Hey Jonathan this is a really great video and I had my eye on one of these guitars that needed a bit of work on eBay. I bought it and I can tell you I wasn’t disappointed at all thanks for this video. I’ve had a Gibson ES335 and I have to say the build quality of these guitars were just as amazing diamonds in the rough people just aren’t aware of them great demo.
Personally,I have had a Tokai ES100R (1982) since 1995. I had some time with a Gibson 335 over the years, but this is my MOST prized possession. It has so much character...much like the tone Jon is getting from this instrument. Tokai are just incredible guitars. If you get a vintage one, NEVER sell it.
Hi Jonathan I've seen your post in Facebook's tokai guitar owners players group and once again a pleasure to watch, I have a Chinese legacy model myself that I upgraded with iron gear blues engine pickups and I've got no complaints, it sounds great and is very comfortable to play, but now I will definately be looking out for a Japanese model es guitar
Hi Craig!! Welcome to the channel!! Irregardless of where the guitar was made from, the important thing is that you are comfortable with it. I'm glad you are with yours. The Japanese made models has finer workmanship although I must admit the Chinese made guitars are a while lot better than they were years ago. 🤓✌️
Looks and sounds fantastic! Great job. Really would like to have heard some sweet clean tone playing and guitar soloed in all pickup positions without tracks in the background. But still well done. Clearly a great sounding guitar, though.
I have an es168, which has flame body and block inlays. The nut width is about 42 millimeters which is more narrow than my tokai LS128. Still a great guitar.
Great video, Jonathan. I honestly consider Tokai to be equivalent to Gibson in terms of quality. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one instead of the Gibson counterpart.
Aye....some how The Japan made guitars from Tokai and some major brands like Fender are really good. You can actually see the quality of their workmanship if you examine them up close.🤓✌
here is my experience: I dreamt of a Gibson ES335, tested it 3 times , 2012, 2016, 2018, each time finding a POOR tone and lot of flaws in the luthery and finish. It happened I found a Tokai ES-162SR Japan Made: I HAD to buy it: THE TONE you expect from a good ES335, and a perfect luthery , no one flaw, all that for nearly half the price of the Gibson ! later on I found an Eastman T59V made in China, which is another High Quality tone ES335 with a perfect vintage finish, again for half of the price of a Gibson. Even the Ibanez AS153 made in China, for a 3rd of a Gibson price is better than the Gibson. Unless you're rich enough to buy a Gibson Custom Shop, 4 times the Tokai price to get an equivalent with a Gibson sticker on the head. Even for a Les Paul , a Tokai Made in Japan is better than a Gibson, again in my own experience, I sold my Gibson LP Standard replaced by a Tokai LS1000 which equivalent in tone and luthery to a 59RI ! you have to test it by yourself !
Gilles Genete Useful info. I tried an Eastman ES335 clone once and was blown away, I’ve not had the pleasure of trying a Gibson. I’m tempted in that they hold their value. Heritage is another worth considering? I’m a lefty, it’s hard to try any decent guitars before you buy.
I used to have a Tokai SG from 1983, it was AWESOME. I still regret that I sold it((( It is so weird that those Japanese guitars are not really popular in the US, cause they are very popular in my country.Many people love them.
It's gorgeous, I'm surprised you don't play it more. It would be great if you get a chance to demo a Gibson ES 335. I was looking on line and saw a sunburst one left handed this week, may fav for £1999.00. I may get one? I recently bought a Harley Benton E35 plus, it's a clone, but slightly smaller body, sort of in between a 335 and a 339. Just changed the pickups and tuners and it's great value for money, I had no choice but to get cheery red, me being a lefty, but I still like it. I love the weight, the feel and the sound. I would love to try a Gibson, the one I saw hap Memphis something pickups, I wonder how they compare to Gibson Classic 57's?
Yeah man Japanese guitars !! I have a 1980 Greco super real egf850. The thing is just so beautifully made. Closest thing to a real 58 59 Les Paul ! Also a Greco super sounds from79 and a 86 Squier e series strat. I love em all !!
@@JonIsJustTooLoud The Greco strat will at some time need a refret but it plays and sounds real nice. The e series Squier had had a refret so thats good for years. And the Les paul the frets are still very good even though they are quite skinny vintage frets. They all play very good. They are my favoite guitars even though I have many more great guitars. They are keepers for sure !!
