Right, the weakest spot might be the pickups, the Tokai Mk 2 pups may sound too "generic" as to say. Put some nice pickups (D'Urbano from Australia or Tone wolf from the UK) and you will have a real fucking beast.
I got a used Tokai Love Rock at a shop in Tokyo for $600. I replaced the pickups and I have to say it was an insane deal for a total of $900. Looks and plays beautifully. I’d much rather have this guitar than a LP studio.
I think the difference between the two is negligent. If you had both, one day the Toki would sound better and the next day Gibson would have more appealing attributes. They're both great guitars.
Gibson guitars will always be a favorite of Players everywhere. That said, 3 years ago I purchased a Tokai R4 Goldtop from their Japan Custom Shop, quality of this Tokai is fantastic, every bit as good as a typical Gibson USA. Pretty amazing as the Custom Tokai cost only 75% of a comparable Gibson. Great Video and Playing, thank you for the content.
"every bit as good as a typical Gibson USA" Better than anything "typical" from Gibson, if it's a top of the range model , or even the couple of models lower, or one of the late 70's , 80's models, they are far superior to a "typical Gibson". Take the front pickup out and have a look at the long tenon neck joint, that will be your first clue to the superiority of the Tokai. I've been buying and selling Japanese Les Pauls for over 20 years, I have one Tokai Prototype, one of six made, and a custom shop Gold top {Both coincidently built by the same custom shop Luthier, I spoke to him directly for confirmation}, and they blow away any Gibson I've owned, and Because I bought them 20 years ago, they killed the Gibson's on price too.. My two Tokai's are custom shop quality.. I also have Greco's, Burny's and Bacchus guitars out of Japan, awesome quality, I'll never sell the 1982 Greco LP custom in cream...
@@MickH60 Indeed yes, I agree with you and thank you for sharing. Part of the dynamics between the two companies (Gibson and Tokai) is that the larger scale of Gibson's manufacturing requires many trade-offs, and not in a good way. Speaking of my Tokai R4, even the choice mahogany used is far beyond what would be expected at the price point. My non-weight relieved Tokai has beautiful ribbon figuring while the entire guitar only weighs 8.5 pounds. I've owned Gibson Les Pauls for decades and I couldn't be happier with the Tokai I have. I do plan to buy a second Tokai as I'm looking at either a semi-hollow body or maybe even an Arch top. The very best deals are the older Tokai, they really are that good.
I've got a Japanese Tokai LS85Q and it's an amazing guitar, I was originally planning on buying a Gibson but the one the shop had felt, played and sounded terrible, then I saw 2 LS85Q Tokai's on the wall, tested them both and they felt perfect straight off the shop wall, they were also several £100 less than the Gibson as well (£899 for the Tokai Vs £1499 for the Gibson), they are very high quality instruments. I'm trying to see if I can source one of their higher end models at the moment, they used to have their own UK site back when I bought mine where you could order directly from them but that site is gone now.
Tokai Pickups tend to have more treble and less mids than Gibson PAF pickups. But, if you prefer the Gibson pickup tones. There is a very secret magic trick that can cure this. So get ready folks, I am about to let you in on the biggest secret of guitar. OK, here we go. The know that thing you plug your guitar into? I think it is called an amp. If you look at it, you will see some knobs that say things like, Bass, Mid and Treble. You are allowed to touch these and reduce or increase them to level you find pleasing. I know it is a shock, but these knobs were actually invented for this very purpose. I know some of you will say it's cheating because if you can't get the sound you like with all the knobs on at 12 o clock, then the pickups are crap or maybe the guitar, perhaps the amp is just crap.
No sense paying for a Gibson when the quality is better with Tokai. You might also like Epiphone's '59 Les Paul that was made in collaboration with Gibson's custom shop. It's exceptionally good. Especially for the price.
First Tokai in ‘84…..A Reborn Old…..and had them all the way through 2 LoveRocks 2 Customs ES224 335 and the ultimate LS1 R8….No need for that G on the headstock…especially thru a pedalboard and different amps…although 4 of my SGs have Gibson on the headstock…..but that is a necessity on the SG….unless you have my other SG….being Jaydee Iommi Custom…..
many thanks this is a great video! i wish you write in the description the exact models... theres a lot of tokais LS! just to give us a better idea, many thanks again!
The Gibson seems to have more medium, i would choose it but for the money, Tokai is also great, a 90’s model of the love rock would have been a serious option i guess..Also nice to play Cliff of Dover on a Les Paul and then Abba !
