NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981)

wulfman · 04-24-2012, 08:18 PM

I don’t do too many NGDs anymore as a lot of guitars don’t stay with me too long but I thought I would throw this one up here as it a fairly rare bird.

I recently found this LS-150 here in Tokyo in a store nearby called Nico Nico guitars. The store deals mostly in recent and vintage Gibsons , Fenders and other US-guitars but has a fair number of Japanese guitars coming in from time to time. I had a chance to play it the same day I saw it but had to wait about a week before they were able to give me a price. They get a lot of guitars there and take a while before they put them up for sale and list them online. Thankfully the price was reasonable considering the good condition.

Everything is original and there are only really 2 small chips in the lacquer. The finish is quite thin and I have seen these referred to as having cashew lacquer. There is some checking on the back but not the front.

The guitar weighs 4.07 kg and the neck is a thick 58 style. The store guys were telling me that it was a “kamaboko” profile which refers to Japanese fish-cake on the left in the picture below.

I haven’t played too many old Tokai LPs so can’t really compare but this one definitely has a handmade feel to it. One thing I noticed is that the neck is not perfectly smooth on the back and there is a bit more relief on the bass side of the neck compared to the treble.

As for sound and playability it has good resonance and sustain and no buzzing at a medium action. I am not too thrilled with the SD super distortion in the bridge. It does what it is supposed to do I guess but compared to some nicer pickups like the WIZZ PAFs or some Seth Lovers I am not too much a fan.

In any case, here are some pictures:

Cheers,

Wulfman

capt_goodvibes · 04-24-2012, 08:20 PM

Beautiful guitar mate, HNGD!!

ddroz60lp · 04-24-2012, 08:25 PM

Mother of God, this is just....... Wow!What a top. The fretboard looks delicious. Even the paint looks great.I have to try one sometime.

TheWilly17 · 04-24-2012, 08:28 PM

You just live better than the rest of us,,hehe,,,Congrats Harold,,it is a sweetie!

Ace Warslave · 04-24-2012, 08:34 PM

Nice one wulfman now you can do your best ace frehley lick,

with that super d in the bridge....

wulfman · 04-24-2012, 08:42 PM

The Super D definitley works for that sound, I just need a Marshall now to take advantage I guess.

matmont1305 · 04-24-2012, 08:48 PM

Congrats mate, she's a real beauty! Top condition too, and that rosewood sure does look sweet.
The kamaboko looks to be a good representation of the neck on my 80, just love it, nicest neck I've had.
Is this a keeper or will you pass it on to me for peanuts?

steveb73b · 04-24-2012, 09:18 PM

すばらしい

Thanks for posting it.

GammyBird · 04-24-2012, 09:54 PM

I repeat...the nicest cherryburst I've seen yet! Congrats Wulf!!

emptyisvarah · 04-24-2012, 09:58 PM

H, send me the Super distortion!!

3pupLPC · 04-24-2012, 09:59 PM

mommy....

JamesT · 04-24-2012, 11:22 PM

Once again, Old Tokai for the win!

reborn old · 04-25-2012, 12:13 AM

After the LS-150 gets the correct pickups, and if time permits, we would really like a...

Bacchus . vs . Navi . vs . R8 . vs . Tokai . vs . Greco comparo.

...only because....

having owned nice examples of each, probably no one else can be as unbiased about relative strengths and weaknesses of each.

Very nice Les Paul BTW. Congrats !

wulfman · 04-25-2012, 01:12 AM

I am probably as biased as the next person but could give it a shot sometime.
The pickups make such a difference when playing though that it is hard to come up with any meaningful comparison or any kind of real evidence of a "better".

matmont1305 · 04-25-2012, 01:31 AM

Just stick a set of Z's in it Harold.

jacco · 04-25-2012, 01:42 AM

Wow Harold, just wow! Congrats!

MauiCliff · 04-25-2012, 01:44 AM

Congrats Harold.... very nice!

SingeMonkey · 04-25-2012, 01:46 AM

Congrats man!

