Buying Guitars in Tokyo Again - Ochanomizu Guitar Street & More!

[@firsteerr]

i but a lot of guitars from Japan and it may be stereotyping but they look after them so much better then we in the west do , they are mostly pristine and almost factory new with the care taken

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Totally concur! This makes you feel at ease knowing that they are in good condition too because most of the music stores in Japan only have their warranty valid in Japan.

[@tryghanson3260]

I loved the White Flying V, what year is it?

[@Rikamortis6stringer]

That V was Badass Cool video

[@bigtorrisi]

I was buying Japanese Tokais (Ive got x2 VC75 Vivian Campbells) in the early 80s, these guitars are spot on and its good to see some love for them from an American guitar player, in the USA they are virtually unheard of or they are looked upon as just fake guitars, absolutely not the case. Their Love Rock was better than the Les Paul Standard.

[@markrosenquist8259]

Tokai’s are amazing guitars. The quality you get for the money is incredible. All of the MIJ guitars are really good. I’ve been playing Gibsons forever and just recently bought an ESP Eclipse Standard Series and couldn’t be happier with it.

[@simpsimpson5175]

I have a 1983 Tokai SS 60 strat 63 clone - custom shop quality 400usd lol

[@mark-russell-music]

Went to Japan many times in the 90’s and 2000’s when I worked with Dentsu Canada (Japan’s biggest ad agency) on Toyota advertising. On Tokyo trips I always made time for a trip to Ochanomizu, and the motorcycle-equivalent neighborhood, Ueno. My best buys in Ochanomizu were a mid-80’s Tokai LoveRock Goldtop and many cool Boss pedals. Best Ueno buy was a late 80’s Yamaha TZR250 that is super-fast! I still have all that stuff. So many super-cool places and things to do in Japan. Thanks for posting this video!

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Thanks for sharing! Some awesome finds you got there. Especially the TZR250, would love to check one of those out -Thomas

[@mark-russell-music]

Not sure it would be easy to import a motorcycle now, but back then I had a friend at Toyota in Nagoya put it in a wooden crate and ship it to Toyota Canada. Easy! Here’s a video with my Tokai Goldtop (sorry ‘bout the sleepy song): m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4uQgJJoodlrZ7c

[@rpf23543]

When I was in Tokyo, I also went to Ochanomizu and this street is just crazy, it drives you crazy as guitar player....If you want ot buy amazing guitars, you don't have to go to the USA or anywhere else, you have to go to Tokyo. Anyway, Tokyo is one of the most awesome places I have ever been.

[@patrickcarr882]

Ah man, Ochanomizu was one of the spots I had to hit when my wife and I went to Japan; having so many guitar shops right next to each other was heaven. Watching this brought back a lot of good memories; can't wait to go back!

[@Trauzzinator]

I would love to go to Japan to see the Fender shop!!! My fav guitar is defiantly the pocky guitar!!!

[@roncarter2188]

Always wanted to shop for guitars in Japan and being a Greco fan I'd be in heaven!

[@richardclark.]

Greco, Tokai and all the early 80s Fendery stuff. all of it dirt cheap. no wonder he brings a ton of it back.

[@poiboi808]

Bought my Killer guitar (Akira Takasaki model) in Ochamizu! It was an awesome experience walking down that street!

[@4vinylsound]

We're those 2 klon pedals real? They look brand new. How much were they? Nm. They're ceriatone centura. I have one also. See it in my channel here.

[@jltrem]

My daughter spent two years teaching in Hiroshima. Why didn't I ever send her out to any guitar shops??

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Now that might have been a missed opportunity!

[@LoftyAssertions]

4:46 I need that left one IMMEDIATELY, where is it online!?? EDIT: Not available for sale... what if I trade my house though? Hmmm

[@rainypath96]

please make a video on your favorite way to ship all those guitars back home!

[@MarmaladeMaki]

Love the japan videos. Actually you gave me the idea to check ishibashi. Looking for a hot deal on a strandberg but everywhere the prices were basically just 100 o 200 Bucks off from the list price here in europe, but Ishibashi had several used ones (even if sold already) for WAY WAY less than list price. Not into vintage stuff at all but being a japan rock nerd i just love seeing all the signature ESPs, Edwards and Grass Roots in the back and recognizing all the japanese artists in the fender store (like Scandal, Larc en ciel's Ken or Hama Okamoto).

