Are Tokai still making GREAT Guitars? | Unboxing a TST95 Goldstar Sound

[@johnnathancordy]

I'm not getting paid to demo this or anything, just thought since I dig Tokai stuff I was up for it. You can use the discount "JOHNSOLDOUT" to get 10% off a Tokai guitar at Rose Morris: rosemorris.com/collections/tokai-guitars

[@johnnathancordy]

Also here's my verdict on the guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOzg4NtndKSncU

[@Pufedu]

Tokai is very well known brand here in Finland. I've got the impression that it isn't so much in US/UK? We have a store/dealer here who has been importing Tokais since the early 80's. Those made in Japan ones are absolutely incredible. Beats Fender in basically every imaginable aspect. Their Gibson copies are also amazing.

[@johnnathancordy]

So - I think Tokai may have had an agreement with Fender (they did build a lot of guitars for Fender) and Gibson not to pursue these markets too much? Certainly they have had different headstocks for those markets specifically?

[@Pufedu]

@@johnnathancordy At least for the models that are sold here the cheap ones, AST and ATE series, have different headstocks. All of the "Made in Japan" models have same headstock shapes as Gibson and Fender. It seems that there are some naming differences as well with the regions. For an example that TST95 isn't sold here, but an identical TST50 is. I don't know about any official agreements with Gibson/Fender and Tokai, but I would imagine there has to be something like that since they can keep building almost 100% identical copies of their instruments.

[@brandonjackson5865]

Lawsuit Gibson more so than fender and the copyright lawsuits funny how they only went after the brands who made the same guitars they did only better and for less money. Fender may have an agreement I’m pretty sure fender Japan and fugigen were in the same factory and I’m pretty sure the Chinese and Korean Tokai are built in the same shop every other brand makes imports in . I prefer the Japanese fenders of the 80s and 90s myself, but I’ve got an itch for a Les Paul but I want a Tokai Love Rock but Team authentic running block over here in the states. Yeah basically Gibson will sue them to death for copyright

[@Mr_SinkZ]

Why Tokai Doesn't have their own signature? Almost Tokai Guitar Models copying Fender and Gibson, is that ok on Copyright???

[@CocoKoi321]

@@brandonjackson5865 you just gotta get a love rock on ebay, or reverb, where people ship them over I have a love rock myself from 2007, hard to find in the US yes

[@guyfromnj]

You deserve a standing ovation. Epic ending.

[@ヤキソバ君-d6m]

1981年に買ったST85。今もメインギターです。1981, When I was junior high school student. I bought tokai ST85. Still my main guitar.

[@baragentledragon]

It takes practice to play like that, i know, because i am also a player, but, to play that heartfelt expression, is more than just practice, it is a little touch of the Divinity that silently lies within all of us, waiting to be allowed out to play ,like a little child, in the sea and sun, thank you, :)

[@guyfromnj]

The intro was fantastic. 👍👍

[@stevestewart-sturges2159]

I bought a 1981 BreezySound, Telecaster, new... $249 with case back in 1981.. apparently a lawsuit Tele... I still have it and been gigging almost constantly as my main guitar ...a absolute tractor with steel strings, been a beast..

[@MontenegroSebastian]

Wow that intro, blessed.

[@joanlledo6367]

Glad to hear your Tokai! I recently owned an AST-88 (22 frets and 9.5 radius). I think the TST's are only for the japanese marked, while the AST's are for export.

[@alexwong7]

I have a '86 Tokai Les Paul (from new) and a brand new Gibson Slash Les Paul. Admittedly after a pickup change, I still prefer the Tokai. Both great guitars and the Tokai easily holds it's own in all departments apart from the name on the headstock.

[@stratman9449]

it's the japane scraftsmanship andpride in their work....at more "realistic" prices.....even the custom shop LPs although more than 2500 Euros are worth their money....

[@jimmcdougall9973]

Ah, at last you got your hands on one. To answer your question, a resounding yes! I currently own 7 different models. The stock pickups are okay, I will be stopping out for a set of Lollars on my one AST. I see they are brining out two new models with cross-grain stacked bodies that look interesting in their approach and result. Look up the video.

[@johnnathancordy]

I did see that on their site! Go on then which models have you got?

[@jimmcdougall9973]

@@johnnathancordy LC132E in Black with white binding (LP Custom style) AST88 Heritage Cherryburst Strat ATE108 Olympic White Blonde Tele LSS124 Reborn Special in Wine Red AST Goldstar Sound White Blonde (pink) Strat SG64 Transparent Walnut ES73 Traditional Series Black All made in Japan, except the last two, which were made in China to Tokai’s usual high standards.

[@johnnathancordy]

@@jimmcdougall9973 And the favourite?