@jerrymander1492 dude it's technically the same stuff. Gibson made a deal with Japanese carvers due to there intricate details and wood staining. Then follows the lawsuit gibson made to eliminate the comp.
I like them both. I have small hand syndrome so Tokai would be for me. I have playing since I was teenager in the very early 70's. I have never owned a Gibson. We had a great company here sort of close to where I live 2 states away in the midwest called Hamer. The started making hand made guitars in the early to mid 70's and rolled on until the late 80's before there was any out side interference or changes in plans. I was fortunate enough to find one of these while shopping for a Gibson SG and it beat the crap out of the price. It was a DC les paul copy called the Sunburst and they were les paul killers at 700 bucks. In 1980 I bought one there standards which isa Gibson Explorer copy. Still own that own. It's worth a nice chunk today. lo to mid 5 digits and 4 years ago barley cracking 5 digits for a nicer specism. What I areally love about these guitars is the neck. Fit is perfect for me. They do have all of the qualities of a Gibson aside of a nitro finish. they were poly. The company is still out there but none of the same people are involved. The name was sold and they are NOT the same guitars, however they have stepped up their manufactured quality since about 2018.
Have both Gibbys and MIJ LPs (mostly Edwards, but there's a Tokai in there). Have to say that the mid-tier Tokai (mine's an LS 105 from the late aughts) compares very favorably to a current year Les Paul Classic for a fraction of the price (I got mine for the price of an Epiphone). Yeah, the only thing working against the Tokai are the pickups-- unfortunately they're one-size-fits-all and they tend to be a little hot as a compromise to those who prefer harder tones. Hate to say it, but the Burstbuckers have an edge (and I'm not a huge fan of Burstbuckers). Not gonna completely hate on Gibson as they seem to be improving things by a noticeable degree ever since the regime change and Henry J's ouster, they've put out good stuff post-2019 (love the newer stuff, only kept a couple of Henry J-era LPs since they're unique and probably won't be made anymore (Smartwoods)). tl;dr: Tokai makes good stuff. Their mid-tier stuff is comparable to Gibson's $2200-tier offerings for less than a third of the price if you know where to look. Only issue is Tokai's choice of pickups. Too hot and sometimes a bit muddy depending on your amp of choice (my Tokai hates my Fender amps, LUUUUUUURVES my Vox AC15).
How about Edwards? Comparing to Tokai? Which one do you prefer the most? I know that Edwards comes with Duncan PU from factory, need your honest review, since I’m considering in buying Les Paul copy MIJ guitar and these two always comes up, thanks…
@@bennybenny4238 if I have to be honest, I would say that older Edwards E-LPs are better than the newer ones for various reasons (main one being they're more-or-less made from surplus ESP parts from back when they were a parts-only company selling guitar kits that sat in a warehouse until someone did inventory and decided to free up some space). By "older" I'm talking late 80s-early 90s. Also, with Edwards, I would say that they are extremely well made with very tight tolerances, if you're able to buy a new one their QC will probably beat out most American manufacturers. Another thing to note is that the higher the number, usually the more high-end the guitar. Most "standard" E-LPs come with the JB/'59 set, except for the E-LPS or E-LPC which come with "house" pickups. Higher end ones like the E-LP 125/130/135 will usually come with Seth Lovers or Antiquities. Also, quick guide: Edwards Les Paul models go by "E-LP XXX YY ZZZ AA," where XXX indicated the original selling price in yen x 1000, YY indicates either SD (Standard) or CD (Custom) Les Paul configuration, the optional ZZZ indicating if it has a nitro finish (ALS/ALC for "All Lacquer Standard/Custom" and LTS/LTC for "Lacquer Taste Standard/Custom" or nitro-over-poly finish), and the optional AA indicating something extra like QM for "Quilted Maple" top or RE for "Relic" a.k.a. artificially aged, or if it's based on a particular artist's signature, JP for Jimmy Page, JS for John Sykes, etc., etc., etc. Back to that old-vs-new thing. Most modern (post mid-90s) Edwards will have a '59 deep dish carve, where older ones more closely resemble a modern Gibson top. I guess it depends on which you prefer, but modern Tokais are easier to find than older pre-1995 Edwards if you like modern tops. Finally, there are many variations within Edwards E-LPs and it's wildly inconsistent, depending on the year and the model. For instance, one year may have a '60s slim-taper neck carve and the following year may have a baseball bat '50s carve. If you're buying sight-unseen it may be a crap shoot unless the seller is very specific. I would say a higher-end modern Edwards is comparable to a mid-level Tokai. If you want an even higher end LP from ESP, they have their Navigator line, which is comparable to the higher end Tokai models and even somewhat close to a Gibby Custom Shop (above the Standard models, maybe the sigs, but just sort of a Historic). As for which I prefer, I think my older E-LP 70S from the 80s is my favorite, only because the Tokai's pickups are a bit too hot and muddy for the stuff I play these days, but I still log a lot of time with the Tokai. I have a newer E-LP 125CD ALS that logs some time as it's tuned down a half-step. Hope this helps and didn't confuse you more.