[@MarmaladeMaki]

By the by, maybe it's worth checking out a Tak matsumoto Gibson (if you can find one) they are incredibly expensive but also quite the cool looking Gibson design.

[@billyshears6622]

Man, the spell must really be broken. This video was a big yawn for me. I have "the ones" and I'm done I guess.

[@yayayaokoksure]

I bet you have 4 PRS SE's

[@charlesbaker5080]

Sucked when I went there looking for all the vintage squires and fender Japan models that stopped making. they had all got bought up by the aussies by the time I got there. Sadly.

[@stevehowell231]

Tokyo sellers who advertise internationally ask crazy prices.

[@matthewotremba9230]

Been playing since 70s , but , that Yamaha SG Gold top w/ P90s Oh Oh Oh Truly a wish

[@elbib2446]

youre in guitar heaven there,im a bit of a mij nut too,love the tokai/burny/greco stuff,but have you checked any of the deviser stuff like momose/bacchus,or pgm stuff moon/van zandt etc or combat,crews maniac,for acoustic flambeau mij are great,official george lowden designs,or morris,also worth looking out for are the mij 80/90s levinson blade strat/teles,said to be made by deviser,as many have momose in neck pocket,real killer guitars,lots of people think they were made in switzerland,as thats what it says on neckplate,but originally had mij sticker on back of headstock,which either got lost or peeled off over time,production moved to korea end of 90s,still quite good,more production line,not on par with the 80/90s mij blades.the mij blades can be distinguised by their fender style headstock,also a few with suhr like beak headstock mij for usa market,so not to piss of the big f.the later korean ones have a different fugly headstock,the early made in japan levinson blades were hand made

[@pablorar]

I was made to hit in Americaaaa

[@Skoora]

Hog heaven right there. To go to stores with a lot Japanese takes on Gibson and Fender (Greco, Burny, Tokai etc). Also to maybe find some unique Ibanez or ESP. Can’t imagine how much that all cost. You better go with a high limit card or some good savings.

[@truthtobehonest]

I miss Tokyo, been 25 years

[@ratwynd]

Deer Park at Nara. Buddha at Kamakura Temples and Shrines in Kyoto LOTS of cool places in Japan.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Agreed, so many cool places to see! Actually did all that (minus the Buddha) when we were on tour there in 2020!

[@ratwynd]

@@aflashfloodofgear Been to Japan 5 times (so far). Daughter there as exchange student and then as a English teacher she did 2 years there. We went and toured with her since she spoke Japanese well by American standards. Travel there can be relatively inexpensive if you can speak the language and stay in the business hotels, not the foreigner hotels. Few amenities by near train stations. Only serve breakfast. The business guys eat and drink in the Karaoke bars with clients.

[@Cosmicmoose1867]

Great vid! How would you recommend somebody to ship a guitar or bass bought in Japan back home over seas. I really want to get a bass in Japan but I don't want to take it on the plane.

[@McNoiseboy]

Buy a hard case with it, slacken the strings a bit, add bubble wrap or paper in the case so there's no movement, ship with Yamato Transport. I have brought many guitars back in good gig bags as hand luggage. They fit in overhead bins no problem. Or if the guitar or bass has a bolt-on neck just wrap it well and stick it in your suitcase or duffle bag. If you decide to ship by boat make sure to add some silica bags in the case. I can also recommend Seven Seas Worldwide. Shipped a bunch of Ibanez guitars in hard cases from Perth, Australia to the U.K. no problems at all. Good luck! Live the dream!!

[@TheWickerShireProject]

What a super fun walk through! Love Japan. So many cool items and gems tucked away in every store! Thanks for sharing!

[@VideoHero]

i got a tip - in the stores and streets record like a minute or two of audio ‘buzz track’ doesn’t matter where camera is pointing you just strip out the audio … then mute the broll audio and lay the buzz track audio under the edited footage - so your audio is more consistent and doesn’t jump all over the place as you cut between shots

[@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes]

I bought Greco lp last month and I love it.

[@daviidaf]

👏 where did you buy it? and how did you carry it on the plane? next month i ll going to Japan and i l looking for a Greco or Burny LP Gold top mint collection. Do you think they are cheapest than Usa or Europe?

