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Author Topic: Les Paul Standard Copies  (Read 16086 times)

Skybone

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« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2006, 01:13:30 PM »
The Tokai's are near perfect replica's of the '58 LP spec's, and Tokai do have an eye for detail (as do Greco, Burny & Edwards). Obviously, the tonewoods are from modern stocks, and the finish of the "standard" production models is poly, though the higher models are nitro finished.
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Afghan Dave

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« Reply #16 on: April 10, 2006, 08:22:50 AM »
I absolutly love the Edwards guitars with the  E LP 90LTC being my fav.

I would just love to get one and load it with Rebel Yells...

Does anyone know who will import these to the UK?
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hunter

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« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2006, 08:38:54 AM »
You could do it by yourselves if you'd find a dealer in JP to ship to Europe.

You'd have to expect
-Price of the guitar
-Shipping cost
-3% customs duty
-17% VAT on top of all

This can make the deal quite expensive but could still be worthwile. I did this for my Axis from Canada, but still made a bargain.
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Skybone

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« Reply #18 on: April 11, 2006, 10:36:45 AM »
There are a number of Japanese Guitar stores that will export a guitar for you. Places like Ishibashi, Guitar Universe, Katana Guitars etc will pack them up and ship them out to you, the only thing you have to worry about is dealing with UK Custom's & Excise if they stop your package.

A rough guide to excise duty is about 22-23% of the purchase price. This is 17.5% for VAT, and the rest (4-5%) is Excise Duty.
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rinse_master

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« Reply #19 on: April 11, 2006, 11:06:57 AM »
Quote from: Skybone
Katana Guitars


I got an Edwards LP from Katana (via ebay us) and all in alll, with the customs etc. it came ot £600.

The guitar is excellent, very well made, tidy and totally outplays my Gibson LP Studio. All of the other japanese copies are said to be of comparablre quality.

I have just about finished pimping mine up (tonepros brisge/tailpiece, locking tuners, BK's)
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sambo

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« Reply #20 on: April 11, 2006, 01:33:26 PM »
corrr..... thats a beauty..... gonna remember them for when i have the cash...

Jamieh

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« Reply #21 on: April 13, 2006, 09:47:42 AM »
I'd have to say Tokai....

Superb quality and value for money. The Korean ones will easily give Epi a run for their money and the Jap ones are just awesome. The best way to describe it really is that you get the same sort of quality as a Gibson but for les money, ie, the higher up the quality scale you go you can pair a Gibbo next to a Tokai and the quality more-or-less equals out, but the Tokai will always be a tad behind on price.... ie better value for money...

BUT, you don't get that Gibson headstock!!! (although Tokais are some of the closest copies!!)  :D

Spleen

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« Reply #22 on: April 13, 2006, 07:54:47 PM »
If you get a MIJ Tokai you DO get the Gibson open Headstock.  

I've never played an Edwards, but if I were to buy a LP copy new it'd be my choice right now, even over Tokai.

donovan.x

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« Reply #23 on: April 13, 2006, 09:25:20 PM »
In 2002 Gibson revamped the Les Paul with much acclaim!!! I have played tons of Les Pauls and I can honestly say that you wont go far wrong with this option, get the 50's neck and your away. I went for the 60s neck in trans amber and I just loved the damn thing......... :cry:
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monkeywalker

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« Reply #24 on: April 13, 2006, 10:15:11 PM »
i would definately go for a tokai if i were you, they really are very good guitars especially when you take into account the price. the absolute top wack LP copies are about £800 give or take depending where you get it from and they are fantastic instruments in my opinion.

ive got a tokai, its not an LP but i love it........and now i want their version of the LP standard.....dammit, look what you all have turned me into, i want soooo many guitars i can't have, it's goin to kill me, stop showing me so many pics of guitars i want!!! :roll:


i must find money!!!

Jamieh

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« Reply #25 on: April 14, 2006, 09:32:10 AM »
Quote from: Spleen
If you get a MIJ Tokai you DO get the Gibson open Headstock.  


Not strictly true mate.

The true open book headstock is only available on MIJ Tokais FROM Japanese dealers. The UK spec models have a minor difference in the form of a little dimple in the centre of the "spine", if you will, of the open book.

This I believe is due to legal issues with Gibson.

monkeywalker

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« Reply #26 on: April 14, 2006, 11:54:33 AM »
yeah thats true, mine has a little spikey thingy right in the middle. it is barely noticable though really, it looks quite good i think.

Spleen

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« Reply #27 on: April 14, 2006, 06:36:08 PM »
Quote from: Jamieh
Quote from: Spleen
If you get a MIJ Tokai you DO get the Gibson open Headstock.  


Not strictly true mate.

The true open book headstock is only available on MIJ Tokais FROM Japanese dealers. The UK spec models have a minor difference in the form of a little dimple in the centre of the "spine", if you will, of the open book.

This I believe is due to legal issues with Gibson.

Here in North America, the only way to get MIJ Tokais is to order from Japan (or the UK I guess!)  so I wasn't aware that they were available domestically for you UK people and apologize.  Any guitars that Tokai intend for export out of Japan have the little dimple.

I heard that the MIK Tokais we get here in Canada are different than the UK versions.  The Canadian MIK Love Rocks are Mahogany body, Maple top, and maple neck.  I heard that the UK Love Rocks have an alder body or something like that.  Is this true?  (I'm only referring to the MIK version, I know the MIJ versions are Gibson spec or better).

Jamieh

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« Reply #28 on: April 14, 2006, 07:01:02 PM »
Quote from: Spleen

Here in North America, the only way to get MIJ Tokais is to order from Japan (or the UK I guess!)  so I wasn't aware that they were available domestically for you UK people and apologize.  Any guitars that Tokai intend for export out of Japan have the little dimple.

I heard that the MIK Tokais we get here in Canada are different than the UK versions.  The Canadian MIK Love Rocks are Mahogany body, Maple top, and maple neck.  I heard that the UK Love Rocks have an alder body or something like that.  Is this true?  (I'm only referring to the MIK version, I know the MIJ versions are Gibson spec or better).


Sorry, I hadn't clocked you were not in the UK!

I think MIK Love Rocks have an Alder back up to an LS70, which is MIJ and thus, Mahogany.

Tops vary depending on model.

MIJ ones I think all bodies are mahogany and tops are maple

Skybone

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« Reply #29 on: April 14, 2006, 11:07:59 PM »
There's plenty of people on the Tokai forum in the US & Canada who have bought guitars direct from Japan without problems. Japanese home market models don't have the same headstock worries as the rest of the world, so the "open book" headstock is still readily available over there.

The UK market MIK Love Rock's are the same as the Canadian market one's, I know Epiphone used to use alder on some of their LP's, unsure about the use of alder by Tokai. If alder is used, it would be to replace the maple in the tops, and then covered with a veneer. All the MIK Tokai's I've seen have looked right, backs as well (unlike some of the Epi's I've seen!), but at the end of the day, if the guitar feels right and plays right for you, then get it.

MIJ versions are direct replica's of '58 LP models.

http://www.tokaiforum.com
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Bibble.
BKP's: Black Dog set, Emerald set, & Crawler set.
http://www.myspace.com/misericordedoom