Tokai Les Paul (Love Rock)

Alanstrainor

Alright boys, i've been hit with some of that GAS that's been going around, it's like swine flu, but more expensive...and possibly less dangerous! I've been looking at all sorts of Les Pauls, from Bacchus, to Edwards and the Tokais. Unfortunately the bacchuses are out of my price range, which is around the 800 mark for now. A tokai or two caught my eye, in particular this sexy bastard a LS90Q model:



Now, i'd have pretty high expectations, from experience with the likes of Bacchus and hearing good things about Tokai in general on these boards. I was just wondering if anyone can either come up with alternatives, or any reason not to buy!
Cheers,
Al.

Kenny_D

Jaysus dont get that when Boycey's sexy bacchus duke is on adverts right now for about €900. I've had a tokai and they are great guitars but seriously either get the bacchus or the les paul I currently have (Edwards E-LP-130 LTS). The edwards is the top of the line model and has SD Antiquity pickups which alone are about €300 new. It'll come in under budget too from ishi ubox. There was one there last week but its gone now. Keep an eye on it though. I've seen them come up every 3-4 weeks

Bacchus:
http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=128281&cat=all



Plain tops are an understated beauty. Far nicer than quilt I think

Quattroste

Hi Al, I'd say Bacchus over Tokai if your talking about the LS90Q. The 90 is low-mid range in the Tokai catalogue. The electronics are OK, and build should be fine and the Tokai does look great but the Bacchus, in this comparison, is a better guitar. I'd also imaine the Bacchus has a better resale value too. My 2c.

Alanstrainor

Cheers for the replies lads, i wouldn't be in a position to buy right now, but hopefully in the next month or so, provided something doesn't come up. Boycey's Bacchus looks bloody savage, and i'd certainly be giving that one a look, especially since i'd get a chance to play before i buy. The only Edwards E-LP-130's i've seen are on ebay are pushing 1100 which is just too much for me at the minute.

Fingers Mcginty

GStormcrow wrote: »

Plain tops are an understated beauty. Far nicer than quilt I think

+1

brendansmith

Fingers Mcginty wrote: »

+1

When i first read the comment yesterday i thought, nah deffo not.
Then when the comment got this +1 I scrolled up and down and thought hmmmm maybe they are on a par but after really examining both finishes i am begionning to think you might be on to something.

Ancient1

GStormcrow wrote: »

Boycey's sexy bacchus duke is on adverts right now

Boycey! :eek:

boycey

Ancient1 wrote: »

Boycey! :eek:

There comes a time when a man must admit he was born with the spinal fortitude of an eight year old girl.
My time has come

Kenny_D

The edwards come up for about 800 delivered on the ubox. One just sold about a week ago so deffinitely keep an eye on it.

Quattroste

boycey wrote: »

There comes a time when a man must admit he was born with the spinal fortitude of an eight year old girl.
My time has come

Amen Brother

population

I have one of the tokai customs, lc85s I believe. It is an absolutely savage guitar but the toggle switch did give me a little trouble about a year in. All fine now though

crosstownk

A guitarist I used to play with had a Tokai Love Rock - excellent meaty mid range from it.

Alanstrainor

population wrote: »

I have one of the tokai customs, lc85s I believe. It is an absolutely savage guitar but the toggle switch did give me a little trouble about a year in. All fine now though

crosstownk wrote: »

A guitarist I used to play with had a Tokai Love Rock - excellent meaty mid range from it.

Good to hear, i've been reading good things about them online and have found quite a few good youtube clips with some nice tones. I've too many strats and need something new, and everyone wants an LP of some variety at some stage in their life!

Kenny_D

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=135&print=1&keys2=shinsaibashi%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3

Quattroste

population wrote: »

I have one of the tokai customs, lc85s I believe. It is an absolutely savage guitar but the toggle switch did give me a little trouble about a year in. All fine now though

I have an Tokai LS200 that is developing the very same thing and my ES100 also needs a new toggle switch.

Alanstrainor

GStormcrow wrote: »

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=135&print=1&keys2=shinsaibashi%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3

Was that supposed to link to the Edwards E-LP-98LTS that's on the U-box, or has it been sold?

Kenny_D

It was indeed to the 98LTS and it looks like it's still there:

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=166&print=1&keys2=shinsaibashi%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3

The link changes when they add new stuff I think

Alanstrainor

Alright boys, more questions, how do the likes of the Edwards E-LP-98LTS' compare to the Tokai LS90Q's and LS100's. Would they be roughly the same, or does one out do the other in some way? The pricing of the edwards seem to be cheaper, but that may be because most of the edwards on ebay are coming from Japan.

Quattroste

I reckon they would be much the same so personally I'd choose....




THE BACCHUS. You know you want to

Kenny_D

Yeah I'd still go for the bacchus. Wont be far off the price you'd pay for either the tokai or edwards but a much nicer guitar.

If you want to find out more about tokais be sure to check out:

http://www.tokaiforum.com/

Here's a 130 for sale also:

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13704&highlight=edwards

Kenny_D

Wonder how much this is going for. Damn nice les paul custom:

http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=13983

Alanstrainor

Right lads, i've placed an order for a nice Japanese les paul. It ended up being under budget, and looks mighty fine, but i'll let yee know what it's like when it arrives. The obligatory pics will follow!
Cheers for the advice!

Alanstrainor

So i got my guitar yesterday. And Edwards E-LP-92SD, with a goldtop. It's a sexy beast, the finish on it is flawless, and it plays great. Haven't got much of a chance to play it through an ampyet but so far it sounds awesome. Thanks for the advice lads. Pics will be put up later!

Kenny_D

Good choice. Did you go for P90's? I love my edwards. They're great guitars

Alanstrainor

GStormcrow wrote: »

Good choice. Did you go for P90's? I love my edwards. They're great guitars

No, i went for humbuckers. The guitar came up on ebay for 600 delivered from france so i just went with that. Didn't want to risk getting stung with tax ordering from japan. Can't wait to properly play the damn thing!

Quattroste

I simply don't believe you even bought a guitar. No proof ya see

Alanstrainor

Quattroste wrote: »

I simply don't believe you even bought a guitar. No proof ya see

Patience:pac:

Alanstrainor

Well here she is:



Not the best of pics but it's one hell of a sexy guitar.

Dord

Tasty! Are those Seymours in it? :cool:

Alanstrainor

Dord wrote: »

Tasty! Are those Seymours in it? :cool:

They are indeed. Damn nice tone, exactly what i wanted they're SH-1n in the bridge and SH-4 in the neck. The neck pup is nice and clear for a humbucker, i was worried it would be too muddy, but it's sweet.
The neck on it is great, not too fat, but not too skinny. And the finish is perfect. Cheers for the advice lads, very happy with the guitar!

Dord

Cool! Whats the back like?

Ravelleman

That looks great. The gold top is nice subdued. I often find that cheaper gold tops are far too sparkly in comparison to the original Gibson finish. I bet it's a pleasant contrast to those Strats of yours.

Alanstrainor

Ravelleman wrote: »

That looks great. The gold top is nice subdued. I often find that cheaper gold tops are far too sparkly in comparison to the original Gibson finish. I bet it's a pleasant contrast to those Strats of yours.

Yeah the finish is great, i really hate the sparkly goldtops. It's a nice change from the strats alright, i'm getting some sweet classic rock tones out of it. The back is really dark brown which contrasts the gold quite well! Nothing like a Les Paul and a cranked fender valve amp!

-Chris-

Gorgeous guitar - enjoy!