Edit: Also, beware of 2009 Edwards guitars (Edwards serial numbers post-2004 start with EDXX--, where XX is the last two digits of year of manufacture). A number of them (not the hollow body ones) were MIC and QC'd in Japan. This was a huge hit for the reputation of Edwards guitars and ESP had to reverse course the next year because of the backlash. I've owned a 2009 Edwards FR 130GT, it was fairly solid and I didn't find any issues, but I got it at a very good discount because it were a 2009. Careful of people who try to push a 2009 as "MIJ," because they aren't (exceptions being their ES-335 copy which specifically has "Made In Japan" printed on the inside, and the Japanese government takes that very seriously so no incentive to commit fraud in the Japanese Domestic Market).
Comes down to trademark, that's it. IF they changed the headstock and body shape like FGN does with their Neo Classic LP shaped guitars, they would have no problem being able to sell them in the states.
With these two examples I liked the Gibson better! It definitely had more clarity and articulation. That said the Tokai is really nice guitar! And if you are not looking for a Gibson label it seems a pickup change would fix that issue.
I have never had a problem with clarity from MIJ Tokai pickups once they are adjusted to the optimal height and the amp eq'ed. The bridge always cuts through the mix perfectly at gigs. To pay 4.5k extra for a name is not for me.
@@JoeWalsh-pm4zf It's more like a few hundred and there are Vintage Tokais out there for that same 4.5K! I just bought a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Classic Gold Top for $1,950 and it's a killer playing guitar!
@@funfreq9282 depends entirely on the right time. I've seen excellent Gibson prices, mainly used though. Hard to find a decent priced one brand new. I always never have money it seems when the right deal pops up, and always have money when there are no deals. 😂😂😂😂
@angelakg6671 That's definitely not a $2300 Tokai. Looks like a custom shop LS390. Nor is that a $7k R8. You don't get fret edge binding on a Love rock without spending some $$$. edit: This was a 2018 Tokai Custom Shop LS360 listed for $3300. The R8 is ~$4500.
As you can see the Tokai is tighter build and sound. The biggest difference is the fret binding, so I chose the Gibson. It should be noted that the low grade Tokai has a veneer flame maple top.The next one I'll get is Tokai's high grade LS, not veneer top, of course one piece back.For 200,000 yen here in Japan, I can only buy a Les Paul Studio.
There is a huge difference between the Tokai made in Japan and their cheaper models made in China. IMHO, except for resale value the high-end Tokai will be a better guitar compared to the Les Paul Studio (just my $.02 Cents). With guitars/musical instruments being such a personal choice a Player must (IMHO) get the exact instrument they desire.
I would change the pickups in the tokai.they tend to be overwound out of the factory if they are the same. Pit some quality paf's in and it will make the difference
oh, you like Cliffs of Dover, don't you? Just came across your video as I'm considering a buy of a Tokai and trying to find if the sound is comparable to Gibson's.
Have both, prefer Gibson because that woody tone, more wooden sounding than string sounding in the case of Tokai. The Tokai anyway is really good made.
Get a Japanese Edwards LTS , full mahogany 1 piece body , long neck tenon , Seymour Duncan pickups as standard , Gotoh hardware , bridge mounted directly into body , bone nut .
Gibson also copies old legendary Les Paul. Gibson went bankrupt twice and did layoff and a factory move. Therefore the technical succession was stopped. Actually Tokai has the data of the shape of original Les Paul that Gibson lost.
