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johntimber

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Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has had a chance to play any Tokai guitars? I am tempted to pick up one of the lower priced models if they are good enough. I prefer unused over something chipped and rusted from sweat. If I saw something in exceptional condition at a decent price (under $1000) I'd consider it but there is a lot of risk. Most accessible sources from the USA, where I live, are in Japan. The Tokai brand is widely sold in the UK but buying from there is a different pricing animal. There are dealers in Japan offering free shipping to the USA. So if the new Tokai made in China is OK it is only $600 or less rather than close to twice that or more for one of the used MIJ's from the best period when they were attempting to make a guitar very close to a Gibson.
I see a lot of used for the same price from a couple dealers on ebay. One is in California, USA. I wonder how they can price so many used guitars at $395 and $495. How could they all be in equal condition? I am thinking about the new "Paradise" model related to G&R Slash. I really don't like anything about that affiliation except the guitar looks nice.
Basically, I want a Les Paul style guitar. I'd like a Gibson but I don't want to spend that much money. I was thinking of getting my feet wet with something relatively inexpensive.
There is also a V100 model in a brand named Vintage I recently discovered. I am aware of the Burny, Orville, ESP Edwards and Yamaha Les Pauls.

Any help will be apprecited.

I didn't find the right solution from the Internet.

References:
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=101&t=10698
Best video agency

Thank you.
 
The only Les Paul type guitar you will get brand new for under $1000 is a MIJ Ls90-125 or so. A 1980 LS-80 is the equivalent of a a new Ls-200 or so. the 80 was 80,000 yen in 1980. A brand new LS-80 is 80,000 yen today.

A LS-80 from 1980 or so has a nitro finish and is a one piece back. The newer LS-90-120 or so are a poly finish and multi-piece back. All the guitars I am talking about are made in Japan. I do not know anything about the China ones. Here is a $1000 new one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-HLS118-Violin-Finish-VF-Long-Tenon-Used-Guitar-Free-Shipping-from-Japan/332613162020?hash=item4d714a1424:g:048AAOSwlL1ayKFs

Ls-118 model. I am not saying buy that one it is just an example.

Here is a 80's one Ls-50 model poly finish

https://reverb.com/item/5349649-excellent-1980-year-made-tokai-ls-50-cs-electric-guitar-ref-no-132856

Again not saying to buy that one just an example. Looks like a one piece back but I did not look too hard at it.

Tokai will sell to you direct but they cannot ship their Gibson models to the US directly. If you want a fender type or something else you can contact Shohei at http://www.tokaijapan.com/postmail-utf/postmail.html

If you buy an old Tokai ask here on the forums what is up with it before you buy it. Just post a link to the listing and ask other member if they think it is what they say it is and so on.

Made in China Love Rocks are like Epiphones
MIJ ones are like Gibsons. The poly ones are similar to a standard and the High end ones nitro are like the vintage Gibsons. The new high end ones are like custom shop Gibsons.
 
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