Tokai Love Rock - Made In Japan 🎸 Banned in the USA! 🎸 Gibson Les Paul Alternative Reviewed

[@hippiebiker3399]

True … there are no official dealers in the States, but we are able to purchase them from individuals and from Japan. They also are on Reverb and EBay. I purchased my first Tokai after watching your channel about a year ago. I’m totally hooked! Now I have several Tokai, Greco and Aria Pro ii Les Pauls to go along with my Gibsons… and it’s all your fault! And I gig with them weekly… Thank you, Colin!!!

[@heavyjoechipman3594]

Loved reading your comment.🎸🎶🎸😊❤👍

[@6nosis]

My '79 Lord Player Black Beauty by YAMAHA Screams AND chimes!! Talk about an incredible Diamond in the rough. Playing it every day now 3 years solid!! Oh off to warm up me valves on ne black face fender ed !! Cheers edit: i did howevee change out their pooter? Toon o matic (all of it rhe nuts even driven i lnto the wood) for a Philadelphia luthier brand aluminium😂 one and yeah screams i tell ya! The pick ups are a breed apart!

[@johnsmith-oh2xo]

Man I don't have a Tokai but I do have a sweet Greco 1989 EG59-70 I love it but I also would love to get a Tokai too......

[@qua7771]

I have a Greco mint collection, and a 78-EG800. What's the difference in Greco?

[@Chriis2A]

Same in France 😢

[@leadstrat]

I must admit, I enjoy the hell out of your channel. I admire your love for the guitar and I am also at a stage where I have played for many years and am now getting into guitars in general… as far as how they’re made, modifications, tone woods, brands. Watching you review them, modify them, is like seeing myself if I had a KZbin Channel. Many of the projects you take on you figure out as you go and film it to share the experience with everyone else. I really enjoy your humor and just wanted to say, great job!! Keep up the good work.

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks mate that’s appreciated! 😁👍

[@IshmanDebba]

I could listen to you talk about guitars forever. Awesome content. Love the guitar choice (as a proud Tokai LS95 owner myself). Loved to see the deep dive into it. Would be great to see more.

[@cyriljanssens8339]

A week ago i bought second hand a Tokai UES180-PB, i wanted an ES model guitar, and this one was for sale, Pelham Blue color, it's just magnificent. And the finish, details, the way it feels, just perfect. I also have a Gibson Les Paul standard goldtop, and I can't say that one is better finished than the other. So I'm really glad i went for the Tokai instead or paying much more for the Gibson ES335 model.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Great video. My mom purchased a new Memphis Les Paul copy in the early 70's for me for my birthday and I loved it. I still have a 1982 MIJ strat and would never get rid of it. In fact I unloaded my American strats a long time ago. The Japanese simply put make a heck of a guitar!

[@jfiery]

It's so awesome to watch as Colin works thru why he needs the next guitar which then leads to the one after that!

[@theguitaristas]

🤣👍

[@pickle-lr6xw]

I think we all love to convince ourselves why we need another guitar. Much to the wives dismay 😂

[@gerrymcateer8931]

My first guitar was a Tokai Love Rock, bought it second hand from McCormacks Music in 1988 for £225 but was too new to guitars to appreciate how good it was. Remember James Dean Bradfield playing one on Top of the Pops about the same time.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

They are brill, every gig we played some-one from another band would ask to borrow it, I did once but they broke a string b4 we played so I had to blank the rest , then I swapped it for a Telecaster(Also Japanese).

[@tenthmed]

Looks great both with and without pickguard/scratchplate. The fact that you feel more comfortable playing it without answers the question for me. Sounds great too.

[@patrickaquilina8654]

Loved the "Guitar Safari" episode! Love this Tokai review too! Great work Colin! 👍to growing this channel!!

[@martinscholes2023]

Terrific video, this one. Looks a belting guitar. On a technical note, your lighting on your videos is superb. Very professional. I can’t imagine how much effort goes into that, but I for one really appreciate your production values. Bravo, mate.

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks Martin that’s appreciated! 😁🙏

[@martinscholes2023]

@@theguitaristas credit where it’s due. People don’t understand just how much effort goes into professional videos and they take great content for granted. I don’t. I love what you do.

[@exebit9366]

I agree Excellent lighting, ‘Chiaro oscuro’ like the Flemish masters (Rembrandt, Ban Dyk, etc.).

[@jaymax3201]

Here in Japan, the price of 129 has been revised to 140, and the actual selling price is about 120,000 yen, and the price of 148 with veneer frame top is the same. Les Paul Tribute is 150,000 yen, Studio is 200,000 yen, Standard is 350,000 yen, now. Tokai is worth trying.I tried a lighter Les Paul with weight relief and lost to the Tokai.

