Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Just found out that they are now over here too

http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/index.html

I loved the Thurday Burst since i saw it on the Duncan Forums, but except for that godly 1959 model, i know very little about 'em !

I know their build quality is on par with Gibson, but what else is there to know about 'em ?

Does anyone here own one ? Excluding the Thursday Burst . . .


Thanx

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

I would not make the blanket statement that "their build quality is on par with "Gibson"...

MIJ Tokais are great guitars, some are really great but I'd still opt for a Gibson or a Fender most of the time...

MIK Tokais are good, better than Epi's and such and some of the high end MIK models are really great but again, I'd opt for a Fender or a Gibson...

MIJ Tokai guitars used to be a well kept secret and in the 90's when you could buy a 80's Tokai LP for $500 and an 80's Tokai Strat or Tele for $300 they were STEELS, these days those same guitars are 4 or 5 times that...

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

I would not make the blanket statement that "their build quality is on par with "Gibson"...

MIJ Tokais are great guitars, some are really great but I'd still opt for a Gibson or a Fender most of the time...

MIK Tokais are good, better than Epi's and such and some of the high end MIK models are really great but again, I'd opt for a Fender or a Gibson...

MIJ Tokai guitars used to be a well kept secret and in the 90's when you could buy a 80's Tokai LP for $500 and an 80's Tokai Strat or Tele for $300 they were STEELS, these days those same guitars are 4 or 5 times that...

Oh, no, no, no . . .


. . . i am deff NOT trying to make a blanket statement, non what so ever !

I said that, because i found this one various other sites : their words, not mine !



"The Tokai "Les Pauls" I've tested where significantly better quality and finish than their Gibson counterparts. Being half the price is a bonus. I walked into Marshall's two or three weeks ago with the idea of purchasing a Gibson LP Custom and was shocked and appalled by the poor quality... I think its a cheek and a total ripoff to for a guitar with such poor fit and finish. I'm quite disgusted with Gibson as a brand to be honest. I feel that they're getting away with inferior products at premium prices just because of their name. The salesman's only defense was: If you want quality and finish, buy a PRS, if you want to rock out, buy a Gibson LP. (What absolute BS to cover for a product that more and more people admit are sub-standard more often than not... The Tokai's I've tested where on another level altogether..."


"Tokai is famous for making good quality Gibson Les Paul replicas. They're built like the older Les Pauls (no chambering, weight reduction etc), they also make original designs as well as copies of PRS and Fender guitars.

The vintage range is the entry level Japanese models, these are of similar (some would argue better) quality than the Gibson Les Paul standards/classics etc.

Then there is the Premium Range, the Les Pauls at least are built to similar specs as the Historics you can buy from Gibson, esp once you reach the models labelled LS200 and up. These are also made in Japan.

The Japanese models almost invariably display flawless craftsmanship and factory setups and the Tokais that are reasonably matched to their Gibson-made counterparts are of the order of 1/2 the price you'd pay for the Gibson.."


"I couldn't be happier. It's an awesome guitar. My main gigging guitar. I'm sitting here with my old Gibson Les Paul on my lap and the Tokai gives nothing away to it at all. And the Tokai's closer to '50s LPs than anything Gibson makes except the historic reissues. Tremendous value for money.."


"Those higher end Tokais are competitive with Gibson historics, while the main Japanese line is competitive with the Gibson USA models. So, for example if you wanted another SG - '61 styled - the Tokai SG88 will still probably come in under an SG Standard at US prices, definitely under the '61 SG prices (the Gibson USA model), and a Tokai LS98 Les Paul will hear definitely come in significantly under a Gibson LP Traditional in the US.."

 

[jeremy]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

i have a tokai strat i got from joe that is great. its have some upgrades done but its a fantastic little guitar. i know very little about it. maybe joe can chime in if he knows anything. what i do know is the neck is nice and comfy albeit a little small. the rw board has been re-radiused with a nice fret job and new nut.

its got surfers neck and middle with a custom shop tapped 6.6k/9.6k a2 pup in the bridge

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

I used to own a MIJ P-Bass that IMO owned any current American.

Played a few MIJ strats that seriously impressed me as well.

Tokai rocks!

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

Thanks guys !

Keep 'em comming . . .

 

[guitarrob]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

Interesting, I thought they were just some cheapie that wasn't worth the time for anybody wanting a quality instrument but I wasn't sure because I never tested them.
That being said, I have never seen that many, just a couple LP copies..etc.
Next time I see one, I will try and check it out if I can and plug'er in and hear what they have to offer.

You learn something new everyday.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

ive played 2 tokai strats....one was some kind of L series replica that played and sounded wonderful. One was some kind of cheapo nasty thing.
I think it really depends on the model of axe.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

ive played 2 tokai strats....one was some kind of L series replica that played and sounded wonderful. One was some kind of cheapo nasty thing.
I think it really depends on the model of axe.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

MIJ is still a killer value. I'd take a barebones Tokai LS-92 or whatever over the vast majority of Les Paul Studios and other sub 2 grand Les Pauls , and probably over a bunch of standards too! A low end MIJ Tokai will still only cost you about $1300 imported with a hard case, even less with a gig bag. They have much better fret, and detail work than Gibsons in that price range, they use an ABR1 bridge with correct neck angles, and they have a bigger 59 profile neck. Stuff I wish Gibson did!

The MIK stuff you can have- the ALS series is Alder, which is fine, and they are built well, but since they are scarce here in the states they are not worth importing. Might as well just buy a Schecter, or Epi, or similar and it will end up costing you less.

My old MIJ LS75 put the vast majority of my production model Les Paul standards to shame, not all of them, but most. It was pretty eye opening.