[@jimmcdougall9973]

@@johnnathancordy The Burns Brian May/Red Special, plays like butter with lovely tones 😉 Out of the Tokai’s. I’ve always been a Humbucker guy, so the LC has to be my first preference, with stock pickups, but it weighs a ton. The LSS is very popular, with the P90 pickups, a very versatile guitar. Out of the single coils, the Tele is my favourite. Lovely neck and there’s just something about a Tele tone that’s difficult to put into words. That said, each of my 24 guitars has its own quirks and eccentricities that make them unique and usable in different situations. Only a guitarist would understand. Picked up a lovely Taylor 224 ce-K DLX acoustic last week. This should be the last guitar purchase…

[@bongo2565]

Hi John, First time to make a comment here although I have been watching your channel since the time when you were not showing your face and talking yet. I know that people describe your tone compared to Eric Johnson’s. While I agree with that, for me, it is like…. A Sunbeam comes down from the sky while warm misty rain is going.. (hope I described it right..) I am glad to see you picked up Tokai. I met the president/owner of Tokai at NAMM (before the pandemic) in LA, CA while my family was at Disney Land :) He was such a humble guy and told me the difficulty to run the business in the US market.. How about Fujigen guitars in the future..? or.. even Tokai Talbo (aluminum body) although it may not be your cup of tea guitar .. ;) There are a bunch of… shall I say… “domestic” brands in Japan.. big ones… small ones… Lastly.., ご結婚おめでとうございます！　From Japan(but currently reside in the US now).

[@johnnathancordy]

I did have an FGN Odyssey a little while back, great great value! Nice to hear the CEO is a good chap!

[@bongo2565]

Glad to hear from you, John. Right..., you had Odyssey...I remember now... They also have traditional style tele and strat at a pretty affordable price(but.. 22 frets..!) Some of them are below US$600.. These are also made in Japan and I think some of them (if not all of them) even have compound radius neck. By the way, I am not getting paid by Fujigen... :) If I am not mistaken, you tend to like guitars with vintage~modern features...? How about Momose? These are in more of boutique territory though.. Not sure if you can find them in UK, but you can easily find them on Reverb..!

[@oscarbenavides85]

Gorgeous guitar ! 😍

[@pierrederesistance]

Looks killer, I've got 1978 st42 which was one of the less expensive s type models they did at the time, its a brilliant guitar.

[@picksalot1]

The easy and resounding answer is YES! I think that may be the best sounding Strat type guitar I've ever heard you play. The clarity and tone of the guitar is celestial. Can you give some details on the pickups and electronics? This is the kind of guitar that is love to see under the pick guard to get a look at the wiring and see the actual parts. What Amp, Modeler, and Preset were you using? Kudos to Tokai for making such an exceptionally good sounding guitar. And thanks John for the brilliant playing - You sounded extra inspired! 👍😎🔥

[@tristan3665]

I've got a 2021 ast104, the best guitar I have ever owned. About to put some custom shop pickups in in and change out the electronics to some vintage spec. It will be just as good as any fender custom shop.

[@peterjcastle1]

That intro - wow - PTL!

[@anthonydemitre9392]

I'm getting the Sire Larry Carlton S7 FM on Monday hope they're as good as the reviews

[@johnnathancordy]

Everyone I've spoken to so far has dug theirs - let me know how you get on with it!

[@andersg9451]

Got two of their Marcus Miller basses. They´re just great!

[@simonbowkett124]

Early 80s … 21st birthday, mum asks if I want a big party or a new bass. Quick trip to Carlsbro Sound and out I come with a Tokai Jazzsound fretless bass. I’ll never sell it. ❤️😊❤️

[@underdog726]

I have a new Tokai TST-50 Fiesta red maple neck shipping out tomorrow. Hope they still make great guitars!

[@tonyhoodlass1846]

Yep

[@charlyhernandez355]

This Guy makes Sound Great even a 50 bucks guitar without frets

[@tonystartup3817]

You know there's a 1980 Greco 335 and a 1987 burny Les Paul with dry z pickups here for you to try any time

[@tonyhoodlass1846]

Try a Tanglewood TSB59 for the money also got Rickenbacker 330 369 and 620 my Tokai is a Breezy sound Thinline its magic

[@christopheroconnor8842]

I confess i am a Tokai fan boy including new Japanese built and 3 vintage early eighties guitars, so there is so built in bias with the following comment : I Think this is the best you've sounded, you always sound good. But this had an edge.

[@benrabha2667]

tbh you are a great player as well as a reviewer

[@stratman9449]

i'd get that guitar rather than a silver sky at any time......at half the price too....and lovely case with it....:-)

[@johnnathancordy]

Me too!

