JoeEvans Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 I have an old Tokai which I love to pieces, but I was wondering - are the new ones any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
only4 Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 I have 2 of the new Japanese made Hard Punchers. I was so knocked out by the fit, finish, sound and playability of the first one I bought the second one the week after. One is strung with flats and the other rounds, all basses covered! Can't recommend the Japanese ones enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 I do not like the Rockingbetters. I've never checked out the other current models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 [quote name='prowla' timestamp='1489879119' post='3260585'] I do not like the Rockingbetters. [/quote] Well, that is ok, they aren't and never had been made by Tokai so largely irrelevant. I tried a new tokai strat a few months ago and it was rather nice, but haven't tried a newer bass, just an old explorer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 I've not tried their recent basses, but a friend is a dealer for them, and their guitars are beautiful. They still make a better Les Paul than Gibson for my money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I had one of their 335 copies & it was a lovely guitar, finish & build quality was easily as good, if not better, than any Gibson I've seen in the last few years. Can't go wrong for the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeEvans Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 Thanks all - might have to start looking for one then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
only4 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I got mine from Drew at the GBBL but here is a link to the UK site http://tokai-guitars.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=131&category_id=18&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 [quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1489879318' post='3260588'] Well, that is ok, they aren't and never had been made by Tokai so largely irrelevant. I tried a new tokai strat a few months ago and it was rather nice, but haven't tried a newer bass, just an old explorer. [/quote] OK - there's a thread about this on the site... http://basschat.co.uk/topic/190096-so-a-rockinbetter-isnt-a-rickenbacker-a-rockinbetter-isnt-a-tokai/page__st__60 Apparently, it says, the UK company who import Rockinbetters is called Tokai, but it has nothing to do with the Japanese company called Tokai who make guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brams77 Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 (edited) I had, or actually still own a newer 2013/2014 made in Japan Tokai Jazz Sound. They still make more or less the model they made in the 80s mine has the fender style headstock, great gotoh 70s style fender tuners lightly flamed neck 2 piece ash body. Neck is a bit thicker then the old ones and it has a slab board instead of a curved one, which gives it more stability, I know this cause I have had 2 80 S jazz sounds before. Fit and finish are flaweless sounds pretty damn sweet too, they always manage to get the growly Jaco thing working. The one I have is pretty rare but some shops sell them just around 1000 euro. They also make a cheaper line with the non fender head and there is a Chinese line aswell, they are much cheaper but fit and finish will be less also. Edited March 19, 2017 by Brams77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I like the Rockinbetter's, but the only thing that they have in common with Tokai was the UK importer. I did like the Thunderbird when I tried one, the Jazz & P were nice too. The MIJ Love Rock's were superb though. Kind of wish I still had mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 (edited) If you get a MiJ model then they are great. I've owned a Talbo bass and still own a Talbo Jr Guitar, both of which are exceptional instruments. However I do have to say that I've been less than impressed with the UK distributers for Tokai, and ended up buying both of mine direct from Japan. All from what I've seen recently none of the more budget bass models are made in japan, and consequently they aren't really worthy of the reputation of the Tokais of the 80s. Edited March 20, 2017 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbowskill Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 they have gone back to the traditional fender style P headstocks. I had a Japanese hardpuncher just after the lawsuits ( more pointed headstock) and it was sublime :-) intrigued by these new ones also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 (edited) I just acquired a 1984 Jazz Sound from Bass Direct and it is marvellous. The Tokai stuff is consistently very fine up to the present day. Edited March 22, 2017 by Hutton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 [quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1490174559' post='3262769'] I just acquired a 1984 Jazz Sound from Bass Direct and it is marvellous. The Tokai stuff is consistently very fine up to the present day. [/quote] Not my experience at all. The MiJ instruments continue to be excellent. The others are no better or worse than any other budget Korean or Chinese instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1490181116' post='3262886'] Not my experience at all. The MiJ instruments continue to be excellent. The others are no better or worse than any other budget Korean or Chinese instruments. [/quote] Apologies. I do agree with BigRed on this. I should have said that I was referring to the MIJ instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 I recently bought one of their 'Cats Eyes' branded acoustic six strings, which is Chinese, and I have to say it's a belting instrument. Cost less than £150 IIRC. The precision in the link a couple of posts above is about £850, at todays exchange rate (which is very poor) an off-the-shelf Maruszczyk Jake is about £820. Does anyone have one of each? Which is the better buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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