Friday, January 21, 2011

Tokai - The Japanese Guitars!

When i first saw a Tokai branded guitar, i was only 16. Went to my drummers place, it was a small place under the governments flat. His grandfather was a blues guitarist during the 70's, that's what he claimed. So i was like "Ya Ka?" until i saw a Humming Bird Electric guitar.
All busted up with no strings and rusty metal parts, i know it doesn't prove any blues history about his Grandfather but i was amazed by the guitar, it was beautiful.
Tokai is a Japanese brand way back to 1965, known as the legendary Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd. They were well known during that time and the 70's because i think they were the first to make replica's of the great guitars of the USA, Gibson/Fender. They too make acoustic guitars that replica's Gibson & Martin. So you think China people are good with these? Guess Japan did it first. People were getting Tokai's cause of the cheaper price tags. During that time, even if you replica something. The replica is still as good as the real one. The quality and the workmanships are all done by 100% Japanese and is close to 100% of the real thing. Not Like now, China can offer you a Fender Strat for RM350, and the result is too sad to explain. Everything is not right, cheapo components and cheap wood won't fuse a good or even decent guitar.
 Their factory was doing like the China guitar factory is doing now, produce guitars for Gibson then in their free time produce replica's. Cause the factory knows about the secret ingredients of the great. So do yourself and sell cheaper. Damn! no wonder they are called "Lawsuit Guitars".They also build the Metal frame guitar called the Talbo. I never tested it yet.
Don't know how these guitars sound. How heavy it is. Imagine performing with one of these standing for 2 hours. Fuuuu!
 Tokai was then build in Korea(around 1990's) and thus the price drop, then later now it is done in China, price down again.You can get the Vintage ones, which are now treated as collectibles and the prices are damn high, Try Ebay.I think you can get new Tokai's as they are now start manufacturing their old models in China, The Humming Bird for a cheap price. If i'm not wrong, i saw Tokai ads on Ultimate Guitar's website.
Music Master also have i think. Music Star Academy? well i was planning to get some for Melaka!! We'll just keep our fingers crossed.

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