WTB Tokai SG

MartinI · Dec 27, 2005

Hello everybody (my first post),

I am looking fo a SG60 or SG70. I watched two on ebay, but had no lucky hand.

In general I prefer a used/played guitar, but I already found some online dealers in Europe. Price differs alot, from ~700 ? to ~1000 ?. Has anybody dealt with Tokai Spain? The main page does not work, but the link below.

http://00ok.com/tokai_guitarras_ele...x.php?osCsid=ad35790b4cdaa5ae70088918401d443a

I already own a SG copy, made by Epiphone. I tuned everything but the wood, frequently comparing it with the Gibson SG of a friend, kind of an ongoing workshop regarding div. guitar and amp tweaks. The result is a nice sounding guitar, resonant, with overtones, good sustain and very good definition. But compared to the Gibby it lacks dark- and deepness and it stings more than it smokes. I put this difference on the different woods. In the Epi the neck has a very light wood, more like maple, the body seems to be also no mahogany. Anyhow, I am hooked on the SG tone, so any support to find a Tokai SG is much appreciated. I want to go for a Tokai, because I like the pickup mounting and the price/value relationship more than the G' standard version

Best regards
Martin

just wanted to add that this is one great documentation and service here, thanks!

togps · Dec 27, 2005

Hallo Martin, welcome to the Forum.

MartinI said:
.... Has anybody dealt with Tokai Spain? The main page does not work, but the link below.

Probably Luis, is able to enlighten this?

chrisheyes · Dec 27, 2005

MartinI - Welcome to the forum

I have recently had some pickups handwound for me to obtain the exact tone I was after. The guy even rewound the bridge pickup when I damaged it during installation.

Have you considered having your pickups rewound by an expert to obtain the tone you need.

There is a guy in the UK with a fantastic reputation for nailing the tone, Tim Mills

Join the Bare Kunckle Pickup Forum on :-

http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/

There are guys on there that will go out of their way to assist you.

MartinI · Dec 27, 2005

Hi Chris,

thanks for the hint reg. the pickups. In the "ongoing workshop" we tested Seymour Duncan, Haeussel, Gibson and Jim Wagner pickups. I ended up with the WCR Crossroads on the Epi, Darkbursts on the LP and Haeussels on my Vigier Excalibur. This pickup stuff is really critical, I compared both SGs with WCR Darkbursts and Crossroads. The Gibson SG has now Haeussels, a perfect fit for the dark and woody tone, the WCR were even darker. Again, the Epi with the WCR ist sounding thin and brittle compared to the Gibson SG with the Haeussel (Vin set), definitly no WCR characteristic.

Best regards
Martin

MartinI · Dec 27, 2005

....on http://www.apollonmusic.com are some interesting offers. Any experiences, recommendations, looking good so far?!

Martin

chrisheyes · Dec 27, 2005

Those Nash Guitars look rather interesting :wink:

hans-j?rgen · Dec 28, 2005

Hi Martin, welcome to the Club! I just wanted to add that if you even consider ordering from Spain you should as well look for Japanese dealers who might have an used Tokai SG 60/70 in stock. The shipping costs and tax/customs are higher than within Europe, but their selling price usually is much lower than here. Apollonmusic is one of the Japanese online shops, Guitar Universe and Ishibashi are also well known around here. You can do a forum search for "japanese dealers", and you'll find many threads with more links and tips, e.g. how to use the J-Guitar site.

By the way, I think this link will provide an English overview of all available Tokai guitars and basses from the Spanish distributor:

http://00ok.com/tokai_guitarras_electricas_acusticas_bajos/index.php?manufacturers_id=6&sort=2a&language=en&osCsid=ad35790b4cdaa5ae70088918401d443a

If you click on the dropdown list under "Show", you can even look at the new "Live Rock line up".

MartinI · Dec 28, 2005

Hallo Hans-J?rgen,

thanks for the hints and you are right (off course...) :wink: , but I found that it is no good time to look for a Tokai SG overseas. The transatlantic models wear this different headstock and in Japan the market is sold out. I found 2 (two) SG on the japan guitar link.

My results so far:

Best value/price: www.apollonmusic.com, < 500,- ? excl. taxes, they have not responded to my request from yesterday

Shortest distance: http://www.station-music.de/, highest price, 999,- ?, questionable because RRP from Tokai Europe/GB is 599,- ? ~ 720,- ?

A bunch of SG70 is available in GB, from 499,- to 600,- ?

Best regards
Martin

hans-j?rgen · Dec 28, 2005

I found 2 (two) SG on the japan guitar link.

