little-odgie
Well-known member
After the recent discussions about MIJ and MIK models, their relevant plusses and minusses, and materials etc I'd like to tell all about my recently aquired MIK ALS50S Goldtop. (Yawn!) 
I bought the guitar specifically to gig with a new band because it fitted the general band image thing, and the crowds we play to can be a bit on the enthusiastic side ... I own Gibsons but I'm not risking them.
Admittedly I've made a couple of changes; I've put Grover tuners on because I like the guitar to stay in tune for more than half a song. I changed the bridge because the saddles on the original one were seemingly designed to remove skin from the outside edge of player's right hands. I installed a DiMarzio DLX (DP154) in the bridge position because some of our lights interfere with single coils and I like the fuller tone of a humbucker into valve amps. I set up the dreadful action and neck - and here's a thing, why do factories and stores let otherwise reasonable guitars go out into a competative marketplace set up so badly?? - once sorted it played fine, low enough for me and buzz free. Now I have a reasonable instrument that does what it says on the tin, all for under 400 quid (that's pounds sterling for the benefit of our American colleagues!). Epiphone ... no thanks. MIJ Tokai?? Well, inquisitive soul that I am I went down to the local purveyor of fine things and had a serious look at one. They are lovely - don't they play well?? - but for what I want it for I'm happy enough with the MIK Goldie for now. As I say, if I want to play a Gibson I have 2 to choose from, but I'd rather play the goldtop than my MIA Strat, or indeed the Tokai Breezysound I bought on a whim about a year ago. It's a personal thing. I think that maybe that's what this rant all about ... each guitar is an individual case, like each of us is an individual player, and I think it's unfair to down MIK Tokais simply because they weren't made in Japan. That's elitist. Alder bodies and maple necks have done well for Fender for over 60 years, and while I agree the build on some MIK guitars is none too fantastic, the build of this ALS50S looks alright to me (although the old x-ray vision isn't what it used to be since the incident with the kryptonite) I have to say that the finish on the LS70 I tried out left a bit to be desired - tuners were screwed on a bit wonky (same cheapo tuners as the MIK?? They sure look to be.) and both edges of the neck binding were very, very sharp when I ran my finger along them. Played nice though and with a bit of attention it will be a fine guitar. With a bit of attention. Honestly. For over 700 quid that sucks. For the same money you can have a Gibson Les Paul, albeit the Studio model. But it will have Gibson on the headstock, and it will be made in the USA, home of the electric geetar. By the way, I also own a Yamaha SG from the late 70's - now that WAS a guitar that panicked the boys in Kalamazoo.
So what'll it be? A slice of history? Want some cream with that too? Or will you settle for a comfortable playable guitar that sounds good, doesn't stuff the bank account and won't break your heart when it gets trashed during a gig. Hmmm ....? :wink:
I bought the guitar specifically to gig with a new band because it fitted the general band image thing, and the crowds we play to can be a bit on the enthusiastic side ... I own Gibsons but I'm not risking them.
Admittedly I've made a couple of changes; I've put Grover tuners on because I like the guitar to stay in tune for more than half a song. I changed the bridge because the saddles on the original one were seemingly designed to remove skin from the outside edge of player's right hands. I installed a DiMarzio DLX (DP154) in the bridge position because some of our lights interfere with single coils and I like the fuller tone of a humbucker into valve amps. I set up the dreadful action and neck - and here's a thing, why do factories and stores let otherwise reasonable guitars go out into a competative marketplace set up so badly?? - once sorted it played fine, low enough for me and buzz free. Now I have a reasonable instrument that does what it says on the tin, all for under 400 quid (that's pounds sterling for the benefit of our American colleagues!). Epiphone ... no thanks. MIJ Tokai?? Well, inquisitive soul that I am I went down to the local purveyor of fine things and had a serious look at one. They are lovely - don't they play well?? - but for what I want it for I'm happy enough with the MIK Goldie for now. As I say, if I want to play a Gibson I have 2 to choose from, but I'd rather play the goldtop than my MIA Strat, or indeed the Tokai Breezysound I bought on a whim about a year ago. It's a personal thing. I think that maybe that's what this rant all about ... each guitar is an individual case, like each of us is an individual player, and I think it's unfair to down MIK Tokais simply because they weren't made in Japan. That's elitist. Alder bodies and maple necks have done well for Fender for over 60 years, and while I agree the build on some MIK guitars is none too fantastic, the build of this ALS50S looks alright to me (although the old x-ray vision isn't what it used to be since the incident with the kryptonite) I have to say that the finish on the LS70 I tried out left a bit to be desired - tuners were screwed on a bit wonky (same cheapo tuners as the MIK?? They sure look to be.) and both edges of the neck binding were very, very sharp when I ran my finger along them. Played nice though and with a bit of attention it will be a fine guitar. With a bit of attention. Honestly. For over 700 quid that sucks. For the same money you can have a Gibson Les Paul, albeit the Studio model. But it will have Gibson on the headstock, and it will be made in the USA, home of the electric geetar. By the way, I also own a Yamaha SG from the late 70's - now that WAS a guitar that panicked the boys in Kalamazoo.
So what'll it be? A slice of history? Want some cream with that too? Or will you settle for a comfortable playable guitar that sounds good, doesn't stuff the bank account and won't break your heart when it gets trashed during a gig. Hmmm ....? :wink:
