Opinions on this top please

rlw

Simply, I am extremely tempted by this but I am concerned that it might be too out there for a future buyer.  I've noted that the PRS spalted tops haven't rushed off the shelves and I think that there may be an aversion to anything out of the conventional and somewhat boring ordinary.

https://reverb.com/uk/item/18778710-tokai-ls135qm-fvf

FastEddie

I'd buy a guitar for me and not for someone else.
If you like it, buy it. Ignore us. 
I like it but struggle with LP's.

One advantage of the unconventional finish is that you may be able to negotiate a better price. 
It's a niche, so if you want to sell it may take time. That's a buyer's advantage for sure.

rlw

FastEddie said:

I'd buy a guitar for me and not for someone else.
If you like it, buy it. Ignore us. 
I like it but struggle with LP's.

One advantage of the unconventional finish is that you may be able to negotiate a better price. 
It's a niche, so if you want to sell it may take time. That's a buyer's advantage for sure.

Agreed.  But if I could buy one with a more conventional top, but the same otherwise, would it be a wiser buy?

57Deluxe

always reminds me of wet rot...

Fishboy7

I like it

 

(but I also like red leather jackets and white loafers) 

Th4fonz

Im not a fan of that ruins the guitar imo.

rlw

57Deluxe said:

always reminds me of wet rot...

That is, kind of, what it is, isn't it?  Or fungus?

timmypix

Buy it for you. If you're planning on buying to sell it later... why bother? Unless it's an absolute bargain that you can then shift in your favour - which this isn't - then there's no point thinking of that.

Sassafras

Isn't that quite overpriced?

TimmyO

I think it's awesome.

If you're buying with 1.95 eyes on future resale, get something beige 

rlw

Sassafras said:

Isn't that quite overpriced?

In comparison to what?

Maynehead

I'm a big fan of spalted maple, and I think that guitar looks cooler than all the boring old flame tops that all look the same.

ESBlonde

rlw said:

Sassafras said:

Isn't that quite overpriced?

In comparison to what?

£1,400 can get you a nice Gibson player. A japanese copy at the same price just feels wrong to those of us that remember when they were 'reasonably priced'.

Now is that because Gibsons are plentiful and they make models at all budget levels or have the Japanese versions got blisteringly good. All this is very subjective, this particular top is selected and different. I'm aware Of the qaulity of japanese guitars verses the QC on a Gibson. I own both.

JDE

I like it. And I’m a boring bastard who, if I had to have a Les Paul, would have the most boring bastard Ice Tea plaintop as a preference, so maybe selling a guitar like that wouldn’t only attract oddballs. 

Freebird

It looks like somebody went at it with an ink quill pen. I quite like it though, and it will probably look better in the flesh.

Freebird

The blue one is nice too..

https://reverb.com/item/17692516-tokai-ls136f-iberic-blue

FastEddie

rlw said:

FastEddie said:

I'd buy a guitar for me and not for someone else.
If you like it, buy it. Ignore us. 
I like it but struggle with LP's.

One advantage of the unconventional finish is that you may be able to negotiate a better price. 
It's a niche, so if you want to sell it may take time. That's a buyer's advantage for sure.

Agreed.  But if I could buy one with a more conventional top, but the same otherwise, would it be a wiser buy?

I'd buy it for me. If I like it, I buy it.

I've just bought a Martyn Booth 2nd hand. Can't afford a new one. The finish is natural, not my first choice, but that possibly meant is was a touch cheaper. I'd have thought a stock colour would sell quickly. 

I love it now I have it.

Buy for you. Be selfish.

p90fool

If you like it, buy it. 
You'll be lucky to get even half your money back anyway, whatever the top. 

skullfunkerry

I like it. I also agree with everyone saying by it for you and ignore us.

Here's a thing my wife taught me: toss a coin for it - if your first emotion when the coin lands is disappointment, then that tells you what you're *really* thinking about it 

Henrytwang

Freebird said:

It looks like somebody went at it with an ink quill pen. I quite like it though, and it will probably look better in the flesh.

You’re right. My first thought was that it looked as though a kid had scribbled on it with a pen. I’m not however convinced that it’ll looks any better in the flesh 

rlw

ESBlonde said:

rlw said:

Sassafras said:

Isn't that quite overpriced?

In comparison to what?

£1,400 can get you a nice Gibson player. A japanese copy at the same price just feels wrong to those of us that remember when they were 'reasonably priced'.

Now is that because Gibsons are plentiful and they make models at all budget levels or have the Japanese versions got blisteringly good. All this is very subjective, this particular top is selected and different. I'm aware Of the qaulity of japanese guitars verses the QC on a Gibson. I own both.

£1400 barely gets you an LP Studio these days.  And the Japanese gave hot very good too.