Tokai Guitars

RobRam

I have been reading quite a bit about Tokai guitars, but have never seen them anywhere... I am curious to know who sells them in the Western Cape and what do people think about them compared to gibson etc. ?

MikeM

There are loads of threads on this topic. The distributor is actually on GFSA, really nice guy.

Tokai's are great for what you're paying - probably some of the best value instruments in the country. Everyone's opinion does differ on them, you'll get some preaching that they're better than Gibson, other's saying the opposite. In the end, both produce good guitars, but in South Africa Tokai's are less than half the price for the same spec'd model Gibson.

Also, we do have a search box at the bottom of the main page, but here's a link for you
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/search/?advanced;search=tokai

Big-G

Last time I was in Paul Bothners in N1 city, they had a few Tokai's at the end of their counter. I haven't been there for about a month or so though, so they may no longer have them? Plumstead also used to have a good few, but I haven't seen any in there in a good long while.

Regards
G!

RobRam

I have not seen them in Marshall Music so i was just wondering where they are available. Thanks for the response.

studmissile

Got a Breezy myself, great guitars, here the za site http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/

ezietsman

Marshall is the Gibson importers so they're not allowed to keep them. Loads of us on the forum have them. Bothner's in Plumstead usually keeps a bunch of them. I've got 2. Well priced, excellent quality, especially the Japanese models.

RobRam

How well do they hold their value?

ezietsman

RobRam wrote: How well do they hold their value?

Unsure, there aren't many of them on the classifieds but they've only been around in this country for 3 or 4 years. People who buy them new seem to keep them. As usual, they probably won't devalue much if you get them second hand, if you can find any. I think there's only one on the entire SA Gumtree is in JHB at the moment.

studmissile

ez wrote:
RobRam wrote: How well do they hold their value?
Unsure, there aren't many of them on the classifieds but they've only been around in this country for 3 or 4 years. People who buy them new seem to keep them. As usual, they probably won't devalue much if you get them second hand, if you can find any. I think there's only one on the entire SA Gumtree is in JHB at the moment.

There's also been special clearance sales on GFSA

www.guitarforum.co.za/special-offers/tokai-easter-clearance-specials/

babbalute

ez wrote:
RobRam wrote: How well do they hold their value?
Unsure, there aren't many of them on the classifieds but they've only been around in this country for 3 or 4 years. People who buy them new seem to keep them. As usual, they probably won't devalue much if you get them second hand, if you can find any. I think there's only one on the entire SA Gumtree is in JHB at the moment.

Marchall music in Woodmead does have a few Tokai's on the wall. They are the PB model bass guitars.

RobbieZ

ez wrote:
RobRam wrote: How well do they hold their value?
Unsure, there aren't many of them on the classifieds but they've only been around in this country for 3 or 4 years. People who buy them new seem to keep them. As usual, they probably won't devalue much if you get them second hand, if you can find any. I think there's only one on the entire SA Gumtree is in JHB at the moment.

I fully agree with ez. I have a Tokai Less Paul. Unless I hit extremely hard times, I will NOT consider selling mine.

Reinhard

I would avoid buying one from a big dealer like Bothner's etc. As with any brand locally, if you buy new you are going to lose money on resale. The average guy on the street knows Fender, Gibson etc. so typically resale on the familiar brands should be better and easier. Rather snap one up used or get one from Lance when he has a blow-out sale again. Either way dealing directly with Lance (TokaiSA) would probably get you the best deal.

IceCreamMan

Tokais are excellent guitars....I had one , a beautiful instrument , in a moment of madness/weakness I sold it ...... came to my senses and have another on order ....... eagerly an impatiently awaiting it ?

PJH

I have two Gibson Les Pauls. Had them for many years and have played them non stop at all my gigs over the years.

I got a Tokai Goldtop, used it for about two months and had to have another one. I then got a Sunburst Flametop and have been using these gtrs since 2009. I haven't touched my Gibsons at all in this time. That includes live and in the studio.

I have recently modded my Goldtop by fitting DiMarzios to it. (Super Distortion in the bridge and a Tone Zone in the neck). I did this because I wanted something different. Both my Tokais sounded absolutely identical so I made one of them a very high output gtr.

I really do rate these guitars very highly and would recommend them to anyone who's looking for a high quality "Les Paul".

Cheers,

Peter.

Here's a little demo I did with both the gtrs before the mods.

=

Warren

Reinhard wrote: I would avoid buying one from a big dealer like Bothner's etc. As with any brand locally, if you buy new you are going to lose money on resale. The average guy on the street knows Fender, Gibson etc. so typically resale on the familiar brands should be better and easier. Rather snap one up used or get one from Lance when he has a blow-out sale again. Either way dealing directly with Lance (TokaiSA) would probably get you the best deal.

This.

Tokai guitars are indeed great instruments, but right now even the likes of Fender and Gibson are taking a beating on the second-hand local market. I will struggle to get R10k for an American Standard Strat which I paid R15k for at the beginning of last year, and the retail price is higher now. Tokai is no different in this regard, so I reckon that people who are looking to buy new should do so with long-term ownership as the plan.

Otherwise, buy second-hand (or on special) and then you should be pretty safe.

jt

Peter, that track is awesome btw

where is the tokai's of gfsa thread...

PJH

jt wrote: Peter, that track is awesome btw

where is the tokai's of gfsa thread...

Thanks Jt,

BTW those Tokais in that vid were stock. Original pickups etc.

Cheers.

psyx

ShreddySmurf wrote:
Reinhard wrote: I would avoid buying one from a big dealer like Bothner's etc. As with any brand locally, if you buy new you are going to lose money on resale. The average guy on the street knows Fender, Gibson etc. so typically resale on the familiar brands should be better and easier. Rather snap one up used or get one from Lance when he has a blow-out sale again. Either way dealing directly with Lance (TokaiSA) would probably get you the best deal.
This.

Tokai guitars are indeed great instruments, but right now even the likes of Fender and Gibson are taking a beating on the second-hand local market. I will struggle to get R10k for an American Standard Strat which I paid R15k for at the beginning of last year, and the retail price is higher now. Tokai is no different in this regard, so I reckon that people who are looking to buy new should do so with long-term ownership as the plan.

Otherwise, buy second-hand (or on special) and then you should be pretty safe.

Get a Tokai, they melt the earth you tread by their sheer awesomeness

DonovanB

I've never gelled much with Gibson's, but I played 2 absolute gems in Marshall music recently. Price? R41k. ? (ok it was before the usual discount etc but still...)
Gibson opened the door very wide for clones, then I think manufacturers started realising the market was there if the quality and price were right.

jt wrote: where is the tokai's of gfsa thread...

Here ?

domhatch

i have three tokais, an LS95S (les paul goldtop with p90s), an SG88, and an LC98 (wine red custom les paul). i could not be happier, and all of them are stock and likely to remain that way.

i have considered parting with the sg, it's not 100% my style of guitar, and doesn't feel like a natural fit when i'm playing. but i dig the sound of the thing, completely different to the warm 'n fat p90s and the wide and versatile humbuckers on the custom. build quality on all three is excellent, and the custom is an absolute testament to the value for money of tokai guitars.

they're pretty widely available up here in the t-rans-vaal, but i'd also recommend going 2nd hand if you're worried about resale value. although i'd seriously not worry about resale value. you can have my tokais when you pry them from my cold, dead casket.

coz i'm taking them with me
dh|