I have a couple of vintage Tokais from 1981. And a boatload of knowledge from research. Mostly RUclips and forums. And there are very view people that don't like them that have actually owed them. They for the most part love them and say they are amazing. Especially the 1981 and older ones. My experience is with the Les Paul and ES-335 copies. From 78' to 81' they were using old growth wood very similar to the golden era Bursts. 1958 to 1960 Les Pauls. When I first started shopping and researching and researching Les Pauls, I was interested in get that Golden Era tone. I couldn't afford $200,000 so I started looking for reasonably priced options. Gibson had a reputation of being hit and miss. Mostly, and from what I read, like 85% miss. The word on the street was you better play it first or chances are you will be getting a dud. My research took me down a huge rabbit hole in studying the old Bursts and what made them so good. The wood and the PAF pickups won the majority of the reasons and I came to find out that the wood can not be had anymore because of the Cities regulations put on it. Also that the old growth supply of the woods they used was pretty much all harvested to the point of extinction. The pickups were an entirely other deep rabbit hole in why it is almost impossible to copy. Exact types of wire, coatings on the wire, how many turns on the bobbin, magnets etc. And some of the magic tone is from the pots and caps and how they are wired. Gibson started getting better and they had a CS True Historic line that came out in 2016 that were getting great reviews. Yet to get one of those you would have to shell out 4k plus. Now those are hovering around twice that and much more for really nice examples. In my research these Tokai guitars kept coming up. The name sounded weird to me at first and I was hesitant to even dig deeper into them. But all other sources were depleted and I dove down that rabbit hole pretty much as a last ditch effort. And am I glad I did. Knowing that the good wood was only available on them in the first 4 years of production I starting shopping for Les Paul copies by them in that date range. They were known for all being very consistent. You had 90% chance of getting a great one so ordering without playing one was almost risk free. Then I began to see that they are as rare as hens teeth to find locally in the US. And when you did, the upper line one were up there in price. They had several lines. LS-50, 60, 80,100, 120 then the really nice 150 and 200's. Now the word was the electronics and pickups were junk, but the husk were amazing. An LS-60 showed up on Craigslist about 50 miles from me and I went and bought it. It needed a setup very badly. Which is why it probably even was put up for sale. I gave it fret leveling and changed out the pots, caps, switch and jack, wired 50's style. I kept the pickups but was planning on getting some boutique ones later. Turns out I have no intention of changing the stock pickups that it came with. Its a gem. It put to shame every Les Paul it has battled. The only things I hate about it, being a lower line, is it has a Poly finish and a 2 piece back and it is 10lbs. The line above mine, the LS-80, is when the start having one piece backs and Lacquer. Tokais lacquer does not age like the old Gibsons though. It doesn't amber and check. But the guitar sounds amazing. My other Tokai is a upper line ES-150. They say they made some ES-200 models but no one has ever seen one that I have been able to find. And yes, Tokai did invest in Bursts and 59 thru 61 ES=335's that they dissected and made exact copies of the husks. I heard their modern guitars are good and compared with Gibsons modern guitars, Standards, and some of their upper lines beat out the Custom Shop. I don't know. I am in only interested in their first year productions. They have gone way up in price since I bought mine. The ES-150 are 3300 and the LS-200's are 10k plus. My 60 was 1200 4 years ago and are now fetching 2k and more if you can find one. They are more available in Japan but I would never buy a guitar from their because they almost never provide good pictures and full descriptions. Both mine are not only good, they are gems.
Could not agree more, John. I've owned 3 Tokai Love Rocks (and am currently lusting after the gold top like you have there) and I think they are without a doubt some of the finest guitars you can buy, for any amount of money. They are consistently superb. Their QC and finishing are excellent. In fact, with the exception of the slight depreciation in resale value vs. a Gibson, I'd pick the Tokai hands down. My only complaint, if there is one to be had, is that the humbucking pickups in the current Love Rock models aren't quite up to snuff with their Gibson counterparts. But the cost to replace them STILL doesn't put you anywhere near Gibson prices. And as Strats/Teles, or any other model they make, I'd have the Tokai version over the original without question.