[@fehuthel]

Pretty cool to see Ishibashi Music. I have a Tokai LS85S (I think) ‘56 goldtop style that I ordered from them back in 2003. It’s my desert island guitar (provided said desert island had electricity I suppose).

[@aflashfloodofgear]

That’s awesome!!

[@russellzauner]

Ishibashi is one of my favorite places to window shop online.

[@davedavidson9996]

I know a lot of the Japanese guitar dealers from the US guitar shows. In the past I met Mr. Kurosawa and his son Ted. Nice to see their shop pictured.

[@TristanYeah]

My old band played with Enter Shikari in a tiny pub in Norwich in 2004 - they all looked super young and I think one of their Dads was driving them around in the van.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

So cool!! Would have loved to been there

[@kenjicarlos8402]

*clap* *clap* *clap* SCRATCHCARD GLORYYY

[@eazycheetah]

Been shopping at many of these places and seeing the art and creativity on display makes you realize just how much Gibson and fender choke out the advertising and marketing in the US.

[@_avia_]

Thanks for the upload, but leave the subtitles for a second or two more. What's the rush? Who can read that fast

[@c.jarmstrong3111]

Went to a lot of great guitar stores when i was in tokyo! A lot of them would not let you pick up and try out the guiars though, which i found very strange. Trying before buying is a real big staple of guitar shops in Canada where I grew up, even with high end guitars

[@TheSoulsandRevive]

Japan is very stern on their etiquette. It's custom to ask for assistance before handling instruments, after that all good to go! (I found out many years ago when I moved there) Cheers

[@richardclark.]

i see good stuff from Ishibashi on Reverb all the time. Great prices too! i am just too scared to try and get them to the States.

[@TheBoomsat]

You can buy from them they are good. Just back from Japan bought 4 used pedals on their stores.

[@mburtondavis]

I know Japan is awesome but seriously like almost every KZbinr I follow is in Japan this week, why? Is it just coincidence?

[@aflashfloodofgear]

NDA

[@cancelbubble6535]

Picked up a Greco EG-900 in Ochanomizu, brought it back on the plane. Almost bought a Greco Springy Sound strat as well, but it was a little more than I wanted to spend. Some really great Japanese guitars to be had there. Played some great Burny and Tokai Les Pauls but the Greco played just as well and was less $. I was fortunate in that when I was there the whole Japanese vintage guitar thing didn't really exist like it does now. I ended up importing/selling lots of Japanese guitars on ebay for a while, lots of Greco, Burny, Tokai, Orville/Orville By. The higher end Grecos were the best value, IMO, still have that EG-900 :)

[@aflashfloodofgear]

That's really neat you were in on everything early! Thanks for sharing

[@ThomasFilbert]

I think this is my best video yet 😮‍💨

[@aflashfloodofgear]

🤩

[@scottdunn2178]

I like white Flying V's because of Accept... not Hetfield. I like the shorter '75-'80 headstock...

[@stevenreynolds8793]

Hey man, thanks so much. I am in Tokyo now and just blown away by the guitar shops. I live in Bangkok and travel through Tokyo twice a year. The guitar stores in Bkk are pathetic. I picked up a vintage Martin this time and next time I'll be on the hunt for the perfect flametop Les Paul. SO MUCH FUN! Thanks again.

[@victorlaw4256]

Thank You Thank You Thank You for the eye candies. Would love to visit the shops you filmed. What an experience! Amazing! What is the name of that cool song in the background around 4:20" when you showed us Ginza?

[@jollyradtv9941]

aahhh..Tokai, Edward, Grass Root, Burny those are THE guitar (LP). I would but those any day over US made Gibson. ppl over here in the US has no idea how these MIJ guitars play.

[@manjulagamage8284]

hello brother what is the name this shop?

[@tomaslopez2940]

PLEASE TELL ME YOU BROUGHT BACK ANOTHER YAMAHA SG! The Revstars and Pacificas are cool too but it would be so awesome if you brought back a factory fresh SG to the US!!!

[@matthewotremba9230]

Grab an SDGR bass , if ? It has the 5 pc. Neck Many have bendable Noodle Necks You should bend any neck too and fro before playing If weak ? Hang it back up it will NEVER be a good guitar

[@prelovedguitarsni1436]

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CAPTIONS UP FOR LONGER!!! Great video though, what a place to visit.

