newer Tokai les pauls

[frankajoerg]

hi guys!

what are your thoughts on the newer Tokais out there?

like for instance these models:

TOKAI LOVE ROCK LP LS130
TOKAI LOVE ROCK LP LS100F
Tokai LS260 Reborn Old
Tokai LS160 Love Rock

any good compared to the late 70`s and early 80`s?

 

[paulski]

I'd like to ask the same question. Also, roughly what should a new LS100F cost?

 

[looktoyourorb]

All my Tokais were made in 2002 or later - they are all excellent.

Actually this is why I switched from Gibson to Tokai...

 

[frankajoerg]

What about a Tokai LS 150 from 1984?

A Tokai Love rock LS450 from 1999?

I assume these are higher rated and more valuable than the newer tokais from 2000 and up to today both in craftmanship and overall quality?

And do you know of the Navigator LP 580 LTD from 2005?

How is this rated amongs these babies above?

If you could choose one, what would you go for?

All in mint condition that is. 500 euros extra between the 150 and the 450/580.

 

[Diamond]

The new Tokais are made in the same original factory as the old Tokais, and the factory is still owned by the same family that started Tokai in 1947.

The current/new Tokais are, IMO, the best value for money Les Pauls currently manufactured.

I hope that answers your questions.

 

[wulfman]

Newer Tokais are great guitars, I have had 3 of them and still have one. Second only to Bacchus in the bang for buck category IMO.

 

[frankajoerg]

I'm thinking of buying one of these

Tokai LS260, brand new
Tokai LS450, 1999
Navigator NPL 580,2005

I have the 1979 lp reborn LS100 without the original pups and I do love that guitar.

The 260 would be the cheapest choice of course, 1100 euros cheaper than the two rolls Royce's....

Question is if the two are worth the 1100 euros extra..

 

[Quietly]

I cannot help on the models mentioned and at the late age of 67 I have only just stumbled into a Tokai. My recently owned guitars run through several Gibson's including two Les Pauls and several ES models. Gretsch Country Club, Musicman Reflex, PRS Single Cut, Tom Anderson Cobra S, three Hamer USA's all superb top end guitars. I only mention the above not as a boast but as guitars that I know and can use as a reference point

So here I am with 2010 LC98S picture below and still scratching my head as to how they can build such a superb guitar at less than half the price of any of the above. Build quality is certainly up and beyond the two Les Pauls I owned and certainly equal or very close to the others. Having said that no one builds them better in my humble opinion than Hamer USA who unfortunately do not make an LP copy.

Guitars like violins appear to sound better with age having said that I am convinced they are made better now than ever but that is just my humble opinion. Long winded way of saying don't worry about Tokai build quality.

Oh and I put the chrome locking strap buttons because I had some spares

 

[frankajoerg]

Nice one! I have a 2011 Tokai LS2-P90-W goldtop that is just amazingly built and sound so good. 1000 euros and worth every cent!

I don't have any concerns buying a newer Tokai but man that navigator NPL 580 and Tokai LS 450 sure makes me wanna invest

 

[Quietly]

Nice one! I have a 2011 Tokai LS2-P90-W goldtop that is just amazingly built and sound so good. 1000 euros and worth every cent!

I don't have any concerns buying a newer Tokai but man that navigator NPL 580 and Tokai LS 450 sure makes me wanna invest

Go for it if you can afford or you will only kick yourself later. :lol: Boys and their toys.

 

[Reborn Old]

Having owned Historics , premium Tokais (old and new) and top Bacchus models, I think Wulfman offered the most educated + unbiased answer.

I own several LS-195-260 LS models. From my experience all newer Tokai Premium models are beyond reproach. Pickups and caps are their weakest points, which is a very minor and easily corrected issue. There is no fret edge binding until LS-320-370-420 model* , if that is important to you.(*model number increases from yr 2000 to 2012)
LS-320-370-420 and up offer Braz + Honduran wood selections.

