Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

The model number mainly. As one of their MIC models, I'd expect the price to be on the low side. For an MIJ, it would be a heck of a lot more, perhaps around $1,100.00 (educated guess based on what they'd charge in the UK) for an LS150, but I don't believe it's one of those.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

I did not know they started building in China. That may not be a bad thing...could be crappy Epi quality, could be pretty darn good - especially at that price. Anyone know/have any recent experience?

As for the high end - SWEET JEEBUS! I have played a couple of those over the years. Werd - not any better than a Greco/Burny/Orville!!!! $1k tops IMO...and not even that. I'd say an Old Tokai is on par with an Epi Elitist depending on the Vintage.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

$65 shipping isn't exactly super cheap either. does it cost that much to fedex a guitar-sized box these days? Looks like a nice axe though - for a straight $350 to $375-ish range.

But when you can get used gibby lp special for as low as $300, I'd go that route....and did!
 
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Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

Burny also has modern lines not made in Japan. And it's difficult to see what is what. Unfortunately not much can be done about the brand name changing into different hands and the new hands then exploiting the old name. Other misleading things happen, too, for example ESP's Edwards line, which does have very good LP style guitars, is almost completely made in China. All the woodworking and paint and frets are Chinese, only final QA and maybe putting in electronics is done in Japan. ESP kind of hides this fact which really rubs me the wrong way.

I think some of these old things are really good, better than regular modern Gibsons, closer to historics. I am lucky owner of a Greco EG-1000C, which I think is the second best model made, and it superb in every way except that although it's a LPC alike they used rosewood for the fretboard.

And of course all old MIJ LPs to be considered are solid and have ABR-1 bridges with ABR-1 posts.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

The newer MIC Tokais are not great guitars IMHO, decent guitars for the price but past that nothing to write home about.

Those $2k+ Tokais are darn near worth every penny...almost every one of those old (early 80's) MIJ Love Rocks I've played SMOKE current Standards, Customs, Trad Pro's or whatever else and most of them will at least hang with Historic and VOS guitars at half the price!
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

Those are actually pretty good guitars! Not for that price though. You can find a real Love Rock used for not too much more.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

Burny also has modern lines not made in Japan. And it's difficult to see what is what. Unfortunately not much can be done about the brand name changing into different hands and the new hands then exploiting the old name. Other misleading things happen, too, for example ESP's Edwards line, which does have very good LP style guitars, is almost completely made in China. All the woodworking and paint and frets are Chinese, only final QA and maybe putting in electronics is done in Japan. ESP kind of hides this fact which really rubs me the wrong way.

I think some of these old things are really good, better than regular modern Gibsons, closer to historics. I am lucky owner of a Greco EG-1000C, which I think is the second best model made, and it superb in every way except that although it's a LPC alike they used rosewood for the fretboard.

And of course all old MIJ LPs to be considered are solid and have ABR-1 bridges with ABR-1 posts.

yeah, they sure DONT mention anywhere that the Edwards are not Japanese made and they have REALLY climbed in price in recent years too. Once you factor in the shipping (for a new one) they are no longer a bargain over brand G.

Dankstar, Yeah, seems to be a growing trend on ebay to jack up shipping. I figure its a way to try to lower ebay fees and also a way to make sure the money is made on the item.. Cuz Ive been seeing some VERY high US shipping chges listed. Esp for old LPs. $100-200 shipping charges.. BUNK!
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

The Burnys with the diamond inlay are the made in Japan ones. The new ones have this squiggly design thing with a dot on top.. I hear those are pretty good still, but I would guess more run of the mill import quality.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

The old Burnys are a fantastic value as far as MIJ goes. They were just cranking them out, too, though you'll pay a good bit of that savings in shipping from Japan. If there was one thing I could change about mine, aside from using rosewood on a Custom copy, it'd be the frets. They're VERY vintage but more vintage Fender than Gibson. Very narrow and not very tall.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

I think the body is basswood/maple and the necks are maple rather than mahogany/maple and mahogany.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

I did not know they started building in China. That may not be a bad thing...could be crappy Epi quality, could be pretty darn good - especially at that price. Anyone know/have any recent experience?

As for the high end - SWEET JEEBUS! I have played a couple of those over the years. Werd - not any better than a Greco/Burny/Orville!!!! $1k tops IMO...and not even that. I'd say an Old Tokai is on par with an Epi Elitist depending on the Vintage.

My understanding is that the raw bodies and necks are made in China and then shipped to Japan for finish and assembly. Even so, the price looks to be to low if it's in good condition. Chinese fake? And, I agree the prices on the high end ones seem over the top.
 
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Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

The Edwards are also painted in China, although final assembly happens in Japan. I don't think there's a fret level in there, not sure. That is the information you get when you call their hotline and ask. As reported at the time on MLP and other forums.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

could be crappy Epi quality

change epi to gibby and you will have something there. to be fair though the music stor i work at actually has one of these tokai love rock guitars, japanese made, trans amber cherry back nice flame maple top, and when compared side by side with a 2000 gibson les paul ( also in the shop) the love rock beats the gibby hands down. the stock pups in the gibby sound like crap compared to my epis pups but i also have to factor in 80's dimarzio pups that are in the tokai which i dont care for dimarzio, never have and never will.
 
Re: Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

I own a newer MIJ Love Rock with P90s

Excellent guitar. Gives my Gibson R8 a run for its money really.

It's like $900 but I got it on sale for like $600, real good deal.
 
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