Tokai Chinese, any good?

markj

Was  wondering are the current  Chinese Tokais any good. I'm quite interested in a Goldtop les paul tokai, I would over a period of time upgrade  pickups, etc. I have a good collection of quality guitars, Gibson, Prs, Fender. But I'm after a Goldtop on the cheap. 

richardhomer

Not played the LP style ones but I have played a Strat type. I should qualify what I’m about to say by stating that my experience is limited to that one guitar - but it wasn’t good.

Fret finishing was poor (not properly polished) and sharp ends sticking out of the side of the fingerboard. Finishing wasn’t great either.

Compared to various Squiers I’ve played at similar money, it was very disappointing.

57Deluxe

If you are paying £460 ish UK retail for the Chinese Tokai then you can cut out the middle man and get the same guitar (sans Tokai decals) off AliEx for £260. Much of this stuff is made by only 3 or 4 factories and dished about...

TIP: All the Chinese Goldtops feature sparkle gold paint whereas Gibson is more satin gold...

Phil_aka_Pip

Tokai ES-60 (it's dad was a 335) is OK - sounds good, plays nicely etc but recently I've had trouble getting it to play in tune so had compensated top nut installed with a Gotoh bridge to allow more saddle adjustment for the G string.

GoldenEraGuitars

If you can get an older Korean model you'll be laughing. In think Vintage beat Tokai at the £300 price point 

John_A

The new Chinese Burnys are much much better than the Chinese Tokais.

sweepy

If you are spending that sort of money, why not find a s/h Gibson LP Tribute ?

mbe

If you like a beefy neck and fancy P90s then the Epiphone 56 PRO Standard is hard to beat for a Goldtop on the cheap.