[@seanmonaghan1477]

Differences between standard and premium Tokai Japanese LP copies are (i believe): premium are lacquer with one piece bodies, long neck tenon, bridge has brass saddles, and aluminium tail bar. Possibly better caps/pots.. Premium also sometimes have uprated pickups. I've had 2 standard LP's - a gold top with p90's (loved it) and a wine-red custom. Also 2 Breezysounds. All great. I currently own an ES224 premium, which has become my favourite guitar (i have 8, all top spec Japanese). Can't speak too highly of Tokai. If you want a quality instrument rather than a statement they're unbeatable.

[@jezza8558]

I love this channel and as a fellow Englishman I appreciate a good winge! That Tokai is a thing of wonder, amazing quality and such a looker. Its very much like a classic car, hard not to look at! Thanks for your hard work on these vids!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man! 😁👍

[@markfahey3921]

I love your comment about a good whinge! Same here!

[@alexgarnett5373]

“I suppose I’ve got to have one really haven’t I ?” Spoken like a true addict.. cheers Colin 🖤

[@thecaveofthedead]

You can guarantee that the fit and finish on an MIJ Tokai is going to be close to perfect. I've often seen tool marks on the fretboards and binding of Custom Shop Gibsons, but never on Tokais. To the best of my knowledge though, Tokai copies of American guitars have never sold new in the US. They've sold some other guitars, or modified guitars. But the American companies have always pressured Tokai out of selling direct competition (and for a while in the late '90s through early 2000s, Tokai was building Fenders for Fender Japan). Unfortunately your guy at the shop wasn't super up to speed with the details. CTS pots are one of the perks with their premium MIJ guitars. There are some other subtle differences not much talked about - slightly different inlay materials - including the logo. And no, the Tokai Mk II pickup is not a PAF type. I believe it was designed as a compromise so that they have only one humbucker in their lineup. Hot enough for people who want high gain stuff but capable of a decent bluesy sound. It's a pro quality pickup, just that it's probably not going to satisfy either the high gain or the PAF camp. I think my bridge measured 12-point-something K. I put Bareknuckle PG Blues in it and it sounds absolutely stunning. Tokai's naming system - like lots of Japanese companies - is a bit insane and was designed for an era of virtually zero inflation. Those names you've been given are no longer the official names of these models. British distributers seem to have settled on the names from around 2010. My LS150 is from 2010 and is the Premium plain-top, the same as the current British LS150. But that guitar is actually currently called and LS214. It's suggested retail was 150,000 Yen in 2010, but it's 214,000 Yen now. Your guitar is actually an LS140 (Tokai might have stamped them with the British preferred names along with the modified British headstock, but that's what the model is generally called now elsewhere). It's all a bit painful. That neck shape though, is just perfect. All the MIJ Tokai LPs have the same neck. I far prefer it over my Gibsons. In fact the whole guitar is just better in every way than my Gibsons. I should probably baby it a bit more given that it now retails for over 2,000 pounds (!) but I do feel very comfortable gigging it compared to Gibsons too. It's a hair away spec-wise from a Custom Shop Gibson but you can feel comfortable taking it to pub gigs.

[@ces69]

I’ve never understood the reluctance voiced here in the comments about taking Gibson’s to pub and club gigs. I don’t gig anymore but in the 80’s and 90’s always took my Les Paul’s and Strats to gigs, no point owning them otherwise, and certainly wouldn’t have considered purchasing cheaper guitars purely for that purpose!

[@thecaveofthedead]

@@ces69 I've done it. But they tend to be a larger proportion of people's earnings nowdays. At least for working musicians. And much depends on where you live and the level of theft.

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

There's what's called a swing sander for frets/fretboard shaping which even out any possible tooling marks left behind. Unfortunately you can't use this machine on guitars with fret nibs or it'll tear them apart.

[@thecaveofthedead]

@@vladimirpoutine7522 You'll be really amazed to see close ups of the fretboards of Tokais with nibs. Yes. They make them. Yes. They're free of tooling marks too. It turns out those marks are the result of not taking sufficient time and effort to clean up.

[@you2vertigo]

​@cecilstolberg6874 I think the times are different in many ways....I would not carry a 3000 £, Gibson Les Paul at night on my way from the pub. Not in 2023 ...😢

[@carlosdeno]

I remember the Rev Billy Gibbons playing a Tokai, one of the first models. Great looking Les Paul and sounds sweet too, great video as always Colin. I too love the plain tops, they have a way of looking like an old guitar. ✌️

[@craigpimlott204]

If the rev plays one ,they can’t be that bad ❤

[@fordfanjpn]

I live in Japan so they’re easier to get, and I have 2 Love Rocks from 2022. I found the pickups to be too hot so I replaced them with Monty’s low wind PAF’s. I also rewired all the electronics and replaced the bridges and tailpieces with Faber parts. I also have a ‘79 LS80 and a Tokai ES130. Obviously I’m a Tokai fan.