Imo, Tokai's are better both value and in sound, than gibsons. They are just made so much better. Ive handled a lot of gibsons since my dad repairs a lot of guitars in my city and none of them compares to 3 tokai LP's that we repaired.
Tokai Premium Series have now gone up a bit (like all brands, not to mention Gibson) but they are excellent guitars, very well built with a thin layer of polyurethane and nitro clear. I have an LS196 EF HDC Reborn Old 2019 and an LC230S BB 2020 Both second-hand and practically new and at a good price. Excellent guitars!
I’ve owned a 1998 TOKAI Love Rock (LS70-F, Japanese-built) for about four years now; it’s the most gorgeous flametop vintage ‘burst I’ve ever seen, modeled after the ’59 model (judging by the neck shape.) Long neck tenon, bone nut, bridge posts threaded directly into the body (NOT a metal ferrule) just like the original, all the specs for a battle-worthy axe. With the addition of a set of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups and a set of locking keystone tuners, it is EVERY bit the equal to an actual ’59 I had the pleasure to play on tour many years ago. Today, in the service of my recording sessions and occasional live jaunt, it is (and will remain) my daily driver, unmatched by anything else I own. Snooping around for the 335 version nowadays👍🏼
Great video and good advice. I purchased my first brand new Gibson Les Paul back in 1977, I've owned many since then. 2 months ago I purchased a Tokai Custom Order Les Paul R4 from a store in Japan and couldn't be happier. The guitar has the same specs as a Gibson R4 Historic at about half the price. Best part, this Tokai came with Sanko Jumbo Frets! My next purchase will be a Tokai ES-335, hopefully a used one.
I've had two 80s goldstars and now have a flawless 2001 loverock. Tokai,,,,I luvvem. Incidentally, I think your playing is simply stunning. You put me in mind of Chris Buck.
Absolutely. I bought a 2008 UES-135(ES-335) years ago and it’s still the best guitar I’ve ever played and one that I’ll never sell. The wood selection is amazing. Crazy enough, I’ve never had the need to adjust the truss rod since the day I got it. It’s that stable. The only thing I had to do was rewire it to 50’s style so that the volume is useable.
I currently own 3 MIJ guitars…Japanese craftsmanship is in its own league…I would own a Tokia in a heartbeat if I could find one that wasn’t beat to hell…thats a tough search!!!!
I love Tokai. I have 1981 tele with trem HH and "the strat" copy st70 limited. sounds really really great. I have fenders from 90's and newer mij ones but, the depth and wideness of the sound of the old tokai stuff is really good.
I snagged a 1430 Love Rock from ebay for a lot less than what they are going for from dealers. The only major difference between it and my 78' LP Custom Sunburst would be the fact that it's not a nitro finish and there is some quality spec difference with the fretboard inlays. The ones on the Gibson have a deep luster, not so much the Tokai. The action and fretboard are damn close, although the 78' is a flatter neck, as the Tokai is a 58' clone with a rounder profile. The frets are lightly stained/finished which makes for a smoothe, fast feel and a handsome grain. I think that is more in line with a 50's neck as well. Lately, since I switched out the pickups and changed to 50's wiring I have been picking up the Tokai more than I do the 78'.
I remember going to Earls Court many years ago (in the 80s) and spending some time, as an exhibitor, on the Tokai stand. Their Strat style guitars were awesome and really very affordable (£600). I wish I'd bought one then and kept it. I nearly bought one a few years ago in Bath. Brilliant guitars.
I've had many Les Pauls over the years. I bought a Tokai Gold Top LS 196 a few years ago and it's a wonderful guitar, better than the LP's I've had. The quality and fit and finish are far beyond Gibson. The long neck tenon fitment it so tight and perfect. The RW board is beautiful and the fret work is great. And I paid $1400 new. Gibson, other than CS, wishes they could make as good a guitar.
I'm about to buy a second hand Tokai SG from a local shop and goddamn. The tokai plays and sounds better than a brand new Gibson! It's been modified a little so it's way cheaper as well and I Don't really care for a little paint chipping
I own a Japanese Tokai Loverock and SG. I own fenders, prs’, and Heritage. Japanese Tokai’s are incredible guitars and what a value. The only thing that I don’t like about the is the small fret wire. Some of the best fretwire I’ve played just wish they were medium jumbos.
