Tokai Ls-140F, Es-155 $2,299, $2,399 Tokai Ls-140F, Es-155 $2,299, $2,399 ELECTRICS ELECTRICS
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tokai ls-140f, es-155 $2,299, $2,399 tokai ls-140f, es-155 $2,299, $2,399 ELECTRICS ELECTRICS and a long-tenon neck joint cream binding, the lacquer Tokai LS-140F, ES-155 $2,299, $2,399 makes for excellent transfer – finish, the tulip-button tuners, so the neck and body really feel the Mickey Mouse ears… even Tokai’s Gibson aping models are no mere knock-offs writes Steve Henderson like one unit. Also, the 18º the headstock inlay is in headstock angle (more like the roughly the right spot. The old Gibsons than the ‘70s and rosewood fingerboard looks ‘80s models) increases the fine and is great to play, and the he Tokai Gakki Company classics) with varied success construction values: one-piece diverse as Chuck Berry, Zakk string tension and can’t help but neck is slim (but not skinny), is an enigma. There’s no and grabbed their share of the mahogany neck (with an 18° Wylde, Al Di Meola, the late make a difference. Actually, the fast and super-comfy, and the Tother oriental guitar low to middle range market – headstock angle), bone nut, Gary Moore, Neil Young, Keith neck is a nice replication of a body vibrates confidently with company (including Ibanez) so Ibanez even finding frequent rosewood board, chrome Urban, Mike Bloomfield and comfortable ‘50s neck, but not every brush of the pick. The revered, and whose success with some models at hardware, Gotoh tuners, even, believe it or not… Les Paul. the bulkier version and not at all tones are strong and mid- instruments are so sought after. the serious pro level. Tokai Japanese PAF-style pickups, Those robust rhythm and lead like the slim ‘60s necks. focused, with a good deal more Stranger still, this reputation is currently has an extensive and even the cool brown tones just seem to work. Tokai’s Combine all this with the rich air and a little more top-end based not on original designs catalogue of instruments, once “vintage paisley deluxe” case latest take on this iconic design rosewood fretboard and the zing. Probably due to Carlton’s but on direct, authentic copies again focusing on certain (not that we’ve ever actually is no cheesy imitation but a perfectly dressed frets, and you influence, this guitar seems to of American classics. 1977 saw “familiar” designs, with seen an old brown paisley case) solid tribute to a classic. have a superbly playable thrive (at least, in our collective Tokai, a company already 30 manufacturing located in Japan which is exclusive to Australia. As soon as you pick up the instrument with plenty of feel psyche) in a high gain years old, release high quality, and China (depending on the They also have a five-year LS-140F, you feel like this and loads of character. The LS-140F’s solid mahogany flamed maple top environment, so the Boogies affordable copies of Fender’s series). The two guitars under warranty – not too shabby! So, guitar was made to rock. And The LS-140F has tone for and the Iron Duke offered some best models, and top quality review are from the Japanese we loaded up some Ernie Ball the look is decidedly familiar days! Through our Boogies, our Probably due to Carlton’s influence, impressive lead tones, tones Gibson copies followed a year “Vintage Series” and are 10-52s and got ready to rock. (so is the weight) and it has all Deluxe Reverb and an MI the ES-155 seems to thrive in a high that retained plenty of the later. It didn’t hurt that both evidence of Tokai’s well-known the right features so there’s no Amplification Iron Duke, it guitar’s inherent character. Fender and Gibson had commitment to building fine LS-140F mistaking the heritage or the performed mightily, with all gain environment Cranking up the DN-2 and the dropped the ball and opened musical instruments, Is there a classier-looking rock intent. The maple top has a the mid punch you’d expect Shiba Drive into a Deluxe gave the door for an offshore demonstrating just how guitar than a cherry burst Les striking but not-too-overdone from this type of guitar. These and articulate. Details such as Berry, Eric Johnson, Alex us some tones that were more competitor who knew how to “vintage” a new guitar can Paul? 60 years on, the design is flame with a beautifully applied Japanese pickups are high the smooth taper of the pots, Lifeson, BB King, Gatemouth focused, not as broad, and make a great instrument. really be. still as contemporary as ever. sunburst. The mahogany body output and big on tone, offering the positive feel to the switch, Brown, John