Question about truss rod cover replacement - SOLVED!

[Milos83]

I am thinking about replacing truss rod cover on my Tokai with either Gibson or vintage Tokai. I would actually prefer vintage Tokai with pointy ends, but I'm not sure if it's possible to find one. If not, I guess Gibson will do. But, I am wondering will it fit. I measured the distance between the holes and it's exactly 5,1 cm (measured from the inner side of the holes, as on the picture).

I don't want to drill another hole on the headstock, or anything like that.

Is it possible to find vintage style Tokai trc?

If not, can someone tell me will Gibson trc fit? And if genuine doesn't, can I get away with "Historic"? I read somewhere it's just a bit shorter, but I can't find the size anywhere on net...

Thanks in advance.

 

[leadguitar_323]

Try forum member Togps, he has the "tokai Reborn" truss rod covers to suit.

Mick

 

[Milos83]

Thanks Mick, I sent him a mail.

Any other solutions meanwhile?

Here is a more precise picture:

 

[luis]

It?s not so easy getting an old bell Tokai TRC,maybe you?ll got luck in Japan. Gottfried TRCs are vey pretty I would take it from him.If not any avalaible get one from Rockinger in Germany,they fit well.

 

[Anonymous]

A standard, cheap Gibson copy (cost me ?5) fitted just fine on my LS85S. There was a thread about this a few months back - try using the search facility and you should find it.

Mike

 

[Goestoeleven]

I fitted a "Standard" engraved Gibson one to mine, but it did mean drilling another hole. Then again it's never going to be put back to stock again, so I'm not too bothered.

I used the original hole nearest the nut and then drilled another top one about 4mm higher up for the slightly longer cover.

I'm happy with the way it turned out.

 

[Milos83]

Mike, that one looks perfect. (But, why "stratman", when it's a LP? )

I found the old thread, and I'm checking the links at the moment. I'll also call Togps, to check about the measures...

(Anyone knows why they changed the vintage "semi-bell" shape anyway? I like it more than a Gibson bell trc.)

 

[Anonymous]

Mike, that one looks perfect. (But, why "stratman", when it's a LP? )

Well I only have one Tokai LP, but I have more than one Strat..... :wink:

 

[JohnA]

Mike, that one looks perfect. (But, why "stratman", when it's a LP? )

I have more than one Strat..... :wink:

Understatement of the century :wink:

 

[Big Ed]

On all my Tokai Les Paul copies :wink: Reborn, Reborn Old, Love Rocks, ES, I install a aged TRC from Gregor Hilden, Germany

:wink:

 

[Anonymous]

On all my Tokai Les Paul copies,

Don't call them copies :-? some people on here get VERY upset when that word gets used.

:lol:

 

[Milos83]

Well, I just ordered a vintage Tokai trc from Gottfried. I hope it will fit.

I'm ok with the word "copy", but this "copy" that I have plays and sounds at least as good or even better than 3 Gibsons I've tried, and it's definitely finished better than all of them. I'm very thankful to Gibson for designing such a beautiful and versatile guitar as ES-335, but no way I will pay 3 times more just for a Gibson logo and "made in USA" writing. I'm not a millionaire yet... :wink:

Big Ed, that's a nice looking trc, just like a "historic" one.

 

[Paladin2019]

I'm ok with the word "copy", but this "copy" that I have plays and sounds at least as good or even better than 3 Gibsons I've tried,

I'll play Captain Pedantic here :lol:

When we talk about "copies" we're generally referring to cheap lookalikes such as epiphone or agile. When you're dealing with a quality product that gets it right under the surface as well, I generally use the word "replica". I wouldn't class a Tokai or a Heritage as a "copy" guitar. The word just has the worng connotations and use of the word "replica" helps make the distinction especially somewhere like this board which specialises in, let's face it, reproductions of another company's original design.

Nobody is really offended by the word "copy", except where the person using that word is obviously just trying to stir up trouble or bad feeling.

 

[Milos83]

I agree - "replica" is the most appropriate word. Almost all Tokai ES guitars except ES-150 (one with the block inlays) are very detailed replicas of 50's 335 (dot neck, longer pickguard, fat neck, yellow switcher), the only visual differences are the above mentioned truss rod cover, and yellow knobs (which I might change as well, because the numbers on the black ones are more visible). That's why I had a bit of dilemma between vintage Tokai and (very overpriced) Gibson historic trc. But, since my goal is not to "gibsonize" my Tokai, but to change the original trc (really the only detail that I don't like), I decided to go with the one that I like better - vintage Tokai.

Call me crazy, but Gibson bell-shaped trc kind of reminds me of a condom (it's still better than modern Tokai trc)...

 

[Milos83]

Thanks to togps, my ES-155 finally looks perfect. Here's a pic of the new "pointy ends" trc (which fits PERFECTLY):

Thank you Gottfried, you're the man!

 

[JohnA]

I do like a happy ending

 

[Professor Jones]

What is the cheapest way to buy a gibson like cover for europeans ? I'm not willing to pay more than 10 euros shipping included for a piece of plastic...

 

[Anonymous]

What is the cheapest way to buy a gibson like cover for europeans ? I'm not willing to pay more than 10 euros shipping included for a piece of plastic...

In the UK, www.axerus.com sells them for ?5, post free. They fit perfectly on my LS85S & ES130. They send stuff post free in the UK, but I have no idea where you are, since you haven't put your location in your profile.

 

[Professor Jones]

I'm in france. Thank you for the link