Tokai Love Rock - Guitars101

**Freeze** · 01-14-2005, 08:50 AM

I'm contemplating getting one of these on FleaBay instead of an Gibson LP.
Anyone owns or played one? I think these are the Korean (instead of Japanese) version. I've heard great things about the quality, but wanted to get some feedback from you guys. Price is around $450. What do you think?

El_jalepeno · 01-14-2005, 08:57 AM

No pics, just Anglefire adverts

**Freeze** · 01-14-2005, 09:10 AM

Don't know why some can't see the pictures. I think it's a popup blocking thing.
Here's the FleaBay link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3774692186

01-14-2005, 09:40 AM

Hi All,
I had an old 1984 Love Rock Gold Top. As an avid Gibson Man nowadays I can honestly say that The Love Rock was considerably BETTER than a great many Gibsons that I have had the somewhat dubious honour of playing!

All I did with my one was throw away the rather indifferent Tuners and replace the Pickups and it became my Number One Guitar for a good many years.We finally parted company last Autumn when I donated her to my Grandson and she's having a Ball belting out Smoke On The Water and all sorts of other horrendous stuff.....which we all REALLY Love deep down....don't we?

I would recommend a Japanese one if you can find one, I hear that the more recent Korean ones are not as good? What truth there may or may not be in this I couldn't say, but it does seem to be a commonly held belief.

Certainly the Build Quaulity of mine has seen off plenty of Gibsons and one can hardly be surprised that Tokia ended up on the wrong end of a Law Suit because of their efforts. Great Guitars.....do try one!

Rythameen · 01-14-2005, 09:56 AM

I agree with Grumpy. I have only played Japanese models, but with them, I don't think anyone could tell the difference with Gibsons in a blindfold test.

**Rid** · 01-14-2005, 11:39 AM

The Japanese Loverocks are great highquality guitars.
Had one in Winered with a flametop that I was foolish enough to sell, because I mainly play strat style guitars.
Tokai's Greco's...as long as they are Japanese it is quite ok.

**Freeze** · 01-14-2005, 01:47 PM

Ok, so were do i get a japanese one? All i've seen are the korean on ebay.

01-14-2005, 01:53 PM

I'm afraid it is all down to scouring Flea Bay.

Good Luck...it will be well worth it!

**Freeze** · 01-22-2005, 02:45 PM

Well, the Japanese Tokais on ebay are going for an arm and a leg. Those are the only ones i've seen that are made in Japan, and most have to be shipped from there for $120.

Played a couple of Gibson Les Pauls at Guitar Center Yesterday. I liked a classic, but the price tag was way too much. ($2500)

I did not know that Epiphone's LP Elitist was made in Japan. Could not find one at a local store. You folks know how they compare to the Japanese Tokais?

JSD · 01-24-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy Old Fool

I would recommend a Japanese one if you can find one, I hear that the more recent Korean ones are not as good? What truth there may or may not be in this I couldn't say, but it does seem to be a commonly held belief.

This is a common misconception at least when it comes to the latest models. The Korean made models have come leaps and bounds over the last few years, especially in the last year or so. Old catalogs show the Korean models as having all kinds of different woods, some not so desireable and some just downright cheaply made. The Korean made models now feature real mohagany bodies with real maple tops, for flame tops there is a real maple wood veneer on top of the maple cap to give the nice flame top. The necks are set and are made of Canadian rock hard maple. Even a real bone nut instead of a cheap plastic one. Very nice fit and finish. While the electronic are a very good quality IMO, everyone has different taste in sound. Some like them just the way they are other opt for a quick pickups change to get "that sound" they are looking for, I guess this can be said for any guitar. When you start with a good "base", in this case a quality built guitar made of quality woods, you can custom tailor it to your own sound and have a real killer on your hands for little $$.

Thats my slightly biased 2 cents worth....

01-24-2005, 01:46 PM

Good Points. As I said I was only mentioning comments that had ben made by others. I certainly feel that Tokia have got it about as "right" as can be done for the money.
A mate has recently purchased a Tokia 335 for his Son's 21st Birthday. It is a BEAUTIFUL Guitar and has actually resulted in the rather Lucky Son ending up with Dad's Pre CBS Strat as his 21st Present!