[@matthewotremba9230]

Put the implements of sanding down and back away from the guitar NOW ! ! ! No one is fooled by a Crappy Job Just DON'T

[@Skipsounds]

Love Ochanomizu, I got one of my main electrics, by a company called Killer, at Big Boss. I also got an Edwards LP, I think that was at Ishibashi. I played several Orvilles including the Joe Perry signature-I don't know, I understand the value for collectors but they didn't do much for me playing-wise. I should mention as well that, Japan is a paradise for buying instruments. If you need the services of a luthier or guitar tech, the U.S. is vastly better. There is no standard even for a basic setup here.

[@chicochicoshukor7184]

Done subcribe. I have squarier Fender made in Japan. Guitar Heaven

[@grvyrdsmusic9185]

i was guitar shopping in Tokyo 5 days ago. the warehouse like area at the end of the video... what/where is this?? it looks like you're rifling through stuff thats been lost in delivery or something???

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Very cool. Loved that Metallica V.. Really loved the Black Strat with maple neck and trem too! The tokai were cool too.. Loved the JR's.. I built a custom JR for myself.. Love the shops there.. I've never been, but would be like a kid in a candy store.. Very cool video sir.. Thanks for sharing man! Regards from South Central Indiana. USA. Tim

[@shovington67]

Broke motherfer's by like, "Oh man!"

[@Ibaneddie76]

Next time you guys go to Japan can I come? The only problem is I probably wouldn't leave Japan looks freaking amazing!

[@patzguitarz]

I'd love to visit someday. I'd like to find a real deal MIJ Tokai Love Rock or Yamaha SG2000.

[@ZionForman]

what is the point of going to Japan to purchase an American guitar? you can buy those guitars in America. guitars made in Japan have their own appeal, been to Japan etc. great country, great guitars. have fun.

[@andreasfetzer7559]

In tune?

[@matthewotremba9230]

They bought 48 Street NYC (uuuuugh , basically sam ash owned then) And moved it there

[@p0stn0billll]

Hi! Do they have 2nd hand drum stuff too in Shimokitazawa?

[@travgpeters1]

that was weird ass hell intro music . reminds me of 80s porn

[@aflashfloodofgear]

We wouldn't know, but clearly you do 👀

[@travgpeters1]

@@aflashfloodofgear if you guys are still in Tokyo . head on out to Tokyo Hentei Club in Shinjuku . tell em Trav sent you ! .

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a good weekend alex also do you have regrets when looking back in life ❤😊

[@jamesgretsch4894]

Thanks for showing Mosrite. I am a fan of Mosrite and have some USA Vintage and Japanese Fillmore Mosrites.

[@jorgesilva6454]

That red Fender Strat MIJ on 10.29 was top notch! 👏👏👏

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Issa good one

[@jdbrown111]

Its been too long. I think 5 years since i have been there. Guitar Street is the best.

[@jimsuber6784]

You can find a "flash flood" of gear anywhere. All it takes is a Flash flood of money.

[@wilhelmrogue1]

Oh hell i luv these japan videos

[@RavenMadd9]

Thank you for sharing shop names

[@d.j.9961]

How does one go to Japan & purchase guitars & not come home with a Westone or Airia pro?

[@shanewalton8888]

What service do you use to ship to the States? HOw much does it cost?

[@Davey_plays_guitar]

The mosrite and the Dean cadillac that was in one shot we re my two favorites

[@beverlyparra8843]

Hello. How close is Guitar street to Ochanomizu station?

[@Pannemat]

Props for the Enter Shikari shoutout.

[@johnbuell8035]

I was interested to watch but after to 100th time you said ‘cool’ I couldn’t stand it anymore

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Cool 👍

[@aomoon81]

Japan !!!

[@JohnDuffy-m5h]

6:19 the piano mechanism model

[@gavrilopricip11]

was hoping to see weird 70s neck throughs

[@xav3ng3rx]

how hard and costly is it to ship one back to the states?

[@sytway6419]

1:48 TAGLIAFICO! IS THAT YOU????

