Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

[stringbender11]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

If the Tokai actually is MIJ it should be a killer guitar, but I'd still go with the Gibson. The Tokai ultimately is a copy. When spending that kind of money I'd want an original Gibby LP. Not everyone feels the same as me of course.

Oh and my other suggestion is to buy both.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

If the Tokai actually is MIJ it should be a killer guitar, but I'd still go with the Gibson. The Tokai ultimately is a copy. When spending that kind of money I'd want an original Gibby LP. Not everyone feels the same as me of course.

Oh and my other suggestion is to buy both.

I'd actually go with the Tokai if it were up to me.

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[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

It's interesting to see all the Tokai love here. They're so common here I've never thought of them as anything special. Or maybe it's that sensibly priced Gibsons are so rare.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

I didn't own a Tokai but I am a huge fan of MIJ Les Pauls and own more of them than Gibsons.

I am highly sensitive to overly modern ones when some brand names got reused for non-MIJ stuff (Burny, unfortunately) and overly poly finished ones.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

It's interesting to see all the Tokai love here. They're so common here I've never thought of them as anything special. Or maybe it's that sensibly priced Gibsons are so rare.

There's definitely more guitar per dollar with a Tokai, Edwards, Burny, etc., especially MIJ, than with Gibson. Hell, some Chinese Epiphones are better than SOME Gibson. LOL

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[treyhaislip]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

Update . . . looks like i am leaning toward the plain top Tokai for now.

I will be in the US again, from August onwards.

I will rather buy a Gibson then, when i am in the country where they are much cheaper on the used market.

I agree absolutely! You can get a used one much cheaper here in the states.

Some guys may knock the Gibson Les Paul Studios, but I had 2 of them–Burstbuckers in one and Ceramics in the other. Paid $600 for the first and $550 for the latter (both had hardshell cases.) I would say they played just as good as the Classics I've played. I loved the sound; however, my Studios did not have a maple top. Just a thought...

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

I agree absolutely! You can get a used one much cheaper here in the states.

Some guys may knock the Gibson Les Paul Studios, but I had 2 of them–Burstbuckers in one and Ceramics in the other. Paid $600 for the first and $550 for the latter (both had hardshell cases.) I would say they played just as good as the Classics I've played. I loved the sound; however, my Studios did not have a maple top. Just a thought...

9 outa 10 times i prefer an LP-shaped guitar withOUT that Maple cap myself.

AFAIK, all the LPJ's are all-Mahog. No Maple.
Like this GT i nearly bought at a San Fran Guitar Center last year.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

There still is a difference between no cap (flat top) and a mahogany cap like historic 57 customs have.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

The Tokai customs, LC-series, have a mahogany cap.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

There still is a difference between no cap (flat top) and a mahogany cap like historic 57 customs have.

True !

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

Did you get either one?

After getting a second MIJ Tokai LP myself and having tried both a bit older and newer ones out I can vouch to them all having been quality guitars. I wouldn't worry about ordering one unseen if I got a good deal.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

Did you get either one?

After getting a second MIJ Tokai LP myself and having tried both a bit older and newer ones out I can vouch to them all having been quality guitars. I wouldn't worry about ordering one unseen if I got a good deal.

If all goes good, i will have the Tokai in the 1st week of July.

 

[bladefrenzy]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

I love the Tokais. Gibson can be amazing. But I think Tokai are more consistant. Btw... is that a sticker on the Tokai pickguard that says lacquer?

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

I love the Tokais. Gibson can be amazing. But I think Tokai are more consistant. Btw... is that a sticker on the Tokai pickguard that says lacquer?

YUP, deff a sticker that can be removed.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

Ima just gonna say be careful. The Tokai cool factor is based on Tokai's of yore. The newer ones vary. > 2000 means play first and listen carefully.

Ingeneral though, they are going to be the way better buy vs Gibson, and probably 90% of the mojo either way.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

I am just gonna say be careful. The Tokai cool factor is based on Tokai's of yore. The newer ones vary. > 2000 means play first and listen carefully.

Ingeneral though, they are going to be the way better buy vs Gibson, and probably 90% of the mojo either way.

Thanx Aceman !

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

Ima just gonna say be careful. The Tokai cool factor is based on Tokai's of yore. The newer ones vary. > 2000 means play first and listen carefully.

Ingeneral though, they are going to be the way better buy vs Gibson, and probably 90% of the mojo either way.

Have you played many of the newer ones? I think I've tested a dozen or so made in the last ten years and all of them have been good.

 

[SJ318]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

To Aceman, mildly off topic:
A. I would get the Tokai absolutely.
B. Why are some markers green like that on a lot of Gibsons, I bought a '61 SG re-issue and noticed later some of the markers were green. I still kept it, as the price was really too good to pass up. Used W/a couple of hard to see scratches.
If the sun would bleach them whiter, would not a cheap black light do the same? UV, correct?
Steve B.

 

[jmoore5000]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

As a Gibson Les Paul Traditional owner I would have to say get the Tokai. Mosey over to any of the Les Paul forums and you will get a ton of info on 'other les pauls'. Also the 60's neck might be a factor for you. My trad plus has a thicker '50's style neck which is what the Tokai more than likely has, and even with smaller hands the 60s neck felt kind of dainty. Plus you could always use the extra dough for amp, effects, etc. Final note: price. As both of these are used pieces I wouldnt pay more than 850 for the Tokai , for the Gibson 1350 tops for ebony or goldtop 1450 tops for any other 'burst' finish. Good luck, check ebay, gbase, other guitar forums if you arent sure of price, you get a better idea of what certain guitars can sell for.


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[jmoore5000]

Re: Gibson VS. Tokai . . . looking for the the best value for my money.

To Aceman, mildly off topic:
A. I would get the Tokai absolutely.
B. Why are some markers green like that on a lot of Gibsons, I bought a '61 SG re-issue and noticed later some of the markers were green. I still kept it, as the price was really too good to pass up. Used W/a couple of hard to see scratches.
If the sun would bleach them whiter, would not a cheap black light do the same? UV, correct?
Steve B.

IIRC Gibson made the markers green because gibson wanted simulate an aged guitar. Some claim the material oxidized, others call bs on that theory. Personally the yellow/green inlays never did it for me.


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