Tokai guitars.

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3 cent hero

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Are they any good? A buddy wants an LP, can't afford Gibson, will not play Epiphone, so I suggested Tokai. He's looking for more information on them now, opinions on them?



Cheers!
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

The ones that were made in Japan are excellent....try reading the info at www.guitargai.com. There are a number of other brands that are great, too.
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

Japan made Tokai are great guitars.

Go to http://www.tokairegistry.com/ and also visit the forum for more info on Tokai guitars.

Also keep an eye out for other Japan replicas by
Edwards/ESP
Burny/Fernandes
Orville
Epiphone Japan/Elite/Elitist
Greco.


Kent
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

Back in the day before Tokai went legit they would make exact replicas that would say gibson across the headstock and everything. My guitar teacher who nearly exclusively plays Gibsons told me how he could hardly tell the difference.
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

The SG in my Avatar is a '91 made in japan Orville by Gibson 62 SG Re-issue. It is the best playing guitar I own. No lie. It was made in the same factory that the Epihone Elites are currently made in.

:D
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

proxy said:
Back in the day before Tokai went legit they would make exact replicas that would say gibson across the headstock and everything. My guitar teacher who nearly exclusively plays Gibsons told me how he could hardly tell the difference.

As far as I'm aware of they never used Gibsons name. They made total clones and used a script that made it look like the Gibson logo, but it never said "Gibson".

I own two of the clones....amazing instruments.
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

my second guitarist had a tokai SG made in Japan(unsure about the year at the moment).It was definetely an amazing instrument and i wasn't really able to tell big differences to a real gibson. It got destroyed while the whole band was completely wasted,what a shame.
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

Skarekrough said:
As far as I'm aware of they never used Gibsons name. They made total clones and used a script that made it look like the Gibson logo, but it never said "Gibson".

I own two of the clones....amazing instruments.

I don't recall Tokai ever using the Gibson Logo either.
They and other brands did use the Les Paul name though.
Tokai called there's the Les Paul Rebourn.
They didn't have the rights to use Les's name, so they changed it to Love Rock as few years later.

I know there where many Japan replicas that had the headstock stripped.
Then repainted and re-logoed with the Gibson and Les Paul name. Then being pasted off as the real deal.
Few pop up on Ebay like this from time to time.

The high end Tokais are still pretty acturate. Easely on par with the Gibson Historics. These are the LS200 and LS320.
The LS200 does have an ebony board though.
I think looks awesome.


Kent
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

My Korean Tokai Tele is as good as any Tele I have ever put my hands on. Neck is phenominal, perfect fretwork and looks/plays great. Far and away the best cheap guitar I have owned. I bought two and gave one to a friend and it is his #1 as well.
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

I think Tokai's are fantastic value for money.

I have a Korean 335 loaded with a pair of Seths and it is awsome. The build quality is impecable and for £400 with a case it was a steal. The only thing is the pickups are crappy but hey there's nothing better than SD's!

My hubby has a Japanese 1984 Oldie But Goldies strat copy in Firemist gold with a maple neck. Lovely looking guitar! Again next to no money at £315 of Ebay but the pick ups on this one are spot on for vintage tone.

I'd always choose a Tokai or Yamaha over a Gibson as they are much better value for money.

Go have a look on the Tokai Registry and Forums they are another nice friendly bunch with loads of experience.
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

i have a tokai tele from korea like kev's ... it has all the issues you'd expect with a $300 guitar ... but with another $200 (pups, pots, cap, nut, switch, saddles) and some TLC (setup, etc), it plays and sounds at least as good as a guitar 2x the price

if the name on the headstock and a little time and effort to upgrade doesnt bother you, it's possible to get very fine instruments for not a lot of cash

if you ever heard marinblue's cips frmo his tokai 335 with seth's you'd know exactly what we're talking about :D

cheers
t4d
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

My Tokai Love Rock is a phenomenal guitar! The Korean Tokai guitars are great also,just depends on what one you get..
I don't ever recall seeing a Tokai that actually used the Gibson logo...It's either the Love Rock label or rebourn etc...Sounds like somebody put a Gibson logo on your friend's axe?

John
 
Re: Tokai guitars.

STRATDELUXER97 said:
My Tokai Love Rock is a phenomenal guitar! The Korean Tokai guitars are great also,just depends on what one you get..
I don't ever recall seeing a Tokai that actually used the Gibson logo...It's either the Love Rock label or rebourn etc...Sounds like somebody put a Gibson logo on your friend's axe?

John
Nah I'm pretty sure of this.

The story is they would make Gibson clones and sell them as gibsons.
 
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