Tamago
Hi there
I am now moving away from that dreaded "beginner" stage and I definitely would need to look at a proper axe. As some know I am doing a massive IT project so guitar and lessons takes back seat until its done ☹ However I am looking around in the spare time I have...
I was at Andy McGibbon's this weekend. I took in my IBanez to be sorted out (you might recall issues I mentioned in other posts), the neck had dried out horribly (I decided on Friday- screw this- I stripped it down completely and discovered a lot of problems) so they sorted it out for me very nicely. I put new strings on and they oiled the wood... truss rod is fine despite what Matt's music says. While I waited for the work to be done... I was busy shopping with my eyes.
I asked for some opinion about the Fender Strat... and I was given some really interesting advice:
Apparently the Mexican Standard is better than the American Standard in terms of playability... they had one in the shop, and yes, it played nice...
Then, they let me try a Tokai... now THAT, I must confess that guitar plays like an absolute dream. That guitar, you play it and it actually sounds like Andy Summers playing (to me at least) and its so EFFORTLESS... that's the best way I can describe it...
Then, my dad tells me yesterday to rather stick with reputable brand such as Fender. Of course now my wife agrees with Dad. And Dad and mine uncle used to have a band somewhere in the 60's so they know all about Fender, etc...
I cannot justify spending almost R20k on a Fender American Standard (which I must admit, I seem to struggle to play on), but I am torn between the Mexican Standard (which is much cheaper and plays great) and the Tokai, which is like having (insert artist's name here) stepping into your body and playing the thing. I mean, I blew myself away.. I'd never been able to play stuff like that, so nicely before. But then I worry, about spending R8k on a Mexican standard and feeling I bought an over-priced Squier.
Now, you guys (and girls) are experts. I want honest advice and opinions here. What should I be looking at?
IceCreamMan
nice dilemma you have .... ?
If the mex strat talks to you buy it ..they really are great guitars but the Tokai's are superlative guitars too ....i dont think you can go wrong with either as both are quality items.
Go play a whole pile of guitars then choose the one you like the mostest within yr budget .....
Buying a reputable name brand (and tokai is just that imho) is always a good thing ...
chris77
As a horribly passionate Fender fanboy, there can be only one answer to me..... Buy the Tokai. There will be plenty other guitars with brand names shouting for your attention in the future, but the Tokai is whispering the right things in your ear at the moment. If it speaks to you like that, buy it - you'll regret it horribly if you don't.
StefStoep
You need to play what feels right. The name of the guitar shouldn't be a factor.
If you really want a USA strat, look 2nd hand, you'll get awesome deals, even on MIM fenders.
A good setup on any guitar will go along way. MIM is good guitars but MIA is better! But if R20K is worth MIA, is each persons own decesion.
Squonk
I would go for a second hand guitar be it MIM, MIA or Tokai
There are always incredible deals on Gumtree and on GFSA
Warren
You didn't mention which Tokai you played. Was it a Strat copy?
Couple of things to dwell on:
1) Mexican Fenders are great guitars. I wouldn't say that they're globally better than American Fenders though. Remember that playability of a guitar is down to the individual guitar, and how it is set up. You might have played on a Yank Strat with a neck profile or string guage or action that you don't find comfortable. Mexican Strats are a big step up from Squiers, and you should be able to get one for less than the R8000 sticker price (closer to R6000 I'd think).
2) Tokai are a very reputable brand indeed, having been making guitars since the 1940s! You can't really go wrong, although you can't compare the strength of the brand itself to Gibson or Fender. I don't think that says too much about the quality and playability of their guitars though, considering that even Music Man, PRS, Parker et al don't have the cachet of the "Big 2". You'll possibly find that the Fender will hold its value a bit better though.
3) Buy the guitar that feels right, and you'll be happier in the end.
Bob-Dubery
Tokais as very fine instruments, so don't worry about quality there.
I agree with two pieces of earlier advice
1) Get the one you like the most of those you can afford
2) Consider 2nd hand instruments.
With all due respect to your Dad, things have moved on a bit since his playing days. Back then Ibanez were not viewed as a serious proposition for a professional player, but they are now etc. etc.
AlanRatcliffe
IMO: Buy the one that speaks to you the loudest.
Tokai is a reputable brand name - not as well known or with as long a history as Fender, but a good reputation for making great guitars that offer great bang-for-buck. That means in the same price range you'll get a better guitar, but it probably won't hold it's value as well if/when it comes to resale.
