Tokai LS 85S Goldtop

Purchased January 2003 from Sound Control Birmingham for £584 including Hiscox hard case. PAF humbuckers.

This guita has got everything - fantastic build quality, beautiful finish, playability and superb sound. I've gigged with it three times now, and it is just great. Both pickups sound wonderful, whether clean or with the amp really wound up. Lots of richness, bite, yet without the muddiness I've always come across with humbucking pickups.

Impossible to fault. I was slightly put off when I first came across these guitars by the naff name "Love Rock", but don't be fooled, it's every bit a Les Paul.

Materials used in its construction appear to be as good as any new Gibson.
The mahogany body is a very decent piece of wood, lovely colour, and the finish and attention to detail, frets, binding, inlays etc cannot be faulted. It's beautifully finished, unbelievable for the price.

I've had two Les Pauls over the years, a cherry sunburst De Luxe in the mid-70's, and a white '88 Custom, and this Tokai puts them to shame. Ever since seeing a Gold Top back in the early 70's, I've wanted one. I think today's Gibsons are over-priced, and the Tokai is an absolute bargain. I'm even thinking of saving up for one of the flame-top versions. SUPERB!!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

- In what country does she makes? (USA, Japan, Mexico, France ...)
Japan
- How many frets, what kinds of microorganisms and their configuration?
22 frets, 2 P90 pickups types in neck and bridge positions, typical of what Les Paul
- What type of bridge (Floyd, Wilkinson ...)?
Standard Tune-O-Matic, the stop bar is somewhat DIFFERENT from those I've seen on most easels LP, but increases a little cluck vintage and seems very reliable.
Edit: The bridge is a Gotoh, not bad even <img class="smiley" src="https://fr.audiofanzine.com/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink" />
- What are the rglages (volume, tonality slecteur micro ...)?
A volume knob and one Tone for each pickup, a slecteur three positions all there from classic to this kind of scratch.
- What kind of stick?
Al Channel is halfway between 50 and Gibson is 60 I&#39;ve tried. He has the finesse of a handle 60 with the cot very rounded 50. Brief but happiness: p

To note, if you want a Les Paul type guitar is perfect if you want a floyd guitar with active pickups, you are your wrong MODEL ^ ^ I put 10 because I see nothing criticize the character of the beast.

UTILIZATION

- The handle is it pleasant?
If you like a handle that you feel good in your hand, then yes it is perfect. Halfway the 50 and 60 in Gib &#39;as I have specific on top, it helps to have a handle that gives a good grip, and that even if these past are small sizes.
This is not a highway, however, crazy shredders go your way, this guitar will not help you: p
- CASC to acute (latest freight) is it easy?
It&#39;s a Les Paul, should I dvelopper more? The shape lends it does not and can interfere heel pass the 15th box, but by putting it on his knee can resolve the problem.
- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
L is still an LP, with its advantages and inconvniants. The slecteur is not very well located (I sometimes cum shots in when I play, a surprise ^ ^). Weight, wha&#39;s shoulder! must prvoir a very wide strap, if possible antidrapante and strap locks to master the beast.
The form now, to be positive, bah crazy as Les Pauls, I find beautiful with her golden dress!
Ergonomics is not the strong point of the skyscraper, but achte not a Les Paul for a the new LATEST ^ ^
- Do you get easily a good sound ...?
Configuration bit complex: two microphones, we Selects either one or the other or both, a lil game on the volumes and tones and it has the sound you want. Difficult to get any easier having enough versatility.

I put 7 for ergonomic issues, even if for me it&#39;s not a problem, I like this model with its qualities and its default

SOUNDS

- Are they suitable your style of music?
I play mostly rock, hardcore and some bluesy riffs, it is ideally suited my style of music.
- With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play?
I have a Marshall Valvestate 8080, and I use add-ins in a Ds-1, a compressor Marshall, a Small Clone and a Big Muff
- What kind of sound you get and with what rglages ("crystalline", "fat ",....)?
The clean sounds of P90 are beautiful, especially in intermediate-and neck position, where each note is Dfine. The bridge pickup is a little more aggressive, I can play songs from AC / DC without effect with just the tonality back and have a powerful crunch on my Marshall (who is still in its clean)
Distortion in the P90 have a sacred potato! Tonn i was that mic with clear sound so pure refer such violence in distortion (good with my gear, not even in the sound "mtal" I EHJV but more violent in the very hard) Anyway the pickups are very versatile and really take the distortion, a very good point on this one for Tokai l.
- What are the sounds you prfrez that hates you?
There has not really tone that hates me, overall I like them all, but I have my little prefers:
Crunch: bridge pickup, tone 10
Bluesy: neck pickup, tone 0 (on solo pass the 12th fret, it has a sound very similar to a flute, it&#39;s pretty original and pretty)
Distortion in the three positions are usable by all is what we want to play

The thing for me is a 10/10 without hesitating!

OVERALL OPINION

- For how long have you been using it?
5 days only, but I play one two-hour and I made a BPS with a aprem. J&#39;diterai my mind later if I ever change of details
- What is the specific feature you like best, the least?
The +: A Goldtop P90 rises!
the - the weight
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
I was gone to buy a Gibson Les Paul Standard, I pass the APRS twelve o&#39;clock to try different models. I test a few standards, classics, and even the standard 2008 that I have not liked at all (no sound clean and clean ... bof bof, but a big favorite on the plate transparent electronic Behind lets see ^ ^). And I see a bunch of small Tokai, especially a Goldtop with P90 (my dream). I talk with the seller, I try and ... I came away with!
- How do you report qualitprix?
She easily beam Gibson standard I&#39;ve tried, for half the price! (And then a Goldtop with P90 standard, has not it seems to me there in gib &#39;, unless I&#39;m mistaken ...)
Wholesale price report quality is super! (Besides my seller gave me a tui, what more?)
- With the exprience, you do again this election? ...
OOOh yes! Surely I will redeem the future of Tokai, this brand really makes copies of quality and deserves to be somewhat more diffuse (though not, as has y&#39;en more for me ^ ^)

Edit: I&#39;ve had about ten months now, I pretty rpt with, and if you put the weight of the beast of cot is when even a terrible scratching ! Since then, a lot of guitars I have passed through the hands of the range of upscale brands, and every time I miss a little something from the Tokai. I&#39;m not saying she doing its compression of the dough at Gibson, but when even she holds the road well!

EDIT, a year after purchase: I pass on an amp lamps (Orange AD30HTC), which has the potential rvl the beast. The knobs are very specific on and greatly affect the final rendering. I redcouvert the tone of acute microwave, which worked wonders. The sound is very presents, lots of meds, one feels that the guitar is really l. In short, I still love so much, but I think I get in a Telecaster adjuncts to tickle the most aggressive. In any case, I think still keep very long, I see myself without this little Japanese!