[@gearmeister]

So, is there any truth to old man Tokai acquiring a 58 or 2 having the guts to take it apart bit by bit, x-raying everything & based on that, building a prototype? That's the rumor I heard or maybe I read it in an old Les Paul book

[@superlead1002]

For what it's worth, Colin, your channel offers so much more than how you play guitar...I don't watch your channel for the playing, I watch because I enjoy your content and I like your style of presentation; you entertain me!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers mate! 😁👍

[@darrenwells2277]

Ive had a Tokai SG with the 3 pickups for years, I heard about the legend that the Japanese were giving Gibson a run for their money and I wanted to learn more so really enjoyed this video.They're a beautiful guitar and it was good to find out more about something that Ive had for years.

[@MattBaker-zd8nq]

I want a three humbucker sg

[@davidhamilton7780]

International man of mystery. Goes where very few dare to go. You are killing it, Colin!

[@theguitaristas]

😆👍

[@moschops999]

I’m in the ‘scratchplate off’ camp, I think it just looks prettier. Aesthetically, each to their own and all that, the Tokai violin burst is obviously your sweet spot. For me, the Stoner Les Paul you got last week looks gorgeous. There’s something about a lemon burst/lemondrop Les Paul that just does it for me!

[@ces69]

I feel the opposite, purchased a Les Paul without one and bought a pick guard to put on it! To me they look naked without one and more like a copy!

[@Rummy73]

I really liked the video, mate. I have a thought to share with you: I believe guitars should be judged on their own merits, and when we can, set our feelings about the corporate world aside. I have mates who work for Gibson. They love music and guitars. They are the ones building the instruments and not the suits in ivory towers. Regular working folks pour their hearts into the guitars. I politely disagree with you about always making a compromise when owning a Gibson. I have owned a half dozen Les Pauls over the years. I've had nothing but good experiences. I understand that this may be different for another person. For me, however, a Les Paul is a thing of joy and the source of a joyful noise. When it comes to Tokai, in the States they are hard to come by because of copyright infringement. Thank you for showing off that lovely specimen and sharing all the tidbits about the build. I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thank you.

[@kencubala9560]

Excellent comment in wording and content.

[@thelolguy007]

Another great video mate. Love the channel. You’re right with the comparison between this and The Eastman. I’ve owned a couple of Tokai’s in the past - one of which was a Lawsuit era with ‘Les Paul’ on the headstock. The Eastman is just too expensive for a Chinese made guitar - The Tokai is Japanese and have that reputation and lineage to go with it. There’s no comparison. Btw, you are right it does look like Nitro. I wouldn’t have thought it was Poly. I’d love to see you review an Edwards now 😉

[@chrisvsmusicny]

I don't mind the title or thumbnail one bit, Colin! I'm watching all of your videos either way, and it's only a good thing if it helps your channel grow. You're doing something really awesome here, and I enjoyed this episode just like all the others. 🤘

[@lqr824]

My hot tip for people who are thinking about Japanese versions of classic guitars: the Yamaha SA2200 is basically a 345 competitor. I've had three 335's and when I decided the third ALSO wasn't right for me and started looking, I put an SA2200 and a 355 on my list of local guitars to check out. I tried the SA2200 and had to buy it. And it was so cheap, I kept going down my to-do list and checked out the 355 (a 2021 plaintop natural) and I had to buy that too. It was 3-4x the price of the Yamaha but I think the quality is equal, Yamaha POSSIBLY just slightly better assembly/manufacture. The feel is also very comperable with Yamaha again POSSIBLY more to my taste. The Yamaha has a slightly lower-power pickup, just a touch more jazz less blues/rock, a little clearer, tiny bit less midrange and more bell-like clarity. I love them both and play them about equally. If you're looking at ES-335/345/355, you HAVE to try the SA2200 just once. You may not like it but give it a shot.

[@danmc_2783]

Yeah, the Yamaha SG2000 is another great alternative to the Les Paul too, a la Carlos Santana. Huge tone and sustain for days

[@lqr824]

@@danmc_2783 I remember around 1985 they had adverisements for their solidbody that looked just like a Les Paul but with a top cutout too, titled "Les Money." It was clever, but it also reinforced the stereotype that the Japanese guitars were cheap knock-offs. You can buy $4500 Japanese "teles" and "strats" with incredible woods and complicated layered paint jobs on top of eye-popping grains and so on. Nothing "budget" about it.

