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osa_79 Plucker
Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 9
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2003 11:53 am Post subject: Japanese Tokai SG or Epiphone Elite '61 SG? |
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Im trying to decide on which one of these to get. The problem is, i cant try either one of them before i order since there are none around here. The Tokai is a new Japanese SG-60 model with the correct "open-book" headstock shape. The Epiphone Elite, for those who dont know, is Japanese made with American parts. Grover tuners, American pickups, etc. w/hardshell case. Has anyone tried either of these? I dont know what kind of parts the new Tokai uses, but i know the Epiphone has real mother of pearl inlays, bone nut, mahogany body and neck, etc. |
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tokaiguy Guitar God
Joined: 09 Sep 2001 Posts: 643 Location: Dallas Tx
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2003 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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I have a Japanese SG 60 from the 80's and a Korean version of the same and I love them both! The Japanese SG has a more Les Paul tone but the Korean is The Cream Machine! Thru a Marshall cranked it is pure Clapton at the Crossroads!! Forget abot the Epi's go Tokai!  |
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cosmitron Power chords are my friend
Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 32
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bobw Sus4add11
Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Posts: 40 Location: Surrey UK
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 2:01 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
I've owned a Tokai SG for about a year from new and its absolutely superb. By coincidence I was in a dealers yesterday where they had both the Tokai SG and the Epiphone Elite version. Two things immediately struck me; the Elite headstock is gross! the shape is awful and does not complement the sleek look of the guitar at all. Secondly the Tokai SG was sporting the modified headstock itself not the original open book style, unlike my own. Furthermore virtually all the Love Rocks in stock also had this modified headstock, which to my eyes is less attractive.
For my money I would select the Tokai particularly if you can obtain the correct headstock shape.
Does anybody know whether all new Tokai's (Gibson clones) are now sporting the modified headstock in the UK?
BobW |
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loverockerUK Guest
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 3:20 am Post subject: |
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null
Last edited by loverockerUK on Sat Mar 13, 2004 8:56 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bobw Sus4add11
Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Posts: 40 Location: Surrey UK
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 6:45 am Post subject: |
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Barry,
To clarify my previous remarks, both the Tokai SG and Love Rocks appeared to be the correct body shape, but the SG and most of the Love Rocks had the headstock with the additional 'pip' or protrusion at the centre. These were LS 70 and LS 65 models although one had the standard headstock shape.
BobW |
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osa_79 Plucker
Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 9
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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bobw wrote: | Hi,
I've owned a Tokai SG for about a year from new and its absolutely superb. By coincidence I was in a dealers yesterday where they had both the Tokai SG and the Epiphone Elite version. Two things immediately struck me; the Elite headstock is gross! the shape is awful and does not complement the sleek look of the guitar at all. Secondly the Tokai SG was sporting the modified headstock itself not the original open book style, unlike my own. Furthermore virtually all the Love Rocks in stock also had this modified headstock, which to my eyes is less attractive.
For my money I would select the Tokai particularly if you can obtain the correct headstock shape.
Does anybody know whether all new Tokai's (Gibson clones) are now sporting the modified headstock in the UK?
BobW |
How does the neck feel on your Tokai SG? Is it similar to the Gibson '61 Reissue? How does it sound? The price they're asking for the Tokai seems to be a bit too steep. I could purchase a used Gibson Standard for about the same amount. |
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tokaiguy Guitar God
Joined: 09 Sep 2001 Posts: 643 Location: Dallas Tx
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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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Realize that a Gibson or Fender of today is also a replica! They were inspired by the Japanese replicas from the late 70's /early 80's! My Tokai Strats are more on the money than my Fender American 62' reissue made in the Fullerton factory. As far as a new Gibson SG standard, go for the Japanese Tokai it is much more a 61'than the Gibson. I went to the Dallas Guitar show this last weekend and I just had a laugh at the "Rare" "Collectors" "Vintage" crap that is so over priced it's silly! My first electric was a 63' Gibson Melody Maker D/ $125 at Ace Music in North Miami...a sweet little entry level player. At the show they were going for $700 plus I'd rather have a new or used Tokai, 1.not everybody has one or knows what the heck it is and 2. they are just great guitars! I would of bought a Melody Maker D at a reasonable price , I'm just not that nostalgic!  |
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bobw Sus4add11
Joined: 14 Mar 2002 Posts: 40 Location: Surrey UK
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 7:16 am Post subject: |
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The neck on the Tokai SG feels extremely comfortable to me, quite chunky just how I like it, I do not like v.slim necks. The guitar itself has the same neck/body join of the 61/62 original version of the SG. The current Gibson SG standard neck joint is different and impairs the upper neck access somewhat in comparison. In the Uk the Gibson SG 61 reissue equivalent is approx double the cost of the Tokai. The SG standard is cheaper but inferior in my opinion. I much prefer the small pickguard with pickups mounted direct on the body.
BobW |
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Pribollller Plucker
Joined: 31 Jul 2014 Posts: 13
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Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 2:38 am Post subject: |
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Thank you?informed me. _________________ dubli
Last edited by Pribollller on Tue Aug 26, 2014 4:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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looktoyourorb Guitar God
Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 516 Location: UK - Anglia
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Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:11 am Post subject: |
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The Elitist headstock will always be a deal breaker for some. I do not mind it on my Casino but it does look out of place on an SG.
I would say Tokai on the one. _________________ Tokai LS150 - TJ78 - ES100N
PRS SC245 - Modern Eagle - 53/10 Ltd
Gibson SG Std - LP R6 - Firebird - Melody Maker
Epiphone Casino Elitist
Ibanez Destroyer DT420
Jackson Roswell
Fender RW 60's
DIY Cabronita & Telemaster |
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