tokai vs edwards

[gordiji]

hi all, could anyone briefly explain what's a better buy, tokai ls 85/100 range or edwards lp 92/98
they both have set necks but the higher range tokai's(150's) say deep joint specifically implying the 92/98 don't
have . i'd rather stay below the £850 and the tokai's can be had for 700/750.i'm happy to bkp it so the stock pups
are'nt the determining factor.
i'm not bothered for highly featured woods or anything that add's cost just for looks.weight isn't a problem,good
solid guitar with no holes.
tonewise i'm thinking gary moore like on the youtube don't believe a word where he does the slow version and immediately follows with the lizzy version.sorry can't do link!
if anyone's selling one in vgc especially a vintage bkp'ed one i'm interested.thanks.
 

[juansolo]

I can only say from the experience 2x Edwards 92/98 (the numbers are usually relate to their rrp in Yen x1000 so the earler 92 is essentially the same thing as my current 98) LTS. Both were excellent. The single only thing I'm not keen on are the SD pups. Back to back with Marauder's VOS R8, with the stock pups it's lacking. With Mules the gap is closed dramatically. Sure the R8 still kills it in many, many areas. But you've got take into account the huge price difference and for the money, the Edwards really, really shines.

I'd expect an equivalent model Tokai to be every bit as good. What I've always wanted in the Jap LP front is a Bacchus Duke. They're fapping gorgeous, especially the oil finish ones. However in your position, I'd be watching this auction very closely! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bacchus-Dukemaster-Les-Paul-Gold-Top-P-90s-no-reserve_W0QQitemZ170473491848QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item27b1030d88#ht_1887wt_1167 If I didn't already have the Edwards, I'd be very interested in that. To be fair, if the price stays around that, I might anyway...

[gordiji]

i did see the bhaccus juan, but it's a paypal transaction and i always have problems with paypal from france using my uk credit cards, but if you wan't to bid for it i'm more than happy to relieve you of your mule laden eddy to
cover your purchase 8)

[juansolo]

i did see the bhaccus juan, but it's a paypal transaction and i always have problems with paypal from france using my uk credit cards, but if you wan't to bid for it i'm more than happy to relieve you of your mule laden eddy to
cover your purchase 8)

If I didn't already have a PRS SE with some BKP-91's, I'd be at it like a shot. But as I'm supposedly pairing down, I shall try to restrain myself :)

[dave_mc]

i think the edwardses have a slightly higher spec stock (one piece bodies, the tokais are 2/3 piece i think, duncan pickups, long tenon on the eds versus medium tenon on the cheaper MIJ tokais (i think) etc.), but then the tokais are 100% MIJ while the edwardses are only finished off in japan.

i had a similar dilemma when i got my edwards, but then I didn't know it wasn't 100% MIJ when i bought mine, and also the exchange rate was a LOT more favourable a couple of years ago.

another advantage of the tokai is that you might be able to try one first (though if you get lucky you might be able to try a s/h edwards in a shop too).

would really like to get to try a bacchus too, they're more expensive though.

you should ask on the tokai registry and japanaxe forums. Don't think the tokai registry will be biased against edwards, there are sections there for most MIJ brands, most of them own some edwardses (and bacchuses) too.

[Philly Q]

another advantage of the tokai is that you might be able to try one first (though if you get lucky you might be able to try a s/h edwards in a shop too).

I notice that Richtone Music, one of the bigger Tokai dealers, are now selling Edwards stuff too.  Possibly more expensive than importing, though, even with the bad exchange rate:

http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/index.php?manufacturers_id=58&main_page=index

[dave_mc]

yeah, i noticed that a while back. i think he said he was in france, though.

EDIT: is richtone an actual shop where you can try stuff? i seem to remember some online discussion where it said you had to make an appointment to try stuff. but it'd be cool to get to try tokais and edwardses head to head, as if you're willing to look at edwards or tokai, the other one is its main competitor.

richtone just needs to get bacchuses now. :lol:

[Philly Q]

yeah, i noticed that a while back. i think he said he was in france, though.

 :oops:  You're right.  I forgot whose thread it was.

[dave_mc]

no worries :lol:

[tekbow]

from what i gather, the Tokais have a more faithful les paul spec while the edwards deviate a little, alo the flame tops on one of them apparently isnt a true flame top but a veneer over a good maple cap. richtone have a comparison/info page on both

[Twinfan]

EDIT: is richtone an actual shop where you can try stuff? i seem to remember some online discussion where it said you had to make an appointment to try stuff. but it'd be cool to get to try tokais and edwardses head to head, as if you're willing to look at edwards or tokai, the other one is its main competitor.

Yep, they're in Sheffield and are primarily a mail-order place, hence the appointment system.  You can go in person though  :)

[gordiji]

i've had my eye on richtone, good prices and the only stockists of edwards(that i can find), they also have a little
info on how the bodies are made in china but then assembled in japan. i care not where something is made, japan
is synonimous with quality, but quality is the only criteria for me.
i'm more interested in the long vs short tenon,both don't say much on this, and does it really matter.
yesteryear i heard a 57 gibson against a reissue, on a cd, they claimed the 57 had the edge, more mojo, but for
me even if there was a difference you couldn't put one over the other.
frankly between the two makes here i think the same will be the case, i'm not a connoisseur.
richtone ship cheaply to france, but i'd buy blind as everything is more expensive in france   :(

[gwEm]

its not what was asked, but IMHO the new MIC Tokais don't look good qualitywise.

G

[Twinfan]

Great one for sale here:

http://www.musicradar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58725

[dave_mc]

^ yeah, nice find, that would be (presumably) a lot nicer than an edwards, assuming it's in the good condition he says it is. :)

from what i gather, the Tokais have a more faithful les paul spec while the edwards deviate a little, alo the flame tops on one of them apparently isnt a true flame top but a veneer over a good maple cap. richtone have a comparison/info page on both

i'd say it depends on the model of tokai. edwards do seem to be a slightly more modern take on things than tokai generally, but (as far as i'm aware) the edwards has the long neck tenon, one piece body back etc. which the cheaper MIJ tokais don't have. Also, as far as i'm aware, the cheaper MIJ tokais have a flame veneer over plainer maple too.

I'm not saying tokais are worse or anything like that, it just depends on what you're after. I'm just saying that there are a bunch of things on the cheaper MIJ tokais which aren't "vintage-correct" either.

Yep, they're in Sheffield and are primarily a mail-order place, hence the appointment system.  You can go in person though  :)

thanks :)