[@CraigMorris-e3u]

did the red Les Paul copy sell

[@chrisbannister3115]

Found it very hard to get past the ultra annoying vocal frying which is obviously not how he actually speaks.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

What does that even mean? That's legitimately how Alex talks. Give us a call anytime shop phone is on the website 👍

[@jamesreyes4654]

how much did that tokai go for?

[@KevinHallSurfing]

8:16 Just saw very similar '62 reissue candy apple Strat for ¥118,000 about AUD $1,200. Bought E series version late 80's for $600. 😯

[@notapplicable328]

He’s all about that 😂

[@sciencemansandera]

Doesn’t anybody actually Jam any guitars in the stores?

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Can't remember if I cut it in the final edit, but some things are pretty universal and you ALWAYS have that one guy playing guitar for too long lol. Usually try to film when it's quiet so can hear Alex talking -Thomas

[@1959LP4U]

As always all the Les Paul's and Juniors, but if it had been for sale - the Yamaha Revstar with spruce top @4:42!

[@MarkSmith-vy3tq]

Gotta be nice to not only have the $$$ to travel & hang out in Japan for some time, but to also have the $$$ to purchase & ship several instruments home; I can't even imagine doing that.

[@aflashfloodofgear]

Well, let's hope they sell so we get a return on our investment here 😅

[@helloDobson3259]

@@aflashfloodofgear When I saw you buying so many, I thought it might be for resale back home :). Hope you make some happy buyers and net some $$.

[@RevMishka]

Love the video, BUT, why the high speed flipping from one scene to the next? I needed Dramamine half way through the video. Anyway, thanks for showing us what’s in Japan gear wise!

[@NightWindsMusic]

Thomas with the 🔥🔥🔥 edit

[@robertspreitzer8126]

Why would you goto Japan and look at Fender and Gibson. I would be looking for ESP and Ibanez Japan market only stuff.

[@UncleDickeysRandomLife]

Metalliduh are thieves

[@rustymohican8280]

Please grab me a case for an 80's Fender P-Bass Lyte Deluxe - It is a molded case but smaller than the P-Bass case. Fender part # 259850 (US) or 259800 (Japan). : )

[@MiroslavLalovic]

Mentioning Enter Shikari, Rory C and his guitar caught me off guard, but then I read the name of the channel and everything was more than clear!

[@eric_in_florida]

Miku! 7:27

[@philheath9854]

19/11/23 Last night in Osaka before going home.Went to Tokyo,Kyoto and Osaka.Checked out about 6 Guitar stores but didn't see a real lot of Second hand Fender Strat's.Maybe next time.....

[@JohnSmith-ki2eq]

Had a buddy years ago who would take a cheap sh*tty electric guitar with him on trips abroad and then he would scour the local music shops for higher end guitars that were cheaper over there and then he'd give the crap guitar away or dump it and fly back with the good one and sell it, he must have done this dozens of times and customs never found out. of coarse this was way back in the early 90's, I doubt you could get away with that now.

[@staggs5034]

Tokai’s are my favorite guitars. I have 4 of them. I have an Indigo Blue LS 148. I just finished modifying a Tokai Goldstar Sound (Strat) it turned out so goooood! Great video! My next vacation is Japan. I’ve heard really good things. Looking forward to it.

[@thecaveofthedead]

Did you find an Edwards LP Custom? I saw what looked like an Edwards black 335 or 355 on one wall. Also amazing to see a '90s CIJ Jazzmaster with the 'ground beef' pickguard just like mine going for 158,000. Prices have sure gone up.

[@donniebutton9887]

I did a overnighter in Japan in 2017 but hope to go back to visit for a few days but last year my wife and I spent three weeks in Asia including the Philippines , Singapore And Taiwan , Singapore was just amazing by the way , we stayed at Marina Bay Sands , really enjoyed this video and all the Cool gear you got !

[@-processdrone-]

@10:03 DAGNABIT! that's the SECOND time during this video I've gone to answer the door when there's no one there!

[@TheJayblue1]

Would you agree that there is a massive surplus of guitars in Japan and prices in the used market are super cheap? As in still worth buying and importing? Price would be still cheaper than back home? Cheers, great video... I also buy guitars from Japan quite often... 👍😉😃🤟😎🎸

[@johnr8820]

The production is great…this channel definitely won’t have 4k subscribers for long.