[deleted]
So I finally had a chance to get my hands on 3 Tokai Love Rocks
The first one I plugged in was a Tea Burst LS92 'plain top'
Had a look under a bazillion watt chandelier to examine the finish and look for defects.
Absolutely flawless poly finish on the LS92, not a thick polished like glass finish, but a thin, finish easy to touch.
Neck was flawless out the box, stock pickups are perfect, wonderful tone on the neck pick up when noodling up around the 12th fret with the Vox AC15HW cranked to around 1-2 o'clock.
Pots have a great easy feel, as quiet as death itself.
Perfect guitar, at that price, it IS better than most.
So after playing the LS92 and being suitably impressed, I though to myself if the LS92 is perfect... I wonder what the LS150 and LS160 would be like...
The next few days where spent with the LS150, a heavy, flame maple top. The Flame tops come without the 'pickguard' and give it a look somewhere between a PRS and the LP
Beauitful flame Tea burst, not in your face, but a wonderful looking guitar.
Under the bazillion watt light the Nitro finish is exeptional.
Same as the LS92, played like a dream, wonderful dynamics and overtones on the neck pup.
Great looking guitar, worth the extra??? over the perfect LS92? I don't know, matter of preference and desires I suppose. The LS150 I really really like.
I then plugged in the LS160, which as the LS150 falls under the Tokai Premium range, its the same as the LS150, but with a plain top. slightly lighter than the LS150
Again a Flawless finish.
All I need is 11s put on and I am good to go. they are so easy to play, effortless, wonderful necks, not to chuncky, not to thin. just really felt good.
All I can say is that for the price these guitars are better and the same than many Gibsons I have played, (Hate the comparison however) (Oh and I own one ?, just before all you Tokai haters chip in)
These are SERIOUS guitars, for serious players. And if you ever get a chance, try them out and spend enough time with them in the comfort of your own home with YOUR setup, and you will take/keep one...
I know I am ?
They are ALL brilliant...
Would love to post pics of the actual guitars, and write more, but I am sadly out of time...
Will maybe update in the future.
Just had to say that after following all these debates that have gone on over the last few months..
I got to test it my own ears...
So impressed... that I am a converted Tokai fan..
The Swarts are going to LOVE these things!
the AC15HW already does... and So do I!
Long live Tokai Love Rocks... Viva Viva
Sean
Thanks for the review ?
You forgot to mention which one you took ? ?
vic
Sean wrote:
Thanks for the review ?
You forgot to mention which one you took ? ?
a Passionate review indeed. However if you don't take one, it's like having a great one night stand , but you're not prepared to spend your life with her... ?
singemonkey
It's kinda funny the designation. From the description the solid flame top is what's marketed in Britain as an LS150, but in Japan as an LS195 I believe (naturally a solid flame top is more expensive than its plain-top sister, the LS160).
I think that the premium Tokais are for the cork sniffy vintage loving types - like myself :?. There's probably more variation between individual guitars that will make more difference than the premium woods and features on the premium models.
Saying that, I'm damn pleased with mine. But it's not necessarily a better instrument than a good LS92. Definitely top quality guitars fit for pro use.
Wizard
At the risk of stirring, it was so pleasant to read a thread that sprouted wonderment and positivity !!
I love it when people are happy ?
aubs1
vic wrote:
......However if you don't take one, it's like having a great one night stand , but you're not prepared to spend your life with her... ?
Hahahaha ....... what an awesome conclusion ....... ?
I am totally in love with my Love Rock and my ES-155 ........ nice review Brent ..... :applause:
Reinhard
Congrats Joel, great figure on that top ?
Kalcium
Not that I regret buying my SG (seriously loving it ?) but man Im jealous! haha I think its almost a given that at some stage in the future I will be a Tokai owner ?
[deleted]
vic wrote:
Sean wrote:
Thanks for the review ?
You forgot to mention which one you took ? ?
a Passionate review indeed. However if you don't take one, it's like having a great one night stand , but you're not prepared to spend your life with her... ?
All in good time... I am actually undecided, I do know, like Singe, I am a of the Cork Sniffin' Vintage loving type. So it is either the LS160, or the LS150... Which is a matter of aesthetics and the LS150 being much heavier.
As soon as I have decent pictures I will post them.
Joel that LS160 is stunning. Much like the one I have 5m from me at this very moment ?
The Tokai plain tops are really well bookmatched and made to look good. You can definitly see that someone actually put some effort into the book matching.
Anyway I all shall post a pic soonish.
Viva Tokai Viva!
singemonkey
joel wrote:
@ Wizard , since this is a feel-good thread , I swopped some un-used 'stuff ' for this Tokai LS-160 VF ( violin finish ) today
Joel. Stop now. You're becoming a monster ? No seriously congrats. Put up a daylight pic as soon as you can.
