Tokai LC85

Copy made in Japan by Gibson Les Paul
Bridge Tun-o-matic
Mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, mahogany body (3 pieces apparently) covered with a maple top
The post is medium (= slightly as it passes first micro)
22 frets, two humbuckers made in Japan (that sound!)
2 volumes and 2 tones
Polyurethane varnish (sturdy and enjoyable)
Japanese electronics well made (not really necessary to replace the U.S. may be the condos and again ...)
The build quality is very good. Nothing to say about that. Clearly at the high-end guitars in general. Mine is black, in the spirit of the "black beauty", beautiful!

UTILIZATION

The neck is fairly thick but not unpleasant. The frets are not jumbo, which confused me a little early for the double bends, I did not play well as jumbo.
This is not a shred guitar for the same set so you can spend a lot of acrobatics with ...
Ergonomics is an LP was done better since its release in the 50s. But what a mouth!
The guitar is heavy without being an anvil.
Access to an acute LP: beyond the 17 it gets pretty uncomfortable, especially if the door with a strap 3 terminals "on Slash." But it is well below an LP!
The sound palette is quite wide, the volume knobs and tone are remarkably well their job.

SOUNDS

The sound is typed Les Paul, microphones Japanese (baptized MKII) are not far from the PAF. For "unmarked" (well, it's Gotoh if I understood correctly) is pretty impressive ... But I think it's the violin that adorns the most sound. From light to full, it sounds very good, with excellent sustain (mahogany and medium tenon required). This shovel has a captivating warmth and big sound does not frighten him. Perfect for what I intend to play with: the big rock.

OVERALL OPINION

I wanted a "real" Les Paul that I could take the stage without being scared to death of him put the loaves or make me shoot (like on a guitar at 3000 euros finally rest at home). While looking on the net I found this brand (which has nothing to do with car radios!).

As guitar approaching, I have a ESP EC1000 home that I know well (same price range, manufacturing Correena). The EC is a very good guitar, well finished (mounted Seymour SH4 SH1) but face the Tokai its mahogany is a bit "soft knee" (+ light - warmth and sustain). With Tokai, one is closer to a Gibson LP, is less clear, less sharp, more disgusting, but warmer, more singing, more guts. This is the first guitar that I feel much vibration in my hands, that's just weird at first but it's good dieu bou ...

I will not get into polemics like "it's worth a Gibs standard for half the price" because I do not care, just as I do not care to have written Gibson on the head of my guitar as long as it sounds!

The price of Tokai in Japan are striking ... For in France a LC85 without waiting for months, is about 1000 euros in store. Even at this price, the price performance ratio is very very good. But it's complicated if you want a precise finish (I left). Attention to inflation practiced by some vendors feel that the demand is growing ... Do not exaggerate with the price "factory" to start.

I am not disappointed with my purchase. I told him to get stuck Sperzel mechanics better bill (not essential but is now holding agreement is excellent, the string change is very fast and the look of the keys is nice). I also changed the buttons that were too kitsch for the GIBS put the Black Beauty 57 ', a matter of taste.

Although not part of my final gear, this guitar meets my needs. While waiting to fall on a LS200 in "opportunity of the century" ...