Your influences are evident in your style and way you play. You have a nice tone and apparently the Tokai Gakki you have has 59 Seymour Duncan Pickups installed. Very nice guitar.
@@JonIsJustTooLoud say a standard Gibson ES335, will the difference be so big? Reason is I am considering a Tokai Es130 or a Yamaha SA1000 over a Gibson. Thank you Jon.
Beautiful guitar and awesome playing 👍 I’ve got the same guitar but in Natural/blonde finish. Mine is a 2006 model. It’s as good as any top shelf 335 type guitar out there. Feel those Mickey mouse ears! The only main difference that I’ve noticed is the nut is narrower than the real thing. So I assume the nut or fingerboard width must be narrower. I have to adjust my fingering a bit every time I play it but only take a couple of songs so not a big deal. Have you noticed that?
Jonathan Koh haha thats’s true....ES110. It’s quiet strange though as my other (Japanese) Tokai Les Paul and Flying V got the exact dimension so not sure why they decided to build their ES line different. I’m sure this wasn’t by error but must have been by design...
Very good! I would like to buy a TOKAI UES78 CHINA. I wanted to mount 2 PAF Seymour Duncan Seth Lover or GIBSON 57 classic VINTAGE pickups. What would you recommend for a full-bodied sound that comes close to the 335 DOT GIBSON? What do you think about it? Can I get good results? Alternatively IBANEZ AS93 or EPIPHONE SHERATON. Thanks .
Great and informative video! I have some questions about those Tokai ES guitars, have you tried new ones? are the fret spacing the same as Gibson or are they made with "right" spacings?
Hi, Congratulations on the tutorials on UA-cam. I respect you very much. I'd like to ask you for advice. I would like to buy a 335-like SEMI-ACOUSTIC GUITAR. I have seen these models that over time I will try. IBANEZ AS93 or AS193. TOKAI UES78 EPIPHONE SHERATON II PRO AGSTROM VIKING 2019 Which of these, in your opinion in order of importance, can approach the sound of the GIBSON335 possibly with a PICK UP change (which ones?) I thank you and always follow you. I wish you and your family HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a NEW YEAR full of health, serenity, many beautiful things and the realization of your dreams, needs and desires. Roberto
Thank you Roberto! I have only tried 2 out of the 4 models you mentioned. You cant go wrong with Tokai(Japan Made) guitars..That would be my 1st choice. The Epiphone Sheraton is also another great guitar. As for the pickups, it would largely depend on what sort of playing style you have. I really like Seymour Duncans so you might want to check out their website. The Seth Lover is really sweet. Hope this helps 🤓✌
![Mick’s Gibson ES-335 Gets New Pickups & Loom [Hardest Pickup Swap Ever?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Out2LP6Tafc/mqdefault.jpg)
I have 4 Tokai 335 guitars. Absolutely stunning instruments. Many thanks for opening up others eyes to these great instruments.
My pleasure!
Oh my gosh, such excellent playing. Your string bending especially, is sublime.
Thank you ✌️❤️
I bought my 1981 Tokai ES100 in 1983. Still love to play it.
Nice!
Hi Joachim, I have Tokai Gakki ES100R exactly like yours. The S/N on my own is 1013137. Epic, clean instrument!
@@chriswilliams-lilley3069 mine is 87 numbers later.
Hey Jonathan this is a really great video and I had my eye on one of these guitars that needed a bit of work on eBay. I bought it and I can tell you I wasn’t disappointed at all thanks for this video. I’ve had a Gibson ES335 and I have to say the build quality of these guitars were just as amazing diamonds in the rough people just aren’t aware of them great demo.
Thank you!!✌♥
Personally,I have had a Tokai ES100R (1982) since 1995. I had some time with a Gibson 335 over the years, but this is my MOST prized possession. It has so much character...much like the tone Jon is getting from this instrument. Tokai are just incredible guitars. If you get a vintage one, NEVER sell it.
I agree ✌️❤️
Hi Jonathan I've seen your post in Facebook's tokai guitar owners players group and once again a pleasure to watch, I have a Chinese legacy model myself that I upgraded with iron gear blues engine pickups and I've got no complaints, it sounds great and is very comfortable to play, but now I will definately be looking out for a Japanese model es guitar
Hi Craig!! Welcome to the channel!! Irregardless of where the guitar was made from, the important thing is that you are comfortable with it. I'm glad you are with yours. The Japanese made models has finer workmanship although I must admit the Chinese made guitars are a while lot better than they were years ago. 🤓✌️
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. Also for the excellent guitar skills. Inspirational playing.
