Product: Tokai 2001 Limited Edition Sunburst Flame Top
Price Paid: US $600 used
Submitted
03/18/2002
at
11:41pm
by
Rob
Features
:
8
This is a VERY nice guitar! Now let's get this straight once and for all, shall we?
This model is never to be made again for distribution outside of the orient. Due to legal problems, the Tokai company has changed the headstock and body shape for the rest of the world.
This is a Korean instrument, made to Tokai Japanese standards.
The body is mahogany, as is the neck. The finger board is rosewood.
The top is flamed sycamore - not maple!
The truss rod cover says "MM2001 Limited Edition" and where the serial number normally is, "205802" is stamped in gold. This is the model number, not a serial number.
Sound
:
10
I play blues, rock, and psychedelia on this guitar. It's perfect for these applications and has some great jazz tonality to it as well.
I see no need to replace the pickups as they are the same "P.A.F." pickups as the Japanese Tokai Love Rocks.
The guitar has a nice variety of tones, and the tone controls are very well voiced.
This thing will NAIL any classic LEs Paul sound you can think of - except maybe Peter Greenes (grin)
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The fit and finish on this instrument is excellent. Te guitar was set up and fret dressed before I got it, so I can't comment on factory new.
The finish is beautiful, although it would be better if it was nitro... ah well.
The week before I got this guitar I spent some time with a $6000 (Cdn) Les Paul '59 reissue and the difference in appearance was minor.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
This is a nice, solidly made guitar. I haven't had the opportunity to "accidently drop it a few times" or "beat the hell out of it" playing thrash - nor do I plan to.
I never gig without a backup guitar, but I doubt I would ever take this guitar out for club use. It's too mint. I would take my 68 SG or a Hagstrom out instead!
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
None needed
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for 35 years pro and semi pro. Now just for enjoyment and home studio. I use a Mesa Boogie amp and have 18 other guitars.
Some guitars come and go, a few stay forever... but this is a keeper! I'm looking to buy another one of these or a Japanese model.
Product: Tokai 2001 Limited Edition Sunburst Flame Top
Price Paid: US $850
Submitted
11/16/2000
at
08:49pm
by
Randy Bauder
Email: rbauder1 at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:
9
I recently aquired a prototype of the 2001 Limited Edition Tokai Love Rock Sunburst Flame Top. I was told by the dealer that they are being made as I write this (in late 2000). Mine was made in early 2000 as a prototype of the models to come. It has 22 frets and an amazingly beautiful flamed top. It is a sycamore maple top and just explodes in the light. It is a basic Les Paul set up with 2 PAF Humbuckers, toggle switch and dual volume and tone knobs with a tuneomatic bridge. The neck is solid mahogany as is the body. The fingerboard is rosewood. My guitar came with a case and hangtag, all original.
Sound
:
10
The feel is what got me with this guitar. The weight isn't as heavy as my 60's Les Paul but it feels way better. The neck is slightly thick but not overbearing. I am using a Marshall JCM 900 Head and 4x12 Cabinet and the sound is incredible. A very Rich/Full sound. I was thinking of changing the pickup to match my 1960's Les Paul but I am really happy with the sound. The guitar came set up with tens (strings), but I prefer nines for my playing style which is in the Guess Who / Randy Bachman vein with a hint of Billy Gibbons.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The guitar was set up immaculately. I saw it along with 4 other prototypes at a local guitar show and they were set up to stun. The electronics excellent as well but I have seen better. Still, they do the job. The action was set up beautifully although I had to change the strings from 10's to 9's.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
Completely dependable. I accidently dropped it a couple of times and didn't even go out of tune. I don't recommend it though. I put a dent in the back of the neck.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Hever had any problems.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing guitar for over 20 years and have never been this exited over a guitar. The clincher for me is the price and I am looking forward to playing a 2001 Gold Top with P90's. If you can afford a vintage flame top Les Paul for over $5000, more power to you but for less than 1/5 that cost I aquired my main workhorse guitar. This is a player and am asked at every jam session and show I perform at where I got this thing. People are literally blown away. The only problem I have with the guitar is that it doesn't have the bell shaped truss cover that I know the older Tokai's had. Other than that, the head stock is the classic "open book" shape and the overall appearence is that of vintage 1959!
I hope they are all as good as this one.
