NJGD (New Japan Guitar Day)

mankytom

I’ve done it.. currently in Tokyo, and was planning to pick up a Tokai ls 220 (56 les Paul copy) - but I’m
coming home with this instead 

Gibson R6 from 2011. One or two scrapes and a lot of checking on the neck. It spoke to me. And unbelievably in the same ball park as the Tokai. 

I also played an actual 1966 mustang, which they had for less than 2k and apart from a Refret and new nut (and obvs new bridge) was all original. 

But I got this one… and I’m
happy. 

Just got to get it home now

Neilybob

Dang she's a beauty! Congrats 

Not helping my I want to go guitar shopping in Japan/ goldtop/P90 GAS right now! 

mankytom

Im already considering how I get Mrs manky to let me get two 

icu81b4

I’ll be keen to learn how you got on getting this back through Customs. 

mankytom

I’ll let you know man. Not back for a little while. I’m flying with Ana and all indications are that I can just check as luggage 

TheMarlin

Cool guitar!
Are you gonna try a Bigsby on it?

mankytom

I don’t think so! Not sure they’re for me. I’ve got a les trem lying around which I might give a go

AK99

That's a lovely thing. Be hard to get another one home as well..surely.. would it ..

mankytom

I reckon it’s one and done. I got a look.. it said no. 

Im going to check out ikebe in ikkebukuro tomorrow. They have the explorerbird im keen on but i think it may have to wait

https://www.ikebe-gakki.com/Form/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?shop=0&pid=775085&bid=ec

stickyfiddle

That's ace. I saw a bunch of these on my trip in Feb, plus more than one gorgeous old Mustangs as well. 

Where did you get this one?

mankytom

Nico Nico. They were the best shop I went in. The guy I dealt with told me that they have loads of tourists coming in to buy guitars. They had some really special stuff in there. 59 strat.. early 60s sg custom. Didn’t have the cajaones to play them
with the kids running around

Shipwreck

I'm flying out imminently  - but far too scared I'll find something I want to lug back on the journey. How do the prices compare for gear? (I appreiciated there's stuff you simply can't get anywhere else of course) 

mankytom

I saw a Dave mustaine v with a small ding on the headstock for 198000 yen. You can take the tax off that as a foreigner, which takes it to 180000. Which works out as a little over 900 quid. Gibson have these retailing at 2700. 

The explorerbird I was looking at is about 1200

Second hand Japanese fenders in the 300-700 range.  

The premium Tokai I was looking at..(laquer finish, long tenon neck joint, hide glue etc go for about 1100 new.)

lots of bargains to be had. Though a bit hit and miss. ESP stuff seems about the same price as in the uk for example. 

Also epiphone - not much cheaper than a Gibson. A few times I’ve looked at something and thought that’s a decent price for it.. only to realise it’s a 1200 epiphone. I just can’t get my head around it .

i haven’t really looked at amps/pedals/acoustics.

overall though almost  everything seems cheaper. Food is much cheaper than in the uk. We went to an amazing gyoza place last night (Mrs manky, the two medium children and I) and our meal was £50 - we can’t eat out at home for less than £100..

enjoy it man! 

GoFish

That looks like an excellent guitar - the archetypal early Les Paul. Good with or without a bigsby.

I wish I got on better with Les Pauls - I just don't play the way that suits em. I'm sure you'll rock the heck out of that one.

A very HNGD to you.

stickyfiddle

mankytom said:

Nico Nico. They were the best shop I went in. The guy I dealt with told me that they have loads of tourists coming in to buy guitars. They had some really special stuff in there. 59 strat.. early 60s sg custom. Didn’t have the cajaones to play them with the kids running around

Yeah that's where I got my 355 - some absolutely awesome stuff in stock and nice guys  

mankytom

GoFish said:

That looks like an excellent guitar - the archetypal early Les Paul. Good with or without a bigsby.

I wish I got on better with Les Pauls - I just don't play the way that suits em. I'm sure you'll rock the heck out of that one.

A very HNGD to you.

Thanks man. Sounds really nice unplugged (and through the fender hot rod in the shop) I’ll be pleased to get it home in one piece to see what I can do with it…!

I also saw this today.. 1955 les Paul.. 50k 

hollywoodrox

mankytom said:

I’ve done it.. currently in Tokyo, and was planning to pick up a Tokai ls 220 (56 les Paul copy) - but I’m
coming home with this instead 

Gibson R6 from 2011. One or two scrapes and a lot of checking on the neck. It spoke to me. And unbelievably in the same ball park as the Tokai. 

I also played an actual 1966 mustang, which they had for less than 2k and apart from a Refret and new nut (and obvs new bridge) was all original. 

But I got this one… and I’m
happy. 

Just got to get it home now

Ooh that’s  Flippin lovely congratulations on your new addition 

mankytom

Back through Heathrow. Took it through the red zone. Ended up paying 20% of the price I paid for the privilege. Could have probably just walked through green without getting pulled but was the right thing to do.

still stands me much less than I’d have paid here

floeighty2

It’s pretty much the exact guitar that I want to be ‘the one’. Congrats, looks awesome! 

mankytom

floeighty2 said:

It’s pretty much the exact guitar that I want to be ‘the one’. Congrats, looks awesome! 

Thanks man!

mankytom

Thought it also worth mentioning..

I flew with ANA. They were really helpful. They have a special area in their hold for musical instruments and other fragile items. And they didn’t charge me for using it as the total dimensions of the case were less than 200cm (height +width+ depth). Guitar looks to have come through unscathed.