This Japanese Les Paul Feels Like a PRS | 2003 Gibson Les Paul Tak Matsumoto TAK Burst Review + Demo

[@genm4827]

Always a fun surprise to see Tak and/or B’z be mentioned on a Western platform.

[@sentforth5]

If you set those BurstBucker's height according to the Gibson specs, they are astonishingly good sounding pickups.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

Agree! I have a LP studio that came with a set and it’s instant 1960/70s rock tones with no effort. It is harder to get a modem tone, for me anyway, but maybe I don’t spend much time trying to get those tones anyway. Ive got a fat strat and the atomic humbucker in that gives me tighter modern tone when I want it

[@PhoenixGuitars]

Here here! 2nd the motion. For those that have not experimented with pickup height, I suggest you do so. Especially if you feel you are not liking a pickup sound. Even slight adjustments can make a significant difference. Especially when using overdriven tones.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

@@PhoenixGuitars yes, failed to agree with the pup height thing. A couple of mm can take you from something you don’t like to glorious tone!

[@staszewaM]

@@honkytonkinson9787 'A couple of mm but can make all the difference in the world'. That's what...he said I guess? ;)

[@hkguitar1984]

I 100% agree Reverend. The early Burstbucker pickups have become my favorite. Many years ago I decided to switch all of my Fender and Gibson guitars back to Fender/Gibson brand pickups. It has worked out very well for me. This pickup change coincides with my purchase of a vintage Plexi Marshall. All this time my problem was the amplifier, not which pickups I was using, but I digress. I've found that the early, un-potted Burstbuckers are (for me) perfect. In one of my older LP Custom I've added a separate ground wire to one of the pickups and wired it permanently out-of-phase. Now when both pickups are selected I can control the amount of phase by adjusting the volume controls. That along with '50s wiring provides all the tonal options I could ever hope for out of a traditional Les Paul.

[@Mathemoto]

Tak Matsumoto used to be my go to guy for guitars, even my username is a combination of his last name and my first name. I used to import all their albums, live DVDs and was very close at one point in buying the Epiphone Elitist, but It would have taken like 6 months to get it shipped. The Tak Burst is such a beautiful guitar. Even his DC Brown Burst is gorgeous. Hopefully someday I'll be able to buy one.

[@Watcanz]

Favorite time of day... a new Trogly's Guitar Show!!!

[@standinsilence]

@Blue LOL yeah. I love the combination of bad playing and not having tuned the guitar. But Troggz is still an overall awesome fella. Who else would ever document and show us all these cool guitars like this?

[@adrienbillot2624]

In France I start my day at work with The T’sGS 😉

[@kevinr.3542]

Lets all chip in and by him a strobe tuner. Cuz yeah nothing makes me cringe more than an out of tune open A chord...chaaaaaaannnngg

[@BillyZakk]

@Blue I turn of the videos long before the playing demos. Their other channels with 200 dollar guitars that should far better that his. 😂😂😂

[@ra999]

Nice choice, I'm a big Tak/B'z fan & have seen B'z perform in Japan 7 times, his playing/tone is so good. The Kanji on the truss rod cover is actually his daughter's name (Rei) he has it tattooed on his shoulder too. But I was unaware it was signed underneath, that's really lucky (I wonder if any other owners have checked there lol)

[@danielbreaux1842]

14:20 Everyone has to take a drink! Trogly likes the neck pickup!

[@ObackBaramaUSA]

Trogly PLEASE do a Japanese epiphone review like the Elitist! You're the best person to compare them to Gibson USA's. Thanks!!!!

[@davidfredriksen8687]

What a gorgeous guitar.

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

I really like the black binding. It looks like the black edge coat on a premium handmade leather product.

[@konos-p8842]

I took a chance and ordered a Aqua Burst DC all the way from Sweden. Tak is my favorite guitarist and getting the burst, the Canary Yellow 'Prototype' and the red or ebony DCs is my collection dream

[@ernieb3626]

what a Bummer about the pick ups. Thanks for still going thru with the documentation for us Trogley, I appreciate it. I love the look of that black binding it looks great with that top. Im not usually a quilty kind of guy but it looks really good. Thanks as always Austin. God Bless you and the family

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I think the black binding is what grabbed me. It really gives the whole guitar a really different vibe.