I have a Murphy Lab ‘57 GoldTop and a Tokai ‘58 Reborn Old Burst. They aren’t the same. The Tokai’s headstock is angled differently, less of an angle which makes it stay in tune better and less prone to breaking. Also the finish on the Tokai is very orange 🍊 peely. It is not a refined finish. It just doesn’t feel like a Gibson, but it’s good - just not the same. And, this Tokai is from their Japanese Custom Shop, so it wasn’t cheap. The Murphy Lab feels like a Les Paul from the 50’s, only with perfect frets and no quirks. But, if you like a more modern feeling guitar you would probably like the Tokai better. The ‘57 Murphy Lab has a really fat neck and is heavy. But, that’s what a Les Paul was like back then.
A long story short, Tokai is Grand Seiko of guitar maker; you get A LOT more for the buck you pay than anything you can get from the States or anywhere outside Japan.
subbed nice playing ! hey what do you think of the new gibson faded LP 60s cheryy sinburst - a little spread triad action - Holy F !! dancing queen nice job ! I grew up with Jimmy Page but ABBA is my favorite now becuase of Agnetha no women as pretty as Agnetha in the universe ! LOL
yes gibson has so much body in all aspects of the sound. Go to a professional studio and do some track record ypu will see the big difference between 2.
Tokai would not exist without Gibson. End of story. They are great copies for the money but on the Gibson mostly you pay for the heritage and authenticity, looks, tone and feel is subjective.
Heritage doesn't mean a thing, if the instrument isn't up to scratch. You can't polish a turd as they say.... Gibson are milking the name, but players are getting more savvy....
If you go for a custom shop tokai vs custom shop Gibson, Tokai blows Gibson out the water 7/10 times. Were talking Honduras mahoghany, Brazilian rosewood, historically accurate construction, JM rolph pickups, etc insane value (they are worth thousands less than the r9)
Oh well, we invented jazz, rock and roll, the best electric guitar designs and Fender amps. I'm sure you're still indulging in one or more of the above.
For $3500 dollars difference… Tokai do an excelent job!
Right, the weakest spot might be the pickups, the Tokai Mk 2 pups may sound too "generic" as to say. Put some nice pickups (D'Urbano from Australia or Tone wolf from the UK) and you will have a real fucking beast.
I got a used Tokai Love Rock at a shop in Tokyo for $600. I replaced the pickups and I have to say it was an insane deal for a total of $900. Looks and plays beautifully. I’d much rather have this guitar than a LP studio.
Not only you have a nice guitar, but also a great story to tell.
@@dennis-vl2nzobviously not a MIJ Tokai
@@JoeWalsh-pm4zf no it is not it is a Chinese one, not a Japan. Tokai, although it sounds and plays very good
@@JoeWalsh-pm4zfㅌ23
I'd rather have that guitar that a les paul standard and probably a lot of custom les pauls too.
I think the difference between the two is negligent.
If you had both, one day the Toki would sound better and the next day Gibson would have more appealing attributes.
They're both great guitars.
Gibson guitars will always be a favorite of Players everywhere.
That said, 3 years ago I purchased a Tokai R4 Goldtop from their Japan Custom Shop, quality of this Tokai is fantastic, every bit as good as a typical Gibson USA.
Pretty amazing as the Custom Tokai cost only 75% of a comparable Gibson.
Great Video and Playing, thank you for the content.
"every bit as good as a typical Gibson USA"
Better than anything "typical" from Gibson, if it's a top of the range model , or even the couple of models lower, or one of the late 70's , 80's models, they are far superior to a "typical Gibson". Take the front pickup out and have a look at the long tenon neck joint, that will be your first clue to the superiority of the Tokai. I've been buying and selling Japanese Les Pauls for over 20 years, I have one Tokai Prototype, one of six made, and a custom shop Gold top {Both coincidently built by the same custom shop Luthier, I spoke to him directly for confirmation}, and they blow away any Gibson I've owned, and Because I bought them 20 years ago, they killed the Gibson's on price too.. My two Tokai's are custom shop quality.. I also have Greco's, Burny's and Bacchus guitars out of Japan, awesome quality, I'll never sell the 1982 Greco LP custom in cream...
@@MickH60 Indeed yes, I agree with you and thank you for sharing.
Part of the dynamics between the two companies (Gibson and Tokai) is that the larger scale of Gibson's manufacturing requires many trade-offs, and not in a good way. Speaking of my Tokai R4, even the choice mahogany used is far beyond what would be expected at the price point. My non-weight relieved Tokai has beautiful ribbon figuring while the entire guitar only weighs 8.5 pounds. I've owned Gibson Les Pauls for decades and I couldn't be happier with the Tokai I have. I do plan to buy a second Tokai as I'm looking at either a semi-hollow body or maybe even an Arch top.
