Japanese Tokai SG or Epiphone Elite '61 SG?

osa_79 · Plucker Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 9

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.

tokaiguy · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2003 3:39 pm Post subject:

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!

cosmitron · Power chords are my friend Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 32

if You did not see that...

http://www.tokairegistry.com/images/catalogs/oldies_p3.jpg

for those who are interested in SG Tokai replica...

bobw · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 2:01 am Post subject:

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

loverockerUK · Guest

bobw · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 6:45 am Post subject:

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

osa_79 · Plucker Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Posts: 9

tokaiguy · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 3:59 pm Post subject:

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!

bobw · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 7:16 am Post subject:

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

Pribollller · Plucker Joined: 31 Jul 2014 Posts: 13

Thank you?informed me.
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dubli

looktoyourorb · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:11 am Post subject:

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.
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