[@mikesmusicden]

I lived in Japan for a few years and got turned onto Tak while there. For anyone not familiar with him or B'z, definitely check them out. Really glad to see Tak (or his gear at least) getting some props!

[@davidwonpu353]

The Canary Yellow is awesome! Also, his solo guitar album “Hana” is mind-expanding.

[@kaitojinn]

Oh yeah, the 99' Yellow Canary is his first signature and it's AWESOME. Released in the same year as the release of their album Brotherhood. The signature even have his own custom burstbucker which the tone really emphasize B'z new rock era!

[@william221221]

I have three different Tak Burst from Epiohone Elite, GIBSON and Gibson Custom shop, those pickups are original made for Tak burst for sure.

[@taruncharaipotra9897]

So the pickups he pulled look like the correct Tak edition Burstbucker pickups for this guitar? I read that the Japanese Elite models got those wax potted special edition pickups, whereas the later Japanese Epiphone Elitists got standard USA Burstbuckers.

[@konos-p8842]

If I recall, the burstbuckers are the stock pickups. I do temembering reading somewhere that they were supposed to be special pups made for him but they were ultimately burstbuckers

[@ernestschultz5065]

I'm sure it's a great guitar but the dark binding makes it look, at first glance, like a studio. If I'm paying for a standard I want that binding to stand out.

[@hughjarrse]

I agree 100%, I think ivory binding would have made it a stunner

[@shaunw9270]

Thanks for typing that so I didn't have to ! My thoughts exactly .

[@jameshughes6049]

That's the first thing I thought. Nice top but needs ivory binding.

[@wadeguidry6675]

I agree. I also think abalone binding would go nice with the inlays.

[@qwertpoiuy430]

It won’t feel like a studio at all, the thicker body makes a big difference

[@Westie_NZ]

That's pretty beautiful. I like the burst and the black binding and the dark rosewood and the inlays. OK, I like all of it......

[@RussBMCSGT]

I can tell you from personal experience Gibson had those cases at least as late 2001 because my 2001 Les Paul Custom came in exactly that case. I kept it when I traded it for a 2007 Custom Shop in Cherry Sunburst because it has some little puppy hairs from my deceased Chihuaha in it still, so I still have it. But, yes I know 2001 is just 2yrs after the end of the 90’s but I wanted to say something because you’ve called that a 90’s case many many many times now & they were available/supplied in the early 2000’s still.

[@standinsilence]

You did the right thing keeping that case because it had a little fur left from your best friend.

[@dnah02]

Tak Matsumoto is from the band Bz I got to see the band live in NYC when I was in college. It was amazing.

[@fredsalter1915]

1:17 I see a big ding on the back of the guitar. How did that get there?

[@LindstrandMusic]

I would also like to recommend Tak Matsumoto Group TMG 1, with Eric Martin (Mr Big) and Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees). A really good mid 2000's Hard Rock record.

[@spensergrinbergsmusic7190]

Man I just wanna say, thank you for such wholesome content! I love everything that comes into your shop, sadly, I’m left handed…

[@ZakLanglois]

this is awesome, love Tak's music & B'z!

[@dbspecials1200]

I love it. the only thing I would change is the knobs. I would try the plain vintage amber speed knobs.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

13:34 interesting Peter Green kind of LP tone there. Nice ax!

[@scottbogfoot]

How much do not having the coa case candy and not having the original case devalue a collectable guitar ?

[@joermnyc]

That’s a subtle burst, it’s like a dark amber to a light amber burst. If that headstock side ding is the same side as the replaced tuner, this may have been dropped on something and that poor tuner took most of the impact.

[@tonyvinesmusic]

That is one beautiful guitar and a beautiful Brazilian RW fingerboard!

[@ak47dragunov]

I guess it's part of the point, but IMO the black binding just doesn't pop enough. From a distance it may look like a fancy Studio

[@myarrington]

YASSSS, More Tak Matsumoto guitars please!!! Especially one of his DC's. I love his blue/teal colored ones. They really coordinate well with the abalone inlays.