The very best deals are the older Tokai, they really are that good.
Dude, that tone from the Tokai when you played Dancing Queen was rich. Some killer playing going on in the U.K. Respect from Detroit 🎸
I've got a Japanese Tokai LS85Q and it's an amazing guitar, I was originally planning on buying a Gibson but the one the shop had felt, played and sounded terrible, then I saw 2 LS85Q Tokai's on the wall, tested them both and they felt perfect straight off the shop wall, they were also several £100 less than the Gibson as well (£899 for the Tokai Vs £1499 for the Gibson), they are very high quality instruments.
I'm trying to see if I can source one of their higher end models at the moment, they used to have their own UK site back when I bought mine where you could order directly from them but that site is gone now.
Tokai Pickups tend to have more treble and less mids than Gibson PAF pickups. But, if you prefer the Gibson pickup tones. There is a very secret magic trick that can cure this. So get ready folks, I am about to let you in on the biggest secret of guitar. OK, here we go. The know that thing you plug your guitar into? I think it is called an amp. If you look at it, you will see some knobs that say things like, Bass, Mid and Treble. You are allowed to touch these and reduce or increase them to level you find pleasing. I know it is a shock, but these knobs were actually invented for this very purpose. I know some of you will say it's cheating because if you can't get the sound you like with all the knobs on at 12 o clock, then the pickups are crap or maybe the guitar, perhaps the amp is just crap.
Exactly!
Glad to see a Tokai video. These guitars are amazing. I have a Tokai and am happy as can be with it.
No sense paying for a Gibson when the quality is better with Tokai. You might also like Epiphone's '59 Les Paul that was made in collaboration with Gibson's custom shop. It's exceptionally good. Especially for the price.
I've had three tokais. Two goldstar sound strats and my current love rock.
Quite simply, stunning guitars. I can't praise them highly enough.
I'd prefer the Tokai. It's got that low mids I love. Nevertheless: Get both and enjoy both!
First Tokai in ‘84…..A Reborn Old…..and had them all the way through 2 LoveRocks 2 Customs ES224 335 and the ultimate LS1 R8….No need for that G on the headstock…especially thru a pedalboard and different amps…although 4 of my SGs have Gibson on the headstock…..but that is a necessity on the SG….unless you have my other SG….being Jaydee Iommi Custom…..
many thanks this is a great video! i wish you write in the description the exact models... theres a lot of tokais LS! just to give us a better idea, many thanks again!
LS360
The Gibson seems to have more medium, i would choose it but for the money, Tokai is also great, a 90’s model of the love rock would have been a serious option i guess..Also nice to play Cliff of Dover on a Les Paul and then Abba !
Tokai for the price blows the gibson out o c the water.
Yes👍💯🎸
Sound wise it does not….
@@jerrymander1492 proof?
@jerrymander1492 dude it's technically the same stuff. Gibson made a deal with Japanese carvers due to there intricate details and wood staining. Then follows the lawsuit gibson made to eliminate the comp.
The fact that you can buy 2 Japanese Tokais for the price of the Gibson speaks volumes... Gibson QC isn't great either....
I like them both. I have small hand syndrome so Tokai would be for me. I have playing since I was teenager in the very early 70's. I have never owned a Gibson. We had a great company here sort of close to where I live 2 states away in the midwest called Hamer. The started making hand made guitars in the early to mid 70's and rolled on until the late 80's before there was any out side interference or changes in plans. I was fortunate enough to find one of these while shopping for a Gibson SG and it beat the crap out of the price. It was a DC les paul copy called the Sunburst and they were les paul killers at 700 bucks. In 1980 I bought one there standards which isa Gibson Explorer copy. Still own that own. It's worth a nice chunk today. lo to mid 5 digits and 4 years ago barley cracking 5 digits for a nicer specism. What I areally love about these guitars is the neck. Fit is perfect for me. They do have all of the qualities of a Gibson aside of a nitro finish. they were poly. The company is still out there but none of the same people are involved. The name was sold and they are NOT the same guitars, however they have stepped up their manufactured quality since about 2018.
Have both Gibbys and MIJ LPs (mostly Edwards, but there's a Tokai in there). Have to say that the mid-tier Tokai (mine's an LS 105 from the late aughts) compares very favorably to a current year Les Paul Classic for a fraction of the price (I got mine for the price of an Epiphone).
