Both beautiful guitars. On my headphones personally thought the Gibson sounded richer and sweeter. The Tokai seemed a bit hotter and more mids. Both great guitars tonally. Well done.
I'm a big Gibson fan, but ever since picking up my LS-136F and KLS-165 the quality of those have staggered me. Right up there with the very best, most polished, flawless Gibsons I've played.
You are a great young player and you bring out the best of the guitars you demo! I bought my first Tokai Strat in 82 and still have it so you know where my bias lies! lol. I think here the LP wins. Owned 15-20 Les Pauls but I no longer see the kudos of that name.
One thing that leaps out in the A/B is the high output p/ups vs low. I'd bet money if you put a meter on these you'll find the Tokai p/ups are hotter - despite being PAF design. Easy to hear in the higher register. My SB59-GD would give that Tokai a good run for the (far less) money though ;) It is such a better guitar than any LP I've played in 30 yrs.
4:30 There is no logic employed here for you to suggest that studded makes a better bridge design. Tokai adhere to tradition because it has function and purpose. Gibson adhere to whatever saves them cash.
I think the Gibson sounds better here. I used to have an old Japanese Tokai, i bought it pretty much by accident. I went in to a music shop to buy a gibson and they recommended i try the tokai also. It was night and day i think the model was an LS125f if im rememebering that correctly
Really difficult to judge without knowing their specs. Veneer or solid maple top; made in China or Japan, etc.? I have several Gibson Les Pauls and also several Tokai Les Pauls from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s. I gig 2~3 times a week and use both brands equally. It really comes down to each individual guitar rather than the brand. In fact, if you exchanged the names on the headstock, most, if any, would ever know the difference. Just my opinion . . .
@@hippiebiker3399 yep like my Gibson and Fender but love my Japanese replicas of both sometimes often more !! Just love workmanship where care is clear and obvious
The Tokai is made in Japan 2004. These came with a Tokai hard case, they are close to Custom Shop Gibsons (I have a Tokai Custom LP). The value of that Tokai in the 2024 UK market would be around £1000 (£800 - £1200). The Tokai made in China (which are also amazing guitars, I have 2 ) New cost about £550 and second hand about £350, but don't come with a case. The 2014 Gibson Limited Edition Bookmatch quilt in today's market would be about £3000 (although you will see Reverb/Ebay asking for £3500-£4000). I also have one of these babies too, it was my dream guitar and cost me way more than I could afford at the time.
@@stuartmacdonald5361 great info and love that top !! My first les paul standard I bought new in 1994 and still have it , but 2022 I purchased a tokai LS 200 custom shop 59 replica like greeny but with 5A book matched Canadian maple top and one peice african mahogany body with Indian rosewood … 1600 pounds sterling and it is Gibson custom shop level period at 8 pounds 4 ounces and well flawless … love it !! My lp custom has sentimental value and road worn by me but the tokai is levels beyond period !! Great collection you have !!
Both very nice guitars. Guitars made in Japan are always fantastic instruments. That top on the Gibson is way better than the Tokai though. The quilt dances as you move it, while the Tokia was just static no matter which way you moved it. If you think the Tokia top is better you need some glasses I think.
@@jasonl1942 well a Martin gets as good as great around 6 k but after that it’s all Esthetic s that you pay for … guitar Jewelry etc and you can ride that sort of inlay up 20 grand I’m sure
Ever played the high end custom shop Tokai s ? Master builders … no dissing Eastman as it’s clear they are serious .. just asking as if you have not you really should first and then come back to this question
Who makes the best LP? Neither of these! My Agile 3010, with changed electronics, and a great set up and fret dressing, (still a LOT cheaper), beats both, and definitely my Eastman SB59 is better!
Both beautiful guitars. On my headphones personally thought the Gibson sounded richer and sweeter. The Tokai seemed a bit hotter and more mids. Both great guitars tonally. Well done.
I'm a big Gibson fan, but ever since picking up my LS-136F and KLS-165 the quality of those have staggered me. Right up there with the very best, most polished, flawless Gibsons I've played.
You are a great young player and you bring out the best of the guitars you demo! I bought my first Tokai Strat in 82 and still have it so you know where my bias lies! lol. I think here the LP wins. Owned 15-20 Les Pauls but I no longer see the kudos of that name.
Thank you
Good shit bro. Great playing.. they both sound great
That Les Paul top is obscene. Wow
One thing that leaps out in the A/B is the high output p/ups vs low. I'd bet money if you put a meter on these you'll find the Tokai p/ups are hotter - despite being PAF design. Easy to hear in the higher register. My SB59-GD would give that Tokai a good run for the (far less) money though ;) It is such a better guitar than any LP I've played in 30 yrs.