[@myarrington]

@@cloudstrifelv alright now you gotta make a vid on it with the full story!!!!!

[@kaitojinn]

His blue DC is his 'Aqua Blue' signature, derived from his band song on the album THE CIRCLE! The thing about his Aqua Blue signature is that some of them has this some sort of yellowish tint on it. Don't know, probably some camera stuff cause I never seen it real, just from images.

[@maxmustardman298]

Gotta love Tak's stuff. I think he even had Gibson model one of his DCs after his Yamaha strats.

[@clarkbabin9799]

Did you get a chance to see the Gibson factory film from the 60s on gibson TV of the original plant? I wish we could hear some of these artists here. I keep hearing of artists from other countries and how good and popular they are. I mean that's one gorgeous guitar. If the music is that good let's hear it too. I find this guitar reminds me of the Ibanez Iron Label I have. It's the only guitar I have that has mother of pearl for trim by the binding bordering some gorgeous babinga. On the clip you showed of the artist that Flying V looked enormous on him.

[@erickleefeld4883]

The Epiphone Elitists were great. They were a brand for Gibson to bring their Japanese-made stuff into the U.S. market. Problem was they were too good, and might’ve been eating into the Gibson USA sales!

[@steveparish9210]

Gorgeous guitars

[@eclispeIDE]

Its funny that they were such a failure in the US even though they were super great quality (i had 4 of them). Idiots would usually say the same thing. You can buy a USA Les Paul Studio for the same price. I think the African Mahogany was the secret to their great tone (African Mahogany is rumored to be used on the 58-60 Les Pauls).

[@dingusfuzzklonnkt2755]

High end Japanese craftsmanship is second to none. If it is not perfect it's not acceptable. Combine that with a massive guitar culture, yes Japan can easily produce better guitars than the USA, you will pay more for them too.

[@bridge500t]

The Elite/Elitist's are killer guitars. I've owned several over the years and currently own 2002 Custom with the correct Gibson headstock. Took me forever to find that one in good condition. Too many people just don't get how good they really are.

[@bridge500t]

@Mike P I had many people tell me to just buy a Gibson when I would you use one of my Elite/Elitist's. They had no clue how good they really are and wouldn't even give them a chance.

[@virgilgiordano4582]

Black binding makes it look like a fancy studio to me .maybe tortoiseshell or the gretsch gold for that price tag?

[@bridge500t]

I used to own the Elite version of the Tak Burst, great guitar. I should have never sold it. I do own a 2002 Epi Elite Custom though with the correct Gibson headstock that is going no where. I watched for that guitar in good condition for years before finally finding it.

[@rocketpoolpki]

Now THAT...is worthy of carrying a "custom" badge....really sweet guitar...Tak \m/

[@Jester-Riddle]

The Tak double cutaway looked very cool ...

[@Gilby7575]

I have one of these fantastic guitars. I'm in love with it. I have the original pickups and they don't sound like yours at all. they sound much less clear and more punchy.

[@michaelschiessl8357]

Tak has great taste, love this guitar and that quilt is beautiful..Always wanted an Epi Elite so hard to come by but the quality on them is better then Gibsons in many respects, but their not cheap and are hard to come by.

[@saarbrandvin9616]

Mij epiphone are great I have mij epiphone amazing guitar

[@BrentAdams]

Love that quilt top, the abalone inlays & the black binding.

[@charleshsieh9563]

hey trogly the 玲 symbol is his daughter's Japanese name

[@josephkemler5668]

That's so cool!

[@ajchavez3461]

I have an unrelated question? I bought a used 2011 50's Tribute Les Paul with a hard case. I paid $800 plus tax and shipping for a total of $974. My question is what are your thoughts on this guitar? Did I get a good deal?

[@robroymenzies8641]

I've got a beautiful Tak Epi Elitist...One of my most stunning Les Pauls...The quilt on it is Blistering...and no "Tak Matsomuto" font...