After 2004-2005, I personally avoid any solid top model below LS-160
or export model. YRMV :-?
LS-1 + LS-2 are fine if you don't pay suggested retail.

1978-1982 premium models often used select woods like LS-320-370-420 and up models do, and had generally nicer looking maple tops than most modern equivalents.
They are harder to find despite more being produced, and more widely collected.

 

[Diamond]

Having owned Historics , premium Tokais (old and new) and top Bacchus models, I think Wulfman offered the most educated + unbiased answer.

I own several LS-195-260 LS models. From my experience all newer Tokai Premium models are beyond reproach. Pickups and caps are their weakest points, which is a very minor and easily corrected issue. There is no fret edge binding until LS-320-370-420 model* , if that is important to you.(*model number increases from yr 2000 to 2012)
LS-320-370-420 and up offer Braz + Honduran wood selections.

After 2004-2005, I personally avoid any solid top model below LS-160
or export model. YRMV :-?
LS-1 + LS-2 are fine if you don't pay suggested retail.

1978-1982 premium models often used select woods like LS-320-370-420 and up models do, and had generally nicer looking maple tops than most modern equivalents.
They are harder to find despite more being produced, and more widely collected.

You should get a job at the Tokai factory, they could learn so much from you. :wink:

First you say this.
"From my experience all newer Tokai Premium models are beyond reproach".

And then you say this.
"After 2004-2005, I personally avoid any solid top model below LS-160
or export model."

Excuse my confusion ^^^

And what does "export" model mean...please explain?

For interests sake...have you owned/played any LS92 "export" models?

 

[looktoyourorb]

My personal experience with modern Tokais

2002 ES-100 - used

2005 LS150 - new

2008 LC85 - used

2008 TJ78 - new

Playability: All are stellar. The new guitars needed 1/4 truss rod adjustment and that's it. Both used ones were spot on but the ES100 was set up recently prior to me buying it. They play brilliantly and exceed the Gibsons I had in the past or still have, Tokais exceed my expectations in general, I had to spend a LOT of $$$ to find something that would play a well (see guitars list below...)

Sound: the only stock Tokai is my TJ78, absolute rock machine it is. The used ones were both fitted with Duncan 59s strangely enough but they work great Gibson style guitars. The LS150 was upgraded to hand wound unit not because the Gotohs disappointed but only because I was after the Page look and sound. I have not played or heard a better LP to date.

Build quality:
ES100 - Exceptional
LS150 - very good, the only tiny criticism in the way they do the inlays but this is near invisible.
LC85 - very good, this all mahog LP also had the biggest sustain I have ever heard.
TJ78 - Exceptional

In short: 4 MIJ Tokai = 4 BRILLIANT guitars, not one lemon or obvious flaws.

Conclusion: I am a picky old git but I know the level of quality and playability I want in a guitar. I had many dozens over the years and have kept what I consider the cream of the crop alongside with my own builds on which I would spend 100s of hours to get everything perfect.

I often see luscious Gibsons gold top (my recurring GAS) at a good price but I always have my past experience at the back of my mind. Tokai has one of the best QC I have seen, it is a brand I would genuinely trust if I needed to buy unseen.

Anyone got a Gold Top Tokai for sale? :lol:

 

[JVsearch]

You should get a job at the Tokai factory, they could learn so much from you. :wink:

First you say this.
"From my experience all newer Tokai Premium models are beyond reproach".

And then you say this.
"After 2004-2005, I personally avoid any solid top model below LS-160
or export model."

Excuse my confusion ^^^

And what does "export" model mean...please explain?

For interests sake...have you owned/played any LS92 "export" models?

I understand what is being said, it seems pretty straightforward to me, but I can neither agree nor disagree with the advice.
Although I would always suggest spending as much as you can on a guitar just because, well, life is too short.

Given what I've read here on the forum these suggestions seem surprising, but interesting.

