My Tokai Love Rock Relic (pics and review)

[Twinfan]

Well, she's here and she's a beauty  :D

Here she is fitted with a potted Mule in the bridge and the original Wilkinson neck pickup (which is pretty nice - sorry Tim   :oops:).  The bridge pickup was way too hot though, and the Mule balances the neck and bridge volume/tone out superbly.



Pros:

Very light
Very resonant
Great matt finish
Looks a million dollars
Plays superbly
Lovely sustain and sweetness of tone

Cons:

The final poly(?) lacquer is OVER the relic-ing   :roll:
Feels a bit plastic-y
Original bridge pickup way too hot and fizzy
Original wiring was a complete mess (I've gutted it and re-wired it)

Overall:

A cracking guitar and it sits in between my other two Les Pauls tone-wise.  My Gibson Standard is very bright sounding and very vintage-y.  My Pearl Custom is thick sounding and rocks like a good 'un.  The Relic is somewhere inbetween - a great all rounder.

Here they all are as a set - my 1960 Standard, my 1959 Standard and my 1973 Custom  ;)

[Philly Q]

A very good looking trio - like the cast of Charmed (not that I watch it).

I've forgotten - what pickups do you have on the Pearl?

[samoth2]

I like Charmed :P

And I also like the guitars..

[Twinfan]

I've forgotten - what pickups do you have on the Pearl?

The Pearl has some non-BKPs in.  I'll send you a PM with the details in as Tim isn't paying for their advertising.  They're only cheapies but I like them.

The Pearl I have tuned to Eb to keep a bit of tension off it as the neck joint has some wood shrinkage, plus it's good for those Slash/Thin Lizzy moments  ;)

[mesfigas]

You have three beautifull guitars !!!!!!!!!!

I own a Tokai loves rock LS-180 ...(one piece maple curly top and one piece mahogany back.....Ebony fretboard)

The bridge is abraxas alnico 4 and the neck is John suhr ssv alnico 5.

My guitar sounds warm bright and  Thick.

The next pickup set will be the VHII set.

I try to find a pickup set not so bright because the ebony fretboard
already makes my sound bright.....i need something warm and a little dark.

Tokai rules.

[Dazza1004]

hey twin, how many guitars have you got ?

[JamesHealey]

VHII's are quite bright pickups i'd be tempted to try the Black Dog instead of the VHII if your guitar is too bright.

[noodleplugerine]

Gorgeous guitar - But how much extra did you pay for the relic'ing? :S

[mesfigas]

VHII's are quite bright pickups i'd be tempted to try the Black Dog instead of the VHII if your guitar is too bright.

Yes  i think you are right.

Thanks

[38thBeatle]

Very nice my dual air moving friend.

[dave_mc]

very nice!

 :twisted:

[Twinfan]

hey twin, how many guitars have you got ?

Ahem.  :oops:   20 currently, two on order.  I have a couple of Ibanez RGs I need to sell.

That's too many, right?

[Twinfan]

Gorgeous guitar - But how much extra did you pay for the relic'ing? :S

I didn't pay any extra as I bought it used  :D

The poor bugger who bought it new will have paid around £400 for the privilige...

[Ted]

hey twin, how many guitars have you got ?

Ahem.  :oops:   20 currently, two on order.  I have a couple of Ibanez RGs I need to sell.

That's too many, right?

You must have an understanding other half...  8)

[TwilightOdyssey]

That guitar is a stunner!!