[@catmandoodoo7903]

I have an ‘04 Std which had those Burstbuckers. Try as I might with heights etc I couldn’t get them to sound anything other than terrible. Actually replaced with a set of Tonerider AC2 pickups which were a significant improvement.

[@papablue3015]

I've got a 2014 epiphone tak! Double cut custom Ebony finger board Gibson burstbucker's 2&3 very nice!!! Thanks!

[@budge14]

hey Trogly! are we going to get your review of the gibson Theodore?

[@zerolatitude2923]

Love that black binding. Good looking LP

[@guitartim2128]

Tak also has signature Epiphones,including the Epiphone Elite Les Pauls

[@Commtech72]

Have you guys seen the new Gibson “Theodore” guitar?

[@JumperXxXCables]

Anyone else notice the the star looking design in quilting below the tailpiece?

[@maekong2010]

That thing is beautiful. I love the binding. If it had been available for mine, I would have gotten it.

[@barcham]

Go for the Epiphone version of this guitar, or the double cut, made in Japan as part of the Elitist series. It will stand up to any American made Gibson. And probably at a lower price. IF you can find one.

[@arnoldmendoza9584]

I hope you can get hands on Ken Kitamura (L'Arc~en~Ciel band) Fender Red Galaxy Stratocaster guitar and Machiya's (Wagakki Band) 29th fret Baritone guitar ^^

[@joezambrano9651]

Hey buddy when will you be reviewing the Theodore Ted mcardy Gibson guitar

[@enghp351]

I thought gibson started weight relief in 1982 on all models except LP Traditionals?

[@666pinkster]

hey trogly, could ya tell me one thing? i inherited one of these MAYBE from a friend a couple years ago...it appears to be identical to the one in this video, but i have my doubts... since these were made by "gibson japan"... are the truss rods nuts like an american gibson, or are they the ubiquitous allen key almost all asian guitars use? trying to figure out if its real or a knockoff... and no one i know has ever seen a "japanese GIBSON". thanks brother.... rock on!

[@Greg-vd5om]

Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!

[@Arthagnou]

would it be possible for you todo a special on just currently availed dealer specials from Gibson...for example Sweetwater had an exclusive to the Epiphone Blueberry Fade. are there any othre dealers who have that sort of thing that can be currently ordered?

[@DareBear2099]

I owned a Les Paul elitist standard in honey burst and it was the best Les Paul I owned. Sold it to help pay for legal stuff years ago. I think about it all the time. Such a great guitar.

[@alwaysopen7970]

I had to sell a brand new gun once to buy a lawyer. I never got to shoot it.

[@tenebroruncr4374]

First of all congratulations for the channel, for guitar fans there are no others like it. I wanted to know who supplies your guitars and if you buy them or lend them to you. A greeting from Spain.

[@taoxie258]

The kanji on the truss rod cover is propably 鈴 'bell' or 玲 , which is a common name for Japanese/Chinese females.

[@SamFugarino]

Like to know the story behind that truss rod cover.

[@vernonhoover1387]

Great looking guitar!

[@av.punk.801]

those inlays 🥵🔥 I absolutely love abalone, probably even more than MoP and MoTo. It just looks so good on damn near anything. Not as MUCH on a burst, but dude it looks soooo smart on an Ebony or Alpine White body. Greetings and well wishes from Utah!

[@midnighthour4299]

Ordered your Theodore yet?

[@PastelComGini]

Gibson should make a Jimmy Sakurai signature. There was a Tokai signature model, but that dude is fantastic, he deserves the real thing.

[@jefflemieux8890]

Hey Austin, it looks like the Epiphone Elitist model comes with BB 2&3…. Maybe a swap out!??!?!

[@bukwok]

i like PRS guitar finished, the finished always looks fancy even PRS SE, i think because very good lacquer finished , it looks like many layers lacquer, that thick lacquer cover whole body,and polish lacquer to crystal clear, and no binding or plastic binding ,so never have that problem lacquer sink in to that gap between binding and body?

[@spyder328]

Really dig the top and finish on that one

[@joeykelly5642]

Honestly? It reminds me of a Mitchell (Guitar Center in-house brand), but with a much more active top. Maybe it’s the abalone inlays and black binding… I associate those specs with cheap guitars

[@real_fjcalabrese]

I miss the Epiphone Elitist series. They are my favorite guitars marketed by Gibson over the last three decades.

