prices going up...ls 80

[luis]

I would recomend new LS-150 model.Excellent specs.It is a sort of LS-200 but with no flames and rosewood finguerboard wich I like best.CTS pots and quality electronics,solid maple top.This can be an excellent option,at least for myself.

[hans-j?rgen]

I would recomend new LS-150 model.Excellent specs.It is a sort of LS-200 but with no flames and rosewood finguerboard wich I like best.CTS pots and quality electronics,solid maple top.This can be an excellent option,at least for myself.

There was a new LS150 lately on ebay.de which was sold for "Buy it now" at 1,125.00 EUR, but it had a beautiful flamed top.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 7338105369

[hans-j?rgen]

It has its logic as Tokais are an excellent gigging guitar.Ask Billy Gibbons for his opinion

Good idea, he will show up for a cup of tea today...

Look what he left here, so I can have a nice read:



http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showt ... hp?t=98339

[spikeymikey]

Does he use a Tokai then? Is he really a 'Reverend' - like a minister - cant be can he? I mean his lifestyle's at odds isnt it? And what's 'Plekking' - is that a bit naughty or what? And whats happened to his guitar in that picture - the back bit seems to have shrivelled up or something.

[ian]

Well he needs a shave I can tell you that.

Plek is a fancy & expensive method of setting up a guitar (on a machine I believe).

I think he was once seen playing a Tokai. But famously plays an original 1950's Gibson Burst (not that I know anything about Mr Gibbons).

In that last pic, either that guitar is tiny, or else he's 20ft tall (cutaway also looks wrong for either Gibson or Tokai).

Ian.

[hans-j?rgen]

Does he use a Tokai then?

At least on the 1996 tour, I have a video of an interview with him where he mentions it including two excerpts from the show in Bremen. And there's also a Marshall ad with him and the Love Rock available on the main site.

Is he really a 'Reverend' - like a minister - cant be can he? I mean his lifestyle's at odds isnt it?

As far as I know, this title comes from the 1980 tour where he was dressed up like a Reverend, also played a Hamer (?) with "Rev Willy G" inlays on the fretboard. In the live version of "Fool for your stockings" he's doing a little preaching, too...

And what's 'Plekking' - is that a bit naughty or what?

No idea.

And whats happened to his guitar in that picture - the back bit seems to have shrivelled up or something.

That's his Pearly Gates, but like one LPF member already mentioned, it seems to be a poster of it which he's trying to grab.

[villager]

plekking is the BEST!!! lowest non buzzing action possible ..do a google search for more info...

[tokaiguy]

I have met The Rev on a few occasions and have talked guitars with him. Back in the 80'sI had drinks with him at the Atlantic Cafe in Dallas were we talked about the replicas from Japan that were being distributed in Ft Worth, Tokai. At that time IMC was getting to all the top Texas players to have them demo a Tok. SRV, Anson Funderburgh, Rocky Athas, Craig Wallace and Billy G. At the time I had a two tone 56'Goldstar sunburst and 2 AST'sbut had never seen or played a Love Rock. The Rev had and was impressed with the tone and feel of these guitars. The only decent LP available at the time were the ones Gibson did for The Guitar Trader and The Heriitage series. He claimed that the Tok was much closer on detail than the Gibsons. Remember Fender was makeing some of their worst offerrings as was Gibson...The Tokai Replicas kicked them in the side! Real Hard! I was very fortunate to be here when the IMC /Tokai thing happened. IMC uswed to have a booth at at the Dallas Guitar Show and I saw some amazing guitars. The first Love Rock I ever saw in the flesh was my first LS80f that the lady from church brought in for me to checkout! After owning a real 59' and a 1st issue1960 Classic I was and still am amazed with the TOKAI! TG

[spikeymikey]

Thanks for the clarification you guy's. TG - do you still have your '59. Should have realised that was a poster H-J - you know your ZZ stuff alright. Do you guys name your 'Pauls. I guess its only for Gibson originals and historics huh?

[tokaiguy]

Sold the plain top 59' five years ago, also a 65' Gretsch Tennesean and Dbl Aniversery, 62' CAR Strat, 67'Rick 360/12 and the 92'Classic 1960 to a collector friend. Only 11 Tokais and a Variax in the collection today, but I kept all the vintage amps. Took the money and bought a condo in South Miami, my hometown. TG

[spikeymikey]

Wow - you had (still have!) some nice stuff TG. Say Hi to The Rev next time.

[tokaiguy]

I have seen him twice in the last year. He lives here in Dallas in a Downtown Loft in the club district and I found him playing slide on an aluminium Raintree? guitar in Charly's backroom! Funky bathing cap and all! I told him about the Registry TG

[ian]

Hey TG, well that?s the important bit huh??telling the Rev about Tokai registry/forum . Hmm, seriously, have to admit I?ve never listened to a single track from ZZ Top (not one note) . Dunno why, just seemed to pass me by over here in London. I know Billy Gibbons is highly rated, especially amongst Les Paul aficionados, but guess I?m stuck in a time warp still playing that old 50?s 60?s Blues/R&B stuff ? those simple early raw tones just hit the right musical spot for me (guitar wise at least) ... though in a wider musical sense I like all sorts from Robert Palmer to Coldplay (taking in Squeeze, Roxy Music, early Bowie, White Stripes, Steely Dan ? total mixture). Sorry if that?s veering off topic.

Ian.

[villager]

go get some Ian ..I think you will like them ..go for thearly stuff first ..great LP tones ..

[ian]

Well not just LP tones ... everyone raves about Clapton's tone on Beano LP (me too, absolutely love it), but compare his tone & playing with Otis Rush on All Your Love... raw power & left hand vibrato from Rush in 56 is a revelation, yikes . ... One of these days I must try some stuff from first two Steely Dan LP?s, nice ?tunes? ? I have a decent songbook/CD somewhere.

Ian.