I bought myself a Tokai "les paul" new a couple months ago, and it's great. I personally am not a fan of Gibson partly because of the QC issues you mentioned, but mainly because of some the stories of their business practices I've read/heard that just don't sit well with me.
I'm primarily a Strat guy but wanted a LP for a long time but didn't want to pay Gibson prices so a Tokai Love Rock was high on my list but I found a Japanese made Burny Super Grade dirt cheap. Does all the LP stuff I'd ever want so well. Andy Latimer of Camel, one of my fav players, gets the most ridiculous tones out his Burny BTW John, your tracks are so good I'm hoping your working on an album of your own at some point
I had a 2021 MIJ Fender which out of the box had open string buzz issues. It had to go back to the well known UK vendor. I thought that JAPAN guitar factories had world class quality control. I guess it all depends on the model these days.
I have an '81 LS60. I replaced the PCB with a 50's harness and the stock Gotoh pickups with Stan Hinesley Legacy Pickups, (these I've had for a number of years now). I bought the guitar through a Japanese proxy site, (Rinkya if memory serves me right), about 6 years ago. Here in Australia, Tokai guitars are available, but rather expensive...both the Japanese and Chinese models.
I love the tokai range.I managed to snare one in Australia new last year . The 50’s breesey sound t style and it’s a a cracker. I also love and play everyday a mij power jazz bass from the 80’s and it’s the best bass ever. MIJ for the win
For a non traditional option I would suggest Reverend Guitars. I currently have 7 and they are all amazing. Used prices are reasonable and new prices are well within reach of the average player.
Correction to what you stated at 3:28 in your video. Fujigen built guitars for Fender from 1982 - 1996 and not Tokai. Fujigen were building single coil guitars for Greco up until early 1982 until they won the contract with Fender. This is why Tokai continued to make their own single coil guitars throughout the Fender Japan era.
All the Tokai Guitars I've seen on RUclips sound great and I've not heard a negative word about them. Another Brand that has caught my attention is LTD Guitars, though I don't know how they compare pricewise with Tokai.
I have 3 Tokai's currently. All Les Paul copies, all amazing guitars. I've owned Gibson Les Paul's in the past but I'm a Tokai player now. However, I can't say the early Tokai's, 78'-81', are inexpensive. They are going up in price for sure.
They were not inexpensive in the early 80s either. People always lump the entry-level models together with the high-end models anyway, but even the ST-50s and LS-50s were not exactly cheap compared to what anyone else imported. LS-100+ or ST-100s were only like 20-25% cheaper than the originals and very few importers dared to offer those, because nobody understood what they were. Which isn't surprising because what they were became only known (and due to the scarcity of these models, only known to few people) when Fender and Gibson started their own reissue lines, barely reaching the level Tokai had set with their top-of-the-line instruments.
I think it's quite the opposite, at least here in the UK. Tokai guitars are hard to come by and prices are inflated, often more than the counterparts that they were originally supposed to rival. It's as if it's gone full circle. The only guitars I see advertise at an affordable price are the Chinese made ones with ceramic pickups.
I own a Tokai Love Rock LS***S Gold Top P90s MIJ , I think it's a LS113S or LS125S! I learned so much from this guitar - for example how much changing to 50s wiring and upgrading the pots impacts the tone and complete feel/reaction of the PUs. Always thought only weird crazy nerds say such stuff, but it's a completely different guitar now -> with 5€ in parts! Craftmanship and quality of Tokai is superb! Once set up the stock PUs (LP-OLD) and 50s wiring these sound great too! I'm still impressed
Can someone comment on your playing (perfect mix of melody and technique) the beautiful Tokai Les Paul is just an extension. Wonderful guitar Phenomenal playing.
I got the 1982 Goldtop version, related to the 56 Gibson version. Cant figure out what pickups are used, nothing viewable on the pickup. Which one are in yours?
Worth noting you cant buy Tokia's new in the US (the largest guitar market in the World) as there are no dealers because no point as Gibson would be straight into litigation with Tokai if they tried.