[@maekong2010]

Geez, if you could guarantee Rosewood like that, I'd almost be willing to give up Ebony. That fretboard is gorgeous.

[@terrywashburn6347]

Would have liked to hear the original signature pups, maybe they can find you a set to swap those Burstbuckers with. Only seems fair.

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

That top and those inlays. Oh my

[@jameskrys5286]

My fovorite Japanese guitarist is Jimmy Sakurai of Led Zepagain. Amazing Jimmy Page channeling , must have had his hair curled. LOL.

[@bridge500t]

Those pickups could very likely be the original. My Elite came stock with the exact same pickups. Someone may have put in a different set then put the originals back in.

[@Ryan_F.]

Love the abalone inlays. Overall a super cool guitar!

[@spooky3120]

Why the hell did you sell Steve Howe's Les Paul???

[@garrettcagle490]

I wonder if we’ll see a Theodore video in the coming weeks

[@ebeing2955]

very pretty instrument. thanks for sharing trog

[@jeffryallred2174]

Tak is my 2nd favorite guitar player after EVH! I've been following his career since the 90's and he is incredibly versatile. I've wanted a Tak Double cut since the day I first saw him play one but being only sold in Japan makes it hard to acquire one!

[@kaitojinn]

If I may ask, which double-cut are you referring to?

[@CorSmit]

The weirdest coincidence. Two days ago, a Tak Matsumoto Custom Shop firebird popped up on Marktplaats (Market Place), a Dutch classified advertising site. Its seller was asking five hundred and fifty euros for it - so I immediately jumped on it. According to him, it was in excellent condition - which was confirmed by attached photos - and came with the COA. We basically had an agreement that I was going to pick it up the next day, but when I woke up, both the listening and the seller had disappeared…

[@josephkemler5668]

I love the truss rod cover!

[@uf2221]

Nice Tak feeling demo play!

[@shanewalton8888]

I'm in Japan. B'z were huge in the 90s.

[@rafaelbalboamx]

Hey amigo, love you I think I almost watched 100th of videos from you so far till today...I've spotted those pickups in 2003 brazillian rosewoods R9's but had no idea what the sticker means you might check twice your fingerboard too? Cheers

[@jahbrake9791]

Beautiful quilt top!

[@Medfly55]

My daily dose was fantastic as always thanks Trogly

[@ifoundmyfingerboard]

I didn't realize he is the guitarist of b'z. Really amazing guitar riffs

[@zeusapollo8688]

Trogs been practicing folks. Sounding good man

[@revjeffg]

That top is gorgeous, and I love that neck profile. But it sounds…underpowered? I wonder what the output of the original pups was?

[@shanewalton8888]

That character on the headstock is not his name. I think it means the "sound of jewels tinkling".

[@m.h.454]

On a very messy day at the Gibson Factory, the tak matsumoto firebird and the bonamassa bonabird were born due to a swap of necks. Or it‘s just a funny cooncidence

[@davidyoung1962]

This guitar is stunning

[@rikkr1307]

Pretty crisp there Trogly

[@JKM395]

In case no one has confirmed it for you, the writing on the truss rod cover is indeed Tak's name in Kanji. Could mean something else in another dialect though. I can't say.

[@mqaisataloss.5951]

Tak matsumoto is basically like slash. I Geuss role wise in the industry? Skill wise tak matsumoto is a highly skilled guitarist. Slash is a 1 trick pony, it's a neat trick sure but just the 1. Look I think guns 'n Roses has awesome music and ive listened to it allot more than taks music due to language barrier Mostly. though he has amazing instrumental, Im not a fan of instrumental. Personally I would compare tak matsumoto to someone like Brian setzer, if he has to be compared. Edit : check out his solo album "strings of my soul" that alone will show you his skill / range.

[@talkinhogspodcast6545]

Love how you make daily vids man wish I could afford to do what you do haha

[@marions.120]

Wow, that guitar is beautiful! ✌️😎🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