Recent content by ian

Note that Gibson Les Paul models all have solid flamed tops (no veneer), whereas most Tokais use veneer (except on higher price models like LS200 & LS320), ie thin veneer glued over solid maple cap. Tokai plain-burst tops are all solid of course. Early LS50 models c.1978-81 have unmatched...

As Hans said, we always suffered from lack of translation for the early Japanese catalogues. And enquires to Tokai seem to fall on deaf ears. When I first came here there were several guys who?d actually bought Tokais around that date, 1978-82, & probably knew some of the info first hand, but...

Hi TG ? yeah I don?t know why I never listened to ZZ Top, not intentional, just one of those strange omissions ? I?ll try to give that stuff a listen ? agree about Bill Nelson of course ? if we?re just talking tone then I also liked Mick Ronsons tone on Bowie Ziggy Stardust LP, and also the...

Hi Jim,?well what Tokaigeezer was quoting was really a private message from Ochay, not too pretty but then I don?t know the background to that. I?m not here defend Ochay, & to be fair I also had an unwanted ?exchange? with him at one time, but I don?t think Ochay has said anything rude or out of...

Hi Tubedog, if I may quote you ? ?Make sure you deferentiate between passed on gossip and info based on first hand experience. How can you discuss and insinuate a guitar is not what it's claimed to be if you are not an expert and have not personally handled that guitar yourself? ?. OK, which...

On Les Paul forum BOTB (Beauty of The Burst) is treated like a bible, though I found it rather disappointing. 95% of it is just eye candy pictures of flamed wooden tops. At the back there?s some useful but fairly brief discussion of original id features (eg ?chew? marks etc), but I found their...

So who put the Les Paul Logo on headstock? Presumably not Tokai? Ian.

Well not just LP tones ... everyone raves about Clapton's tone on Beano LP (me too, absolutely love it), but compare his tone & playing with Otis Rush on All Your Love... raw power & left hand vibrato from Rush in 56 is a revelation, yikes :o . ... One of these days I must try some stuff from...

Hey TG, well that?s the important bit huh??telling the Rev about Tokai registry/forum 8) . Hmm, seriously, have to admit I?ve never listened to a single track from ZZ Top (not one note) :( . Dunno why, just seemed to pass me by over here in London. I know Billy Gibbons is highly rated...

Did you see the 1982 LS50 that Chu71 just bought on eBay? http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7339548201&rd=1 ?very nice guitar at bargain price from reliable Japanese dealer (Japanoldguitar) ? that seller often has nice early Love Rocks circa.1980-83 around $500-$600...

8) . Ian.

Can?t be 1969, because Tokai didn?t begin making Tele copies until 1979. Or do you mean 69 re-issue, ie copy of a 1960 US Fender? At risk of stating the obvious - if it's a Tokai then should have a clear Tokai decal on the headstock? You shouldn't need to worry about the routing, unless you...

No, sad to say it's a US Fender :roll: . The L serial just tells you it's a copy of the early 1960's US Fenders ... should have rosewood fretboard & 11-screw pickguard). :-? Ian.

Hi Heba, welcome to the Forum 8) . There are all sorts of differences, as Han?s has summarised above ? take a look at the catalogues in the Registry section, eg http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/tokai20010.jpg ). With the 320 I believe you can specify changes to the standard spec...

Steve, I know it?s entirely your decision of course, but don?t let a few crass PM?s put you off? ha, you?d be surprised at some of the rubbish people send to me lol. But I guess there?s more to it? Maybe you think it gets ?stale? to see same old answers to same old questions, and 99% just...