UberMetalDood
New member
Are they any good? A lot of people seem to talk about them and youtube is full of great sounding Tokai vids. What gives?
Where do people get Tokai guitars?
- Thread starter UberMetalDood
- Start date
TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
Ebay. And yeah they're awesomely built. Had an old 80's Tokai P-Bass copy that I lost on a loan. I still regret it.
Ebay. And yeah they're awesomely built. Had an old 80's Tokai P-Bass copy that I lost on a loan. I still regret it.
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
Yeah, there's a store here that carries them too. It depends whether you want a new one or an older one. The new ones are pretty sweet but I've heard the older ones are better. The only option for that is Ebay, pawn shops, CL, the usual suspects really.
Yeah, there's a store here that carries them too. It depends whether you want a new one or an older one. The new ones are pretty sweet but I've heard the older ones are better. The only option for that is Ebay, pawn shops, CL, the usual suspects really.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
You need to keep in mind that there is huge variety in Tokais.
Just for starters if you want a wine red Les Paul Custom you get two base models with alder body and general trashy hardware and a top-notch model that can be very expensive.
Vintage Tokais are a little easier to understand than Greco and Burny since Tokai is an actual manufacturer (actually built many Grecos and Burnies), so for a high-quality instrument you usually know who made it. Tokai buys cheaper guitars from trash shops, though, at least occasionally.
I ordered several vintage MIJ Les Pauls from Japanese sellers on Ebay and had no problems. I don't touch the new stuff.
You need to keep in mind that there is huge variety in Tokais.
Just for starters if you want a wine red Les Paul Custom you get two base models with alder body and general trashy hardware and a top-notch model that can be very expensive.
Vintage Tokais are a little easier to understand than Greco and Burny since Tokai is an actual manufacturer (actually built many Grecos and Burnies), so for a high-quality instrument you usually know who made it. Tokai buys cheaper guitars from trash shops, though, at least occasionally.
I ordered several vintage MIJ Les Pauls from Japanese sellers on Ebay and had no problems. I don't touch the new stuff.
kramer.geetar
New member
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
I bought my 1984 Tokai Goldstar Sound Strat earlier this year locally. I had it on sale on here because I was GAS'ing for something else but no one picked it up. Now I'm on the fence about selling it because looking at the quality and so on its a great guitar. Its got bumps and bruises but stays in tune perfectly and feels great, just needs a partial refret.
I bought my 1984 Tokai Goldstar Sound Strat earlier this year locally. I had it on sale on here because I was GAS'ing for something else but no one picked it up. Now I'm on the fence about selling it because looking at the quality and so on its a great guitar. Its got bumps and bruises but stays in tune perfectly and feels great, just needs a partial refret.
Johtosotku
New member
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
I buy them at my local shop.
That said, I do understand they're rare in the US. Check ebay etc. I'd recommend only sticking to the japanese ones.
I buy them at my local shop.
That said, I do understand they're rare in the US. Check ebay etc. I'd recommend only sticking to the japanese ones.
F
fartmonkey
Guest
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
I have a mid range Love Rock from the 90's and its a fantastic guitar.
I've moved away from LP style guitars but I'm always impressed whenever I play it. Straight into my old JMP and it sounds just beautiful.
I have a mid range Love Rock from the 90's and its a fantastic guitar.
I've moved away from LP style guitars but I'm always impressed whenever I play it. Straight into my old JMP and it sounds just beautiful.
F
fartmonkey
Guest
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
Oh and like mentioned, I've heard its generally a good idea to stay away from the lower end budget models (I think they are Korean made). Needless to say, they are probably still suitable for the occasional strummer.
I've also heard the top-notch models put Gibson custom shop LP's to shame, though i can't confirm that myself as I've never played one.
Oh and like mentioned, I've heard its generally a good idea to stay away from the lower end budget models (I think they are Korean made). Needless to say, they are probably still suitable for the occasional strummer.
I've also heard the top-notch models put Gibson custom shop LP's to shame, though i can't confirm that myself as I've never played one.
Lu_B
New member
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
New lower end models are made in China these days, I think you get what you pay for.
Korean models are great guitars, my Tokai 335 is one but did need a pickup swap to get the best out of it, Seth Lovers did the trick and introduced me to the world of SD's! For me its the 1 guitar l will never ever sell. Have also owned Korean ES175 and a Ricky copies, nowt wrong with them just never bonded.
Japanese guitars are top notch and a fraction of the price of their branded contempraries. My 2002 SG came loaded with gibson 57's when I bought it and have never had a reason to swap the pickups. Think my LP is 2002/03 Cherryburst in Satin was a £200 bargain from the bay.
Have had a couple of 80's strats pass through my hands, brilliant guitars but I'm not really strat person so both were sold to pay for something else!
Beware of the bay, there are plenty of fakes, canadian copies and things described very incorrectly.
If you are interested in Tokai's join the Tokai Forum and get them to verify ebay items, they've saved my bacon on more than one ocassion. They also have a classifieds section, my SG came from there.
Richtone is one of the larger Tokai dealers in the UK for new and stock virtually the entire range.
New lower end models are made in China these days, I think you get what you pay for.
Korean models are great guitars, my Tokai 335 is one but did need a pickup swap to get the best out of it, Seth Lovers did the trick and introduced me to the world of SD's! For me its the 1 guitar l will never ever sell. Have also owned Korean ES175 and a Ricky copies, nowt wrong with them just never bonded.
