Comparison: Gibson R8 vs Tokai LS150

Fifty9

Voxman said:

Excellent post that clearly took a lot of time & thought, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read and photo-comparisons and learnt a lot, thank you.

As good as the Tokai undoubtedly is, I'd only ever go for the Gibson myself - I openly admit it's largely sheer snobbery because of the Gibson name (although your review confirms the Gibson has the edge on tone), but also being realistic in terms of any future resale.  If I was lucky enough to be able to afford and get a brand new R8 for under £2,500 I know I'd likely be able to sell it for 90% - 100% of its cost.  With the Tokai, the value drop in proportion to its new price would be a lot more and the Gibson name is a lot easier to sell. And regardless of how good a guitar it was, it just wouldn't feel 'proper' & special to me - the Gibson would.  I'm a name slut, what can I say!   

Putting the peach deal aside, 2.5k is closer to used prices. There’s also a significant drop in gibson custom new prices.

Comparing used prices pushes the conclusion even further toward the Tokai imho, especially with plenty of room for a pup upgrade (which if you buy those used also and can fit yourself, is negligible extra cost).

Voxman

Fifty9 said:

Voxman said:

Excellent post that clearly took a lot of time & thought, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read and photo-comparisons and learnt a lot, thank you.

As good as the Tokai undoubtedly is, I'd only ever go for the Gibson myself - I openly admit it's largely sheer snobbery because of the Gibson name (although your review confirms the Gibson has the edge on tone), but also being realistic in terms of any future resale.  If I was lucky enough to be able to afford and get a brand new R8 for under £2,500 I know I'd likely be able to sell it for 90% - 100% of its cost.  With the Tokai, the value drop in proportion to its new price would be a lot more and the Gibson name is a lot easier to sell. And regardless of how good a guitar it was, it just wouldn't feel 'proper' & special to me - the Gibson would.  I'm a name slut, what can I say!   

Putting the peach deal aside, 2.5k is closer to used prices. There’s also a significant drop in gibson custom new prices.

Comparing used prices pushes the conclusion even further toward the Tokai imho, especially with plenty of room for a pup upgrade (which if you buy those used also and can fit yourself, is negligible extra cost).

Still wouldn't have Gibson on it though! 

Neil

Really interesting and detailed comparison Steve, enjoyed reading it.

Thanks for posting.

Winny_Pooh

Voxman said:

Fifty9 said:

Voxman said:

Excellent post that clearly took a lot of time & thought, and I thoroughly enjoyed the read and photo-comparisons and learnt a lot, thank you.

As good as the Tokai undoubtedly is, I'd only ever go for the Gibson myself - I openly admit it's largely sheer snobbery because of the Gibson name (although your review confirms the Gibson has the edge on tone), but also being realistic in terms of any future resale.  If I was lucky enough to be able to afford and get a brand new R8 for under £2,500 I know I'd likely be able to sell it for 90% - 100% of its cost.  With the Tokai, the value drop in proportion to its new price would be a lot more and the Gibson name is a lot easier to sell. And regardless of how good a guitar it was, it just wouldn't feel 'proper' & special to me - the Gibson would.  I'm a name slut, what can I say!   

Putting the peach deal aside, 2.5k is closer to used prices. There’s also a significant drop in gibson custom new prices.

Comparing used prices pushes the conclusion even further toward the Tokai imho, especially with plenty of room for a pup upgrade (which if you buy those used also and can fit yourself, is negligible extra cost).

Still wouldn't have Gibson on it though! 

New LPs are copies of 50's guitars made by a different company with different machinery in a different factory. The difference between Tokai & Gibson practically speaking is that one of the cloners happens to own the rights to the Gibson trademark. My feelings run the same way about Fender. 

geordie01

Good work sir
Tokai all the way for me tho had a few and loved em
Had a few Gibsons some were good some were meh.
Had an R9 which was dogs dangly bits but the money is  stupid all for 6 letters on a headstock.
Ta for the effort 

dotcomjohnny

Hi to All,

Its appears that until today this thread has lay dormant for several years. In fact, I stumbled across it by complete accident, but I'm so glad I did.

I found it because I've just acquired a 2017 Tokai LS-150 in Heritage Dark Cherry.

I found the article very informative, which gave me a better insight to the LS-150. As I was working my way down though the thread I noticed the Serial Number: 1737864 - Wow! I thought, that's very close to the serial of my Tokai. So, off I trot to get the guitar and investigate how close the serial numbers are!

Much to my amazement, the Tokai Guitar in review is the same guitar, same serial number, even the very same imperfection in the mahogany wood to the rear of the guitar.

The guitar is spectacular, in fact, I’m over the moon with it - I can’t see me ever parting with it. 

If anyone reading this has any further information regarding the guitar or previous owners, please, do get in touch - it would great to hear from you.

Many Thanks

Neilybob

Wowsers, a brilliant in depth review!

This is why I love MIJ twangers! Great for the money.  

SteveF

@dotcomjohnny glad the guitar is still in great nick and appreciated by its current owner. It’s a fantastic guitar.