[@Gocraingo]

I have a 920 and they are very fine instruments. I dont think anything on the recent market compares for their $$

[@stopbeingbusy]

Just gotta say, I love how you play mate! Great phrasing and feel. Keep the riffs and licks coming 👌

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers that's appreciated! 😁🙏

[@peteolinski7471]

Love the shows! Can’t wait for the Gibson V Tokai shootout! Don’t worry about the playing. I like the fact that you do a loop and play over it. The fact that you play some of the same riffs/ideas I can get an actual tone comparison. Playing a different guitar with different music is of course going to sound different….. but is it?

[@the_fleeing_dutchman]

Great video! Japanese guitars are usually superb, be it Fender Japan or Tokai, for example. The Faber parts are very good as well, if you're looking for upgrading bridges, tailpieces, etc. Worth to note that usually, Japanese guitars have metric parts and not inch parts, so if you're looking for knobs, pots, etc.

[@fredrikwa2438]

Welcome to the Japanese Tokai owners club:-) A suggestion.. buy the nitro Tokai (You can never have too many) and borrow a Gibson for the videos.. Tokai also have custom shop quality guitars.. I have one ls 420. Half the price and better quality than the you know who. Cheers

[@alexandermclaughlin3978]

Beautiful Love Rock mate. I'm definitely a plain-top guy and a big fan of Tokai. I currently own a 1980 LS-80 Love Rock (first year, used to be Les Paul Reborn 78-80, then Reborn Old in earlier 1980), a 2007 ES-130, 2005 TJ-78 (DC Jr.) and a 1983 Silver Star. All amazing Japanese made guitars and I've no interest in owning Gibsons ever again. The lawsuit was a seize-and-desist though, not an actual lawsuit. More like a threat 😊

[@darrenpritchard8911]

I had a Tokai LS138, absolutely stunning guitar and build quality. The Japanese Tokais are works of art. I sold it because I wanted a 60s neck and replaced it with a Gibson 60s LP, lovely guitar but quality shocking compared to the Tokai. If Tokai did a 60s neck I'd have that over the Gibson

[@j.jester7821]

I owned a black tokai TST-56 back in the 90s. Traded it to my friend long ago. He still has it. Still one of the best strats i have ever played.

[@carlyoung5035]

One of the best guitars I ever had (and yet another 'I sold it' tale of woe) was an early 90's Japanese built Ibanez Artist with the builders signature on the back plate. I chose it only just above a Yamaha SG2000, and both guitars were better than the Les Pauls I tried at the time. It was an utter joy to play and those Flying Fingers pickups were awesome, but they just know how to finish a product properly - and to the highest degree. The bigger companies just slap things together and meeting targets seems to be more important than taking pride in their product. Same thing applies to their cars too. I loved that guitar but wasn't playing in a band for a while and it got sold. Deep regret.

[@Tom-gr4em]

I just bought a brand new uls136 vf from treblerock in Bristol and I couldn't be happier. I was after a les paul for my collection as ive never had one, I'm more of an sg guy. So I spent the day over in Bristol playing lots of lp standards and to be honest It was a pretty underwhelming affair. When I picked up the tokai I was blown away, immaculate finishing, stunning flame top, violin burst, perfect setup and incredible sound. IMHO I couldn't care less what it says on the headstock, the quality of the instrument speaks for itself. I would say it's the quality of a 5k plus custom shop gibson for less money than a new les paul standard. No Brainer in my book 👌

[@milescookman7180]

Please never use the phrase "I've got to have one in the arsenal" ever again. I spat my tea all over my keyboard.

[@theguitaristas]

🤣 ok I promise!

[@MattBaker-zd8nq]

I want one in my arsenal myself 😂😂😂

[@MattBaker-zd8nq]

It’s nice

[@abdulazizrehan]

Hey mate, don't be too hard on yourself regarding your playing. You're a living legend and many of us enjoy your videos. True you're no Julian Lage, but none of us are and that's not the point of your channel. Now I'm more of a Tele guy and your channel is mostly LPs and 335 style guitars, but I just love watching your videos because of your love for the craft, and the sense of humor. I play an Eastman T59/v, a head to head with a 335 would be so awesome!

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks mate! 😁🙏... definitely got my eye on an Eastman semi 🤤

[@DotM68]

It would be good to see a comparison between this and the Japanese Revstar.

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

That's a lovely finish on that Love Rock. The polyester looks fine and doesn't appear plasticky in the video. I'm not mad on overly figured woods either. I think that they start looking like a piece of furniture when the top is too striped, quilted or book-matched. A bit of unusual or distinctive grain can be more interesting.

[@michellewilson8845]

A shame they are not more widely available in the UK i'd buy one in a second

[@WarrenAndrews-w5x]

This is your guitar Colin! Love Warren. 😎

[@matt-770]

The top end range of guitars out of Japan surpasses anything Gibson’s custom shop can produce the same goes for Fender.

