut above the rest of the regular line. You guys agree with that? That alpine white model is pretty sweet and would not look bad in my collection!

Are you talking about the Elitist line?

Then yes!

The Epiphone Elitist are MIJ. Made in the Fuji Gen Gakki and Terada plants.
Feature nicer woods, better electronics, better pickups, bone nuts, etc...than their Korean counter-parts.

Kent

 

[JeffB]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

I have a really nice used LP Std for sale

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Epi Les Paul or Tokai Love Rock?

AAAH??? I´m 100% sure Tokai was sued in the past......

They may have licensed them out since, but if they´re not selling in the US there´s no "need" to do so (though it would still be proper...)... something tells me they´re still not....

Hello buddy....I thought Tokai was sued by Gibson also,but some sources told me they never actually were...I used to frequent the Tokai Registry... www.tokairegistry.com