Hi,
I am about to buy a new Tokai Love Rock soon, focusing on LS 136F BS, however would like to understand what it is that makes LS 186/196 almost 60% more expensive than LS 136 and if it's worth paying for.
Spec:
LS136: https://tokaiguitarsaustralia.com.au/collections/lp-style/products/tokai-vintage-series-ls136f-bs-flame-top-lp-style-electric-guitar-brown-sunburst
LS186: https://tokaiguitarsaustralia.myshopify.com/collections/lp-style/products/tokai-70th-anniversary-edition-ls186ef-bs-lp-style-electric-guitar-brown-sunburst
LS 196: https://tokaiguitarsaustralia.com.au/collections/lp-style/products/tokai-premium-series-ls196-cs-lp-style-electric-guitar-cherry-sunburst
I am referring to my local distributor's prices and not the ones listed here. For instance new LS136 will cost me 950 USD and LS186 1500 USD.
Differences that I spot (136 vs 186/196):
- BODY: Two Piece Mahogany with Book-Matched Flamed Maple Veneer on Maple Cap vs Two Piece Mahogany with Book-Matched Maple Cap
I guess it's because the F next to model number which stands for Flamed maple top, should not drive the price difference
- NECK: One Piece Mahogany Set Neck vs One Piece Mahogany Long Tenon Set-Neck
What is this Long Tennon about? I guess none of those models have deep neck joint. What difference does the long tennon make?
FINISH: Thin-Skin Polyurethane vs Thin-Skin Urethane
How is urethane better than its poly- version? They shortly discuss it here https://www.harmonycentral.com/forums/topic/968456-polyurethane-vs-urethane-finish/ and looks like they're pretty much the same
BRIDGE: LS-VB Bridge with LS-VT Tailpiece vs HLS-VB (Brass Saddle) Bridge, HLS-VT Aluminum Tailpiece
No idea...
ELECTRONICS: Gotoh and Switchcraft vs CTS and Switchcraft with Orange Drop Capacitors
No idea either. All in all I guess they can be upgraded in the future if needed - btw, Orange Drop Caps discussed here https://pl.mouser.com/applications/audio-gibson-orange-drops/
That's about it. The same body (core), fingerboard, pickups, both come with a hard case. Is the Premium model better crafted than the non-Premium one? Or are the materials better seasoned in the more expensive model?
Best regards, /eltomek
I am about to buy a new Tokai Love Rock soon, focusing on LS 136F BS, however would like to understand what it is that makes LS 186/196 almost 60% more expensive than LS 136 and if it's worth paying for.
Spec:
LS136: https://tokaiguitarsaustralia.com.au/collections/lp-style/products/tokai-vintage-series-ls136f-bs-flame-top-lp-style-electric-guitar-brown-sunburst
LS186: https://tokaiguitarsaustralia.myshopify.com/collections/lp-style/products/tokai-70th-anniversary-edition-ls186ef-bs-lp-style-electric-guitar-brown-sunburst
LS 196: https://tokaiguitarsaustralia.com.au/collections/lp-style/products/tokai-premium-series-ls196-cs-lp-style-electric-guitar-cherry-sunburst
I am referring to my local distributor's prices and not the ones listed here. For instance new LS136 will cost me 950 USD and LS186 1500 USD.
Differences that I spot (136 vs 186/196):
- BODY: Two Piece Mahogany with Book-Matched Flamed Maple Veneer on Maple Cap vs Two Piece Mahogany with Book-Matched Maple Cap
I guess it's because the F next to model number which stands for Flamed maple top, should not drive the price difference
- NECK: One Piece Mahogany Set Neck vs One Piece Mahogany Long Tenon Set-Neck
What is this Long Tennon about? I guess none of those models have deep neck joint. What difference does the long tennon make?
FINISH: Thin-Skin Polyurethane vs Thin-Skin Urethane
How is urethane better than its poly- version? They shortly discuss it here https://www.harmonycentral.com/forums/topic/968456-polyurethane-vs-urethane-finish/ and looks like they're pretty much the same
BRIDGE: LS-VB Bridge with LS-VT Tailpiece vs HLS-VB (Brass Saddle) Bridge, HLS-VT Aluminum Tailpiece
No idea...
ELECTRONICS: Gotoh and Switchcraft vs CTS and Switchcraft with Orange Drop Capacitors
No idea either. All in all I guess they can be upgraded in the future if needed - btw, Orange Drop Caps discussed here https://pl.mouser.com/applications/audio-gibson-orange-drops/
That's about it. The same body (core), fingerboard, pickups, both come with a hard case. Is the Premium model better crafted than the non-Premium one? Or are the materials better seasoned in the more expensive model?
Best regards, /eltomek