What would you change if you were running Tokai?

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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. :D 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
 
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.
 
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?)
 
Paladin2019 said:
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?)

:lol:
 
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.
 
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.
 
Dave_Mc said:
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/products/vintage/ex105.html

MIC - EX50
http://www1.odn.ne.jp/tokaigakki/products/traditional/ex50.html
 
Excellent proposals, all that is needed now is a translation into Japanese so they can be posted to the President of Tokai Gakki!
 
Well Ozeshin speaks Japanese, we could send him over to deliver our message to the board of Tokai. 8)

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

:lol:
Diamond said:
I think there's 2.

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

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

touche. i meant the MIJ ones... :oops:
 
Btw, the President understands English perfectly...no need to translate.:)
 

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