Thank you brother!!! ✌️🤓
What an wonderful tone, Great playing too!
Thank you ✌️❤️
Great playing and tone. Thanks. I have a 2002 MIJ Tokai ES-100 in blonde.
pete harding nice!!!! ✌️❤️
MIJ Tokais are as good as it gets period! I have two old LP replicas, stellar!
Awesome!!
Great playing, Jonathan! Love it!
Thank you so much ✌️❤️
wow i love your play thanx
Thank✌🤓 you !
I wish I could play as good as this guy.
This guy thinks that you can!
Looks and sounds fantastic! Great job. Really would like to have heard some sweet clean tone playing and guitar soloed in all pickup positions without tracks in the background. But still well done. Clearly a great sounding guitar, though.
✌️
great sound as always.
Thank you so much Kenny!! 🤓✌
That is a great guitar Jonathan congrats! Sounds beautiful!
Thanks 🤓✌️
I have an es168, which has flame body and block inlays. The nut width is about 42 millimeters which is more narrow than my tokai LS128. Still a great guitar.
Nice ✌️❤️
Good stuff Jonathan!
Thanks man!!✌🤓
Two great videos in one night, thanks. Good luck with new album production.
Thank you rRowland !!!🤓✌
Great video, Jonathan. I honestly consider Tokai to be equivalent to Gibson in terms of quality. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one instead of the Gibson counterpart.
Aye....some how The Japan made guitars from Tokai and some major brands like Fender are really good. You can actually see the quality of their workmanship if you examine them up close.🤓✌
Thanks for the quick reply! I like to think this is reasonably well known, it's just outside of the USA for some reason 🤔🙂👌
I can vouch!
here is my experience: I dreamt of a Gibson ES335, tested it 3 times , 2012, 2016, 2018, each time finding a POOR tone and lot of flaws in the luthery and finish. It happened I found a Tokai ES-162SR Japan Made: I HAD to buy it: THE TONE you expect from a good ES335, and a perfect luthery , no one flaw, all that for nearly half the price of the Gibson ! later on I found an Eastman T59V made in China, which is another High Quality tone ES335 with a perfect vintage finish, again for half of the price of a Gibson. Even the Ibanez AS153 made in China, for a 3rd of a Gibson price is better than the Gibson. Unless you're rich enough to buy a Gibson Custom Shop, 4 times the Tokai price to get an equivalent with a Gibson sticker on the head. Even for a Les Paul , a Tokai Made in Japan is better than a Gibson, again in my own experience, I sold my Gibson LP Standard replaced by a Tokai LS1000 which equivalent in tone and luthery to a 59RI ! you have to test it by yourself !
Gilles Genete Useful info. I tried an Eastman ES335 clone once and was blown away, I’ve not had the pleasure of trying a Gibson. I’m tempted in that they hold their value. Heritage is another worth considering? I’m a lefty, it’s hard to try any decent guitars before you buy.
I used to have a Tokai SG from 1983, it was AWESOME. I still regret that I sold it(((
It is so weird that those Japanese guitars are not really popular in the US, cause they are very popular in my country.Many people love them.
oh man... those guitars made in those days are gems... where are you from by the way??🤓✌️
Bravo
Grazie!🤓✌
I wondered if it was made in Japan. Nice guitar.
Yes it was✌️❤️
It's gorgeous, I'm surprised you don't play it more. It would be great if you get a chance to demo a Gibson ES 335. I was looking on line and saw a sunburst one left handed this week, may fav for £1999.00. I may get one? I recently bought a Harley Benton E35 plus, it's a clone, but slightly smaller body, sort of in between a 335 and a 339. Just changed the pickups and tuners and it's great value for money, I had no choice but to get cheery red, me being a lefty, but I still like it. I love the weight, the feel and the sound. I would love to try a Gibson, the one I saw hap Memphis something pickups, I wonder how they compare to Gibson Classic 57's?
The classic 57s are nice sounding.. I might change my classic premium plus to them.. but I worked prefer covers for them✌️❤️
Jonathan. Every guitar that you play just sounds great! Maybe sound comes from the player after all... :)
Thank you 😄
Yeah man Japanese guitars !! I have a 1980 Greco super real egf850. The thing is just so beautifully made. Closest thing to a real 58 59 Les Paul ! Also a Greco super sounds from79 and a 86 Squier e series strat. I love em all !!
