Tokai LC80S vs Gibson Les Paul Custom

DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored video. The guitar was given to me by its owner for a review. This is an honest review and represents my personal opinion.
My quest with the Japanese Les Paul copies continues. A week after I tried the Burny Les Paul I got this 2005 Tokai LC80S to compare with my 2008 Gibson Les Paul Custom Alpine White. The Tokai is the most affordable model so it's not exactly a fair fight against the Gibson but it did better than I expect it.
0:00 Intro
1:32 Tokai Lineup
3:46 The Tokai Story
5:44 Tokai vs Gibson Differences
8:37 The Specs
9:40 The Pickups
11:03 Bridge & Tailpiece
11:42 Body & Neck
16:05 Back & Electronics
17:48 The Case
19:17 The Weight
19:31 Gibson vs Tokai Tone Demo
24:06 My Thoughts
Facebook: / georgevguitars
Instagram: / georgevarbanov
Gear used to record this video:
Amp: Diezel VH-4 120W Head
Cab: Diezel 2x12 Vintage 30 Rear Loaded
Mic: Shure SM57, Audio-Technica AT2035
Interface: M-Audio 192/4
Camera: Sony A6400 with Sigma 30mm F1.4 and Iphone 13 Pro Max
Stands: Athletic stand for cab microphone
#tokai #lespaul #gibson

[@atamiCtto]

Great video, definitely helped me understand the differences between the two a bit better. I wish someone would do a similar in depth comparison between the more expensive models, like the LC230S, since it's the one I've got my eyes on right now. I can't decide whether I should go with a Gibson Standard model, and get the custom in the future, or if I should go with the Tokai, since they'd both be at the same price point after customs. If anyone has any experience with Tokai guitars, which one of the two would be a safer bet quality and qc wise?

[@Larzes]

You can't go wrong with MIJ stuff, especially with the high-tier models. I'll take the japanese every time over Gibsons.

[@yeti1002]

Both guitars sound great 👍 What amp and speakers did you use for the demo ?

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Diezel VH-4 with Diezel 2x12 V30 Front loaded and SM57 Shure mic as for all my reviews.

[@yeti1002]

@@GeorgeVGuitars nice 👍

[@hkguitar1984]

Great Video, thank you for the comparison. Last year I was able to purchase a Tokai 1954 Reissue Goldtop. The guitar was made in Japan at the Tokai Custom Shop. I highly recommend the Japan Made Tokai guitars. My Tokai R4 utilizes a 1-Piece mahogany neck and body with a nitro lacquer finish. I'd like to add that the top-carve and belly profile of my Tokai are pretty extreme and very sexy looking, much, much nicer than any Gibson USA I've seen (usually the historically correct top carves are reserved for Gibson Custom Shop instruments and not the regular production Gibson USA instruments).

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah the Made in Japan ones are sweet!

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

Yep I second that as I have an LS 198 gold top and a LS 200 5A HB and the build and top carve are beyond amazing … and yes I own a couple Gibson LP the first I bought new in 94

[@hkguitar1984]

@@bobbyarthur-yf3yf I think it helpful for every guitar player to own a real USA Gibson or Fender guitar, it sets the standard and makes it very easy to purchase a Japan made Tokai. Don't get me wrong, I love my Gibson and Fender guitars, I needed to own them first to fully appreciate how well build the Tokai instruments really are.

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

@@hkguitar1984 I hear you there as I have a 91 and 94 /57 reissue USA strat and the 94 and 2015 les pauls but I have actually 4 Tokai and ya I love my fenders and Gibson but as you say armed With that an undeniable respect for Tokai and quality standard and expectation of them selves becomes apparent … quality versus price is not debatable

[@hkguitar1984]

@@bobbyarthur-yf3yf We are indeed on the same exact page. There was a time in my life that the headstock had to say Fender or Gibson, and there is nothing wrong with that, its all about growing and learning what you didn't know. The branding is a strong draw though. Even though I know there are many amplifiers better made, better sounding and better priced than a Marshall, my first half stack HAD to be a Marshall! I suppose the joy isn't so much the destination, its the journey as we move forward.

