SemiHollowCarrot
New member
First post! Got this posted at TGP and figured I'd build some rep here as well.
Brand new custom job Tokai 1954 Black Beauty replica. No staple pickup, but those aren't something I absolutely had to have anyway. Played it alongside my Gibson earlier. Sound almost identical, which is a plus for me. Gonna gig it this weekend and then decide which one I like better. One of them is going on the chopping block. Couple Pros/Cons of each if anyone wants to throw in their two cents:
Tokai:
+ Ebony.
+ AAA construction (no binding ridge >
) All mahogany, ebony fretboard.
+ Little lighter than the Gibson.
+ Stayed in tune even through shipment overseas.
- Finish is a little thick for my tastes, feels slightly plasticy
- 50s style neck. Not a super bad problem, just not my preferred neck of choice.
- No fret nibs
Gibson:
+ Great pups with coil tap knocking them down to 5k output
+ Slightly more beefy than a 60s neck (compared to my Tweedy's 60s neck)
+ Locking tuners
+ Got that Neil Young vibe.
- Fit and finish leaves a bit to be designed. The top of the body's finish is similar to the Tokai. Thick. The sides, back, and neck are much thinner. Maybe even the somewhat undesirable "satin" finish most people don't like? Feels good on the neck, regardless.
- Lots of sloppiness where binding meets body/neck join, binding uneven on neck, wavy. NOT A PROBLEM PLAY WISE just a noticeable detractor of the guitar.
- Not a Black Beauty
Finally got to give the Tokai a proper test run. Got to open it up at practice last night. Needs a few adjustments before I make final decision but the LP is getting close to the chopping block.
Only issue I have is that the Tokai sounds a bit twangier, more biting. Anyone know why that may be? I didn't expect it to with the all mahogany body. Not really an issue, just something I noticed. I like my P90s like they are on the Gibson, slightly more gritty.
These on the Tokai were awesome clean but maybe they didn't break up as I expected, less gritty, etc. Not as lush? Next practice Ill take both so I can better compare. Maybe Ill hit up the practice room this week and just see how it goes. Could be confirmation bias.
Brand new custom job Tokai 1954 Black Beauty replica. No staple pickup, but those aren't something I absolutely had to have anyway. Played it alongside my Gibson earlier. Sound almost identical, which is a plus for me. Gonna gig it this weekend and then decide which one I like better. One of them is going on the chopping block. Couple Pros/Cons of each if anyone wants to throw in their two cents:
Tokai:
+ Ebony.
+ AAA construction (no binding ridge >
) All mahogany, ebony fretboard. + Little lighter than the Gibson.
+ Stayed in tune even through shipment overseas.
- Finish is a little thick for my tastes, feels slightly plasticy
- 50s style neck. Not a super bad problem, just not my preferred neck of choice.
- No fret nibs
Gibson:
+ Great pups with coil tap knocking them down to 5k output
+ Slightly more beefy than a 60s neck (compared to my Tweedy's 60s neck)
+ Locking tuners
+ Got that Neil Young vibe.
- Fit and finish leaves a bit to be designed. The top of the body's finish is similar to the Tokai. Thick. The sides, back, and neck are much thinner. Maybe even the somewhat undesirable "satin" finish most people don't like? Feels good on the neck, regardless.
- Lots of sloppiness where binding meets body/neck join, binding uneven on neck, wavy. NOT A PROBLEM PLAY WISE just a noticeable detractor of the guitar.
- Not a Black Beauty
Finally got to give the Tokai a proper test run. Got to open it up at practice last night. Needs a few adjustments before I make final decision but the LP is getting close to the chopping block.
Only issue I have is that the Tokai sounds a bit twangier, more biting. Anyone know why that may be? I didn't expect it to with the all mahogany body. Not really an issue, just something I noticed. I like my P90s like they are on the Gibson, slightly more gritty.
These on the Tokai were awesome clean but maybe they didn't break up as I expected, less gritty, etc. Not as lush? Next practice Ill take both so I can better compare. Maybe Ill hit up the practice room this week and just see how it goes. Could be confirmation bias.