[@bryanwilliams3665]

Yes , my Tokai KLS Les Paul is superior to my Gibson Custom Shop R7( which was a 1 off 'made to measure ') I did change our the hot Tokai pickups.

[@skipclone1]

Having lived have for 25 years I would have to agree. It's an incredible place to buy instruments. I just wish the guitar techs were on the same level. There's no standardized 'basic setup'. Most guitars come from the factory ready to play. If you want something changed, you could be in for a challenge. The guys behind toe counter are there to sell stuff.

[@johnsmith-sm6mh]

Great show Colin, appreciate the effort every week for us guitar addict’s , you are a decent bloke mate a decent player and all round good egg , you do not need to be hard on yourself mate , we are all players of an average/good ability otherwise we would be all rock stars , it’s the love and passion of guitars and your honesty and humour we are here for mate 👍🏻👍🏻 and I’m a Strat lover 😆 Cheers 70s John

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks John! 😁👍

[@GraemeCampbellMusic]

I don't think I've ever played a badly built Japanese guitar whether it was Fender, Tokai, Westbury etc. And that one sounds magic, great buy.

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

Yamaha guitars - great quality, even on their more low budget models.

[@ReyCarmesi666]

​@@paulketchupwitheverything767The mythical Yamaha SBG 1000,2000 and 3000.

[@colmwatulikededazio973]

Colin , great show and nothing to knock with the banner. Im learning and loving it all the way and we know your playing is so much more than the glimpses that you tease us with , which is always tasty enough from where im at and i bet you dont get complaints about that . See ye next week.

[@theguitaristas]

😊🙏

[@SirBender]

The guitar is gorgeous. Tokai LPs have always been so, but I must say, the sound is too compressed and "closed". Even for a LP. It's hard on the edge to sound muddy. But I bet a well chosen new PU set will make it sound PERFECT and would kill a 1000€ more expensive G LP Standard

[@Amp497]

It looks much better without the scratch plate. I like the poly finish. It doesn't crack up over the long run. CTS makes more than one grade pot. For example, Epiphone metric CTS pots are lower grade than the Gibson Imperial pots. Also, Sprague orange drop caps are the originals and the gold standard. Unbranded or obscure orange drops can be anything. If you like a little microphonics, try the flat ceramic caps. Great vid, hope you're making money soon!

[@mionapinyon6098]

IDK I would pass on that model, not much if any improvement on the Epi IMO. The inlays look rather bland from what I can see. Each to their own cheers

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

I tried to find an epi that compared to my tokai but no they just don’t have the skill to reach tokai quality but seams that’s improving now

[@eertje01]

Hi here I am again plugging the Epiphone Les Paul Muse: 7.27 pounds. You should try a Les Paul Muse. Greatest neck profile ever and super weight relieved! And the price is also very affordable ❤ About pickguard yes or no: yes when combined with pokerchip. If you take it off, the poker chip gots to go too 😅

[@mxaxe5591]

Colin, what an awesome video, thank you man. There arent enough horns to give you🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘 I will say, I dont care for the looks of a Les Paul pickguard, but for me, functionaly I do like it as a resring place for my fingers as Im picking more downward during certain licks, if that makes sense. Anyway, thank you so so much for what you do and please dont burn out on us, keep it coming. Your guitar community really appreciates what you do and needs you. Thanks brother!!🤘🤘😊

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man! 😁👍

[@grg-mpgmusic7247]

We can get them here but you have to be careful....there are counterfeit Tokai's too. We have Tokai dealers here but not for these models. The price point you paid would make a killing over here. Appreciate the content and as always.....rock on!

[@terencestephenmoss2159]

Interesting , entertaining, informative and always useful in knowledge of guitars 🎸 many thanks Colin 😊 keep on keeping on dude 👍

[@JensHeidenstecker]

Hi mates, and thanks for another great video. I just wanted to say, don‘t push yourself too much. Most of the time your playing is great and i like that you don‘t make it look easy but show and tell how much effort it is to become the best guitar player one can be. By sounding similar it is easier to hear the differences between all these guitars. A lot of times i‘m looking up to you, thinking i want to sound like that someday. Greetings Jens.

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Jens that's appreciated!

[@Davefender100]

Have just put cts pots with orange drop capacitors in my uls 136f tokia Les Paul and wired it 50s style did not have to reem the pot holes, I had exact same Korean pots and capacitors and no reaming needed

[@El-Scorcho]

Would you ever consider reviewing a Kiesel? I think watching you customize and buy + review a Kiesel would make for a great couple videos!

[@raytorvalds3699]

That is one gorgeous Tokai! Congrats! I keep going back and forth with the pickguard thing. Sometimes I like it better with it on, sometimes I like it better with it off.

[@bradyazell]

I've just watched this again for the third time. Man do I love this guitar, and your playing of it.