I just can't figure people who don't take the plastic off. Something fundamentally wrong there.
IceCreamMan
excellent ,congratzzzz
and i concur the Tokais i noodled with at guitar world were world class imho
Norman86
Congrats!! Hapyy NG'sD! ? ? ? ? ?
But we wanna see pics, not only read the reviews! ?
Oh yeah, which ones did you decide on keeping? i couldnt figure it out??
Jack-Flash-Jr
Tea burst has to be the best burst description ever. Seriously. Thing I've noticed about Tokai's is that they have their own distinctive aura... not in the shadow of LPs at all.
[deleted]
Jack Flash Jr wrote:
Tea burst has to be the best burst description ever. Seriously. Thing I've noticed about Tokai's is that they have their own distinctive aura... not in the shadow of LPs at all.
+1 and its a great colour. looks aged. Definitly the best colour of the lot.
AND another +1 on them having their own distinctive aura.
They are NOT Gibson copies.
They have taken a formula that works and timeless classic, and made it available to the world at a fair price and playability that knocks way above its 'weight' class
Which am I taking?
Um...
either the LS160 Plain top
or
LS150 AAA Flame top
Which would YOU take? ?
SvR65
I can back Brent's review all the way. I was involved in testing all of these mentioned guitars except the LS150 (a real pity). We really tried to test these guitars to the best of our abilities, and boy did they perform!
Finish is flawless. Playability straight out of the box is amazing and you honestly don't have to do anything else other than tune it up. Setup was great for both of us, and I think that says a lot about how these guitars are manufactured! For two players with complete different styles of playing and setup preferences to be so comfortable with the guitar is rare IMO. Hardware feels solid and of good quality... and they are beauties! ?
The tea burst is really pretty, and executed to perfection. Really gives the guitar a vintage look & feel. I would love to see the other colour variations Tokai offers!
I think to sum it up these guitars are of a caliber that will make you want one in one single sitting. Versatile, beautiful, tone rich and awesome value for money, they are definitely for the discerning player! ?
p.s. Brent like I've said before, you are going to end up buying both of them. Flame and plain tops. So it's irrelevant which one you get first! hahaha!
ezietsman
Brentcgp wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote:
Tea burst has to be the best burst description ever. Seriously. Thing I've noticed about Tokai's is that they have their own distinctive aura... not in the shadow of LPs at all.
+1 and its a great colour. looks aged. Definitly the best colour of the lot.
AND another +1 on them having their own distinctive aura.
They are NOT Gibson copies.
They have taken a formula that works and timeless classic, and made it available to the world at a fair price and playability that knocks way above its 'weight' class
Which am I taking?
Um...
either the LS160 Plain top
or
LS150 AAA Flame top
Which would YOU take? ?
If both the plain and flame tops plays the same or sounds equally good, I'd take the flame, else the one that is better.
AlanRatcliffe
Brentcgp wrote:
Which would YOU take? ?
Which one sounds better? If they are on a par soundwise, my preference would usually go to the lighter one and a nice flametop is always an added bonus point for me.
The three I tried, the LS95S stood out as a better guitar, without even taking the P90s into account.
Norman86
For me, it would depend on the flame...
If i dont like the flame, i'd take the plain top!
[deleted]
The LS150 Flame was 9.85lbs, so a fairly heavy guitar.
The LS160 Plain was under 9lbs
The LS160 had a more woody unplugged sound and seemed more comfy on my lap ?.
There is another LS150 available that is 9.4lbs floating around these parts.
I cannot fault any of them, I didnt mind the heavier guitar at all.
Didn't really notice a difference in tone or playability in the 1lb difference, for me it boils down to do you want a heavy guitar or a lighter one...
I would like to play one with 11s on!
That for me will make the biggest difference in tone and playability and I could make a better judgement on which 'plays' better for me.
Jack-Flash-Jr
Brentcgp wrote:
Jack Flash Jr wrote:
Tea burst has to be the best burst description ever. Seriously. Thing I've noticed about Tokai's is that they have their own distinctive aura... not in the shadow of LPs at all.
+1 and its a great colour. looks aged. Definitly the best colour of the lot.
AND another +1 on them having their own distinctive aura.
They are NOT Gibson copies.
They have taken a formula that works and timeless classic, and made it available to the world at a fair price and playability that knocks way above its 'weight' class
Which am I taking?
Um...
either the LS160 Plain top
or
LS150 AAA Flame top
Which would YOU take? ?
Since you ask..... this one (but only because I'm currently obsessing on bass):
EDIT: the only time I seriously considered buying a LP again was after picking up a Loverock at Andy McGibbons
