Chinese or Korean Tokai?

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guitariv

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Hey everyone,

first time poster. There's a Tokai on my local auction site, seller claims it's Korean. I could use a classic looking LP style guitar in my stable, my Candy Apple Red Mexi Strat would be up for trade. I listed my guitar for 450 Euros, he listed the Tokai for 410.

Now before I go there and test the thing out, can you guys tell me if this thing is in fact Korean or if he's trying to trade me a Chinese guitar? I have no experience with Tokais whatsoever so I hope you guys can help me out. Serial on the back says "C090823" in golden letters, I can't seem to post pictures since I'm new to this forum I'll try to attach a link.

Thanks in advance and cheers! :)
 
Well, it won't even let me post the link to the guitar, says it's spam :(

Anyone got an idea what I can do? Message a mod?

Cheers
 
That's what I'm afraid off, if the dude is trying to pass me a Chinese guitar off as Korean I'm not gonna trade my Mexi Strat for it or even bother to go check it out...

Messaged an Admin maybe I'll be able to post pics soon

Thanks!
 
Korean Tokai's never had serial numbers as far as i know. Except Fakai's. The Chinese ones did and some did start with the letter prefix "C"

That one even without pictures i can tell you is Chinese.
 
Hope the link works now:

https://mobile.willhaben.at/kaufen-und-verkaufen/d/tokai-love-rock-korea-328453450/?sid=1569323422527

Well I guess I'll call it off then
 
It is chinese not korean. I recall seeing one with a C + 6 digitis whith not China made sticker on the back of headstock here in Spain some years ago. This kind of serial is very odd and specs could be anything.... Not sure if one factory suervised or a direct send to any Tokai distributor of the time (it could be UK one related?)
 
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So now that posting pictures work, what do you guys think? How is the quality on these?

Visually I love this thing. Love the color, love the Gibson Style headstock. Fretboard looks good from the color, is it rosewood or something else?

From the pics the nut looks a bit fishy, like plastic. Guy vouches for the guitar that it's a good specimen, says she's around 4 kilos (so typical LP weight) and doesn't go out of tune. He replaced the stock tuners with Gibson ones.

I suspect I'd have to change electronics and pickups sooner or later, but I might just go and give her a play through.

Would a trade for a Mexi Strat be fair?

Cheers and thanks guys
 
My local shop had 2 tokai love rocks in stock about 6yrs ago one china one korea i tried both not knowing anything about them.I left with the korean one puit it that way. The difference even to a very mediocre player was very obvious :eek: :eek:

Keep hold of the mexi strat till you find a korean one or enough funds for MIJ IMO


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tokai-Love-Rock-Les-Paul/274018998491?hash=item3fccce18db:g:g2EAAOSwqUldhjmL

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tokai-Les-Paul/323913614784?hash=item4b6ac185c0:g:lgEAAOSwOSVdD8Ku

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tokai-Les-Paul-LS75Q-2002-Flame-Maple/123583685934?hash=item1cc629652e:g:YP4AAOSwpaVcMzHo
 
Depends on whether or not you like the Mexi strat.

I see divots on the actual frets, hope you can level and polish etc..
 
Well guys, found a buyer for the Strat and your input and my gut feeling tells me I should walk away from the deal. Thanks for all the input. If anything this experience has made me aware of Tokais and maybe down the line I'll find a proper Japanese one.

Cheers!
 

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