What would you change if you were running Tokai?

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:37 am

I would change the model numbering system. I would go back to the sort of numbers used in the early 80s, so a base level MIJ would be an LS50, a nitro finished one LS80 and so on. The codes after the number (Q for quilted etc) would stay, they make sense. The codes would no longer change when the price changed.

An LS50 would always be an LS50 whatever it cost.

The model number would be stamped into the fretboard, as in the 70s. On the back of the headstock the serial number (indicating year) & Made In Japan would be stamped into the wood, the way Gibson do. Pickups would be labelled properly & whatever was stamped on the pickup would be listed in the catalogue, e.g U, Mark II etc. The catalogue would be clearer on the differences between the different models than many Tokai catalogues have been in the past.

Now wouldn't that make life easier for everybody?

I would seriously consider keeping the name Tokai just for MIJ stuff, & come up with another name for the licensed (Chinese) stuff, something like XXXX by Tokai, similar to Orville by Gibson. The name would make the link to the higher quality product without claiming to be that product. It could work...

Any views? Other suggestions?

Mike

f5joe · Post by **f5joe** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:41 am

ditto on the model numbering.

JVsearch · Post by **JVsearch** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:11 am

100% agree with everything you said Mike!

Diamond · Post by **Diamond** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:34 am

Agree with all you said, Mike.

This could look very cool.
How about putting "Premium Series", "Vintage Series" or "Traditional Series" on the truss rod covers.

Definitely stamp the back of the pickups.

Paladin2019 · Post by **Paladin2019** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:11 pm

Ditto on the model numbers, either set them and leave them there or replace them with names/abbreviations, and have some sort of identifier at the last fret like in the old days.

I like the idea of keeping Tokai a MIJ exclusive name too, although the MIKs have been going for so long it might become a recipe for disaster years down the line (vintage MIK?)

Si Pie · Post by **Si Pie** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 12:33 pm

Paladin2019 wrote:
I like the idea of keeping Tokai a MIJ exclusive name too, although the MIKs have been going for so long it might become a recipe for disaster years down the line (vintage MIK?)

JohnA · Post by **JohnA** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:00 pm

If they made it that easy what would we all talk about

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:06 pm

JohnA wrote:If they made it that easy what would we all talk about

Tokais 1978 to 2009?

And hopefully about how good the 2010 models are too.

Dave_Mc · Post by **Dave_Mc** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:49 pm

agreed with everything you said. I'd make more fender models too.

I would also try (though this might not be financially viable, as obviously some guitars are more popular than others) to have the same different models for each type of guitar- for example, there's only one explorer in the catalogue at the moment.

youami · Post by **youami** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:07 pm

The model numbering is a Japanese thing. Look at Fender Japan and ESP, they number their models by list price too.

The interesting thing is that Japan had zero, or negative, inflation for a lot of the last 20 years. So it made sense to have this naming scheme, as the prices didn't change. It's only been an annoyance lately as prices have gone up.

If I were running Tokai, then I would give free LS160s to all Aussies currently residing in New Zealand.

Diamond · Post by **Diamond** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:37 pm

Dave_Mc wrote:agreed with everything you said. I'd make more fender models too.

I would also try (though this might not be financially viable, as obviously some guitars are more popular than others) to have the same different models for each type of guitar- for example, there's only one explorer in the catalogue at the moment.

I think there's 2.

MIJ - EX105
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/produc ... ex105.html

MIC - EX50
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/produc ... /ex50.html

njnall · Post by **njnall** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:44 pm

Excellent proposals, all that is needed now is a translation into Japanese so they can be posted to the President of Tokai Gakki!

leadguitar_323 · Post by **leadguitar_323** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:58 am

Christ Mike..!!!! you've started a revolution.....

Mick

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:50 am

Well Ozeshin speaks Japanese, we could send him over to deliver our message to the board of Tokai.

Maybe we should request a forum delegate on the board - who better to advise Tokai than Tokai's no. 1 fans?

With regard to youami's point, yes I accept that the numbering scheme probably made perfect sense in those days of zero inflation. But it doesn't any more, so it's time to change. Tokai wouldn't have considered making guitars in China 25 years ago, but times change....

Dave_Mc · Post by **Dave_Mc** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:47 am

youami wrote: If I were running Tokai, then I would give free LS160s to all Aussies currently residing in New Zealand.

Diamond wrote: I think there's 2.

MIJ - EX105
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/produc ... ex105.html

MIC - EX50
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/produc ... /ex50.html

touche. i meant the MIJ ones...