Yes tokais are amazing. Fgn s too. If you can check out a maybach lester. Got one for the price of a gibby studio used, and it blew allthe custom shops in the store out of the water. Has amazing amber pickups. Made in czech rep. 8or slowakis? In that case sorry guys)
In my country Tokai brand recognized as cheap lighters like Bic. My friend overwhelmed by the mocking jokes so he sold guitar even knowing and telling how great the guitar was.
This is overwhelmingly stupid - Tokai is the name of hundreds of businesses, families, a city and a region. Like "Fender" doesn't have multiple meanings. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I have a couple of vintage Tokais from 1981. And a boatload of knowledge from research. Mostly RUclips and forums. And there are very view people that don't like them that have actually owed them. They for the most part love them and say they are amazing. Especially the 1981 and older ones. My experience is with the Les Paul and ES-335 copies. From 78' to 81' they were using old growth wood very similar to the golden era Bursts. 1958 to 1960 Les Pauls.
When I first started shopping and researching and researching Les Pauls, I was interested in get that Golden Era tone. I couldn't afford $200,000 so I started looking for reasonably priced options. Gibson had a reputation of being hit and miss. Mostly, and from what I read, like 85% miss. The word on the street was you better play it first or chances are you will be getting a dud.
My research took me down a huge rabbit hole in studying the old Bursts and what made them so good. The wood and the PAF pickups won the majority of the reasons and I came to find out that the wood can not be had anymore because of the Cities regulations put on it. Also that the old growth supply of the woods they used was pretty much all harvested to the point of extinction.
The pickups were an entirely other deep rabbit hole in why it is almost impossible to copy. Exact types of wire, coatings on the wire, how many turns on the bobbin, magnets etc.
And some of the magic tone is from the pots and caps and how they are wired.
Gibson started getting better and they had a CS True Historic line that came out in 2016 that were getting great reviews. Yet to get one of those you would have to shell out 4k plus. Now those are hovering around twice that and much more for really nice examples.
In my research these Tokai guitars kept coming up. The name sounded weird to me at first and I was hesitant to even dig deeper into them. But all other sources were depleted and I dove down that rabbit hole pretty much as a last ditch effort. And am I glad I did.
Knowing that the good wood was only available on them in the first 4 years of production I starting shopping for Les Paul copies by them in that date range. They were known for all being very consistent. You had 90% chance of getting a great one so ordering without playing one was almost risk free. Then I began to see that they are as rare as hens teeth to find locally in the US.
And when you did, the upper line one were up there in price. They had several lines. LS-50, 60, 80,100, 120 then the really nice 150 and 200's.
Now the word was the electronics and pickups were junk, but the husk were amazing.
An LS-60 showed up on Craigslist about 50 miles from me and I went and bought it.
It needed a setup very badly. Which is why it probably even was put up for sale.
I gave it fret leveling and changed out the pots, caps, switch and jack, wired 50's style. I kept the pickups but was planning on getting some boutique ones later.
Turns out I have no intention of changing the stock pickups that it came with. Its a gem. It put to shame every Les Paul it has battled.
The only things I hate about it, being a lower line, is it has a Poly finish and a 2 piece back and it is 10lbs. The line above mine, the LS-80, is when the start having one piece backs and Lacquer. Tokais lacquer does not age like the old Gibsons though. It doesn't amber and check. But the guitar sounds amazing.
My other Tokai is a upper line ES-150. They say they made some ES-200 models but no one has ever seen one that I have been able to find.
And yes, Tokai did invest in Bursts and 59 thru 61 ES=335's that they dissected and made exact copies of the husks.
I heard their modern guitars are good and compared with Gibsons modern guitars, Standards, and some of their upper lines beat out the Custom Shop. I don't know. I am in only interested in their first year productions. They have gone way up in price since I bought mine. The ES-150 are 3300 and the LS-200's are 10k plus. My 60 was 1200 4 years ago and are now fetching 2k and more if you can find one. They are more available in Japan but I would never buy a guitar from their because they almost never provide good pictures and full descriptions.
Both mine are not only good, they are gems.
