Tokai LS-75S

two humbuckers,maple top,mahogamy...a les paul

one of the best guitar for me!!(previously 4 strats,mexico,and 3 american series,ibanez 550 jap,bc rich...)its my first guitar in mahogamy,and the sound is complete and powerfull!!
the only problem is the bridge pickup:several microphonic!solution:wax,wax & wax!after waxed the pickups,the sound of this gotoh humbucker is pretty.im change to dimarzio virtual vintage PAF,and after 15 minutes,i return to the gotohs!more "vintage"!
its an "all style guitar",very professional.

factory setup allright in neck curvature,bindings,etc...only two minor defects in lacquer.only adjust the action,change strings,...et voila!

no opinion,two months

im buy in ebay,direct to japan.im no have contact with tokai

1/4 of the price of a gibson...and not is a toy like others les paul copies,its a very good job from japanese luthiers!!

Bought 6 x months ago.Gibson LP clone of the highest standard.Mine a Japanese 2001 model in a cherry burst finish.
Comes with PAF2 humbuckers and does all thats required.

Having owned a couple of Gibsons for more than twice the money this guitar cost me I was expecting some shortfall but no.
If you like the sound of a LP this is where its at.

Exeptional finish using high quality hardware.
I think mine a mahogany body with a maple top.
I would have awarded a 10 however 1 x point deducted for having to adjust the string hight to get rid of the "sitar" effect on the top E string.
Further point deducted for the sharp fret end right at the end of the neck which took 3 x hrs to remedy with gentle use of a fret file and a minute piece of wet and dry.

This guitar will last a life time.Built to exeptional standards and performs as well as a Gibson and gets one of them by actually staying in tune unlike my previous "real McCoys".

Ive e-mailed Tokai before but they never respond however its guaranteed and theres no problem at all as the dealer I use is A1 with customer service.

Japanese made. Copy of 1956 Les Paul with P90 pickups. Standard Les Paul configuration - 2 tone, 2 volume, 3 way switch. Mahogany neck and back with maple top. Gold top. Tune-o-matic bridge. Probably made 2001. In giving a rating for this section, I'm rating this guitar as a Les Paul style guitar, which everyone knows the features of. This is not a guitar with bells and whistles, it is a GUITAR.

I play (or try to play) a mixture of blues and rock, and this guitar suits me fine. I play it through a Marshall AVT275 combo and use an Ibanez TS9DX Tubescreamer as a boost. The p90 pickups can be noisy but I don't find the noise intrusive. The guitar unplugged has a nice resonance - lots of sustain. Plugged in, this guitar is a ball tearer! The sound from the neck pickup is warm and rich. The bridge pickup is bright and less full than the neck pickup. Both pickups combined gives a nice mellow tone. The tone controls (which actually work!) give a great variation in sound and tone. Overall there is nothing I dislike in the sound of this guitar. I should say here that I knew I wasn't buying a humbuckered Les Paul; i was buying a Les Paul with essentially single coil pickups so I knew I wasn't going to get that thick syrupy Les Paul sound. Others looking for that sound should stay away from these pickups. Having said that, with the gear that I have, I am more than happy with the sound. Again, I am rating this section on the sound that I EXPECTED to get. I did my homework.

The guitar was reasonably well set up when I received it. I got it direct from the Australian importer, Ian from Tokai Guitars Australia so I assume that he did the setup. I have gone over this guitar thoroughly (I am a fussy bugger) and the only flaw I can find is a small spot in the finish, about the size of a match head on the bottom of the guitar. It looks like it was a small piece not stained but then glossed over the top. Who gives a rat's arse. It doesn't affect the tone and you can't see it anyway. Fit and finish is first class ( apart from that small spot however it's possible it is a fault? in the grain of the timber. Who knows? Who cares?) The action is low and plays like a dream. I have owned three Epiphone Les Pauls previously including their 56 Les Paul copy. Chalk and cheese. Yes the Tokai is more expensive but not all that much. My final word is that about 6 months ago, I had the opportunity of buying a new Gibson Les Paul Deluxe Goldtop which the store had heavily discounted. I played it and loved it but didn't go ahead with it. This Tokai is EVERY bit as well made and finished. No it hasn't got the magic Gibson on the headstock, and no it didn't come in a case with the plush dog dick pink coloured lining, but I can live without these omissions!

Well as I said, I'm a fussy bugger. I'm not Pete Townshend so I don't throw my guitars around. I have no doubts at all that this guitar will stand live playing. The finish and hardware appear to be of excellent quality. The strap buttons are solid but I will be investing in strap locks to be sure. I feel I can depend on this guitar 100%. If need be, I would have no hesitation whatsoever in using this guitar at a gig without a backup. Obviously it's not bomb proof as are Fenders but I have total confidence in the guitar.

I dealt direct with Ian from Tokai Guitars Australia and I can honestly say that he is a genuinely nice bloke and a gentleman. He went right out of his way for me. I've met and dealt with some absolute dickheads in this game and I must say it's nice to deal with someone like Ian who has integrity. I am unsure of Tokai's warranty but believe it be the standard. I have no doubts whatsoever that Ian and Tokai stand behind their product 100 per cent and they have my confidence. No, I'm not getting a sling back from Ian nor any kind of endorsement deal. I'm just an everyday customer who was treated with respect and consideration and I don't mind telling everyone about it.

I've been playing on and off for 34 years.(Gave it away for 25 years and took it back up again 3 years ago.) My other guitar is a Epiphone Lucille with up graded pickups. I sold a 1984 Strat Plus to buy this Tokai. Therein lies a story. Had the Strat, heavy (christ it was heavy) ash bodied strat plus with gold lace sensor pickups - absolutely loved it. Swore I'd always keep it. Just starting to jam with some guys to form a band a had a hit out the other night. Discovered the awful truth about lace sensor pickups. Yes, I know others use 'em and love 'em. Thought I did too! The weight of the strat near broke my back after 2 hours standing up. Moral of story - strat's gone. Hello Tokai! I was originally waiting to get a humbuckered one but instead went with the goldtop. No regrets whatsoever. There is nothing else I wish the guitar had. It is a copy of a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop with P90 pickups. What else could you possibly expect the guitar to have if that is the style of guitar you want? If lost or stolen, I would have no hesitation in buying another. In fact, I may still buy that humbuckered Tokai. My final word is that I know Gibson have claims (legitimate or otherwise) to the whole Les Paul copy thing. I am rating this guitar purely on it's merits, not as a Les Paul copy or wannabe. I rate it a 9 -there is no such thing as perfection.