New Ownership At Tokai

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Sigmania

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In another thread it was mentioned that Tokai had been sold recently to a new owner “late last year”.

Just wondering if anyone knows about the change? Details? Management changes?

I’m guessing that coincides with the new ST headstock and models?

Now I understand Hamamatsu asking folks how they like the new Tokais. 8)
 
Sigmania said:
In another thread it was mentioned that Tokai had been sold recently to a new owner “late last year”.

Correct, the new owners bought it from the original family who have run Tokai since it began.

Sigmania said:
Just wondering if anyone knows about the change? Details? Management changes?

There's new Directors/CEO/CFO involved.

Sigmania said:
I’m guessing that coincides with the new ST headstock and models?

No new models have been released or produced under the new management just yet.
 
Thanks.

When you say late last year, is that late 2021 as in a few months ago?

Also, can you say who the new owner is?
 
Thanks. I heard something but I guess it's not public yet?
 
What typically happens in these scenarios is 'new' ownership runs things into the ground and eventually the older guitars become more valuable.

I can't wait to see what happens. :lol:
 
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000008.000084389.html
https://gr1.jp/about/

8) some japanese company called "GRACE" has bought tokai recently (2021-11-12) so there is a new ownership & management in tokai now. the above info is the official announcement by GRACE and its from 2022-1-20. this company GRACE dont look a big company but a small quality company. they do many small businesses and one of them is a guitar shop called UNI-SOUND in yokohama, japan. this store was probably the connection with tokai? plus those people at GRACE are the musicians including the new owner? very possibly i guess. anyways, for more infos, please translate the info above. thanks! (especially to mr.sigmania, thanks!)
 
Thanks HAMAMATSU! And please correct any mistakes in the translation. 8)

GRACE Co., Ltd. makes Tokai Gakki Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a long-established manufacturer of musical instruments, a wholly owned subsidiary

[3R promotion] Made in Japan musical instruments to the world!

Musical Instrument Manufacturer Tokai New Initiatives for Business Development Utilizing Musical Instrument Technology GRACE Yamae Co., Ltd. e O January 20, 2021 11:00 GRACE Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Yuta Sawamura , GRACE) acquired the shares of Tokai Gakki Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Representative Director: Shohei Adachi, hereinafter Tokai Gakki), a long-established manufacturer of musical instruments, on November 12, 2021. We would like to inform you that we have made it a subsidiary.

* Background

The current situation is that Japanese musical instruments that can be proud of in the world are not used and are buried. We see a lot of such musical instruments in the used musical instrument purchase business. We purchase unused and old musical instruments at a decent price, carefully repair them, and deliver the made-in-Japan musical instruments that the world wants to the world. And vice versa. The musical instruments we have created play new music all over the world and deliver music.

GRACE's musical instrument business "UNISOUND" wants to convey the joy of musical instruments even more through the sale and purchase of used musical instruments! Make music more accessible! We believe. We will find new market value and continue to expand to many countries by establishing various paths such as exporting not only domestically but also overseas mainly in Europe, America and Southeast Asia.

GRACE
Quality before Quantity
Tokai Musical Instruments

Tokai Gakki

What is Tokai Gakki? Tokai Gakki is a long-established musical instrument manufacturer that has been in business for 75 years, and succeeded in developing Pianica in 1967. At that time, we provided Yamaha with musical instruments manufactured by Tokai Gakki and sold Pianica. Major manufactured products include electric guitars, acoustic guitars, pianicas, and amplifiers. Some of our products, such as aluminum body electric guitars, have been originally developed, and we use methods that are full of originality to create our products.

* What GRACE's musical instrument business "UNISOUND" can do In the future, we will make full use of the technology of the long-established brand Tokai Gakki, create a new business field of manufacturing at UNISOUND, and work to make many people smile with the power of musical instruments. Furthermore, we will block the number of musical instrument brands owned in Japan and expand them globally.

GRACE Co., Ltd. https://gr1.jp/

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000008.000084389.html
 
If I’m reading this correctly, Grace has a background in selling used instruments. Then suddenly used Tokais are available for sale purportedly from the Tokai factory. Interesting.

Hopefully with a bias towards vintage instruments they will have a focus on quality and instruments that hold their value over time.

Fingers crossed.
 
I purchased a killer Sonix 'Custom Craft Guitar' branded '62 type Strat from Unisound in 2021. :D

It is basically a Momose with the Sonix water slide logo on the head stock.

This Strat is on par with Fender USA Custom Shop (2 pc. body, steel block, 100% clothe covered wiring, flame maple neck, all lacquer finish, CTS pots coded to late 2008) but at a fraction of the price point. 8)

Go Unisound
 
From the J Guitar link:

We aim to create a store that can be used by beginners and women as well as professionals with peace of mind. A 7-minute walk from Idogaya Station on the Keikyu Line, the used musical instrument store "UNISOUND YOKOHAMA" has a lineup that will satisfy a variety of customers, centered on guitars and basses, from the finest beauty products as new to vintage products. We have a wide range. If you are looking for a rare second hand product, please come and visit us. Musical instrument purchase is welcome! If you are considering selling your instrument, please contact UNISOUND !! Of course, the assessment is free! You can choose from 3 purchasing methods!

★ Business trip purchase This is the most popular purchase method. If you are in the Tokyo / Kanagawa / Chiba / Saitama area, please visit us in as little as 30 minutes. We will buy cash on the spot on that day.

★ Home delivery purchase It is popular with people who live far away and who have difficulty taking time during the day. If you send us the item by freight collect, we will pay the purchase amount by bank transfer.

★ Over-the-counter purchase If you come to a store in Yokohama, you can purchase face-to-face. You can also try out in-stock items, so feel free to come and assess your items.
 
Sigmania said:
Looks like there may still be guitar freaks at Tokai. 8)

Tokai wouldn't have sold the company to them if they weren't very enthusiastic about guitars and their history.
 

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