There is a video of ZZ-Top performing in Germany back in the 1980s, Billy Gibbons is playing a Tokai LP Standard.
Could not agree more, John. I've owned 3 Tokai Love Rocks (and am currently lusting after the gold top like you have there) and I think they are without a doubt some of the finest guitars you can buy, for any amount of money. They are consistently superb. Their QC and finishing are excellent. In fact, with the exception of the slight depreciation in resale value vs. a Gibson, I'd pick the Tokai hands down. My only complaint, if there is one to be had, is that the humbucking pickups in the current Love Rock models aren't quite up to snuff with their Gibson counterparts. But the cost to replace them STILL doesn't put you anywhere near Gibson prices.
And as Strats/Teles, or any other model they make, I'd have the Tokai version over the original without question.
Imo, Tokai's are better both value and in sound, than gibsons. They are just made so much better. Ive handled a lot of gibsons since my dad repairs a lot of guitars in my city and none of them compares to 3 tokai LP's that we repaired.
Tokai Premium Series have now gone up a bit (like all brands, not to mention Gibson) but they are excellent guitars, very well built with a thin layer of polyurethane and nitro clear.
I have an LS196 EF HDC Reborn Old 2019 and an LC230S BB 2020 Both second-hand and practically new and at a good price. Excellent guitars!
I’ve owned a 1998 TOKAI Love Rock (LS70-F, Japanese-built) for about four years now; it’s the most gorgeous flametop vintage ‘burst I’ve ever seen, modeled after the ’59 model (judging by the neck shape.) Long neck tenon, bone nut, bridge posts threaded directly into the body (NOT a metal ferrule) just like the original, all the specs for a battle-worthy axe. With the addition of a set of Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups and a set of locking keystone tuners, it is EVERY bit the equal to an actual ’59 I had the pleasure to play on tour many years ago. Today, in the service of my recording sessions and occasional live jaunt, it is (and will remain) my daily driver, unmatched by anything else I own. Snooping around for the 335 version nowadays👍🏼
Man that thing sounds soo smooth!
I’m eyeballing exactly one of these bad boys gold-top/p90 when I head to Japan in August. Fantastic opening jam btw.
Great video and good advice. I purchased my first brand new Gibson Les Paul back in 1977, I've owned many since then.
2 months ago I purchased a Tokai Custom Order Les Paul R4 from a store in Japan and couldn't be happier.
The guitar has the same specs as a Gibson R4 Historic at about half the price.
Best part, this Tokai came with Sanko Jumbo Frets!
My next purchase will be a Tokai ES-335, hopefully a used one.
Love your playing. And note choices..
I've had two 80s goldstars and now have a flawless 2001 loverock.
Tokai,,,,I luvvem.
Incidentally, I think your playing is simply stunning. You put me in mind of Chris Buck.
I own a Tokai dc junior. Best guitar I've ever owned.
Absolutely. I bought a 2008 UES-135(ES-335) years ago and it’s still the best guitar I’ve ever played and one that I’ll never sell. The wood selection is amazing. Crazy enough, I’ve never had the need to adjust the truss rod since the day I got it. It’s that stable. The only thing I had to do was rewire it to 50’s style so that the volume is useable.
I have mij epiphone
From 2000s
Lps-80
And it's amazing
Great build quality
I currently own 3 MIJ guitars…Japanese craftsmanship is in its own league…I would own a Tokia in a heartbeat if I could find one that wasn’t beat to hell…thats a tough search!!!!
You can find them New on reverb
@@Coolbeans1492 Most of the ones you find on reverb are MIC, the new MIJ ones are rarer and about twice the price.
@@blib3786 not if you know how to look
TOKAI Love Rock and ARIA Pro ii Les Pauls are the best guitars I have ever played. I’m hooked…
Yeah! I own a Tele Tokai and is superb, specially with a Lollard and SD pickup upgrade.
I love Tokai. I have 1981 tele with trem HH and "the strat" copy st70 limited. sounds really really great. I have fenders from 90's and newer mij ones but, the depth and wideness of the sound of the old tokai stuff is really good.
