SOLD: Tokai ES120 MIJ - Cherry red 335 a like

redrighthand

First a picture:

https://i.imgur.com/amewB40.jpg

I haven't had this long but I keep coming back to my LP and this isn't getting played so...

Here is the original for sale thread:  http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/112382/sold-tokai-es120-mij-335-copy-fs#latest

Bought it from @pottolom who I'm hoping won't mind me cut and pasting some of his description!

So:

• This is a 2003 Made in Japan Tokai ES120, with a Gator hard case.
• It has barely any fret wear and hardly a mark on it, looks a few months old rather than 14 years and has obviously barely been played.
• Cherry red, with a premium very flamey top and some lovely mineral streaking.
• Neck profile is similar to a 59 Gibson. I'd estimate it at about 0.85 inches at the 1st fret, about 1 inch at the twelfth. So a proper neck, not like that slim nonsense on most Gibson 335s!
• The ES120 was the higher-grade model back in 2003. You'll need to read up on Tokai model numbers to understand, but the '120' refers to the price in yen, i.e. 120,000 yen, so the equivalent version today is called something like an ES158 as with inflation it's 158,000 yen (!).
• It's a nice, light one - about 7.5 pounds.
• Also has the long 1950s pick guard.
• And it's all-original.
• The case is in excellent condition - except for a crack by one of the studs at the end as pictured which doesn't affect the solidity of the case. 

I'm after what I paid - which is £700. New they're more than twice that, and around £750 seems to be what they go for on here/Gumtree/eBay (I've been looking at these for a while).

It's in Leeds and I'd rather do cash on collection or meet-up somewhere nearish.

Here are the pics (some more on the original thread too):


https://i.imgur.com/QIhJ7YJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/z7aMQH5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UW7pAIi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8V8cqga.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Qe5t3Ey.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/q97Mkvr.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dibJj7d.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4cp1yTm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wMGzdbj.jpg

Gassage

Nitro or poly?

pottolom

No problem using some of my text at all.

I can vouch for @redrighthand and also tell you that this is a fantastic 335, about as beautiful as they come. The mineral streaking looks superb. Just look at the photos above (much better than the shots in my ad were!).

It's lightweight, resonant and has a lovely beefy neck. Pickups sounded as good as anything else through my amp.

I only sold it because I managed to score an older Tokai ES90, which is very similar really but I kind of enjoy owning something a bit more 'worn in'.

Really, to get anything similar from Gibson (premium flamey top, 50s neck), you'd have to pay a *lot* of money for one of their higher-end models. These Tokais are IMO about the best deal available on the used market and don't really come up for sale very often.

Buy with confidence.

redrighthand

@pottolom thanks!

@Gassage I don't know tbh. I had assumed poly. Looking at this thread there seems to be some confusion, and it sounds like Tokai make it more confusing by doing nitro over poly too! http://www.mylespaul.com/threads/tokai-es120.107296/

Dominic

Yes they do put nitro over poly on all the higher spec MIJ 

glt56

PM'd

1979

Is this still available?

redrighthand

Bump - still here.

redrighthand

Bump

pottolom

Have a bump.

Can't believe this is still here. I mean, just *look* at it!

lento

Does this have a 1-11/16ths nut width ? Seem to remember there was one model with a narrower width .....
Looks stunning and difficult to believe it hasn't already been snapped up !

redrighthand

Will measure the nut later.

Have had various people want it, but shipped, and am waiting for someone more local to grab it!

horsehead

In all seriousness if I could sell my body and get £700....i would....i want it bad

JerkMoans

Oooooh

im up in Leeds in a fortnight for work. Will watch this with some interest...

redrighthand

lento said:

Does this have a 1-11/16ths nut width ? Seem to remember there was one model with a narrower width .....
Looks stunning and difficult to believe it hasn't already been snapped up !

33.5mm E to E string
Nut is about 42mm 

Can't find my calliper so those are with a ruler. 

redrighthand

Bump