So you have to decide whether resale value (and headstock name bragging rights) are more important to you than having the better guitar (or at least the one that is better for you). I know which I would choose...
aubs1
Tamago wrote:
I cannot justify spending almost R20k on a Fender American Standard (which I must admit, I seem to struggle to play on), but I am torn between the Mexican Standard (which is much cheaper and plays great) and the Tokai, which is like having (insert artist's name here) stepping into your body and playing the thing.
First off: I'm not sure who quoted you R20k for an MIA Standard Strat, AFAIK, they are about R11-R12K.
Nothing wrong with MIM or Tokai. I own a Tokai LS95S-GT and an ES155 ....... AWESOME guitars, but have not really played their Strat or Tele models. But I can lay a bet they would be pretty awesome as well, and certainly fantastic "bang for you buck" ....
So like all the guys are saying, try them all, and see/ feel what works for you ...... GOOD LUCK, and hopefully you will find "THE STRAT" you like .....
raithza
you know that feeling that you got when you picked up the tokai...
THAT, I must confess that guitar plays like an absolute dream.
which is like having (insert artist's name here) stepping into your body and playing the thing. I mean, I blew myself away.. I'd never been able to play stuff like that, so nicely before.
That is what the guitar gods sound like when they whisper into your ear, "buy this one"...
domhatch
so, not too long ago, i was looking to add a les paul to my small collection. it consisted (at that stage) of a prs custom 22, a fender highway 1 strat, and my larrivee acoustic. i went to a few spots, played a few epiphones, one or two gibsons, just to have a look and compare quality. then i ended up at andy's, played a few tokai les pauls, and walked out with a goldtop. goldtops occupy a special place in my heart but, that said, the quality and playability of this tokai was far above any of the epis, and at least equivalent (to my mind and limited experience), to the gibsons.
i can't give you any advice better than what you've already received, but i believe tokai is definitely a brand worth looking at. remember, it's not what's in your head, nor what's on the headstock, but what's in your heart and fingers, that should make the final decision. and when you're shopping, always look a little above and a little below your target budget. a little above and you might find an absolute stonker worth shelling out a few extra bucks for. a little below, and you might end up with the bargain of the century.
good luck, and may the awesomeness be with you.
dh
DonovanB
If you are buying with intention of selling it again quickly, buy one of the "big 2"
If not look second hand and buy what speaks to you.
But as Warren said, the setup might disagree with you on a guitar, maybe ask if they can change it to see if it "fits" you.
Like its been said before, guitars can talk to you, you just need to listen
Chris-Mason
Nothing wrong with either Mex Strats or Tokais.
I must admit I have been seriously tempted on one of the Tokai strats, and am really impressed with the Tokai Teles, however my wife will break it over my head if I bring home yet another guitar. In terms of value for money, go with either the Mex strat or tele, much cheaper than a USA strat. if need be one can customize the guitar with Seymour Duncans and other mods to your own spec.
USA fenders are great guitars but the price sucks.
Saddle and Nut
BluJu
MIM strats are great and always available 2nd hand. I've got a highway 1 which I love. It's priced between a standard mexican and a USA.
If you want to try Tele's i'd look at the Baja tele. These are MIM but in my opinion sound better some of the USA tele's that I have played.
Kalcium
As said above secondhand will open up a new world for you. A secondhand mexican will easily be half the price of the tokai as great as the tokai is. The only problem with tokai is that you almost definitely wont find one secondhand...other than that they are great guitars. From the sounds of it though that Tokai really spoke to you, so now you have to decide whether its worth double a mexican. With the extra 4000 or so you can mod the secondhand MIM strat extensively though.
studmissile
You can only buy a fender by feel. But do yourself a favour try and track down a secondhand 80's Fender Strat 81-96 (Made in Japan) They priced inbetween a MIM and MIA depending on how old. Feel that first before you buy anything else.
Tamago
Thanks for the advice given, it is appreciated beyond measure.
I am going to definitely be taking some of the advice, and I am going to try out a whole bunch of guitars.
I have no issue buying second-hand either.
crowhue
IceCreamMan wrote:
nice dilemma you have .... ?
If the mex strat talks to you buy it ..they really are great guitars but the Tokai's are superlative guitars too ....i dont think you can go wrong with either as both are quality items.
Go play a whole pile of guitars then choose the one you like the mostest within yr budget .....
Buying a reputable name brand (and tokai is just that imho) is always a good thing ...
It probably only matters if you are bothered about your electric guitar's resale value. The Tokai (IMHO) wont hold its value quite as well and will never be collectible whereas the Fender, one day might be worth something as a vintage guitar if you keep it long enough. I'd go for the guitar that speaks to you ie the Tokai.
