Reputable Tokai Dealers?

Jamin'D · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 8:33 am Post subject: Reputable Tokai Dealers?

Any trusted dealers selling Tokai guitars?
I understand most are in Japan but I had a bad experience buying an Edwards LP described as new off a Japanese seller on ebay. It showed up with twist in the neck and was unrepairable after being inspected by local tech. The seller did however accept the return and covered shipping but it was a headache.

felixcatus · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Reputable Tokai Dealers?

Jamin'D · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 3:24 pm Post subject:

Toronto, Canada

felixcatus · Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 11:21 pm Post subject:

Then I think @brokentoes would be the man to consult, maybe send him a PM if he doesn't reply here?

J.E.M. · Guitar God Joined: 27 Jun 2011 Posts: 120

Short answer is no, there are no authorized dealers who could order from Tokai Japan.

Jamin'D · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 4:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks.
Ok so better off to try online then.
Any Japanese sellers that members had luck with?

brokentoes · Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 10:09 pm Post subject:

There are no actual dealers of Tokai's in Canada, they can be found here though, the amount of fake ones unfortunately far outweigh the actual real ones. Good deals can be had sometimes though when a real one pops up. The sellers of Japanese guitars on forums i've found to be the best places to get one when not found locally.

There's a real one on ebay outta sask. right now. No affiliation.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-LS173-VF-Guitar/173024657413?hash=item284912c005:g:gw8AAOSwiBJaLKoi

brokentoes · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:19 pm Post subject:

That one went for a little over $700 U.S. shipped in Canada. Not a bad deal.

felixcatus · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:10 am Post subject:

brokentoes · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 1:18 am Post subject:

To give a perspective, if i bought that one i't would cost me $920 CDN shipped to my door.

A used Gibson standard (lower spec than that Tokai) would run $2000. I don't even wanna know what a equal spec Gibson equivalent would run.

Jamin'D · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:54 am Post subject:

Somebody scored a great deal. I would have bid myself but bad timing. So even with shipping that Tokai LS 173 came in at under a grand.

brokentoes · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 9:51 am Post subject:

They do pop up in Canada from time to time. You just have to be ready and have a little luck on your side. Happy hunting.

iainblack · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 5:46 am Post subject:

Have you considered buying directly from Tokai in Japan?
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Jamin'D · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 6:36 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the late reply.
I didn't know you could deal with Tokai directly.
So will they ship internationally? I'm near Toronto, Canada.

Jamin'D · Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 6:47 pm Post subject:

CITES? Shipping rosewood...that's a whole other thing.
Had no trouble so far getting an LS 50 and LS 95 from overseas.