McLaughlin, totally useable. Feedback, you Fender and Gibson would not The LS-140 is a Les Paul-style It’s perfect for most styles of is surprisingly a rich and focused voice, even the aluminium tailpiece and the Dave Grohl, and even Jimi… all ask? At high levels, absolutely – address the quality issue for solid body, while the Tokai music played today and has resonant, through the Deluxe. brass saddles all add to a found the thinline to be a and it’s entirely controllable some years to come and other ES-155 is a dot-neck thinline. proved its worth on countless Predictably, the middle position satisfying playing experience significant instrument. The ES and just adds to the fun. Access American companies seemed They share certain stages and sessions by artists as was not as useful as the front and give evidence to the care series is still available – the only up the neck is no problem but happy to match the quality of and back sounds. The 50-watt and attention-to-detail for electric guitar range from the you have to get used to the bulk the Big Two, rather than offer Iron Duke offered all those Brit which Tokai is renowned, and Big G to be in continual of the body because it doesn’t better alternatives. As a result tones (only smoother) that gave it’s also reflected in the five- production for all that time. “move” like a solid body, the of legal pressure brought birth to heavy rock, and it was year warranty. Having played a And why not? It’s a classic upside of which is that the against Tokai, the company like these two were born for number of these in the last design that covers more aural chose to concentrate on their each other. We dragged out our couple of years, it’s great to see ground than most, and it’s original designs. Hence, the venerable DS-1 pedal and consistently high quality in the spawned a host of serious Test Gear current desire for Tokai’s plugged into the Deluxe for workmanship and the sound – copies (not your $100 knock- “vintage” instruments. some righteous low-level because, in the end, it’s all about offs) from some serious Fender and Gibson eventually crunch and grind, and into a touch and tone. With a vintage companies – most notably Mesa TA-15, Mesa/Boogie woke to what the market was Mk.IV Boogie the LS-140F is sound and an old-school feel, Yamaha (SA2000), Ibanez Mk IV, tweed Fender demanding and started absolutely right! the LS-140F delivers on both (Artist) and, of course, Tokai. Bassman, VHT Classic 18, building their own “copies” – The “Love Rock” moniker counts. While Yamaha and Ibanez Blackstar HT Club 40, HiWatt first under the Squire and notwithstanding (it was cool in chose to create their own G50; Boss DS-1 and DN-2, MI Epiphone marques (some of the ‘70s and this guitar is a ES-155 unique variations on the basic Audio Crunch Box, Suhr Riot, which were actually made by re-issue, sort of), the Tokai Thinlines were first seen in design, Tokai went after a more Suhr Shiba Drive, Rocktron Tokai!), then under their own LS-140F is a killer guitar at a 1958, designed to be the missing authentic reproduction, with Valve Charger, Hermida traditional logos. Companies great price. The lacquer finish link between the new-ish solid no shortcuts. Audio Zendrive. like Ibanez, Aria and Tokai and the aged binding add to the body and a traditional jazzer. The ES-155 is a smart looking GUITAR: Tokai LS-140F developed original designs cool vintage vibe but the sound Larry Carlton, Eric Clapton, guitar – the sunbursting, the (mostly variations on the is what grabs you – it’s loud, rich John Scofield, Alvin Lee, Chuck classy flame, the vintage-style 50 Guitarist Guitarist 51 tokai las-140f, ES-155 $2299, $2399 ELECTRICS The Bottom Line The Bottom Line We like: Great rock feel and We like: Rich tones and a drive. great feel. We dislike: Middle sound is We dislike: Middle position not quite funky enough. won’t see much action. Guitarist says: A genuine Guitarist says: A seriously alternative at a good price. good thinline for the working muso. Tokai LS-140F Tokai ES-155 Get a load of that headstock, eh? PRiCe: $2299 PRiCe: $2399 “The ES-155 is an infectious guitar to oRiGiN: Japan oRiGiN: Japan tYPe: Electric solidbody tYPe: Electric thinline play - we didn’t want to put it down, let BoDY: Solid mahogany, flamed BoDY: Flamed, laminated maple alone give it back...” maple top NeCk: Mahogany, set and glued NeCk: Mahogany, set and glued sCALE LENGtH: 629mm / 24.75” sCALE LENGtH: 629mm / 24.75” tUNeRs: Gotoh (Kluson-style) ES-155 feels more “connected” clean tones, even through a tUNeRs: Gotoh (Kluson-style) NUt: Bone to the player.