Love Rock LS Models

[Mark Merton]

Could someone please tell me the difference between the Love Rock LS Models starting with the LS75 (upwards). I'd like to purchase one but notice the the price difference between the LS75 and LS80 is ?100; what about the other LS models also?

Thanks for your help.
Mark

 

[Derby Ant]

Ok, I'm no expert on all the different LS models (as there are lots and they change) basically the number is related to the price in yen in Japan.
LS75 is 75 thousand yen, or there abouts.
In terms of how they change as they go up the price scale the first big change is from the cheaper ones which have a laminat top. They'll still have a maple cap but the detail of the wood you see on the very top is just a thin veneer.
When you get to the 80's (I think) the wood you see in the top is the same as the maple underneath. This can affect the quality of the tone.
After that you get improvements in hardware used, wood used, quality of finish etc.
Thus you can get two guitars that look indentical but are two hundred notes apart in price.
People like Rich tone music usually say if they have a laminate top or not and also what hardware each one has.

 

[guitarslinger]

Ay up guys.

Yeah, the above poster is pretty much right, the LS range starts with the LS75 (you may see similar guitars with slightly different model numbers around the world based on whether people are advertising them on the very latest model)....

The LS75 is the start of what Tokai call the "Vintage Range" which essentially goes through from LS75 up to the LS125.

They are all essentially the same base spec guitar, but as the model number goes up you get an upgrade in terms of woods, finish and finally hard ware/neck joins on the LS125.

The LS75 has a maple top but it is painted with a solid colour
The LS75S is the same guitar but with P90s - solid colour finishes only
The LS80 is the same as an LS75 but this time you get a transparent finish so you can see the maple underneath, but it is a plain top.
The LS85F has a maple top, and is as above but a vaneer of sycamore to get the flaming is glued on top. Its very very thin and would argue has little baring on the overal tone of the guitar.
LS90Q is quilted maple version of the above
The LS90QZ has Zebra Open Pick Ups - they are otherwise the same as the above
LS125 has a long neck tenon, aluminium tailpiece, brass saddles and a nitro lacquer job as opposed to poly.

The price gap you mentioned between the models seems quite a lot between the two models...but again, different retailers may use different model codes so it can be pretty confusing.

Hope this gives you a rough and ready overview.

 

[leadguitar_323]

Hi guys, the laminate tops have no bearing what so ever on tone, if it did the egf 1200 super reals wouldn't be as sort after, and i also have a high end tokai ls 180 {same specs as a 320} and it has a laminate top.... :wink:

Mick

 

[Mark Merton]

Thanks for that. What about the higher end LS Models? I'm thinking about something close to the Les Paul Standard range but also which leaves me a reasonable amount of cash in the trade-off between Gibson and Tokai. I couldn't source a spec on the internet with the different LS models. I also believe they do a "custom" model and "Love Rock II" model. How do these compare to the Gibson LP Standard?
Mark

 

[Mark Merton]

... and thought it might be of interest to those doing a comparison on Love Rock models:

http://www.tokairegistry.com/tokai-info/tokai-gibson-models.html

I guess, the final question is which model is bang for the buck. The 75 vs. the 320 or something in between? In reality is there much difference soundwise between mahogany and maple and one or two-piece woods on a guitar? Surely nowadays a good amp, pedals and/or pre-amp can influence the quality of sound as much as the quality of a reasonably priced "low-end" good guitar such as the LS75?
Mark

 

[JohnA]

"bang for buck"? There's only you can decide that one. certainly a LS320does not sound four times as good as a 75, but to get the improvements it does offer you need to spend the extra. The 'perfect' guitar tone doesn't come cheap, all of the little things add together to make a difference, wood, craftsmanship, hardware, pickups, strings, amp........etc etc

An LS75 would be a prefectly capable high quality gigging guitar, and in the hands of a great player will sound great, but for us discerning guitarists there only you can say if 'great' is good enough!

I would say set yourself a budget and then buy the next model up :wink:

 

[marcusnieman]

I agree.....the LS75 model is a perfectly fine guitar and certainly not a bad choice. And like you said, the other half of your sound is your amp and effects.

If you play clean, you might notice the tonal differences between an LS75 and LS320 more. You can always take the money you would spend on a higher end model and upgrade the LS75 with new pickups, electronics, 1950's wiring, etc and with maybe a little cash left over. It's all about what you are looking for out of your guitar.

 

[luis]

I got a LS-75 as first Love Rock and ended up with a LS-320. I owned a lot of inbetween models and I found the higher is clearly the better. I also found the guitars were better balanced,with a refined and rounder sound, you can hear all notes played. Tokai does know what they do regarding building instruments.....
I keep my LS-320 and it will be with me forever.......