[@enzowiratno]

@@johnnathancordy This tokai tst or Prs silversky se?

[@machs2261]

i just got a Tokai AST-95 GS-M put some lollar BF in it ,it sounds and plays like a dream!

[@lucasarbuckle7205]

nice playing

[@bluwng]

Looks like a Classic Vibe with a different branded headstock

[@tonyhoodlass1846]

close to 60s reissue too

[@ItsaCatsLife]

Nice playing,, I wonder how they get away with using the exact same headstock as Fender? BTW: Tokai Legacy series are made in China. I'm curious how the quality is.

[@scottschmittmusic]

What are you playing through.. it's sounds awesome

[@0scill8r]

Yeah man, yeah.

[@dbedrin16]

@johnnathancordy What does TST 95 in the name mean? I'm getting confused with some other Tokai models such as the AST etc.? Cheers!

[@Ineedahandle75]

I don't doubt the quality as I have a Goldstar Sound from 1986 however I dislike the fretboard radius on the newer ones. Seems like a Les Paul radius.

[@johnnathancordy]

This model definitely had a similar radius to the Goldstar I had from 1984, maybe some of the models have different things going on?

[@aapddd]

Mark Knopfler vibes man 👍🏻

[@bjornjonasson5482]

U play amazing

[@UTprema]

Cool, would be nice to find out, Amp and fx used in the video as well

[@jacksonknight6884]

very odd question - I'm assuming this is tokai's "lake placid blue" - does it have a slight hint of green to it? I have an 80s strat that looks similar to yours in picture/video but is slightly greener irl.

[@johnnathancordy]

Not really any green to this (to my eyes anyway? But I know people see things differently and my eyes aren't exactly decent)

[@alexwong7]

Is that an electradyne head behind you? I love mine!

[@ilmisxx2]

You should get your hands on a Tokai les paul, they are spectacular and put the big G to shame

[@johnnathancordy]

I did actually have one, but I'll hopefully get to demo a couple too!

[@ilmisxx2]

@@johnnathancordy did you like it?

[@johnnathancordy]

@@ilmisxx2 I did!!

[@lucasarbuckle7205]

just got a new philippine only release version through lyric music store, only 4 finishes and 4 made in each finish. surf green was my choice.

[@seanademy]

Again with a full on machete to open a box? Has anyone seen Deep Jimpact recently? Coincidence?

[@johnnathancordy]

I'm actually on the lookout for a bigger knife

[@dave8832]

@@johnnathancordy I’d like to see the unboxing video of the bigger knife please

[@wilyprajaya]

have u ever try tokai tst100 with mk2 pickups?

[@StevenJoseph]

How do Tokai get away with that head stock? Fender not got an issue with it?

[@iganpparamarta8813]

As long as it’s not sold in the US. Same with their loverock series (Les Paul copy). It’s more of an LP than the new Epiphone.

[@johnnathancordy]

I think the US is the place where Fender might pursue it? Tokai did build for Fender for a time though

[@iganpparamarta8813]

@@johnnathancordy Google says Fender used different approach instead of ‘fighting’ them they licensed their brand and therefore we have Fender Japan. I might use wrong word though (licensed).

[@johnnathancordy]

@@iganpparamarta8813 yeh that's how I thought it was. I don't know who builds fenders Japanese stuff in the present day - any idea?

[@iganpparamarta8813]

@@johnnathancordy no idea. I’m an ibanez guy haha

[@piemanmusic]

So…. Yes?

[@AndrewReynolds1]

So, what did you think about it?

[@johnnathancordy]

Gonna be playing it for a few more days I think to try and come up with some thoughts. I can't really think of anything at this price range that competes to be honest?

[@Mr_SinkZ]

Why Tokai Doesn't have their own signature? Almost Tokai Guitar Models copying Fender and Gibson, is that ok on Copyright???

[@ruihenriques574]

They are made in China ,where can i buy One made in Japan?

[@Maru_Cyan]

In my country Tokai is a slang word for shit, kinda unfortunate if you're easily bothered and your mates are gifted with that special sense of humor. I'd buy a Tokai though, but maybe the ATE-95 series, and if my mates start to joke around I'd just say "even my shit sounds a lot better than your guitar". Nice video man, solid playing and what a great guitar, keep it up.

[@johnnathancordy]

Wait which country is that?!

[@Maru_Cyan]

@@johnnathancordy The far but not that far east, where low end Gretsch, Yamahas, G & Ls, Epiphones and Squires are currently made.

[@jchamp]

Dude..you need a smaller knife for unboxings.

[@johnnathancordy]

A bigger knife you say?

[@ruihenriques574]

Japanese made in China? No thanks....look to a Sire guitar