Yeah, the only thing working against the Tokai are the pickups-- unfortunately they're one-size-fits-all and they tend to be a little hot as a compromise to those who prefer harder tones. Hate to say it, but the Burstbuckers have an edge (and I'm not a huge fan of Burstbuckers).
Not gonna completely hate on Gibson as they seem to be improving things by a noticeable degree ever since the regime change and Henry J's ouster, they've put out good stuff post-2019 (love the newer stuff, only kept a couple of Henry J-era LPs since they're unique and probably won't be made anymore (Smartwoods)).
tl;dr: Tokai makes good stuff. Their mid-tier stuff is comparable to Gibson's $2200-tier offerings for less than a third of the price if you know where to look. Only issue is Tokai's choice of pickups. Too hot and sometimes a bit muddy depending on your amp of choice (my Tokai hates my Fender amps, LUUUUUUURVES my Vox AC15).
How about Edwards? Comparing to Tokai? Which one do you prefer the most? I know that Edwards comes with Duncan PU from factory, need your honest review, since I’m considering in buying Les Paul copy MIJ guitar and these two always comes up, thanks…
@@bennybenny4238 if I have to be honest, I would say that older Edwards E-LPs are better than the newer ones for various reasons (main one being they're more-or-less made from surplus ESP parts from back when they were a parts-only company selling guitar kits that sat in a warehouse until someone did inventory and decided to free up some space). By "older" I'm talking late 80s-early 90s.
Also, with Edwards, I would say that they are extremely well made with very tight tolerances, if you're able to buy a new one their QC will probably beat out most American manufacturers.
Another thing to note is that the higher the number, usually the more high-end the guitar. Most "standard" E-LPs come with the JB/'59 set, except for the E-LPS or E-LPC which come with "house" pickups. Higher end ones like the E-LP 125/130/135 will usually come with Seth Lovers or Antiquities.
Also, quick guide: Edwards Les Paul models go by "E-LP XXX YY ZZZ AA," where XXX indicated the original selling price in yen x 1000, YY indicates either SD (Standard) or CD (Custom) Les Paul configuration, the optional ZZZ indicating if it has a nitro finish (ALS/ALC for "All Lacquer Standard/Custom" and LTS/LTC for "Lacquer Taste Standard/Custom" or nitro-over-poly finish), and the optional AA indicating something extra like QM for "Quilted Maple" top or RE for "Relic" a.k.a. artificially aged, or if it's based on a particular artist's signature, JP for Jimmy Page, JS for John Sykes, etc., etc., etc.
Back to that old-vs-new thing. Most modern (post mid-90s) Edwards will have a '59 deep dish carve, where older ones more closely resemble a modern Gibson top. I guess it depends on which you prefer, but modern Tokais are easier to find than older pre-1995 Edwards if you like modern tops.
Finally, there are many variations within Edwards E-LPs and it's wildly inconsistent, depending on the year and the model. For instance, one year may have a '60s slim-taper neck carve and the following year may have a baseball bat '50s carve. If you're buying sight-unseen it may be a crap shoot unless the seller is very specific.
I would say a higher-end modern Edwards is comparable to a mid-level Tokai. If you want an even higher end LP from ESP, they have their Navigator line, which is comparable to the higher end Tokai models and even somewhat close to a Gibby Custom Shop (above the Standard models, maybe the sigs, but just sort of a Historic).
As for which I prefer, I think my older E-LP 70S from the 80s is my favorite, only because the Tokai's pickups are a bit too hot and muddy for the stuff I play these days, but I still log a lot of time with the Tokai. I have a newer E-LP 125CD ALS that logs some time as it's tuned down a half-step.
Hope this helps and didn't confuse you more.
Edit: Also, beware of 2009 Edwards guitars (Edwards serial numbers post-2004 start with EDXX--, where XX is the last two digits of year of manufacture). A number of them (not the hollow body ones) were MIC and QC'd in Japan. This was a huge hit for the reputation of Edwards guitars and ESP had to reverse course the next year because of the backlash. I've owned a 2009 Edwards FR 130GT, it was fairly solid and I didn't find any issues, but I got it at a very good discount because it were a 2009. Careful of people who try to push a 2009 as "MIJ," because they aren't (exceptions being their ES-335 copy which specifically has "Made In Japan" printed on the inside, and the Japanese government takes that very seriously so no incentive to commit fraud in the Japanese Domestic Market).
There is a reason Tokai's are being withheld via a lawsuit in the states. Gibson has some brown stains going on.
