es-120 or 130 questions

[mfc_pj]

I thought about buying a tokai es-120 or es-130. How are the necks on these guitars? Are they more thick or thin? How are they in general? How do they sound?

I live in switzerland, does anybody knows a store to order them nearby? Maybe from germany?

 

[luis]

Welcome to then forum fmc.

100,120 models have a thicker neck than LS70,I would name it more as a '58 style neck.Very comfortable however.
I think Tokai have a 60's style 335.I have seen only one ES-160 model once and they seemed to be a 60's slim taper neck,but not really sure.

 

[hans-j?rgen]

I thought about buying a tokai es-120 or es-130. How are the necks on these guitars? Are they more thick or thin? How are they in general? How do they sound?

All users say they are on the fat side, so Luis is probably right with the '58 profile. By the way, there is no ES130, as far as I know, only an ES150, 180 and 200. For general impression do a search on the forum, no one ever complained about them...

I live in switzerland, does anybody knows a store to order them nearby? Maybe from germany?

If you want to order (and not test it anyhow), you can choose from the worldwide dealer sites and ebay, too, where the cheapest new models are available for about US $1,000, e.g. from Guitar Universe Japan (see the ebay alerts section of this forum). In Southern Germany there seem to be some dealers who really have Tokai guitars in stock. You can find their names in several threads here, use "german dealer" as a search term.

 

[Peter S.]

I bought a new ES 130 last May.

It is the same guitar as the ES 120, just with block inlays instead of dot inlays. Neck is identical, the dealer called the luthier at Tokai to verify this.

Best wishes
Peter

 

[mfc_pj]

where did you get this es-130? I've just seen them on the tokai site...

 

[hans-j?rgen]

By the way, is this ES100 yours? If not, it may be interesting for you, too, because it's located in Switzerland:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Tokai-ES-100-59-Gibson-ES-335-Dot-Replica_W0QQitemZ7348097119QQcategoryZ46648QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[mfc_pj]

It's not mine but thanks for that. Isn't it a bit expensive for a used one?

 

[hans-j?rgen]

It's not mine but thanks for that. Isn't it a bit expensive for a used one?

Yes and no, it depends on the condition, sellers says it's like a new one, and you would only have to pay little shipping costs (or even contact him and drive to his place). A new Japanese ES120 from a Japanese dealer is about the same price if you add the higher shipping costs (maybe even with a case), so this ES100 would have to be rather special to buy it, e.g. very light or with a very good sound. I only mentioned it, because you asked about ES models in your neighborhood.

Here's an example from Ishibashi:

http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/body/?wb_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ishibashi.co.jp%2Fwebshop%2Fguitar%2Ftokai%2Fes120.htm&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2

96,000 Yen is ~711 EUR without shipping (plus ~100 EUR) and VAT (depends on your country).


Here are several ES models in a row:

http://www.apollonmusic.com/c_menu/natsukasi_G/Tokai_set.html


Here's another ES100 from Guitar Universe for 84,000 Yen = ~622 EUR, also incl. a case:

http://www.cyborg.ne.jp/~universe/0507/es100_8937/new_es100.html


And I really would like to know if this 1980 ES100 is still "on hold" or "sold" for 62,000 Yen...

http://www.cyborg.ne.jp/~universe/tokai_used/t_es100/t_es100_01.html

 

[TUNAFREAK]

I'm new to this Tokai thing. I bought the es 120 in natural and it blows me away every time I pick it up. It cost me just under $1000.00 us and is the best built, best finished and best sounding axe I have ever owned!. I now am going after the ls320 because I still love the Les Paul feel and sound. Buy the es 120 and love it. The neck is not to thick and is very easy to play. The pups sound perfect. Try to find a Gibson like the es 120 and maybe for 5 or 6 grand you might!