Are you serious SR ??? Where have you been ?? ?

Are Tokia guitars replicas of Tokai?!?

?

What Aubs said!

Googling Tokai on this website comes up with over 7k results ?

I do think asking for cash prices over the whole range is unreasonable though. Find the models that interest you and someone will help you out.

I'll help a bit.


Tokai is famous (esp on GFSA) for making good quality Gibson Les Paul replicas. They're built like the older Les Pauls (no chambering, weight reduction etc), they also make original designs as well as copies of PRS and Fender guitars.

They have a number of ranges as you can see on the website. The vintage range is the entry level Japanese models, these are of similar (some would argue better) quality than the Gibson Les Paul standards/classics etc. Thy retail from around R10k to about R12k.

Then there is the Premium Range, the Les Pauls at least are built to similar specs as the Historics you can buy from Gibson, esp once you reach the models labelled LS200 and up. These are also made in Japan and retails for R16k and up to lots for the top-end models.

The Japanese models almost invariably display flawless craftsmanship and factory setups and the Tokais that are reasonably matched to their Gibson-made counterparts are of the order of 1/2 the price you'd pay for the Gibson.

They have guitars made in China which is their line of guitars that competes with the likes of PRS SE and Epiphones, never played one but most people say they're great after a pickup swap.


If you dig around the forum you'll find a great many rather epic 'discussions' on the subject.

Aubs1 wrote: Are you serious SR ??? Where have you been ?? ?

. . . sadly i am !

I work 10months ot the year on the open ocean.
It is like living in a cave for most of the year - live goes you by, without you knowing it !
This year (i am on vacation now) my ship took me as far as, 1500km from the actual North Pole.
I only discovered (three weeks ago) to my utter shock that Gary Moore has passed away ! And that was in Feb !!!

So, get this guy up to speed please !

I dont know much about the tokai's but if I had to go by what the guys here on the forum say, I would say they are great guitars.

Here's mine and a bit about it. I couldn't be happier. It's an awesome guitar. My main gigging guitar. I'm sitting here with my old Gibson Les Paul on my lap and the Tokai gives nothing away to it at all. And the Tokai's closer to '50s LPs than anything Gibson makes except the historic reissues. Tremendous value for money. I'm well known on GFSA as a huge fan.

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/your-gear/tokai-ls150-new-pic/

I think the big slanging match about them was the one about Tokais at Andy's guitar world - if you search through that you'll find what the mods allowed to survive ?

ezietsman wrote: I'll help a bit.

Tokai is famous (esp on GFSA) for making good quality Gibson Les Paul replicas. They're built like the older Les Pauls (no chambering, weight reduction etc), they also make original designs as well as copies of PRS and Fender guitars.

They have a number of ranges as you can see on the website. The vintage range is the entry level Japanese models, these are of similar (some would argue better) quality than the Gibson Les Paul standards/classics etc. Thy retail from around R10k to about R12k.

Then there is the Premium Range, the Les Pauls at least are built to similar specs as the Historics you can buy from Gibson, esp once you reach the models labelled LS200 and up. These are also made in Japan and retails for R16k and up to lots for the top-end models.

The Japanese models almost invariably display flawless craftsmanship and factory setups and the Tokais that are reasonably matched to their Gibson-made counterparts are of the order of 1/2 the price you'd pay for the Gibson.

They have guitars made in China which is their line of guitars that competes with the likes of PRS SE and Epiphones, never played one but most people say they're great after a pickup swap.

If you dig around the forum you'll find a great many rather epic 'discussions' on the subject.

Thank you very much for the info ezietsman - much appreciated !

16K and up (i hope before cash discount) sounds a wee bit steep, as my travels get me to the States on a regular basis, and there, needless to say, i can buy Gibson/Fender/Gretsch, you name 'em, at "standard" US prices.
So i will pay 2K USD for a 2K USD (= R14 000 ZAR) guitar, and not R25 000 ZAR over here. (...or sadly, maybe even more)
That is why i have to compare model for model, and see which guitar is the better value for my money !

Again, thank you very much and keep 'em comming guys !!!
Many thanks so far !

Lance (TokaiSA) is a regular here.

You might even find a review here: http://articles.guitarforum.co.za/reviews/review-tokai-love-rock-guitars

I have the Tokai ES-60 which is a chinese made ES-335 copy and even though its chinese the finishing and build quality is actually really good and its perfectly playable and sounds great. You can bet that if their chinese models are this good the Japanese models will be virtually flawless!

Stoner Riff wrote:

ezietsman wrote: I'll help a bit.

Tokai is famous (esp on GFSA) for making good quality Gibson Les Paul replicas. They're built like the older Les Pauls (no chambering, weight reduction etc), they also make original designs as well as copies of PRS and Fender guitars.

They have a number of ranges as you can see on the website. The vintage range is the entry level Japanese models, these are of similar (some would argue better) quality than the Gibson Les Paul standards/classics etc. Thy retail from around R10k to about R12k.

