Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Here she is, my new guitar. Recieved about a month ago.
A 1978 Tokai Les Paul Reborn.

Specs:

imported from Japan
nitro finish
original Gotoh PAF's
fret edge binding
1 piece mahogany back
2 piece maple top
1 piece mahogany neck
brazilian rosewood board
new tonepros klusons installed after these photos
russian PIO caps installed.

Sounds fecking glorious, and the feel is to die for. Somewhere between a '58 and a '59 profile. Fat, but not too big.

Best Les Paul I've had, one of the best I've played. The Japanese made incredible stuff.







Family shot: (The Tele is being converted to late 70's Tele Custom specs)

Pretty! I love vintage 'burst Pauls

Yep, for Les Pauls it's Tobacco Burst or GTFO!
I am partial to a P90 Goldtop though...

That is like a 'history of vintage rock n roll guitars' right there.. what a sweet collection!

Yep, once that Tele has a single in the back, a rosewood small headstock neck, and my TV Yellow Junior goes in, I'll have most bases covered!

Sweet sweet sweet! You can totally see why Gibson sued them huh? Not only does that look EXACTLY like an LP, they out-did Gib's quality at the time. Man - what a nice find.

Absolutely. I've heard conflicting stories about which manufacturer Gibson sued (Tokai, Burny, Greco, Ibanez etc...) and why (importing into the USA, use of the "open book/moustache" headstock shape), I even once read that the feds busted importing stores and destroyed these beautiful imports on sight! Insane!
Bottom line is that this guitar is a handmade late 50's spec guitar produced in a time when Gibson were cutting corners with production. I ab/d this guitar with a 1980 Tobacco Burst Gibby Standard, and I can confidently say that in my opinion I purchased the superior guitar. Took a while to find, but I'm rapt.

Congratulations! It's a good feeling, finding the right guitar.