Tokai Love Rock < $400 - WTF?

[Aceman]

Seriously? What am I missing here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/310401740656...9#ht_500wt_936

[Chris of Arabia]

The model number mainly. As one of their MIC models, I'd expect the price to be on the low side. For an MIJ, it would be a heck of a lot more, perhaps around $1,100.00 (educated guess based on what they'd charge in the UK) for an LS150, but I don't believe it's one of those.

[JOLLY]

Seriously? What am I missing here?

Made in China.

[JOLLY]

Seriously? What am I missing here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-Lovero...item4d0215465b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-LS160-...item27c6450682

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Tokai-L...item27c683bef1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Tokai-L...item27c5fecb66

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980s-Tokai-...item27c667b5ef

[Chris of Arabia]

That is way more than I'd expect to see for those.Even UK prices are cheaper than that.

[uOpt]

Seriously? What am I missing here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-Lovero...item4d0215465b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tokai-LS160-...item27c6450682

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Tokai-L...item27c683bef1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Tokai-L...item27c5fecb66

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980s-Tokai-...item27c667b5ef

You miss the "best offer" detail.

I mean these are good guitars but if you don't insist on a flame top they aren't really better than Burny or Greco models of the same period.

[Aceman]

I did not know they started building in China. That may not be a bad thing...could be crappy Epi quality, could be pretty darn good - especially at that price. Anyone know/have any recent experience?

As for the high end - SWEET JEEBUS! I have played a couple of those over the years. Werd - not any better than a Greco/Burny/Orville!!!! $1k tops IMO...and not even that. I'd say an Old Tokai is on par with an Epi Elitist depending on the Vintage.

[DankStar]

$65 shipping isn't exactly super cheap either. does it cost that much to fedex a guitar-sized box these days? Looks like a nice axe though - for a straight $350 to $375-ish range.

But when you can get used gibby lp special for as low as $300, I'd go that route....and did!

[uOpt]

Burny also has modern lines not made in Japan. And it's difficult to see what is what. Unfortunately not much can be done about the brand name changing into different hands and the new hands then exploiting the old name. Other misleading things happen, too, for example ESP's Edwards line, which does have very good LP style guitars, is almost completely made in China. All the woodworking and paint and frets are Chinese, only final QA and maybe putting in electronics is done in Japan. ESP kind of hides this fact which really rubs me the wrong way.

I think some of these old things are really good, better than regular modern Gibsons, closer to historics. I am lucky owner of a Greco EG-1000C, which I think is the second best model made, and it superb in every way except that although it's a LPC alike they used rosewood for the fretboard.

And of course all old MIJ LPs to be considered are solid and have ABR-1 bridges with ABR-1 posts.

[the guy who invented fire]

The newer MIC Tokais are not great guitars IMHO, decent guitars for the price but past that nothing to write home about.

Those $2k+ Tokais are darn near worth every penny...almost every one of those old (early 80's) MIJ Love Rocks I've played SMOKE current Standards, Customs, Trad Pro's or whatever else and most of them will at least hang with Historic and VOS guitars at half the price!

[TheLivingDead]

Those are actually pretty good guitars! Not for that price though. You can find a real Love Rock used for not too much more.

[BloodRose]

Burny also has modern lines not made in Japan. And it's difficult to see what is what. Unfortunately not much can be done about the brand name changing into different hands and the new hands then exploiting the old name. Other misleading things happen, too, for example ESP's Edwards line, which does have very good LP style guitars, is almost completely made in China. All the woodworking and paint and frets are Chinese, only final QA and maybe putting in electronics is done in Japan. ESP kind of hides this fact which really rubs me the wrong way.

I think some of these old things are really good, better than regular modern Gibsons, closer to historics. I am lucky owner of a Greco EG-1000C, which I think is the second best model made, and it superb in every way except that although it's a LPC alike they used rosewood for the fretboard.

And of course all old MIJ LPs to be considered are solid and have ABR-1 bridges with ABR-1 posts.

yeah, they sure DONT mention anywhere that the Edwards are not Japanese made and they have REALLY climbed in price in recent years too. Once you factor in the shipping (for a new one) they are no longer a bargain over brand G.

Dankstar, Yeah, seems to be a growing trend on ebay to jack up shipping. I figure its a way to try to lower ebay fees and also a way to make sure the money is made on the item.. Cuz Ive been seeing some VERY high US shipping chges listed. Esp for old LPs. $100-200 shipping charges.. BUNK!

[BloodRose]

The Burnys with the diamond inlay are the made in Japan ones. The new ones have this squiggly design thing with a dot on top.. I hear those are pretty good still, but I would guess more run of the mill import quality.

[formula73]

The old Burnys are a fantastic value as far as MIJ goes. They were just cranking them out, too, though you'll pay a good bit of that savings in shipping from Japan. If there was one thing I could change about mine, aside from using rosewood on a Custom copy, it'd be the frets. They're VERY vintage but more vintage Fender than Gibson. Very narrow and not very tall.

[stevie_bees]

I think the body is basswood/maple and the necks are maple rather than mahogany/maple and mahogany.

[BEACHBUM]

I did not know they started building in China. That may not be a bad thing...could be crappy Epi quality, could be pretty darn good - especially at that price. Anyone know/have any recent experience?

As for the high end - SWEET JEEBUS! I have played a couple of those over the years. Werd - not any better than a Greco/Burny/Orville!!!! $1k tops IMO...and not even that. I'd say an Old Tokai is on par with an Epi Elitist depending on the Vintage.

My understanding is that the raw bodies and necks are made in China and then shipped to Japan for finish and assembly. Even so, the price looks to be to low if it's in good condition. Chinese fake? And, I agree the prices on the high end ones seem over the top.

[uOpt]

The Edwards are also painted in China, although final assembly happens in Japan. I don't think there's a fret level in there, not sure. That is the information you get when you call their hotline and ask. As reported at the time on MLP and other forums.