Comes down to trademark, that's it. IF they changed the headstock and body shape like FGN does with their Neo Classic LP shaped guitars, they would have no problem being able to sell them in the states.
With these two examples I liked the Gibson better! It definitely had more clarity and articulation. That said the Tokai is really nice guitar! And if you are not looking for a Gibson label it seems a pickup change would fix that issue.
I have never had a problem with clarity from MIJ Tokai pickups once they are adjusted to the optimal height and the amp eq'ed. The bridge always cuts through the mix perfectly at gigs. To pay 4.5k extra for a name is not for me.
@@JoeWalsh-pm4zf It's more like a few hundred and there are Vintage Tokais out there for that same 4.5K! I just bought a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Classic Gold Top for $1,950 and it's a killer playing guitar!
@@funfreq9282 depends entirely on the right time. I've seen excellent Gibson prices, mainly used though. Hard to find a decent priced one brand new. I always never have money it seems when the right deal pops up, and always have money when there are no deals. 😂😂😂😂
@@c.f.pedraza4057 I have a CC just for that occasion! I just picked a 2018 Gibson Classic P-90 in excellent condition!
@angelakg6671 That's definitely not a $2300 Tokai. Looks like a custom shop LS390. Nor is that a $7k R8. You don't get fret edge binding on a Love rock without spending some $$$.
edit: This was a 2018 Tokai Custom Shop LS360 listed for $3300. The R8 is ~$4500.
Great playing!
amazing playing!
Great player! Brilliant demo
As you can see the Tokai is tighter build and sound. The biggest difference is the fret binding, so I chose the Gibson. It should be noted that the low grade Tokai has a veneer flame maple top.The next one I'll get is Tokai's high grade LS, not veneer top, of course one piece back.For 200,000 yen here in Japan, I can only buy a Les Paul Studio.
Usually yes, probably not this one.
There is a huge difference between the Tokai made in Japan and their cheaper models made in China.
IMHO, except for resale value the high-end Tokai will be a better guitar compared to the Les Paul Studio (just my $.02 Cents).
With guitars/musical instruments being such a personal choice a Player must (IMHO) get the exact instrument they desire.
I would change the pickups in the tokai.they tend to be overwound out of the factory if they are the same. Pit some quality paf's in and it will make the difference
Ive got a Made in Korea Love Rock that Ive had and played for 20 years. Great guitar
oh, you like Cliffs of Dover, don't you? Just came across your video as I'm considering a buy of a Tokai and trying to find if the sound is comparable to Gibson's.
I can really hear the difference, but I think it only from the pickup
I have a Tokai and a Gibson, I prefer the Tokai. I can't put my finger on why.
Have both, prefer Gibson because that woody tone, more wooden sounding than string sounding in the case of Tokai. The Tokai anyway is really good made.
Great review
@@mermaidfeetxoxo_music thanks!
Had a 1984 Tokai. Put it through a rockman. Talk about a Gibson killer.
So weird. I follow you on IG and want a Tokai. Looked up a video and found Ben! Thanks 🙏
Price Point I’ll take the Tokai, Tone…it is hard to beat the classic tone of the Gibby. I’ll take them both…reach for the sky.
Get a Japanese Edwards LTS , full mahogany 1 piece body , long neck tenon , Seymour Duncan pickups as standard , Gotoh hardware , bridge mounted directly into body , bone nut .
Gibson also copies old legendary Les Paul.
Gibson went bankrupt twice and did layoff and a factory move. Therefore the technical succession was stopped.
Actually Tokai has the data of the shape of original Les Paul that Gibson lost.
I Think tokai is better because it is so much cheaper but still comes really close to the sound of a Gibson Les Paul
I have a Murphy Lab ‘57 GoldTop and a Tokai ‘58 Reborn Old Burst. They aren’t the same. The Tokai’s headstock is angled differently, less of an angle which makes it stay in tune better and less prone to breaking. Also the finish on the Tokai is very orange 🍊 peely. It is not a refined finish. It just doesn’t feel like a Gibson, but it’s good - just not the same. And, this Tokai is from their Japanese Custom Shop, so it wasn’t cheap. The Murphy Lab feels like a Les Paul from the 50’s, only with perfect frets and no quirks. But, if you like a more modern feeling guitar you would probably like the Tokai better. The ‘57 Murphy Lab has a really fat neck and is heavy. But, that’s what a Les Paul was like back then.
Hello. Which Tokai model is this?