Just to complete that info, these are the three SGs available on J-Guitar.com at the moment:

http://www.j-guitar.com/sp/sea/view_detail.cgi?pid=10121991 (SG70)
http://www.j-guitar.com/sp/sea/view_detail.cgi?pid=10121990 (SG43)
http://www.j-guitar.com/sp/sea/view_detail.cgi?pid=12011977 (SG43)

Did you also mail Ishibashi if they have one? They took down their Tokai page, because they're sold out on new Love Rocks, but maybe they still have a SG, new or used.

By the way, way too many blues bands in Hamburg...

8)

MartinI · Dec 28, 2005

Hi Hans-J?rgen,

thanks for the advice, I still get only two, I assume I went the wrong way..anyhow, unfortunately I want it red and MIJ.

http://www.j-guitar.jp/sea/JG/stock.cgi?sid=1012

I sent a message to Ishibashi, may be they can help.

Gru?
Martin

ps: heute Abend in der Fabrik: Alex Conti, hoffentlich mit Gold Top Paula...

proflonghair · Dec 29, 2005

I can stand to part with (my G.A.S. is overwhelming) - bought new from Ishibashi in Sept 05 - interested, or does it HAVE to be cherry?

MartinI · Dec 30, 2005

Hi,

thanks for the offer, it has not to be red, but I don't want it blacK or white, that means red or walnut or ??? What colour is yours?

Greets
Martin

proflonghair · Dec 30, 2005

It's Walnut - sorry, I put that in my message title, but it's not exactly high visibility! Walnut SG70, had it since September, fantastic guitar, but I've got to pay for my Jazzmaster somehow! Mail me at [email protected] if you want some pics.

sg lou · Dec 31, 2005

I too am in the market for a Tokai SG for a project i got going. I found the one i am looking for at Belfast Guitar Emporium. Awaiting on an email from them on its availability and price.

http://www.belfastguitaremporium.com/product.asp?pid=76

This SG-70, http://www.j-guitar.jp/sea/JG/view_detail.cgi?pid=10121991
is freeking gorgeous. It has the the most accurate bevels and lines that i have seen on any early 60's SG copy. If i seen correctly,
@ 73,500 yen, that works out to approximatly $625.00 US. Not a bad price at all !
I just may jump on that one as well !

hans-j?rgen · Dec 31, 2005

sg lou said:
If i seen correctly, @ 73,500 yen, that works out to approximatly $625.00 US. Not a bad price at all !

No, that's only the official list price including tax for Japanese buyers. Normally you can substract about 20% from that for foreign online buyers, that's why they say "Ask!" on their page. Adding shipping costs might bring up the total price to the list price though...

proflonghair · Dec 31, 2005

SGLou, if you fancy buying my Walnut SG70 - three months old - give me a yell at the above address. ?450, and it'll save you getting stung on import costs.

(my apologies if I'm spamming the life out of this thread)

sg lou · Dec 31, 2005

proflonghair, I really appreciate the offer but for this Tony Iommi SG Special copy i'm making i need a SG Special body in a cherry finish. I have the John Birch pickups and bridge which i was able to purchase in the UK. I just need a doner body but i don't have the heart to alter an original early 60's SG Special, thats why i'm looking at the one i mentioned.
Here is a scan of a photo of the SG i'd like to replicate

Once again I thank you for the offer.
How about either posting a picture of your guitar or sending me a picture via email. I'll gladly post it over at the EverythingSG forum that it's for sale :wink:

...Lou

proflonghair · Jan 1, 2006

Cheers Lou - I post over there myself every now and then, so if I ever make a concerted effort to sell it (I'm quite happy talking myself out of selling it at the moment!) I'll post the details there and here. Good luck with the project, looks great![/i]

MartinI · Jan 1, 2006

thanks for providing me with so many valuable information. I made the decision to order something different, an Epiphone Elitist 61 reissue, it was just too allurend to have a new one to play in myself. Another point was, that it has the open book headstock, which is only available in the Pacific region. I also like the worn finish, looks and feels like naked skin

. If I don't like it, I try to convince proflonghair to separate his beautifull walnut Tokai....

http://www.musicland.co.jp/shibuya/2f-epiphone_elitist/

The features list (bone nut etc.) and value/price relation is impressive, incl. postage it costs 80,- ? less than the 499,-GBP ~ 720,- ? w/o postage for a Tokai SG found frequently. The elitist is sold on ebay Germany for 755,- ?. Very fast transaction, kind people.

Happy new year
Martin

sg lou · Jan 1, 2006

**** those Epi's look great !

If you have bought, sold or gained information from our Classifieds, please donate to Tokai Forum and give back.

WTB Tokai SG

Help Support Tokai Forum:

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!