Probably Alnico 5 vs 2.
Yep they are hotter that’s for sure but still great pups
Great video man!
Sinking the bridge into metal bushings instead of directly into the wood is most certainly not a better design.
That's not true at all. Both are good designs if correctly implemented.
4:30 There is no logic employed here for you to suggest that studded makes a better bridge design. Tokai adhere to tradition because it has function and purpose. Gibson adhere to whatever saves them cash.
they use the direct approach on the custom shops so yeah the tokai has the edge there
I think the Gibson sounds better here. I used to have an old Japanese Tokai, i bought it pretty much by accident. I went in to a music shop to buy a gibson and they recommended i try the tokai also. It was night and day i think the model was an LS125f if im rememebering that correctly
Just tweak the tone controls on the amp and guitars and they will sound the same.........
Really difficult to judge without knowing their specs. Veneer or solid maple top; made in China or Japan, etc.? I have several Gibson Les Pauls and also several Tokai Les Pauls from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s. I gig 2~3 times a week and use both brands equally. It really comes down to each individual guitar rather than the brand. In fact, if you exchanged the names on the headstock, most, if any, would ever know the difference.
Just my opinion . . .
Your right about the logo head stock swap
@@bobbyarthur-yf3yf
Hey Cuz! Didn’t know you were a MIJ fan?! Cool!
@@hippiebiker3399 yep like my Gibson and Fender but love my Japanese replicas of both sometimes often more !! Just love workmanship where care is clear and obvious
What model tokai is that ? What price and what price is the les paul ? Is the tokai a Chinese or Japanese made tokai
The Tokai is made in Japan 2004. These came with a Tokai hard case, they are close to Custom Shop Gibsons (I have a Tokai Custom LP). The value of that Tokai in the 2024 UK market would be around £1000 (£800 - £1200). The Tokai made in China (which are also amazing guitars, I have 2 ) New cost about £550 and second hand about £350, but don't come with a case. The 2014 Gibson Limited Edition Bookmatch quilt in today's market would be about £3000 (although you will see Reverb/Ebay asking for £3500-£4000). I also have one of these babies too, it was my dream guitar and cost me way more than I could afford at the time.
@@stuartmacdonald5361 great info and love that top !! My first les paul standard I bought new in 1994 and still have it , but 2022 I purchased a tokai LS 200 custom shop 59 replica like greeny but with 5A book matched Canadian maple top and one peice african mahogany body with Indian rosewood … 1600 pounds sterling and it is Gibson custom shop level period at 8 pounds 4 ounces and well flawless … love it !! My lp custom has sentimental value and road worn by me but the tokai is levels beyond period !! Great collection you have !!
That is the 120th anniversary of Gibson, not the Les Paul. Holy cow, Batman!!!
Amaaaazing Gibson
Both very nice guitars. Guitars made in Japan are always fantastic instruments. That top on the Gibson is way better than the Tokai though. The quilt dances as you move it, while the Tokia was just static no matter which way you moved it. If you think the Tokia top is better you need some glasses I think.
Does a guitar play better because it looked better?! Is it worth thousands more because it's pretty?! 😂
I think the Gibson looks terrible. I hate really highly flammed guitars though, I much prefer plain tops, the les paul customs and goldtops
You do understand you compare a “vintage” copy to a modern original? 😂😂😂
@@CrazyKnkbthe standard is still a standard with a couple modern features .. still a standard
@@jasonl1942 well a Martin gets as good as great around 6 k but after that it’s all Esthetic s that you pay for … guitar Jewelry etc and you can ride that sort of inlay up 20 grand I’m sure
Actually Tokai was never sued. Ibanez's parent company was though.
Nice Tokai but the Gibson model is Flashier
And several times the price. If you have money to burn, go for it 👍
navigator beats both of them
Gibson vs Tokai 2.0 -- Who makes the best LP?
Eastman
Ever played the high end custom shop Tokai s ? Master builders … no dissing Eastman as it’s clear they are serious .. just asking as if you have not you really should first and then come back to this question
Who makes the best LP? Neither of these! My Agile 3010, with changed electronics, and a great set up and fret dressing, (still a LOT cheaper), beats both, and definitely my Eastman SB59 is better!
リセールバリューを考えたら間違いなくギブソン♪
TOKAIも持ってるけどね♪