Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

Stoner-Riff · 2011-08-26T15:54:03+00:00

I just came across this link 10min ago, and could not believe it. Tokai is now in SA :applause: http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/index.html Does someone kno...

Talk to me about Tokai guitars !

Tokai-SA

stu wrote: Are Tokias not sold in the USA?

I looked on guitarcenter and they dont have any....

There hasn't been a new Tokai Les Paul for sale in the USA since the early 80's.

singemonkey

Haha. Yeah. Gibson probably don't want people to be even aware of the existence of Tokai in any form ?

I believe that Fender style models may soon be available in the USA. Those models don't use an exact traditional headstock shape (although at least it's not the melted popsicle look that some makers have used) and Fender generally seem to have a much more positive attitude to these things. Tokai, after all, did produce for them throughout the '90s in Japan.

Also the USA already tolerates Fender-like models. They're not quite as quick to start swaggering around with the lawyers.

Current Tokai ST100. Their take on a '57 Fender Stratocaster:

IceCreamMan

Tokai's are available in Canada ,so some get into the states that way

Tokai-SA

singemonkey wrote: Fender generally seem to have a much more positive attitude to these things. Tokai, after all, did produce for them throughout the '90s in Japan.

From 1997 to 2010. ?

singemonkey

IceCreamMan wrote: Tokai's are available in Canada ,so some get into the states that way

Although a great many Canadian Tokais are fakes ???

I believe it's through a Korean factory that used to make their guitars. Well it seems that they went right on producing "Tokais" without any contract from Tokai. And for some reason they ended up in Canada. Not terrible guitars apparently, but definitely deceptively using Tokai's name for their gain.

IceCreamMan

singemonkey wrote:
IceCreamMan wrote: Tokai's are available in Canada ,so some get into the states that way
Although a great many Canadian Tokais are fakes ???

I believe it's through a Korean factory that used to make their guitars. Well it seems that they went right on producing "Tokais" without any contract from Tokai. And for some reason they ended up in Canada. Not terrible guitars apparently, but definitely deceptively using Tokai's name for their gain.

Aha , did not know that. Can buy official tokais in canada though.

One would think that if you were going to make fakes you would place a higher "valued" brand name on the headstock eh

singemonkey

IceCreamMan wrote:
singemonkey wrote:
IceCreamMan wrote: Tokai's are available in Canada ,so some get into the states that way
Although a great many Canadian Tokais are fakes ???

I believe it's through a Korean factory that used to make their guitars. Well it seems that they went right on producing "Tokais" without any contract from Tokai. And for some reason they ended up in Canada. Not terrible guitars apparently, but definitely deceptively using Tokai's name for their gain.
Aha , did not know that. Can buy official tokais in canada though.

One would think that if you were going to make fakes you would place a higher "valued" brand name on the headstock eh

Easier to fly under the radar - go unquestioned - this way. People who know Tokais value them highly. Even people who only dimly know their reputation for outstanding quality might feel more inclined to buy an entry level guitar with that name on it.

Keira-WitherKay

One would think that if you were going to make fakes you would place a higher "valued" brand name on the headstock eh

well tokai's have had an excellent name for 30 years now ........ i can remember back from the 80's and they made some awesome strat copies (with the official fender strat headstock shape) that i believe are still sought after today , oddly enough it seemed back in the 80's the strat copies were the sought after tokais and NOT the Gibson copies .........seems things have changed

Bob-Dubery

In one of my more cynical moments I might consider the notion that Gibson actually persuaded this Korean company to send in imitation Tokais to do damage to Tokai's reputation and/or to make a point about Canadian law and the degree of protection given to a brand or design.

But that wouldn't happen in the real world, would it?

singemonkey

Bob, I think it's far more likely to just be opportunism on the part of the Korean factory and their Canadian distributor. After all, being used to Tokai quality control, the unanimous opinion is that the fakes are not bad guitars.

Keira, I think one of the factors is that Tokai LPs weren't available in SA the last time they were here - or in some other countries. In fact most of the great early flame-top Tokai LPs from '78-'85 are still bought (at ever escalating prices) from Japan.

Wizard

In one of my cynical moments I thought that Tokai may have arranged for the Tokai fakes.
What better way to promote a brand than to have people copying it?

Sean

Wizard wrote: In one of my cynical moments I thought that Tokai may have arranged for the Tokai fakes.
What better way to promote a brand than to have people copying it?

LOL ?

IceCreamMan

Loving my LP LS98F ...just saying 8) its just damn classy kit

one does develop an affinity for guitars many of my guitars may come an go but my tokai (and strat) hold places close to my heart ....

singemonkey

IceCreamMan wrote: Loving my LP LS98F ...just saying 8) its just damn classy kit

one does develop an affinity for guitars many of my guitars may come an go but my tokai (and strat) hold places close to my heart ....

Dude I am totally in love with my Tokai LP. I bought it when I didn't strictly have the bucks. And it wasn't a cheap guitar. I wondered if I'd done the right thing. No doubt in my mind now. It is beyond a superb guitar. It's sitting on the couch next to me at the moment. I play it 85% of the time. The nickel pickup covers are already corroded and the tailpiece tarnished (I saw some guy's "relic" parts and thought, "Hmm. Mine look like that after a year.") due to the monkey's sweaty paws over so many gigs I've lost count in the last year. It's scratched, developing buckle rash, there's a chip on the headstock and a ding on the back.

And I love it more than when I first gaped at it in the store. It looks and sounds like a 1950s Les Paul (and I imagine it feels like one too). Sorry to gush, but this guitar is pure magic.

(although it doesn't play itself. Unfortunately that's up to my fumbling monkey fingers ? )

Mannoroth

Dammit this forum is evil... >☹

I couldn't help myself, had to check out Tokai guitars and came across these:

Now me wants one!!! :'(

singemonkey

I've been thinking long and hard about V no.2 while I was away...

Mannoroth

The seed has already been planted, just a matter of time and you'll buy it ?

guidothepimmp

hehe,, tokai are superb fiddles..

played a springysound tokai the other day...

yikes, it was nice 8)

domhatch

unfortunately for my bank balance, i have two. an ls95s goldtop, and an sg88 in white, 'early bday pressie' from the loving wife. each has its own particular sound and feel and i have to say i love 'em both dearly. i'll never give up my prs, but i think i'd have to be seriously hard pressed to give up either of my tokais either.

pics to follow - i think it was singe who threatened my life unless i posted gear pics...
dh

singemonkey

domhatch wrote: pics to follow - i think it was singe who threatened my life unless i posted gear pics...
dh

They better be... ?