Wow!! Those are real gems!! How are they holding out after all these years??
@@JonIsJustTooLoud The Greco strat will at some time need a refret but it plays and sounds real nice. The e series Squier had had a refret so thats good for years. And the Les paul the frets are still very good even though they are quite skinny vintage frets. They all play very good. They are my favoite guitars even though I have many more great guitars. They are keepers for sure !!
Your influences are evident in your style and way you play. You have a nice tone and apparently the Tokai Gakki you have has 59 Seymour Duncan Pickups installed. Very nice guitar.
Thank you ✌️❤️
Hi John about the input jack, is it loose sometimes? I had a sheraton and I sold it because of that issue
Get a bottle of lock tight.. and you’re be fine
Thank you!@@JonIsJustTooLoud
Hi Jonathan, do you have any experience with a Gibson ES335 and how does it compare to the Tokai?
Thank you.
Slight difference but it also depends on the model and year of make ✌️❤️
@@JonIsJustTooLoud say a standard Gibson ES335, will the difference be so big? Reason is I am considering a Tokai Es130 or a Yamaha SA1000 over a Gibson. Thank you Jon.
Beautiful guitar and awesome playing 👍 I’ve got the same guitar but in Natural/blonde finish. Mine is a 2006 model. It’s as good as any top shelf 335 type guitar out there. Feel those Mickey mouse ears! The only main difference that I’ve noticed is the nut is narrower than the real thing. So I assume the nut or fingerboard width must be narrower. I have to adjust my fingering a bit every time I play it but only take a couple of songs so not a big deal. Have you noticed that?
Yes you are right... My guitar's not is just a tad narrower than the 335... But then it's not called the 335 but the ES110.. Hahaha
Jonathan Koh haha thats’s true....ES110. It’s quiet strange though as my other (Japanese) Tokai Les Paul and Flying V got the exact dimension so not sure why they decided to build their ES line different. I’m sure this wasn’t by error but must have been by design...
Yes..I think so too
Great great playing! Very professional, session player level. Is that your job?
Hi! Yes.It is..been doing it since the 90s..welcome to the channel!✌🤓
Nice axe!
What kind of amplifier are you playing, it sounds real clean and good
I'm using the Line 6 Helix Native plugin with my DAW ✌🤓
Listen to Jonathan. Nice.
Very good!
I would like to buy a TOKAI UES78 CHINA.
I wanted to mount 2 PAF Seymour Duncan Seth Lover or GIBSON 57 classic VINTAGE pickups.
What would you recommend for a full-bodied sound that comes close to the 335 DOT GIBSON?
What do you think about it?
Can I get good results?
Alternatively IBANEZ AS93 or EPIPHONE SHERATON.
Thanks .
The Seth lovers are really nice..but they are a tad price🤓✌y
Thanks so much.
Happy Holidays
❤️🎵🎶🎵🎶👍🎵🎶🙏❤️😎
✌️❤️
Great and informative video! I have some questions about those Tokai ES guitars, have you tried new ones? are the fret spacing the same as Gibson or are they made with "right" spacings?
Sorry.. but no I have not ✌️❤️
please just tryto review the music man esterling Sub AXIS the ax3s low end guitar please
Hi,
Congratulations on the tutorials on UA-cam.
I respect you very much.
I'd like to ask you for advice.
I would like to buy a 335-like SEMI-ACOUSTIC GUITAR.
I have seen these models that over time I will try.
IBANEZ AS93 or AS193.
TOKAI UES78
EPIPHONE SHERATON II PRO
AGSTROM VIKING 2019
Which of these, in your opinion in order of importance, can approach the sound of the GIBSON335 possibly with a PICK UP change (which ones?)
I thank you and always follow you.
I wish you and your family HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a NEW YEAR full of health, serenity, many beautiful things and the realization of your dreams, needs and desires.
Roberto
Thank you Roberto! I have only tried 2 out of the 4 models you mentioned.
You cant go wrong with Tokai(Japan Made) guitars..That would be my 1st choice. The Epiphone Sheraton is also another great guitar. As for the pickups, it would largely depend on what sort of playing style you have. I really like Seymour Duncans so you might want to check out their website. The Seth Lover is really sweet. Hope this helps 🤓✌
Thanks so much.
Happy Holidays
Thanks so much.
Happy Holidays
😂
Yes it is ✌️❤️