Anyone know about Tokais?

[moro]

Has anyone played any of the Tokai Les Paul copies? I was looking at this page on Ishibashi:

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/g...okai/index.htm

and even if you include the shipping and customs charges from Japan, they seem like a decent deal. Are these guitars "good for the price" or are they genuinely "good?" (Yeah, I realize that's really subjective. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

This thing makes me want to squeal:

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/webshop/g...okai/ls80f.htm

Also, what's the difference between the LS (Les Paul Standard) series and the LC (Les Paul Custom) series? The specs look similar.

Thanks.

[The Eristic]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

MIJ Tokais tend to be ridiculously nice.

[mstraughen]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

I've heard great things about them.

[pebber]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

You should distinct between 'vintage' and new ones:
Tokai guitars which are pre-1983 in any model are getting more and more popular because their appearances are close to real vintages, which was recognized by top guitarists like SRV (these fetch already some good money compared to their original price -which was unbelievable cheap-).
Around 1983 they changed their direction somewhat in favor of own designs and their interpretations of the classics.
The quality is still very good IMO, more info can be found on the forum http://www.tokaiforum.com/.

[El_Kabong]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

Well, I live in the Tokai region of Japan and one of my friends who owns a guitar shop stocks them. The guitars at about $1500 new, slay a $2000 Gibson. The top of the line ones that list at $3200 are amazing guitars. The stock pick-ups are quite nice, if you like AlNiCo. They play very, vewry nice. If you want a risk free, in regards of playability, the Tokai's are great. In the long run, the name is king for resale.

The quality of mahogany goes up as the price does. The difference is easily seen visually. The tone goes up in leaps and bounds as you hit the next price point.

At about ¥120,000 street, new price, ($1300), you will get a Les Paul Classic killer.

These guitars are vintage playng and feeling. But, you have to get the model spoken of above to get a really nice guitar. Above that price, we are getting treasures for the hands, eyes and ears.

[moro]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

I was kind of hoping that people would tell me they suck. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Now I really got to have one.

[jgcable]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

They don't suck.

[pro-fusion]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

Be careful, though. A lot of Tokais are now made in Korea and aren't at the same level as the Japanese ones. I've played a couple of the Korean LP and SG knockoffs--they weren't bad (I'd say better than an Epiphone), but nothing to get all worked up about.

[noodlesatf]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

Are you saying the Korean ones ain't got no Seoul? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[moro]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

[ QUOTE ]
Are you saying the Korean ones ain't got no Seoul? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

Arrrrgh! Lol. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

All the Tokais on Ishibashi's page are Japanese. It sounds like they get the guitars from Tokai as they receive the orders. Says you might have to wait a few months. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[El_Kabong]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

My friends shop has 3 in stock, (but not on the site). The lemon drop one sounds absolutely killer. He can read English. His name is Toshi Kamiya. Here is the link to his shop:
http://www.real-standard.com/home/in...=homemain.html

[atomic charvel guy]

Re: Anyone know about Tokais?

you must get a tokai "love rock" or you're not playing hardball. the ls60's,80' 100's and 120's are all nice. they are really pricey though. watch out on the new, or newer ones.