Product: Tokai FA-70
Price Paid: 370 (sterling)
Submitted
06/01/2006
at
08:51am
by
aspirin d'aspirante
Features
:
No Opinion
See other review. Made in Korea, mine is natural, though it's more banana yellow than natural maple. Not giving a rating - it's exactly what a 175-type guitar would have.
Sound
:
10
It's great for jazz. Tried a 70s Gibson 175 yestderday at a shop in Birmingham (round the corner from Sound Control). They were asking #2000 for it. The Tokai cost me #370. There's no way I could justify paying the extra for the Gibson. Sure, it was prettier to look at, but as a tool for making music, it was no better. The Tokai feels and plays the same if you shut your eyes - and it doesn't have crackly, stiff pots, wonky, stiff tuners and worn frets. The main difference was the word Gibson - is that really worth an extra #1600? Only for pose value.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
The guitar is perfectly usable out of the box, allowing for personal preferences. The intonation needs looking at - as it does on every Fender and Gibson I've owned. Again, that's a minor job and one that I'd expect - especially at this price. The finish is a touch gaudy, but that doesn't affect the playability or the sound. Still, if your heart is set on a Gibson, then the finish of a Gibson is definitely classier; but it's the difference between a piece of fine furniture and a tool for making music.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
Can't see any problems here. Drop it and it might crack. Set it alight and it'll burn. Drive a car over it and it will break. Use your brain! I'd use it on a jazz gig, but not for a rock gig - mainly because the intonation as it stands isn't quite right, but I'd use a Tele for that anyway. Maybe I'll give it an eight here.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Haven't dealt with them.
Overall Rating
:
8
Been playing nearly 40 years. Have owned around 50-60 guitars, inluding about 10 Gibsons, 10 Fenders, Martin, Santa Cruz and vintage Epiphone guitars. Have done TV, radio, studio, theatre and live gigs. I might buy this one again, but I'd probably opt for the real 175 or a Guild x150 when I've got some spare cash, because despite everything I've said, the word 'Gibson' on the headstock still means something to me: I just can't my head around it! I know it's stupid!
Product: Tokai FA-70
Price Paid: US $600.00
Submitted
01/29/2005
at
08:23am
by
John Mel... from Ewing, NJ.
Features
:
10
What year was it made? 2005
Where was is made? Korea
How many frets? 20
Laminated top? Yes, probably.
Controls? 2 volume, 2tone, 3-way selector.
Pickup configuration? H/H
Make and model of pickups? MK2 PAF style.
Passive electronics? yes
Body and neck woods? Maple body with set neck with rosewood fretboard.
Finish? transparent, blonde maple.
Body style? Big archtop with single florintene (pointy)cutaway.
Bridge style? adjustable ebony.
Tuners? tulip style
Sound
:
9
Nice jazzbox. Sounds as good as the ES-175 it tries to rip-off.
Does not have a bad sound in her.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
6
The neck is straight and the action can be set very low. The strings suck from the factory but as soon as I put the Diadario Half-wounds on, Momma! I could get those Steve Howe and George Benson tones.
One quality control issue:
The finish was applied too thick at the body-to-neck area and it developed ugly crazing lines along that union. The figure of the natural maple is attractive but not deluxe. If it was not for the finish crack, I would have given it a 8.
Reliability/Durability
:
No Opinion
Well built. I do not forsee any reliability issues.
I know that I can sell it for more than what I paid.
Customer Support
:
7
I got this unit mail order to Pennsylvania from Canada. I'm betting that Gibson fights to keep these out of the US. Anyway, when I called the dealer and told him about the finish crack he said he would gladly replace the guitar. No way, this instrument plays too good, I told him. So instead he promised to get the factory rep kick me back some cash. Fair enough.
Other than that, no warranty was ever given to me in writing.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
How long have you been playing? I'm 50 and been playing for fun since I was a teen.
What other gear do you own? I got an 2001 American Strat; A 1986 Ovation acoustic; a 1968 Fender Super Reverb; 2002 Zoom 10-track hard drive recorder.
Is there something you wish you had asked before buying this guitar? What kind of warranty do I get.
If it were stolen or lost, would you buy it again or get something else? Yes. This is a great guitar for 1/3 the price of a Gibson ES_175.
What do you love about it? Looks good. Sounds good. Plays good.
What do you hate? I don't hate anything, but I am annoyed about the finish issue.
What is your favorite feature? Did I say it sounds, plays and looks good?
Anything else you'd like to share?
I'm looking at this nice piece of wood as a good start to a long term relationship. Over the next couple of years I probably change out the electronics and the bridge and nut.