Billy Gibbons played tokai LP's too, their really high end model LS470
I snagged a 1430 Love Rock from ebay for a lot less than what they are going for from dealers. The only major difference between it and my 78' LP Custom Sunburst would be the fact that it's not a nitro finish and there is some quality spec difference with the fretboard inlays. The ones on the Gibson have a deep luster, not so much the Tokai. The action and fretboard are damn close, although the 78' is a flatter neck, as the Tokai is a 58' clone with a rounder profile. The frets are lightly stained/finished which makes for a smoothe, fast feel and a handsome grain. I think that is more in line with a 50's neck as well. Lately, since I switched out the pickups and changed to 50's wiring I have been picking up the Tokai more than I do the 78'.
I have same guitar, MIJ Edwards...GT, P90, lefty...very nice ax for sure.
I remember going to Earls Court many years ago (in the 80s) and spending some time, as an exhibitor, on the Tokai stand. Their Strat style guitars were awesome and really very affordable (£600). I wish I'd bought one then and kept it. I nearly bought one a few years ago in Bath. Brilliant guitars.
I've had many Les Pauls over the years. I bought a Tokai Gold Top LS 196 a few years ago and it's a wonderful guitar, better than the LP's I've had. The quality and fit and finish are far beyond Gibson. The long neck tenon fitment it so tight and perfect. The RW board is beautiful and the fret work is great. And I paid $1400 new. Gibson, other than CS, wishes they could make as good a guitar.
I own tokia and fernandes strats ,great guitars .
I'm about to buy a second hand Tokai SG from a local shop and goddamn. The tokai plays and sounds better than a brand new Gibson! It's been modified a little so it's way cheaper as well and I Don't really care for a little paint chipping
I own a Japanese Tokai Loverock and SG. I own fenders, prs’, and Heritage. Japanese Tokai’s are incredible guitars and what a value. The only thing that I don’t like about the is the small fret wire. Some of the best fretwire I’ve played just wish they were medium jumbos.
I bought myself a Tokai "les paul" new a couple months ago, and it's great. I personally am not a fan of Gibson partly because of the QC issues you mentioned, but mainly because of some the stories of their business practices I've read/heard that just don't sit well with me.
Some Ron Ellis P90s in a Tokai....very tempting.
I'm primarily a Strat guy but wanted a LP for a long time but didn't want to pay Gibson prices so a Tokai Love Rock was high on my list but I found a Japanese made Burny Super Grade dirt cheap. Does all the LP stuff I'd ever want so well.
Andy Latimer of Camel, one of my fav players, gets the most ridiculous tones out his Burny
BTW John, your tracks are so good I'm hoping your working on an album of your own at some point
I've owned a lot of strats over the years but my '84 Tokai TST-62 with the "E" pickups is the one I won't part with. Great playing btw
I had a 2021 MIJ Fender which out of the box had open string buzz issues. It had to go back to the well known UK vendor. I thought that JAPAN guitar factories had world class quality control. I guess it all depends on the model these days.
I have the same guitar, love it and I have had a Gibson.
I have an '81 LS60. I replaced the PCB with a 50's harness and the stock Gotoh pickups with Stan Hinesley Legacy Pickups, (these I've had for a number of years now). I bought the guitar through a Japanese proxy site, (Rinkya if memory serves me right), about 6 years ago. Here in Australia, Tokai guitars are available, but rather expensive...both the Japanese and Chinese models.
I love the tokai range.I managed to snare one in Australia new last year . The 50’s breesey sound t style and it’s a a cracker. I also love and play everyday a mij power jazz bass from the 80’s and it’s the best bass ever. MIJ for the win
Are we going to get a j cordy truefire or jamplay series of lessons?
For a non traditional option I would suggest Reverend Guitars. I currently have 7 and they are all amazing. Used prices are reasonable and new prices are well within reach of the average player.
I have a Reverend Flatroc. If you ever see one on the used market grab it with both hands - it is custom shop standard.
Correction to what you stated at 3:28 in your video. Fujigen built guitars for Fender from 1982 - 1996 and not Tokai. Fujigen were building single coil guitars for Greco up until early 1982 until they won the contract with Fender. This is why Tokai continued to make their own single coil guitars throughout the Fender Japan era.
