Made in Japan

Pics, info, thoughts on old and/or hairy gear.

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innerflight
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by innerflight »

its from 2003/4 ish, Horsey, sounds awesome, sustains for day :party:
’brutish in character but not thug like’
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jerms
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by jerms »

:badlove: that's awesome... always loved the black w white plastic pauls!!!! :badlove:
Salesman
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by Salesman »

I have had loads of old Tokais and one new Tokai Les Paul (Japan) from about 2001.
And the new one was a total load of crap! Im sure it's not every new Tokai.
But that was a lot worse than an everyday Epiphone.


Rumors are that the new Tokais from the last years are awesome.
But I wonder if Tokai still has access to the superior wood of the Early eighties.

Here are some pictures of mine.
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HorseyBoy
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by HorseyBoy »

^ Nice Tokais, Salesman! What were the pickups used in the older Tokais and what are they like?
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Doc Holliday
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by Doc Holliday »

For me I love the vintage correct spec stuff.
But that hasn’t always sold me on gear.
My Dad has one of the higher numbered Tokai guitars and I liked it the least out of his Guitars.
Regardless of wood , long tenon necks and the like it has to feel good to play and obviously sound good to the ear.
I think for the price, post 80s Japan Tokai’s are still really well made and at great prices compared to more commercial brands
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innerflight
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by innerflight »

Doc Holliday wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 7:15 am
I think for the price, post 80s Japan Tokai’s are still really well made and at great prices compared to more commercial brands
^this

compare the Gibson LP tribute thing that I bought (and instantly sold) last year, the Tokai I just landed shits all over that, twice the guitar for half the money :party:
’brutish in character but not thug like’
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Truemann
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by Truemann »

innerflight wrote: Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:18 pm ^ :badlove: that Tele

Just landed

IMG_3095.JPG
:badlove: Great set up!
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HorseyBoy
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by HorseyBoy »

innerflight wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 7:40 am
Doc Holliday wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 7:15 am
I think for the price, post 80s Japan Tokai’s are still really well made and at great prices compared to more commercial brands
^this

compare the Gibson LP tribute thing that I bought (and instantly sold) last year, the Tokai I just landed shits all over that, twice the guitar for half the money :party:
Yep, that's exactly why Japanese guitars were so popular in the first place.
But there are exceptions to every rule. I once played a bunch of late 70s Greco Les Paul and Yamaha Studio Lord Les Pauls (those Yamahas are really nice guitars, too) and compared them all to a 1979 Gibson Les Paul Custom and, to my great surprise, the Gibson was the best guitar by some margin. Great slim 60s neck, really nice weight and sounded ace. Mind you, it was still twice the price of the Japanese copies, but it was a better guitar. Not every Norlin-era Gibson was a piece of shit; it's just that Gibson's consistency and quality control was all over the shop (Fender's, too), while the Japanese guitars were consistently good.
Reputation is great, but it always pays to try before you buy. In the end, all that really matters is how the guitar feels in your hands and the music you can make with it. :tu:
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stella_blues
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by stella_blues »

Very sweet looking Les Paul Iain :party:
My first LP was a black standard just like yours, it was ok, sharp binding and very light dry looking board, traded it for a 94 standard which is prob still the best LP I’ve played inc the R7 I have.
I think every brand has their off moments, not every piece of wood gels into a great guitar, or the workers produce a rushed Friday special that’s not quite up to par.

If you get a good one hold on to it and play the shit out of it :freakout:
Salesman
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Re: Made in Japan

Post by Salesman »

HorseyBoy wrote: Fri Apr 13, 2018 4:15 am ^ Nice Tokais, Salesman! What were the pickups used in the older Tokais and what are they like?
Most have had the 57 paf Tokais.
I cannot remember what it says on them now.
But they are awesome and should not be changed they can be a bit weak but its a small part of the Tokai sound.

My experience that has become more and more clear is that a great Les Paul will sound great with almost any pickup.
The red sunburst in the pictures had some really shitty GIbson high output pickups and of course they sounded awesome.

Also if you have a vintage Tokai do not change the pots you will have trouble findig better pots.

These Tokais the ones I have had are all LS50,LS60 and LS80 from the years 1983 to 1985.
These have been compared to a boatload of Gibsons mostly Custom Shops.
The Tokais sound better every fucking time.

And its not a money thing... im not rich but I can afford a nice R9 with a little planning.
Still the Tokais are brighter have more sustain and no deadspots.
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