Are Tokai Making Better Guitars than Gibson?

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[@Johnherold121]

Ever since I bought my first Tokai, I fell in love with Japanese craftsmanship. I feel Greco, Tokai, Burny, etc. make more consistent products than similarly factory made guitars over in US.

[@valleywoodstudio7345]

Long time Tokai user here professionally since 80s.

[@FuzzWoof]

From my experience with both Tokais and Gibsons over the past 30 years of playing, I'd say the biggest strength with Tokai is sheer consistency - Sure, I've played Gibsons which were nicer than Tokais, but I've had to wade through a huge amount of average or just plain poor Gibsons to find them, whereas I'd happily order an MIJ Tokai without ever having played it and feel confident I'd be receiving a great guitar.

[@geoffthomas8584]

Hi John, I've been a Tokai fan since I bought a Breezysound (Tele) in Wellington, N.Z. in 1985... I still have it! Incredible value for money, together with superb specs and playability. I currently also own a Tokai LS220S GT, a Tokai LS156S-WA GT, a Tokai LS196EF Vintage Lemon Drop Reborn Old, a Tokai USG-90 (Rare white SG Special... very Pete Townshend!) and a fabulous LS120 in Ebony which my mate Wes Venables converted into an "Old Black" replica! Love 'em all!

[@UnknownGuyFromSomewhere]

Of course they are!

[@guitar91esp]

Your intros make me want to pick up my guitar and practice more. You are such a huge inspiration ❤. Hopefully some day I’ll sound as good as you do.

[@garyhart4646]

Tokais are fantastic guitars.. I have a 62 model custom edition strat with Dave Gilmour emgs

[@tbluesboye]

Recently acquired a Blonde 335 style Tokai that was built in 80's with nitro finish, Grover tuners, and Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickup upgrade. What a sweet instrument and a true value for my hard earned dollar! Love this guitar and I'm so old I've owned vintage Gibsons when they were affordable.

[@southwestshooters]

John. Your playing in the intro here is utterly fantastic.

[@jonblake7871]

Yep, they’re great guitars. I have a fiesta red Strat from a very early batch (when Fender were getting antsy with Tokai). Also have a blonde 335, because the quality was way better than Gibson. That one now has Bare Knuckles Stormy Mondays in it - great job by Mansons - and it’s brilliant. Would thoroughly recommend.

[@karmadave]

Hi John. Great playing as usual. I’ve owned 2 Tokai guitars. Both imports from Japan. Quality wise, I’d say there were somewhere in between Gibson USA and Custom Shop. Never played the other brands mentioned, but I do regret selling the Tokai’s. Thanks again for the great videos 😃

[@garyjohnson627]

These guitars are stunning in every respect. I have a sizeable collection of Tokai guitars including St types, les Paul types and 335 style guitars. One of my 335 guitars in see through red with a Varitone switch sounds fantastic. In addition I have a fantastic Tokai Talbo in red aluminium. I do have a few Gibson guitars but to be honest, they don’t come close to my Tokai instruments. My local supplier in Birmingham is a main dealer for Tokai.

[@KenWoodsGuitar]

Tokais have always been very good. In that same niche, Eastman are also a very good option. On something like the SB59v you get Lollar pickups, hand applied violin varnish and top shelf aged hardware.

[@WayneT3]

I have owned a 1998 (from the Japanese factory) TOKAI Love Rock LS70-F 'burst for the past five years; I changed the pickups out for a set of Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers, and it is absolutely untouchable in its own (or even slightly above) price range. According to all indications online, it was originally modeled after a particularly nice example of a 1959 Les Paul (although the neck feels like a compromise between a '59 and a '60 - perfect for me.) It is just outstanding, regardless of the amp or signal processing it is played through. A testament to Japanese craftsmanship, without question.

[@hankyvanbedmond]

I own a LS 75 from '97 and a LS 128 HB from 2018. I also own a 1990 Gibson LP HCS. 99 times out of a 100 I pick one of the Tokai's to play. Build extremely well and flawless which you cannot say of the USA versions.

[@LordBransty]

SRV played a Tokai Strat for a lot of years. He was a real tone snob, so must have been bloody good.

[@blueskyguitar772]

I have a Tokai sg. It’s the best sg I’ve ever played and I have owned 4 or 5 Gibson sgs in the past. No complaints about the Tokai.

[@basti-fantasti]

I love my Tokai LS2 Reborn Old. Upgraded with Amber 59 Pickups, VIP Pots, Luxe Bumblebees.

[@josepharmstrong4639]

They’ve always made great guitars. Some of the high end with fret nibs and nitro are not far of Gibson prices.

[@tonygreensmith7203]

Be nice to hear your thoughts on the respective merits or otherwise of the Tokai with p90's compared to the Eastman sb56