Tokai Guitar Videos
Had a bit of a trawl around on youtube today for some videos of people playing Tokai guitars around the world. There are some pretty cool videos out there in a range of styles highlighting the versatility of Tokai guitars.
The first video is from Dime23 – his friend roscoebuzzsaw going pretty hard on a Tokai Gold Top through a Fender 25 watt. The picture is quite dark but the sound is wild and that is what we are here for isn’t it?
Next is a more melodic composition from another British guitarist – Chuwy8000 – he has a great relaxed alt-rock sound. Apparently the composition came about as a result of using a capo and an irregular tuning.
Thought we would finish things off with another video from roscoebuzzsaw showing off his Gold Top Tokai. He is using a Morley wah effects pedal on this track and there is some great overhand playing.
Well, it is almost that time of Friday afternoon when the lagers are calling. Before I go, here is some information from wikipedia about Tokai Guitars and the Tokai Gakki Co. LTD:
Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd. (東海楽器製造株式会社, Tōkai Gakki Seizō Kabushiki-gaisha), often referred as Tokai Guitars Company Ltd., is a Japanese guitar manufacturer founded in 1947 and situated in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka perfecture. Tokai Guitars produces acoustic guitars, electric guitars, electric basses, autoharps, and melodicas. Tokai have built a lot of Gibson and Fender replica models over the years such as the “Love Rock Model” and “Les Paul Reborn” Les Paul replicas and the “Springy Sound” Stratocaster replicas and the “BreezySound” Telecaster replicas. Tokai have also made a lot of Gibson and Martin Acoustic model replicas. In 1965 Tokai started making classical guitars and in 1968 started making the Hummingbird electric guitar models and in 1970 started making the Hummingbird Acoustic models. Brian May from Queen uses a Tokai Hummingbird Acoustic on some recordings. In 1972 Tokai went into a joint venture with Martin to supply Acoustic guitar parts and also build Martin’s solid body Sigma guitars. In 1973 Tokai started making the “Cat’s Eyes” Martin Acoustic replicas. In 1983 Tokai started making a metal body guitar called the Talbo which the band Devo played at one time. The Tokai “Les Paul Reborn” Les Paul replicas started around 1976 and around 1978 Tokai changed the name from “Les Paul Reborn” to “Love Rock Model”. Tokai also made Fender replicas starting in 1977 and Stevie Ray Vaughan played a “Tokai Springy Sound” Stratocaster replica at one time. Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top and Robert Fripp have also played Tokai guitars. Tokai have their own instrument making factory and have built guitars for lots of well known brands (OEM). Tokai (and Dyna Gakki) currently build the Fender Japan solid body models and have done so since 1997.
Having a rockin’ weekend.