[@the_hippykiller22]

Also could you compare the Burny, Tokai and Greco ? Would be very interesting as I'd like to get a Burny or Greco to hang with my Tokai

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

I got a Greco coming up. All of them together, maybe some other time 👀

[@cechichan]

Well the tokai is "paf" based sound, lower output, brither. Depends on what u wanna play and what u like ;D both great. I tried some murphy labs and a few more gibsons last spring in london and i end up with the tokai ls136f, was the first one that i loved from the start. Im 100% NOT saying it was better than all the gibsons, but felt better for me, also 1/4 of the price. If i am to get over 5k for a guitar i want it to be perfect for me. Neck, finnish, pickups, all that. Tokai is a very very good safe bet that u will get a good guitar. Also depends how high end u go on the tokais. Most of the 2k + tokais are custom shop level gibsons imho. Just gotta find what works for u, i gladly pay gibson price if i find what i want from them :D

[@onlyguitars]

During these past 2 years I've had a gibson LP traditional, a 2021 Gibson R8 custom shop, a heritage and an Eastman SB59/v. The custom shop and eastman were the 2 best for me. SOld ll but the eastman cos 4 lp guitars was just too much. Iwould have been happy with either of them, liked all, but those 2 were for me on a higer level and on par. the heritage close though. Recently wanted another LP again, something like the classic llok, but didnt want to spend so much on a gibson. Grabbed the same guitar as you, an LS136, and damn. What a great guitar. And like you is not better as the R8 or eastman, but I do like it as much a both of them. Plays so nice, the neck is so comfortable. And in its specs or design or shape is closer and more similar to the R8 than the gibson traditional actually. Which makes sense cos the tokai is a copy or looks to be as close as thr later 50's LP, the traditional is NOT a Reissue, is take of the 90's les paul that are great but are their own thing. But I think I prefer for myself the 50's style les paul, thats why I liked the tokai so much. And considering the price, amaizng that is as good IMO in quality and overall as the gibson USA's Ive had, at least. Cant find a y flaws at all. I can imagine only the higher end tokais then. Same quality and craftmanship but higher end woods, and electronics and extra perks and nitro finish. So Im really not suprised you like the tokai so much cos is indeed so nice to play. Hard to explain what it is that its so comfortable and so enjoyable to play, but I havent been able to put it down at all. Chek my channel if you want, my last video I did a short blues thing with the tokai.

[@CathyHolton-jh1xv]

I had a third-party wind me a set of pickups to the Gibson “Tarback” standard of the 70’s, since an authentic set was a fortune. It make it significantly louder and hotter than the Seth Lover PAFs that are in my Gibson Explorer.

[@stephendawson5809]

I also have a 136f can't fault it for workmanship or feel.The pickups sound good through my blackstar 20w valve head and 2 x 12 cabinet. Wouldnt change a thing about it .Great guitar at.a great price.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Interesting arguments from all of you.

[@the_hippykiller22]

I own the same Tokai, same year but in lefty with SD JB 59 pickups. I also own a Trad LP which is for sale. The Tokai is a much, much better guitar. Perfect QC, perfect fretwork, perfect tuning stability, great sound. I really don't see what the Gibson has for itself performance wise save for maybe the Rosewood fretboard which is a matter of taste. I prefer frets without nibs as they tend to catch the strings sometimes, the nitro is more expensive and fancy but not necessarily better than the poly. This is the best les Paul shaped object I've tried in my whole life IMO. Better than other tokais I tried so I probably got a good one, and I would say on par with the righty LP customs I tried but YMMV

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

This particular Tokai is no match for the Custom, but it is considerably cheaper so that is that.

[@dizzyastr989]

Oh man, I'm a lefty as well and I've been looking forever to get my hands on one! They always sell before I get the chance! So if you ever wanna sell it, please let me know! Until then, enjoy 🤘

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@dizzyastr989 Hope you find one

[@mk_yb4151]

Nice mastodon riff !

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

🐘

[@philby8]

would have been nice to tune the Tokai

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Nah, that would have been too easy.

[@alexanderkot6042]

Vot about History guitars from Japan? GH or SH series

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

If I find one I will check it out.

[@willdenham]

Tokai are not allowed to advertise their Gibson types directly to overseas markets. You have to go through a distributor. I even emailed their Hyunsai factory direct and they told me they cannot sell me an SG or LP type. I got a nice Premium Series SG through a shop in Indonesia.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Interesting

[@Coolbeans1492]

To be fair to the tokai it’s an entry level guitar vs the best guitars gibson make in the custom shop. Entry level or not, i think this would be hard not to pick over standard gibson. As you said it was better than the traditional. More importantly it occupies a market share gibson isn’t operating in currently with its own Japanese made product and offers something that can compare with an American gibson (if not better than) for less cost. You can spend custom shop prices on tokai guitars and at that point you’re getting something more comparable to these. i wouldn’t do that personally because if I’m spending custom shop money on a gibson I’m searching for the best guitar before i buy which means I’m committed. But at the same price as custom shop you’re getting Honduran mahogany and Brazilian rosewood. These are specs gibson charge 10s of thousands for. If you spent closer to standard gibson prices on something like this you’d get the right materials and something that more closely compares to the custom shop. Either way the tokai is a winner especially at this price because this is something that plays well, is a good quality build, sounds good (especially with a pickup upgrade as higher end models come loaded with Duncan’s) and you can gig stress free because it’s poly so it can take abuse isn’t too precious like a custom and plays the part well. If it’s good enough for Billy gibbons it’s good enough for you too

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Good point

[@yeti1002]

The tokai sounded different on the cleans , overdriven and distorted sounds. The Gibson sounded better, just my two cents .