Also look for the hondo 935w line. Think made by Mumoko Mij. Stellar vintage 335 for sub 400€
All the Tokai Guitars I've seen on RUclips sound great and I've not heard a negative word about them. Another Brand that has caught my attention is LTD Guitars, though I don't know how they compare pricewise with Tokai.
Where can I purchase the Tokai less Paul with p90’s
Can't disagree. Japanese Tokai are generally superb, and awesome value 2nd-hand compared with USA-made equivalents.
What are you playing in the beginning? Stereophonik by Fernando Olaya?
I have a used Tokai strat that I bought recently for $200 . It's a great guitar. I find I play it more than my Fender strat.
I have 3 Tokai's currently. All Les Paul copies, all amazing guitars. I've owned Gibson Les Paul's in the past but I'm a Tokai player now. However, I can't say the early Tokai's, 78'-81', are inexpensive. They are going up in price for sure.
They were not inexpensive in the early 80s either. People always lump the entry-level models together with the high-end models anyway, but even the ST-50s and LS-50s were not exactly cheap compared to what anyone else imported. LS-100+ or ST-100s were only like 20-25% cheaper than the originals and very few importers dared to offer those, because nobody understood what they were. Which isn't surprising because what they were became only known (and due to the scarcity of these models, only known to few people) when Fender and Gibson started their own reissue lines, barely reaching the level Tokai had set with their top-of-the-line instruments.
I think it's quite the opposite, at least here in the UK. Tokai guitars are hard to come by and prices are inflated, often more than the counterparts that they were originally supposed to rival. It's as if it's gone full circle. The only guitars I see advertise at an affordable price are the Chinese made ones with ceramic pickups.
I own a Tokai Love Rock LS***S Gold Top P90s MIJ , I think it's a LS113S or LS125S! I learned so much from this guitar - for example how much changing to 50s wiring and upgrading the pots impacts the tone and complete feel/reaction of the PUs. Always thought only weird crazy nerds say such stuff, but it's a completely different guitar now -> with 5€ in parts! Craftmanship and quality of Tokai is superb! Once set up the stock PUs (LP-OLD) and 50s wiring these sound great too! I'm still impressed
Bella chitarra, in che materiale è la tastiera?
Have you tried the Eastman SB59V?
Can someone comment on your playing (perfect mix of melody and technique) the beautiful Tokai Les Paul is just an extension. Wonderful guitar Phenomenal playing.
I got the 1982 Goldtop version, related to the 56 Gibson version. Cant figure out what pickups are used, nothing viewable on the pickup. Which one are in yours?
my first "good" guitar was a 84 Tokai Goldstar Sound Strat, regret selling it.
Which model number is this one that you have?
Yamaha is another that covers all the bases at various price-points
Wow, I forgot Tokai. Yeah.. incredibly well made Les Paul’s for 1/3 of the price.
I have to agree. I love the Japanese guitars. Tokai is top of the line.
How much was this guitar?
Tokai Japan is not cheap guitar,it has the best
Answer....: "YES"......😅
It’s time to grab the MIJ Tokai’s asap. I’ll drop you a messenger.
Worth noting you cant buy Tokia's new in the US (the largest guitar market in the World) as there are no dealers because no point as Gibson would be straight into litigation with Tokai if they tried.
Tokai Japan for the money is the best than Gibson! The materials are at the top of the world!😊
Got mine for £800
They do do... 😂
Yes tokais are amazing. Fgn s too. If you can check out a maybach lester. Got one for the price of a gibby studio used, and it blew allthe custom shops in the store out of the water. Has amazing amber pickups. Made in czech rep. 8or slowakis? In that case sorry guys)
In my country Tokai brand recognized as cheap lighters like Bic. My friend overwhelmed by the mocking jokes so he sold guitar even knowing and telling how great the guitar was.
This is overwhelmingly stupid - Tokai is the name of hundreds of businesses, families, a city and a region. Like "Fender" doesn't have multiple meanings. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Haven’t watched the video yet but Kiesel is to me a great value
is that tokai japan?
It is a Japanese Tokai - you can tell by the truss rod cover; just two screws.