It would be fair to compare guitars in the same price range. Tokai also has expensive models.
That is an expensive Tokai - LS360
A long story short, Tokai is Grand Seiko of guitar maker; you get A LOT more for the buck you pay than anything you can get from the States or anywhere outside Japan.
subbed nice playing ! hey what do you think of the new gibson faded LP 60s cheryy sinburst - a little spread triad action - Holy F !! dancing queen nice job ! I grew up with Jimmy Page but ABBA is my favorite now becuase of Agnetha no women as pretty as Agnetha in the universe ! LOL
Gipson Attack power full....🎉🎉🎉🎉 100%
Tokai 85%
What year is your Tokai?
What model Tokai is this?
I look forward to congratulating Max on 'winning' his first F1 championship soon.
What pickups does the Tokai have?
Excellent!
I love Gibson more because it’s
more fierce！
Put the Gibson pickups in the tokai and boom, no need for the gibson 😂
So glad I learned that I could teach myself to play the guitar. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
I believe the Tokai is also nitro
It is nitro, LS360
Whats the riff at 2:45
Nightrain by Guns N’ Roses
Absolutely shocking matching of woods on the Gibson
Gibson kills it!
really...?
Going by my blind test Tokia blows Gibson out of the water by sound to especially if you like the darker sound
Still gibson for the win for me.thnx
Julianne Heights
Tokai 👍
Did I miss what amp n such??
Silver jubilee Marshall
Navigator makes the best LP imo
Do you give lessons maybe? 😊
Torey Extension
I think the Tokai has hard bones and Gibson has thick muscles.
Tokai is value of money.
To be honest, the Tokai doesn't sound like a Gibson Les Paul in this video. It is lacking something. The extra bites.
Tokai sounds muted in comparison to gibson, gibson definitely rings better and it sounds meatier
Tokai 🤟
Gibson sound 👌🏻
Krajcik Extension
Replace the pickups in Tokai and you're in business.
No need to change the pickups, just tweak the eq to taste on your amp
yes gibson has so much body in all aspects of the sound. Go to a professional studio and do some track record ypu will see the big difference between 2.
Close to Gibson but only close !
Ask Seasick Steve.
Tokai would not exist without Gibson. End of story. They are great copies for the money but on the Gibson mostly you pay for the heritage and authenticity, looks, tone and feel is subjective.
You pay for the name, that's all.
Heritage doesn't mean a thing, if the instrument isn't up to scratch. You can't polish a turd as they say.... Gibson are milking the name, but players are getting more savvy....
Westley Parkways
i hate les pauls, necks are too thick for me, i ve got short fingers so it affects my playing.
Gibson is gibson sound always great. Tokai maby simila but not the same
Gibson wins. better clarity and vibration, more focused.
If you go for a custom shop tokai vs custom shop Gibson, Tokai blows Gibson out the water 7/10 times. Were talking Honduras mahoghany, Brazilian rosewood, historically accurate construction, JM rolph pickups, etc insane value (they are worth thousands less than the r9)
Build quality, Japanese Tokai always wins..
America ftw.
If they were so good, some of the best players would have played them. But no one did.
@@manny45629Billie Gibbons used one from time to time
gibson is much better akajjaja
Gibson did sound better.
They can both sound exactly how you want if you tweak the tone controls on the amp and guitars, that's what they are for.
*Promo sm* 👉
I am a Gibson man all the way! Made in America means jobs for Americans, not some other Country. Without jobs we fall!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Gibsons are over priced average guitars, far better value elsewhere. America is already failing...
Oh well, we invented jazz, rock and roll, the best electric guitar designs and Fender amps. I'm sure you're still indulging in one or more of the above.
@@MickH60 If you can't afford A Corvette, drive a Nissan! But don't expect an American to give you a job, when you are driving a Nissan!
@@folderol8487 Yes I was raised in the era of Jazz, Rock and Roll, and Old Country, and I still play them on my Gibson Les Paul 🥰♾️🇺🇲
American here. Notice how the guy in the video isn't actually in America? 🤣
Gibson
This Tokai is made in China.
Is that a joke?
I can tell the difference. The Tokai’s are kind of like Epiphones. Not really a fan....
...Yeah, this is a pretty highly spec'd Tokai. In fact, its a Custom shop model. Would blow any Epi out of the water 🤣
Also without Gibson Les Paul there would be no “copies” Gibson Al day.
I’ll find an affordable Gibson somewhere some time eventually
Классный музон 0:11 👍