Tokai ES-100 in London

tezza-j · Post by **tezza-j** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:05 pm

Folks, saw a 1982 (they reckoned 1980 but it was on "02....." serial) ES-100 in Wunjo guitars on Denmark St in London today. Pickups had been changed to Peter Green Bareknuckles and there was a non-original hardcase. Natural colour with no flame. Was very nice.

I passed, but they offered it to me for ?795 from ?895 on the ticket.

Pricey, but was in good nick and in case anyone is desperate for a nice one of these, I offer the info here for your delectation

Cheers
Tez

http://www.wunjoguitars.com

marcusnieman · Post by **marcusnieman** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:35 pm

tezza-j wrote:Folks, saw a 1982 (they reckoned 1980 but it was on "02....." serial) ES-100

You're correct....they reckoned wrong. 1981 was the first year of the ES models.

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:39 pm

They're like the 29 bus. I wait ages, then 2 come along at once!

Mike

tezza-j · Post by **tezza-j** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:54 pm

bit less bendy though, and ?793 more expensive. London jokes for our US cousins.....

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:03 am

I should be up in town tomorrow, so I'll have a look. Wunjo doesn't ring a bell - is it a new shop?

Mole Man · Post by **Mole Man** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:55 am

Took a wander along Denmark Street the other week myself. Wunjo is a newish shop (been in existence for a few years to my knowledge). Used to be rather tucked away just around the corner from Andy's (now Music Ground) in Denmark Street, now situated smack in the middle of Tin Pan Alley (Denmark Street, London) for our international forum members. Never bought from them but they seem to be a genuinely independently owned shop (a rarity thereabouts) and seemed friendly enough. The ES-100 wasn't listed on their web site when I last looked yesterday (not that I was interested, you understand....)!

Best regards,
Darren/MM

tezza-j · Post by **tezza-j** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:25 am

Still there, circled it again today.....

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:15 pm

OK folks, well here's what happened. I went to have a look yesterday, & I liked the guitar. As I prefer 80s guitars, & another forum member prefers shiny new guitars, he had offered to buy my 2007 ES130 if I bought the ES100. So I bought it. And it's a great guitar. And the pickups do have an edge over the standard Tokais.

But, I sent some pics to a forum member who knows his 335s, and he suggested it might be a 2002, not a 1982. Two clues, both of which I missed - it has the modified headstock shape, which I now know was only introduced around 2002. Also, an 02 serial number means it's 2002. A 1982 or 1992 model would start with 2. I didn't know that either.

Some pics here, including details of my ES130 as well:

http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x153 ... i%20ES100/

So I checked with togps - our resident expert - and he quickly confirmed for me that a 2002 ES100 was a lower model than a 2007 ES130, with a poly finish. It's actually very difficult to feel any difference between them, they feel very similar. But if I had known it was a 2002 model, I wouldn't have bought it.

The shop owner has been very reasonable about it - he says he took it in part exchange as a one-owner 80s model, & I believe him. So, very reluctantly, I'll be returning it for a refund early next week & keeping my ES130, at least for now.

However, if anyone wants a 2002 ES100 with great upgraded pickups, I can recommend it, it's a very nice guitar. And Wunjo seem to have a great approach to customer service, which is good to know.

All in all, my Tokai identification skills seem to be quite poor at the moment.

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:16 pm

Double post....

GStormcrow · Post by **GStormcrow** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:23 am

Did you pay ?795 for it as well stratman? How much in comparison is a new ES130?

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:33 am

Yes. I think Richtone are charging ?899 for a new ES130, but best check their adverts to be sure.

GStormcrow · Post by **GStormcrow** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:40 am

Yeah I just saw on Richtone. I love that flame on your ES. No guarantee I'd get such a nice one from richtone. Shame. In the market for a new guitar and was heavily considering an ES. Your ES130 might just have made up my mind for me

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:59 am

Well, maybe if I get myself a nice 80s ES, one day, I might sell my ES130. It's gorgeous alright, but I'm sure it will be even better when it's 20 years old!

tezza-j · Post by **tezza-j** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:08 am

oops, look at the trouble I've caused! Sorry Stratman!

Anyway, glad that's sorted out and Wunjo are dealing with it.

I have to say it felt like an old guitar to me and it is a nice one for sure.

Maybe now they'll lower the price on it

Tez

stratman323 · Post by **stratman323** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:21 am

It's OK Tez, it's my responsibility, not yours. It does look older, & it feels remarkably similar to my ES130. And the pickups are an improvement. It hasn't been an easy decision to return it, which I can't do till early next week anyway.

One thing I've just noticed. My 130 has MADE IN JAPAN on the back of the headstock:

but the 100 doesn't:

Is this significant?

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Tokai ES-100 in London

Tokai ES-100 in London

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