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah they were both good, just a matter of preference.

[@TheMrMRsmoke]

will there ever be an Orville by gibson review

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah, when i find one 🤘🏻

[@yeti1002]

I like this tokai , it can hang with other high end single cut guitars. If your not happy with the pickups , change it up .

[@TheMrMRsmoke]

nah

[@yeti1002]

@@TheMrMRsmoke come on ..... 😭

[@the_hippykiller22]

I own the exact same guitar, same year with SD pickups. It's way better than my Gibson.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah I liked it too

[@John_Doe657]

Imo the Tokai didn’t handle high distortion as well as the Gibson. The Tokai sounded to bright.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah but it is the cheaper Tokai. The more expensive versions will do better.

[@humbug1983]

Gibson sounds deeper.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

True

[@EchotonesMusic]

@@GeorgeVGuitars Not the same kind of pickups

[@gustavomacedo4780]

No "copy" of a Les Paul can stand against the original Gibson.

[@snotmale]

The Yamaha SG2000s can though....

[@onlyguitars]

Sorry to disagree. I've had last year an R8 Custom shop, 2088 traditional, a heritage and an Eastman SB59/v all at the same time. Ive had also other USa gibsons before. The heritage was superior to the USA gibson no doubt, and the eastman for me was on par the the R8 custom shop, both of them being the best, but each one with their own thing. Dont get me wrong , I liked the traditional a lot as well, but all the other guitars were better instruments, higher quality, craftamnship, materials, and details were all better. And I just got a Tokai LS136, and damn. Is at the very least as good overall in quality as the Traditional and the other USa gibsons Ive had. Fit and finish the tokai is superb. But being the entry MIJ tokai, they dont use the best materials or electronics or higher end finish. but really the tokai plays so so good that I really cant understand why it is so good. And actually in specs or shape and eoverall the tokai is closer or reminds me of the R8. the traditional and the other 2 lp, anothere traditional and a special, all felt different than the R8. And makes sense sisnce the tokai is made to be as close in specs and detals as the late 50's les paul. the traditionals are the continuation of the 90's les paul, and those are great but are their own thing, are NOT reissue les pauls. not saying that because of that is better, but for me I have liked more the 50's style les paul more, like the r8 and the tokai more than the traditionals, they suit me better. But as much as I like gibson, the copies or LP based ones ive played have been fantastic, in particular th Eastman. Would love to try one of the higher end tokai, cos those must be I guess as good as the custom shop as well. having all the bells and whistles.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

There are some really good high end expensive copies that give Gibson a run for the money.

[@aliengrey6052]

Tokai. Brilliant guitars. That fleur de ley on the headstock is a deal breaker though. Man it’s so un rock n roll. Sounds mad 😡 but I couldn’t live with it and got rid. Tokai……………..don’t put flowered motifs on a rock guitar it’s an awful look. Bugged me to hell.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Yeah, thats why I don't like some PRS and Ibanez models :>>

[@jpjay1584]

put a sticker on it. done!

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

@@jpjay1584 🤣

Японската, като я гледам, се сещам за случая с Ибанеца от Лес Пол-ски тип, заради когото Гибсън ги бяха съдили, та направо не мога да повярвам тия как са се разминали без съд. :D

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Късмет :>>

[@rickz6403]

Gibson wins this battle

[@qua7771]

Vintage type pickups and high gain? Nah.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

They are ok with the right amp and a bit of a boost from an overdrive.

[@qua7771]

@@GeorgeVGuitars It's the mids. You want a pup that's more scooped for that. A higher wind with a stronger magnet. To each their own though. Personally, I don't use much gain. People think they need more than they actually do, or they're trying to hide something.

[@gabemanson8918]

It is not Bernie is. BURNY 🤣

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Well duh :>

[@11000038]

Yawn at 4.50.

[@GeorgeVGuitars]

Well... thats what Tokai fans say... we shall see 👀

[@licccio2133]

Ask Billy Gibbons