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MGR/Odhinn « Tokai Telecaster »
Published on 12/26/03 at 15:00I acquired this tele copy new in the box from an individual on e-bay for $270.00 U.S. I wanted the 52 tele butterscotch look and couldn't afford $1200.00 to $10,000.00.
It is a pretty good copy, 3 spring bridge, look-alike tuners, butterscotch, vintage neck. It has a good sound, better, I believe than my Mexican tele, maybe not as good (or maybe as good) as my Am. Strat with S.D. pickups. I liked the price, they usually go for 399.99 U.S. out of Mike's Music in Canada. Claims that the Japanese Tokai is great and the Korean stuff is crap may be partly justfied: I hope so, since the Japanese units come in at over $600.00 used. Still, for someone who wants the vintage look and superior sound, they might consider paying the extra $50.00 over a Mexican Tele.
The tuners are finicky, but the worst thing is the truss rodno adjustment at the head. And that idea you had about reaching it through the pick guard? Forget it, it ain't happening, gotta take the neck off, so it's hit or miss; luckily I hit it first try, and it set up low and nice.
It's solid as a rock, just slightly lighter than my Peavy T-40 bass, which is just slightly lighter than a Honda Gold Wing. The body is supposed to be ash, and I found the finish very nice, but I am not expert enough to tell if the grain is real or painted in for effect. If so, they did a nice job on it.
I have a few guitars, Gibson Dove, Epiphone Dot 335 that has had all electrics and pickups and nut upgraded, a "Frankenstrat" Am. Fender with Seymour Duncans and one of the two lowest actions I've ever seen, the other being my Gibson SG with a melody maker neck and dimarzio/carvin pickup setup. I also I have a Mexican Tele, a Mexican Jazz and a Peavy bass, and so on, and they all play very sweet, so the Tokai will have to win my heart. Still it has very good sound and good action, although I'm not as traditonalist when it comes to the fat neck as I may have supposed. If nothing else, it is an eye catcher.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
It is a pretty good copy, 3 spring bridge, look-alike tuners, butterscotch, vintage neck. It has a good sound, better, I believe than my Mexican tele, maybe not as good (or maybe as good) as my Am. Strat with S.D. pickups. I liked the price, they usually go for 399.99 U.S. out of Mike's Music in Canada. Claims that the Japanese Tokai is great and the Korean stuff is crap may be partly justfied: I hope so, since the Japanese units come in at over $600.00 used. Still, for someone who wants the vintage look and superior sound, they might consider paying the extra $50.00 over a Mexican Tele.
The tuners are finicky, but the worst thing is the truss rodno adjustment at the head. And that idea you had about reaching it through the pick guard? Forget it, it ain't happening, gotta take the neck off, so it's hit or miss; luckily I hit it first try, and it set up low and nice.
It's solid as a rock, just slightly lighter than my Peavy T-40 bass, which is just slightly lighter than a Honda Gold Wing. The body is supposed to be ash, and I found the finish very nice, but I am not expert enough to tell if the grain is real or painted in for effect. If so, they did a nice job on it.
I have a few guitars, Gibson Dove, Epiphone Dot 335 that has had all electrics and pickups and nut upgraded, a "Frankenstrat" Am. Fender with Seymour Duncans and one of the two lowest actions I've ever seen, the other being my Gibson SG with a melody maker neck and dimarzio/carvin pickup setup. I also I have a Mexican Tele, a Mexican Jazz and a Peavy bass, and so on, and they all play very sweet, so the Tokai will have to win my heart. Still it has very good sound and good action, although I'm not as traditonalist when it comes to the fat neck as I may have supposed. If nothing else, it is an eye catcher.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com