[@philipbraid2948]

You’re right does look absolutely stunning! And better without pic guard!

[@arielperez2314]

Proud owner of two MIJ tokai love rock here. LS126 and LS186 great guitars!

[@thewhiskyscout1238]

I enjoyed this one but heck I enjoy all your reviews. Cheers Sir, I had a cup tea earl grey to be exact while watching. I got “Stuck In” again!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man that's appreciated! 🙏... crikey you're posh with your Earl Grey! 😆👍

[@BC-bn2ig]

Col firstly that burst is amazing, second that bridge pick up sounds fantastic, third 💯 no pickguard, fourth if that’s the mid range one you’ve got to get that top of the range one and do the big G comparison, (and hear it through a Marshall?) fifth you are absolutely right about those expensive Epiphones! Sixth, pots on the dearer one, ok but does that Nitro finish make a real difference?? Seventh, you’ve got to stop criticising your playing - it’s great! And finally the effort and time you put in to these videos is genuinely appreciated!

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks mate! 😁🙏

[@garyslash7552]

Colin, you are really too critical on yourself. You are doing just great! Tokai are awesome guitars. I own a 1980 Tokai Les Paul and I made the same modifications as you did on yours plus a bome nut. And I took the scratchplate off, because I thinkl it looks so much better without it. If you don't like the holes, just put the screws back in to close them.

[@robpodd8665]

Can I curse on here !? It’s a phukkin’ beautiful Les Paul !! Looks like nitro your right. It’s probably a thin Poly finish. Looks absolutely amazing! Would probably cost me $2400 total to ship statewide . But I WANT ONE! Collins, last weeks video was my all-time favorite of your videos. I was so excited to take a deep dive with you checking out this guitar! Great content as always! Can’t wait to see what you got for us next week! Great Guitar my man Congrats ⚡️🎸⚡️!

[@avivpinto4013]

The vintage ones made grom 78- 82 are the Holly grails and they're equivalent to the 50's made les pauls. You got the tenon wrong though. Its a medium tenon shy of a cm from a Gibson long tenon.

[@johnwhitehouse4100]

Relent in depth review as ever . But this time you covered the Japanese made one , I've owned mine for the last 14 years and it really is a special guitar , fantastic build and finish . The only thing I changed at one stage was upgraded pickups ,and to be honest I couldn't really hear any real difference ! Mine is the made in Japan LS 75Q and will definitely never let this one go 🎸👍

[@victorformosa228]

Once again an excellent review on a beautiful guitar with fantastic tone.

[@GypsyLane]

To me, the pickguard, is how I always remember a Les Paul looking , growing up…without one, it looks more modern! Cheers!

[@2dazetake]

Thumbs up brother, may the crowd continue to grow,you speak guitars very well, and it's a blast watching the guitars come and go,us guitar affectionados eat this content up, you always present such fine specimens,thanks for sharing.

[@theguitaristas]

😁🙏

[@HamptonGuitars]

I, for one, appreciate your efforts at truthfulness!!

[@theguitaristas]

😁👍

[@SPR-Pedals]

Fantastic channel, and insight into the world of Les Pauls. Inspired by this, and by chance, I just managed to make a trade for a nearly new Japanese Tokai LS140 in Violin Finish. Wow, it plays like butter. Love the plain top, and the neck is just right. I'd previously owned a Gibson Standard, Traditional and an Eastman SB59 but this is the first Les Paul that has felt truly comfortable to play and that I could actually bond with and play regularly. That's huge from a strat guy like myself. I'd sold on the others a long time ago and pretty much gave up on owning another Les Paul, despite loving their tones. The only singlecut I've ever kept in the collection has been a PRS Tremonti, which is its own thing. Now I'm thinking why stop at just one Tokai, if I make it to Japan next year I think another might just have to come home with me. If I can persuade the wife to break the one guitar in, one out policy.

[@cantfindamerica877]

Hey Colleen, I just thought to touch base and thank you for my newest illness. Yes, you my friend passed your Gibson Bug across the Pond to Ohio. I’m 50 miles east of Cleveland’s R-N-R Hall of Fame. So anyway I bit the Bullet and purchased a Black Gibson SG Special. It comes in Two Days . And listed here in the US for $1,599.00 plus with all the usual add ups it grew to $1,750,00. So this is it for a while. I have 20 + cheap knockoffs begging for my attention. Plus I already bought all the parts to swap. But I do love this guitar virus many seem to have. God Bless and Happy Scales to You, until we meet again….Bum Ba Dedumm, Bum Ba Dedumm…… Keep up the good work. And the Fun Stuff Too.

[@theguitaristas]

😁👍 Cheers man... enjoy that lovely thing!