Japanese guitars are top notch and a fraction of the price of their branded contempraries. My 2002 SG came loaded with gibson 57's when I bought it and have never had a reason to swap the pickups. Think my LP is 2002/03 Cherryburst in Satin was a £200 bargain from the bay.
Have had a couple of 80's strats pass through my hands, brilliant guitars but I'm not really strat person so both were sold to pay for something else!
Beware of the bay, there are plenty of fakes, canadian copies and things described very incorrectly.
If you are interested in Tokai's join the Tokai Forum and get them to verify ebay items, they've saved my bacon on more than one ocassion. They also have a classifieds section, my SG came from there.
Richtone is one of the larger Tokai dealers in the UK for new and stock virtually the entire range.
Bass_Medic_05
Purveyor of Low End
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
+1 Ebay or pawn shop.........Although I have never owned one my friend has a Tokai Les Paul, and he swears by it.
+1 Ebay or pawn shop.........Although I have never owned one my friend has a Tokai Les Paul, and he swears by it.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
I bought a Limited Edition 2001 59 Les Paul Replica Tangerine Burst Tokai...Mine was bought from Canada...From a few feet away,you can't tell it's a Tokai Love Rock..Just a very pretty,great playing axe...I stuck a set of Seth Lovers in it...I'm not a LP guy,but once in awhile I do enjoy playing this one...Plus it's a lefty to boot..It wasn't an inexpensive Tokai and I'm holding onto it.
I bought a Limited Edition 2001 59 Les Paul Replica Tangerine Burst Tokai...Mine was bought from Canada...From a few feet away,you can't tell it's a Tokai Love Rock..Just a very pretty,great playing axe...I stuck a set of Seth Lovers in it...I'm not a LP guy,but once in awhile I do enjoy playing this one...Plus it's a lefty to boot..It wasn't an inexpensive Tokai and I'm holding onto it.
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STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
Some E Bay examples currently..
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=tokai+guitar&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Some E Bay examples currently..
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1311&_nkw=tokai+guitar&_sacat=See-All-Categories
kherman
New member
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
Here's a few Japan stores that will export.
Kurosawa
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/instrument/1
Watanabe
http://www.watanabe-mi.com/shopping/list/0/1073/1/
Ishibashi
http://www.ishibashi-webshop.jp/shop/c/c10/
check out their U-Box section.
You can score some great deals on used guitars.
Ikebe
http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/category/category2.php?category_id=1&=1
Tokai website (to learn about series and specs).
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/
Traditional series is MIK/MIC.
Vintage Series is the start of MIJ. Usually poly finishes, plain maple tops with figured veneers, medium neck tenon, and can have multi-piece backs.
SEB series is MIJ. Feature tone-core centers.
Premium Series is MIJ. Nitro finishes, higher grade electronics, real tops, no veneers, 1 or 2 piece backs, long neck tenon. More on par with Gibson RI series.
Other Japan market guitars to look at.
Edwards (ESP)
Navigator (ESP)
Burny (Fernandes)
Orville & Orville by Gibson.
Epiphone Japan.
Epiphone Elitist.
Bacchus (Duke series).
Yamaha (Studio Lord series).
Aria Pro (Leo Parade series).
Greco.
Ornetts.
Cool-Z.
One thing to know about Japanese model names.
Example: Tokai LS150. (Les Paul Standard stlye, 150,000 yen).
As prices go up, so does the model names.
That '09 LS150 is now called the LS160 for '10.
The Tokai Registry
www.tokairegistry.com
and
JapanAxe.
http://forum.japanaxe.com/phpBB3/
and
My Les Paul forum.
http://www.mylespaul.com/
Are great places to learn about the different MIJ clones.
Here's a few Japan stores that will export.
Kurosawa
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/tags/instrument/1
Watanabe
http://www.watanabe-mi.com/shopping/list/0/1073/1/
Ishibashi
http://www.ishibashi-webshop.jp/shop/c/c10/
check out their U-Box section.
You can score some great deals on used guitars.
Ikebe
http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/category/category2.php?category_id=1&=1
Tokai website (to learn about series and specs).
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/
Traditional series is MIK/MIC.
Vintage Series is the start of MIJ. Usually poly finishes, plain maple tops with figured veneers, medium neck tenon, and can have multi-piece backs.
SEB series is MIJ. Feature tone-core centers.
Premium Series is MIJ. Nitro finishes, higher grade electronics, real tops, no veneers, 1 or 2 piece backs, long neck tenon. More on par with Gibson RI series.
Other Japan market guitars to look at.
Edwards (ESP)
Navigator (ESP)
Burny (Fernandes)
Orville & Orville by Gibson.
Epiphone Japan.
Epiphone Elitist.
Bacchus (Duke series).
Yamaha (Studio Lord series).
Aria Pro (Leo Parade series).
Greco.
Ornetts.
Cool-Z.
One thing to know about Japanese model names.
Example: Tokai LS150. (Les Paul Standard stlye, 150,000 yen).
As prices go up, so does the model names.
That '09 LS150 is now called the LS160 for '10.
The Tokai Registry
www.tokairegistry.com
and
JapanAxe.
http://forum.japanaxe.com/phpBB3/
and
My Les Paul forum.
http://www.mylespaul.com/
Are great places to learn about the different MIJ clones.
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STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
Keeps the righthanded guy's paws off my awesome axes! ;o)
Yeah, gorgeous! Too bad it's backwards...
Keeps the righthanded guy's paws off my awesome axes! ;o)
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: Where do people get Tokai guitars?
YOU'RE backwards.
Yeah, gorgeous! Too bad it's backwards...
YOU'RE backwards.
