The Mysterious Fake Tokai ES Models (Shine or Saein)

[Sigmania]

I think I just found a big clue for these fake ES guitars with the Grovers and the flower logo that first show up on this forum by 2007?

The Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. in Korea and China....

Pronounced "Shine".

 

[Sigmania]

The guitars in question:


CH08081650

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25737&p=192906&hilit=chinese+serial+number#p192906

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=26241&hilit=tokais+made+in+korea

Help Identifying a 335 style

Tokai Es hollow body | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

And the smoking gun.... The Shine brand guitars made in Korea by the Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd

They also have had a factory in China since 2001...

Same exact motif on the headstock.

Shine SH-941-NA custom made Jazz guitar 2002 Korea (Bo-El)​

Gorgeous Jazz guitar which has been only played indoor. Made in Unsung Korea , Custom order from Bo-El Luthier Huub Boels in 2002 , Only 6 of these where made .Very high quality build hollow body jazz guitar.

https://mokucustomguitars.com/product/9696/

 

[Sigmania]

Shine Music Co. - musical instruments, guitar​

https://saein.en.ec21.com

Company Name, Shine Music Co. Location, 654-7, Gojan-dong, Namdong-gu,, Incheon. Country/Region, Korea. Year Established, 1991. Employees Total, 51 - 100.

 

[Sigmania]

"Shine guitars are well made and manufactured at the Saein factory Korea same as Epiphones and other leading brands.

The Saein Musical Instrument Co. Ltd. based in Korea has been cited for quality instruments and workmanship."

Shine Semi acoustic electric Guitar-HS-943 made in Korea late 9o's inc hard case. | Reverb

 

[Sigmania]

"Saein Musical Instrument Co., Ltd. Is located in Namdong Industrial Complex in Incheon, Korea. Saein was established in 1991, 07. 01. Currently, we have 100 employees, and our monthly capacity is 4,500pcs still growing to expand. Our main business is OEM for famous brand Epiphone. Also, our solely branded Shine is increasing steadily. In February, 2001, we have successfully launched a new independent factory in Gaomi City, China. It is only an hour away from Qingdao Shandong province. Our China factory employees are 300 people, and our monthly capacity is 10,000pcs still growing to expand as well. We are an OEM vendor for famous brand Ibanez, and Peavey. Also, our solely branded Shine is gradually expanding. We have become one of the famous leading guitar manufacturer in China."

https://g04823.tradekorea.com/company.do

 

[Sigmania]

Hollow Body/Semi Hollow Body Electric Guitar Shine SHC-909

 

[Sigmania]

So looks like Saein may have been making fake Tokais in 2008 (?) at a time when they had factories in Korea and China.

Not sure if they had any legitimate contracts with Tokai at that time, but by 2011 stratmoto said re: Tokais made in China:

"You may very well find that they are made by Saein Musical Instrument Co. They also have their own brand, which I suppose is the same pronounciation as Saein, called Shine guitars."

Tokai Factory in China

 

[Sigmania]

(tdpri forum)

2016

Tallthinman:

Yup, it is one of the Canadian market ones. The distributer went direct to the Tokai subcontractor (Shine/Saien Guitars) to fill orders instead of through Tokai.

I think the British distributer did the same thing a few years ago.

I still have one of those - they were actually made in the Chinese factory sometime around 2005.

Nicely made (for the price), about equivalent or maybe a little better than the Epiphone 335. They go for $400 to $500 around here, so not a bad deal. With some better pickups they make great players, and it is one of my guitars that has gotten fairly regular use over the years.

NGD Tokai Es 60??

 

[Sigmania]

different tokai emblem on headstock

 

[Sigmania]

Questions about some ES Tokai models

I have owned only one Tokai copy and that was the ES60 model. I believe that one dated from somewhere 2008-2010 and was made in China. Please take my advice and avoid that model. I thought it was a rather liveless guitar. It did not cost much either.

 

[Sigmania]

NGD Tokai Es 60??

I picked this up for $200 it needs a new nut, everything else works. I haven't seen one with a bigs by copy before...logo is different as well. Seller says 2000's?