Tokai Es series............confusing!

Guitarse

I'm looking at getting another 335 type. Had the Epi Dot, nice with upgrades, but always hated the headstock. Sold it, but I'm looking at another, without the expense of a Gibson. I'm pretty sold on the Tokai Jap ES series, but there are lots of models to choose from, depending on availability. ES 100,162 etc and there seems to be a bit of confusion about whether they're nitro finished or not (nitro would be nice) I was looking at a couple of second hand ones, including this:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/tokai-ues-110-japanese-335-copy-black-w-gold-hardware/1043483475#gallery-item-full-1

and this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tokai-ES-100-Guitar-Hiscox-case-Jap-/171210901563?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item27dcf7083b

Was considering the Gibson Midtown Custom too. Great price at the moment, whilst they are available at Thomann. Any thoughts?


Cheers

Al

thermionic

I thought Tokai model numbers were based on the price in Yen, so I'd expect to see some step up in woods, finish or hardware as you go up from ES100 to ES160 for example.

Basher

It's all very confusing with the model numbers. 

Presumably inflation means that an older ESx can be better specified than a more recent ESx+20 (or whatever - maths was never a strong point!).

FWIW, I had an ES120 a few years ago. It was very nice. Beware of the nitro thing though - they were advertised everywhere as having this but an email to the UK distributor confirmed the finish as poly. I think the older ones may have been nitro but, fwiw, mine looked like it was a poly finish.

FX_Munkee

@thermionic is correct, Tokai, like most Japanese manufacturers use the model number to denote the rrp (x1000 Yen).
Tokai do Nitro finished guitars but you have to get into the ~150 and above level models, which is equivalent to an rrp of around £1200 or so.
@Basher is also correct about the model numbers changing with inflation but the guitar remaining the same, tis sometimes quite confusing.

frankus

I've got a 120 - a great guitar - I love it. I've swapped the pickups, pots, switch, nut and changed the bridge to a Nashville over the ... 8 years I've owned it... but it's never getting sold.

usedtobe

I quite like the headstock on Epi semi/hollow types, including acoustics, but can't stand it on solid bodies. People, eh?!

thermionic

Doesn't look right on a Dot, but it does on a Casino or a Sheraton - for me anyway!

Neil

Guitarse said:

Was considering the Gibson Midtown Custom too. Great price at the moment, whilst they are available at Thomann. Any thoughts?


Cheers

Al

Just had a look at those and for £813 inc hard case and shipping looks a very good buy.

I've never played one but you could order and try I guess. 

guitargeek62

£500 for that 110 looks like a great deal!