 

[frankajoerg]

My personal experience with modern Tokais

2002 ES-100 - used

2005 LS150 - new

2008 LC85 - used

2008 TJ78 - new

Playability: All are stellar. The new guitars needed 1/4 truss rod adjustment and that's it. Both used ones were spot on but the ES100 was set up recently prior to me buying it. They play brilliantly and exceed the Gibsons I had in the past or still have, Tokais exceed my expectations in general, I had to spend a LOT of $$$ to find something that would play a well (see guitars list below...)

Sound: the only stock Tokai is my TJ78, absolute rock machine it is. The used ones were both fitted with Duncan 59s strangely enough but they work great Gibson style guitars. The LS150 was upgraded to hand wound unit not because the Gotohs disappointed but only because I was after the Page look and sound. I have not played or heard a better LP to date.

Build quality:
ES100 - Exceptional
LS150 - very good, the only tiny criticism in the way they do the inlays but this is near invisible.
LC85 - very good, this all mahog LP also had the biggest sustain I have ever heard.
TJ78 - Exceptional

In short: 4 MIJ Tokai = 4 BRILLIANT guitars, not one lemon or obvious flaws.

Conclusion: I am a picky old git but I know the level of quality and playability I want in a guitar. I had many dozens over the years and have kept what I consider the cream of the crop alongside with my own builds on which I would spend 100s of hours to get everything perfect.

I often see luscious Gibsons gold top (my recurring GAS) at a good price but I always have my past experience at the back of my mind. Tokai has one of the best QC I have seen, it is a brand I would genuinely trust if I needed to buy unseen.

Anyone got a Gold Top Tokai for sale? :lol:

holy hell!! thats a nice collection of NICE guitars!!

I have a brand new 2011 Tokai LS2-P90-W Goldtop for sale! Its a beautiful Customshop limited model, only 12 qty made worldwide.

not a single mark or scratch on it, looks brand new and has not been used much due too the fact of too many guitars

Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frankajoerg/show/


both guitars are for sale!

the other guitar in the pics is a 1979 Tokai LS-80/100 Reborn. I call it LS80/100 because the body is stamped LS100 and the neck is stamped LS80.

 

[looktoyourorb]

I would love to but after the Elitist Casino and the ES100 this month (not even counting the parts for for my DYI T-Bird) I would head straight fr the divorce!

 

[bluesyrat]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Tokai1981]

Tokai LS260 Reborn Old

This one seems really nice.
When I have money again someday i might buy this one to complement my LS150 from 2007.

What would be the biggest difference with my LS150?

 

[Reborn Old]

You should get a job at the Tokai factory, they could learn so much from you. :wink:

First you say this.
"From my experience all newer Tokai Premium models are beyond reproach".

And then you say this.
"After 2004-2005, I personally avoid any solid top model below LS-160
or export model."

Excuse my confusion ^^^

And what does "export" model mean...please explain?

For interests sake...have you owned/played any LS92 "export" models?

Sorry I have no interest in communicating with a Tokai dealer who has in the past informed me via PM's
that he has family members who are well positioned in Law and has threatened me with lawsuits for expressing opinions on this forum
that weren't in any way defamatory.

You in turn engage in the very behavior you accused me of, to begin with. :roll:

 

[JVsearch]

You should get a job at the Tokai factory, they could learn so much from you. :wink:

First you say this.
"From my experience all newer Tokai Premium models are beyond reproach".

And then you say this.
"After 2004-2005, I personally avoid any solid top model below LS-160
or export model."

Excuse my confusion ^^^

And what does "export" model mean...please explain?

For interests sake...have you owned/played any LS92 "export" models?

Sorry I have no interest in communicating with a Tokai dealer who has in the past informed me via PM's
that he has family members who are well positioned in Law and has threatened me with lawsuits for expressing opinions on this forum
that weren't in any way defamatory.

You in turn engage in the very behavior you accused me of, to begin with. :roll:

Gottfried Mk.2 eh? Lol, seems like they're both wired to attack free speech.

Thanks for the heads up BTW, it's been well noted.