Then there is the Premium Range, the Les Pauls at least are built to similar specs as the Historics you can buy from Gibson, esp once you reach the models labelled LS200 and up. These are also made in Japan and retails for R16k and up to lots for the top-end models.

The Japanese models almost invariably display flawless craftsmanship and factory setups and the Tokais that are reasonably matched to their Gibson-made counterparts are of the order of 1/2 the price you'd pay for the Gibson.

They have guitars made in China which is their line of guitars that competes with the likes of PRS SE and Epiphones, never played one but most people say they're great after a pickup swap.

If you dig around the forum you'll find a great many rather epic 'discussions' on the subject.

Thank you very much for the info ezietsman - much appreciated !

16K and up (i hope before cash discount) sounds a wee bit steep, as my travels get me to the States on a regular basis, and there, needless to say, i can buy Gibson/Fender/Gretsch, you name 'em, at "standard" US prices.
So i will pay 2K USD for a 2K USD (= R14 000 ZAR) guitar, and not R25 000 ZAR over here. (...or sadly, maybe even more)
That is why i have to compare model for model, and see which guitar is the better value for my money !

Again, thank you very much and keep 'em comming guys !!!
Many thanks so far !

Yes before discount but the premium range of Tokais are exceptional instruments, they're not like your garden variety Les Paul Standards, they're more akin to the historics/custom shop type things you can get from Gibson.

Stoner Riff wrote: Thank you very much for the info ezietsman - much appreciated !

16K and up (i hope before cash discount) sounds a wee bit steep, as my travels get me to the States on a regular basis, and there, needless to say, i can buy Gibson/Fender/Gretsch, you name 'em, at "standard" US prices.
So i will pay 2K USD for a 2K USD (= R14 000 ZAR) guitar, and not R25 000 ZAR over here. (...or sadly, maybe even more)
That is why i have to compare model for model, and see which guitar is the better value for my money !

Again, thank you very much and keep 'em comming guys !!!
Many thanks so far !

Yeah. Tokais are subject to SA pricing like everything else. You don't ever make port in Japan, do you? Then you'd see some stuff ?

But yeah, as Ewald says, those higher end Tokais are competitive with Gibson historics, while the main Japanese line is competitive with the Gibson USA models. So, for example if you wanted another SG - '61 styled - the Tokai SG88 in SA will still probably come in under an SG Standard at US prices, definitely under the '61 SG prices (the Gibson USA model), and a Tokai LS98 Les Paul will hear definitely come in significantly under a Gibson LP Traditional in the US. At least they will after store discount.

Do you take a guitar with you while you work? Must be a good opportunity to practise when you're off-duty?

The Tokai "Les Pauls" I've tested where significantly better quality and finish than their Gibson counterparts. Being half the price is a bonus. I walked into Marshall's two or three weeks ago with the idea of purchasing a Gibson LP Custom and was shocked and appalled by the poor quality... I think its a cheek and a total ripoff to ask R32k for a guitar with such poor fit and finish. I'm quite disgusted with Gibson as a brand to be honest. I feel that they're getting away with inferior products at premium prices just because of their name. The salesman's only defense was: If you want quality and finish, buy a PRS, if you want to rock out, buy a Gibson LP. (What absolute BS to cover for a product that more and more people admit are sub-standard more often than not... The Tokai's I've tested where on another level altogether... (The Gibson hollow bodies seemed to be better quality than the LP's...)

THIS is how i started to know about Tokai guitars, about 3 years ago . . .

http://thursdayburst.gtlounge.net/ - Tokai Love Rock (LP copy)


BLOODY W O W !!! . . . this is Pure Beauty captured in a guitar !

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Lance (TokaiSA) is a regular here.

You might even find a review here: http://articles.guitarforum.co.za/reviews/review-tokai-love-rock-guitars

Thanks for the link Alan !

ZarK wrote: The Tokai "Les Pauls" I've tested where significantly better quality and finish than their Gibson counterparts. Being half the price is a bonus. I walked into Marshall's two or three weeks ago with the idea of purchasing a Gibson LP Custom and was shocked and appalled by the poor quality... I think its a cheek and a total ripoff to ask R32k for a guitar with such poor fit and finish. I'm quite disgusted with Gibson as a brand to be honest. I feel that they're getting away with inferior products at premium prices just because of their name. The salesman's only defense was: If you want quality and finish, buy a PRS, if you want to rock out, buy a Gibson LP. (What absolute BS to cover for a product that more and more people admit are sub-standard more often than not... The Tokai's I've tested where on another level altogether... (The Gibson hollow bodies seemed to be better quality than the LP's...)

ZarK could you be more specific and tell us exactly what the problem/s are with the particular guitar. I really want to know.

vic wrote:ZarK could you be more specific and tell us exactly what the problem/s are with the particular guitar. I really want to know.

I'm also curious to hear this one.

It begins...