[@cantfindamerica877]

@@theguitaristas Thanks for replying, I’m going to go get busy to occupy my mind. I’m like a little kid At Christmas. It’s a wonderful time to be alive. Well I know you are a busy man so I will walk away, walk away, walk away, walk away. And CRANK UP MY GIBSON. Ha, Ha, I’ve never been able to say that, and I’m 59,yrs old. Why brother is and has always been the GEAR SNOB- BOB, it rhymes u-no. But back to ground control, If I ever make it to England I wanna definitely go to the Pub and have some fun. FastEddie, 1 last request? What do you think about Obsidian pots and the plug-N- play system they produce. After reading the Obsidian definition, it seems to have a Spiritual component that it claims is pleasing on the spiritual level. As one continues to play they’re patterns, and frequencies.

[@michaelkitzmuller1479]

Greetings Colin, I'm with you about prefering a plain top over flamed top. My Les Paul I picked out because the Flame is minimal. Well and as for Tokai, we all know the Japanese have an extremely high quaiity standard. They would rather jump into the river before letting something out of the factory that were'nt 100%. Have a nice weekend and thank you and crew for another fun Video. Greetings from Germany Michael

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers Michael! 😎👍

[@raymondjamesrivera]

Pickguard YES! My two cents, cheers mate, you've now have me wanting a Love Rock!

[@michaelp8856]

@1:33 "...i couldn't resist.."..that pretty much sums up everything ever said. all the best - mike

[@andrewjameswyng7919]

Treasure from Denmark Street. Well Done Mate. We Love It.

[@activese]

Hi Colin, perving on a bloody gorgeous, iced tea-ish burst. Lol. Cheers.

[@gregdunn6040]

Once again brilliant video, a good deep dive into this guitar. Oh and pickguard on.

[@jamesseverin]

Another great video my english friend!! Tokai makes fantastic guitars!

[@joeymcmanus448]

I do my best to watch as soon as it drops but for me it's 4am so a little hit and miss on that. Love the videos, I look forward to them all week .. cheers

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers man, honestly I wouldn't expect anyone to get up at 4.00am to watch me... unless they have insomnia and need something to send them off to sleep 😂👍

[@jimprather8939]

that thing sounds excellent too !! one of the best i've heard on here ..

[@jeffroq]

Great stuff Col. Pick guard off gets my vote. That bridge pickup is a Van Halen kind of output.

[@txkflier]

I think they look better with the pick guard. And, I wouldn't like the screw holes that would be left behind. I also would rather the pick guard be scratched than the finish. It's beautiful, of course..

[@GutshankMetallian]

Thank you for another superb review, Colin. I think the DC resistance of the bridge pickup puts it roughly in the ballpark of 498t, which is a solid hard rock pickup, in my opinion. Don't be hard on yourself, in terms of your playing Colin. You've got your own playing style we all appreciate and enjoy.

[@theguitaristas]

😁🙏

[@heavyjoechipman3594]

Man oh man! That Tokai Love Rock along with those lovely "tone shoes" you have on, make for a great combination to my ears. What a smokin' hot bridge pickup too. Blessings from accross the pond to you. Cheers Colin!🎶🎸😊❤👍

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers mate! 😎👍

[@allanmakela3011]

Seen them years ago,I,m a strat guy,but got a Love Rock Les Paul,it sings,and chirps,a keeper,that grows on you

[@davidp7833]

I just saw a Bengal burst Gibson Les Paul Axcess for the first time yesterday and I know theyve been out for a bit, but wow, it may be the best finish ever. The Tokai is lovely. Its cool that you got one.

[@gustafrenstrom8549]

Great review of an amazing guitar. tokais are amazing and i think it is much cooler to see someone playa tokai rather than a gibson.

[@billdehey1300]

Hey Colin, We definitely have similar tastes. I love Eastman and Tokai. I have a couple Tokai Love Rocks. A 2004 LS80. It's nice and lite. MIJ of course. However, my Love Rock LS196 is custom shop style, so to speak. Here are the specs of the LS196. I put in some photos. The 196 is supposedly comparable to a 1957. It weighs in at 9.47lbs, plain topchuncky C neck. Here are the specs, they're with listing. Body: 1 piece African mahogany Top: 2 piece Canadian maple Neck: 1 piece African mahogany Fingerboard: Indian rosewood 🎉 Frets: Sanko SBB-213 (med jumbo)+Nut: cow bone Pick ups: PAF -Vintage MK2 2x Pots: CTS 2Vol, 2Tone Switch: 3 way, Switchcraft Bridge: Tone-pro with nylon saddles (the only modified part) , I have the HLS-VT brass saddle bridge. Tailpiece: HLS-VB lightweight aluminum Capacitor: Sprague orange droop Tuning keys: Gotcha SD-90SL Jack: Switchcraft Finish: Nitrocellulose Color: tobacco burst MIJ Weight : 9,47lbs I'm having troubles sending photos, sorry

[@kmickp1166]

Looks and sounds great Colin! 👏👏👍🎶🎶

[@ToddTheJoker]

yes, I am PRO- pickguard! another interesting vid Colin sir! have a great weekend buddy!

