Geoff Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Just wondering if anyone here had used them before. Im looking around for someone, but ive heard reviews saying that the stock tuners and bridge arent good at all, however the body work is generally very good. Does anyone play any Tokai stuff and think they're good/bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I had a Tokai Jazz, it was really nice, used it in SF for a bit, it was a japanese one, think some of the new ones are chinese. Oh and I will reply to your text, or pm you, I'm just lazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 In the past Tokai always had a very high reputation for their guitars and basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I had a Tokai P bass and Jazz before, both great value for money. Good build, I had no problems with the hardware but the pickups need changing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 (edited) I have 2 Tokais,an older Japanese P bass,and a brand spanking new Korean made T bird. Build quality is superb on both,the P bass is my main instrument in preference to my Fender P (because it's lighter and I have a back problem ) although the lighter wood ( no idea what it is ) doesn't have quite the same depth as the Alder of my Fenders. No problems with the bridge on either,I have changed the pickups on the P bass to passive EMG's,not because there was anything wrong with the originals,just because the EMG's look cool. I did have problems with one of the tuners on the P bass,but it settled down after a while.I believe the original Japanese Tokais were supposed to be the Fender Squier range but it didn't happen for legal reasons. Edited July 27, 2010 by Spike Vincent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 There's Tokais & there's Tokais. Broadly speaking, Japanese-made ones (both vintage & current) are excellent quality, sought-after & expensive, Korean/elsewhere made ones are more generic decent instruments with a Tokai badge and a less alarming price tag. Then there are ones like this: And it's very, very good. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I love that Talbo, it's fab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbowskill Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 just got a jap p tokai and loving it,pups arnt to bad they punch through nice. think you have got to stick with the older jap ones as a lot better build quality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbowskill Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='907390' date='Jul 27 2010, 05:53 PM']There's Tokais & there's Tokais. Broadly speaking, Japanese-made ones (both vintage & current) are excellent quality, sought-after & expensive, Korean/elsewhere made ones are more generic decent instruments with a Tokai badge and a less alarming price tag. Then there are ones like this: And it's very, very good. Jon.[/quote] that bridge looks kick ass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxobass Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Mine is an old Japanese Jazz Sound from the early eighties. It`s as good as any Fender, and certainly much better than my old Mex Jazz. In fact Fender took them to court over the issue! I`ve improved(?) mine with a more solid Wilkinson bridge and nice warm sounding Bartolini p.u.`s. It`s fretless, and I`ve never played a nicer feeling instrument. O.k., it`s heavy because it`s solid and beautifully built, but I wouldn`t be without it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='907390' date='Jul 27 2010, 05:53 PM'][/quote] I had a mate with one of these. I used it on a few sessions I did for him, sounded great but not to my tastes looks wise. He bought it for £80 considerably under the going rate & when he came to sell it on he couldn't get rid of it! Crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Cool, thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like you cant really go wrong with a Japanese built one then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Used to be able to get a decent one, but I don't know so much now. Our gtr has one from years and years ago and he has kept it and it keeps its place in his more revered stable of gtrs now. But if buying today, I'd go over it with a fine tooth-comb as I would a modern day Fender, Lakland, Musicman and other mass produced basses/gtrs. I accept you may have to consider relative price etc etc . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus x-1 Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 (edited) I have a fairly recent Made in Japan Tokai P, I have not had Fender P's but have had a couple of USA Jazzes and IMHO the Tokai is as well made and sounds just as good as a freinds USA P. Right up there with good Fenders. Edited July 28, 2010 by Cygnus x-1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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