Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Mr. Air on October 05, 2012, 08:38:39 PM
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A week ago I got a text message from an old girlfriend. She remembered that I was interested in her Tokai Love Rock back when we were dating. So she says that if I want it I can buy it for approx. 215£. I don't know what model it is, but I'm pretty sure it's from the mid or late 90s. Anyway it seems like a good price to me or am I wrong? Worst case scenario it's one of the AL48 models and the price would be reasonable (I think). Best case scenario it might be a better model and I could be in for a good deal.
What do you guys think?
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I say get an Epi LP Custom secondhand for that price :)
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I say get an Epi LP Custom secondhand for that price :)
I say don't, you'd probably still be getting a better guitar in the tokai, plus the tokai doesn't have the Epi headstock shape. It has the gibson shape.
I you have fond memories of it, try it out, if it still gets your blood going then thats not a massive amount of money for a guitar you feel it with
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The Tokai shape is actually closer to the Gibsons'. The epi's have more of a grand curved image.
But then if you love the guitar, only you will know if it's right for you.
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if it's a japanese one go for it
if it's not i'd probably pass
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It has a 2-screw trussrod cover, which suggests it's Japanese (unless someone has mucked about with it).
On that basis , it's a good price, I'd go for it (assuming you like the guitar, obviously....!)
Edit: That said, the pickup rings and hardware don't look like the parts they use on MIJ Tokais. :? They look a bit cheapo, to be honest. Are you sure it's only a '90s model? Could it be older?
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if it's a japanese one go for it
if it's not i'd probably pass
+1. If it's Japanese and the neck is ok, you have a bargain.
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It has a 2-screw trussrod cover, which suggests it's Japanese (unless someone has mucked about with it).
On that basis , it's a good price, I'd go for it (assuming you like the guitar, obviously....!)
Edit: That said, the pickup rings and hardware don't look like the parts they use on MIJ Tokais. :? They look a bit cheapo, to be honest. Are you sure it's only a '90s model? Could it be older?
It could be older. I'm pretty sure that my ex bought it used and I we met each other in 2001. Technically it could be a model from 2000 or 2001, but I'm pretty possitive it's not. I think I'll ask her if she knows how old the guitar is and if she bought it herself.
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Doesn't it say where it was made on the back of the headstock at all?
If it's MIJ then that's a bit of a steal! :lol:
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Doesn't it say where it was made on the back of the headstock at all?
If it's MIJ then that's a bit of a steal! :lol:
I have made some new inquiries so now I'll have to wait for an answer.
It has a 2-screw trussrod cover, which suggests it's Japanese (unless someone has mucked about with it).
In the 90s Tokai catalouges all the Love Rock models have a two screw trussrod cover. It changes to a three screw one in 2000.
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I'd say go for it, I think Tokai is better than Epiphone in most cases. Especially when you know that this guitar is decent if you've already spent time with it.
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I'd say go for it, I think Tokai is better than Epiphone in most cases. Especially when you know that this guitar is decent if you've already spent time with it.
I can't really remember how the guitar plays and sounds as it's a little more than 10 years since I played it, but I remember liking it back then. That might have changed, but why should it...
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A little update on this most ellusive guitar. The ex couldn't find a serial number on the guitar, but she bought it used in 1997. Anyone who knows anything about Tokai models without serial numbers?
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I'm pretty sure I see only 2 TRC screws, but SN'less Tokai's should have 3 TRC screws. Was one taken out?
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I'm pretty sure I see only 2 TRC screws, but SN'less Tokai's should have 3 TRC screws. Was one taken out?
I don't know if the trussrod cover is original ot if it has been changed. I've looked through some old Tokai catalouges and it seems that the company have used both 2 and 3 hole models.
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Have a look at this:
http://www.tokairegistry.com/
I was looking at buying a Tokai and the guys on this forum were incredibly helpful. It is VERY hard to date Tokais and indentify models.
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I think there's too much being made of this guitars history and nailing it down etc. I think if you like this guitar, it clicks with you like it used to, then you should buy it, if you haven't already that is.
If it's an MIJ tokai, thats even better, but from your early remarks it's sounds like you have good feelings for this one regardless.
we're all guilty of country of manufacture snobbery, but a good guitar/golden fluke can come from any place, so if it's a proven instrument, i think the place it was made is less and less important, other than for interests sake.