[@theguitaristas]

Cheers mate and you!

[@billw8648]

I love how you play! Thanks for the great videos!

[@theguitaristas]

Thanks that’s appreciated! 😁👍

[@neslesman6708]

That is an excellent sounding guitar. Absolutely love the hotter pickups, especially when you made that neck pickup growl. Frikin awesome.

[@johnmundt7834]

MIJ guitars are typically really nice. From my experience with a few their weakness is frets. Not that the fretwork is bad, but they seem softer and wear much quicker. Love my Epi LQJ, looks very similar to this one.

[@BondRichBond]

Hi, another great video. I love your work. Thank you. About 15 years ago I had a Japanese Tokai from the early 80’s. Les Paul custom, black, it was light and brilliant. I bought a Gibson 57 custom shop for far more money and it was a dog. I sold the Gibson. Eventually so sold the Tokai and I wish I hadn’t. They’re silly money now

[@craigpimlott204]

My mate has got an early love rock it’s Far better than the Gibson I had a few years back …mind you, the tributes now are better than the standards from a while back ..

[@johnjackman22]

sounded brilliant clean with no pedals, reminded me of the old les Paul sounds, Stan Webb etc.

[@incubus2054]

Received my Love Rock this week and checked it over - there's things I like and things I don't - some may matter to others and some may not but I'll give a run down. It has an awesome quilt top in dark red - book matched and the photos I saw of it don't do it justice, it's really nice. Neck/body joint is really good. The slots in the bone nut are not proportionally spaced - they are closer to being equally spaced which has the effect of the wound strings feeling closer together than the plain strings. The top of the nut needs to be filed down a little as the top of the wound strings are level with the top of the nut, and the plain strings are sitting deeper in the nut than I think they should - I would have done it so that only half the diameter of the wound strings is in the nut slot, and half is above the top of the nut, and made the plain slots be the same depth as the string so that the top of the plain strings is level with the top of the nut. The fret ends are not the best - every fret has a burr on it on both bass and treble side and when looked at closely you can see a file mark all the way along the binding edge where it appears as though someone just ran a file along both edges to maybe try and smooth the burrs but it didn't succeed. Two of the four knobs have a crack in them and you can feel this with your fingernail - I know this isn't unique but it's there. It sounds good with a decent amount of bottom end and has enough mid and high end but not too much and has good sustain, weighs 4.2kg and has a slightly fatter neck than my Gibson Standard and Custom - but I don't mind it - it doesn't feel too thick, it's just a little meatier than I'm used to but I do like it. Overall I'm happy with it - I'll smooth out the fret ends and carefully file down and polish the nut although I wasn't expecting to have to do this. As I said, some of these things may matter to you and some wont but it is a really nice guitar.

[@theguitaristas]

Doesn’t sound anything like my experience with Tokai… what model is it??

[@mcgrath16511]

Nice review! I currently owned and have owned since 1982, a 1975 Ibanez “law suit” Les Paul,, and still wouldn’t trade it for any of the new productions from Gibson..

[@nedludd3641]

I wonder if you could look at the Yamaha SG1820. Although designated 'SG' I think it is similar in construction to an LP-type single-cut guitar. They were retailing at £3000 but you can pick them up new for c.£1800. Japanese build, quite weighty. I think mine is gorgeous but I'd be interested to know what a proper guitarist makes of them.

[@theguitaristas]

I'd love to own one... John McGeogh from Magazine / Siousxie / PIL played one 🙌 I do know they are very heavy though and I think that would put me off.

[@wildebassman]

Played one last month, the neck is awesome to play. I also have a 2022 50’s Standard LP, weighing in at exactly 4 kg and perfectly made. I have been lucky finding a Gibson, well made, plays great, and good weight, took me a long time finding it. Have owned several Japanese Tokais and they were all perfectly made great playing guitars, worth every penny.

[@stevecw01]

id love to see more strats on here. ive been binging your videos the last 3 days and i havent seen one or even heard why you maybe arent such a fan ? love to hear some opinions on such an iconic line

[@theguitaristas]

There are a couple of Strat films... a P90 upgrade and a Wayne Kramer MC5 stars & stripes signature...in both of these I mention why I'm not the biggest fan so check them out, but more will follow no doubt!

[@stevecw01]

@@theguitaristas thanks for the info ! i will check them out :)

[@adrian_V99]

Great video, once again, Colin. Love the MIJ Tokai, but I am also pining for that Pelham SG in the background. The Blackstar cab is blocking its shapely lower bout..😅 cheers.