I'd also love to hear a comparison. It'd also be cool to know your impressions of playing them all unplugged - feel, volume, resonance, all that malarkey.

Thomas/Sweden · 04-25-2012, 03:20 AM

Good to hear you finally found one. Absolutely beautiful, rocking machine!

villager · 04-25-2012, 05:17 AM

lovely guitar harold, lose the SD though !!

lifele55 · 04-25-2012, 05:27 AM

The ability to walk into a store and find a guitar of such quality is just awesome.

o0mobius0o · 04-25-2012, 07:04 AM

That finish looks great.

joebonsai · 04-25-2012, 07:30 AM

BOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

:wo w:

Need medicine!!!!

candletears7 · 04-25-2012, 04:59 PM

Usually I'm not into Cherrybursts, but that is a hell of a looker. Lovely.

the passenger · 04-25-2012, 05:00 PM

Damn nice axe.
I would also be interested in an unplugged comparison between these models. I've always wondered what would be the sonic difference between a Reissue and an old high end MIJ with both having identical weight and neck size.

UITA · 04-25-2012, 05:14 PM

Whack some EMGs in there!!!

swampblues · 04-25-2012, 05:38 PM

Verrrrrry Nice now post it for sale and let the Shark Feeding Frenzy begin. Me included.

Alligator in my case

wulfman · 04-25-2012, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampblues

Verrrrrry Nice now post it for sale and let the Shark Feeding Frenzy begin. Me included.

Alligator in my case

It is #35 in the selling order but it could be a very long while before we get there.

reborn old · 04-25-2012, 06:30 PM

Is there a #36 or #37 in the selling order yet ? ..

wulfman · 04-25-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reborn old

Is there a #36 or #37 in the selling order yet ? ..

No, she is at the end of the line.

04-24-2012, 08:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
wulfman I'm calling dibs! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,749 Thanks: 15 Thanked 49 Times in 18 Posts	NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) I don’t do too many NGDs anymore as a lot of guitars don’t stay with me too long but I thought I would throw this one up here as it a fairly rare bird. I recently found this LS-150 here in Tokyo in a store nearby called Nico Nico guitars. The store deals mostly in recent and vintage Gibsons , Fenders and other US-guitars but has a fair number of Japanese guitars coming in from time to time. I had a chance to play it the same day I saw it but had to wait about a week before they were able to give me a price. They get a lot of guitars there and take a while before they put them up for sale and list them online. Thankfully the price was reasonable considering the good condition. Everything is original and there are only really 2 small chips in the lacquer. The finish is quite thin and I have seen these referred to as having cashew lacquer. There is some checking on the back but not the front. The guitar weighs 4.07 kg and the neck is a thick 58 style. The store guys were telling me that it was a “kamaboko” profile which refers to Japanese fish-cake on the left in the picture below. I haven’t played too many old Tokai LPs so can’t really compare but this one definitely has a handmade feel to it. One thing I noticed is that the neck is not perfectly smooth on the back and there is a bit more relief on the bass side of the neck compared to the treble. As for sound and playability it has good resonance and sustain and no buzzing at a medium action. I am not too thrilled with the SD super distortion in the bridge. It does what it is supposed to do I guess but compared to some nicer pickups like the WIZZ PAFs or some Seth Lovers I am not too much a fan. In any case, here are some pictures: Cheers, Wulfman mojotop, nwobhm, joebonsai and 23 others like this. __________________ Last edited by wulfman; 04-24-2012 at 08:53 PM.

04-24-2012, 08:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
capt_goodvibes Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Land Down Under Posts: 1,104 Thanks: 38 Thanked 120 Times in 58 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Beautiful guitar mate, HNGD!! __________________ The most important part of my religion is to play guitar. Lou Reed

04-24-2012, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
ddroz60lp Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St Charles, Il Posts: 734 Thanks: 6 Thanked 6 Times in 1 Post	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Mother of God, this is just....... Wow!What a top. The fretboard looks delicious. Even the paint looks great.I have to try one sometime. __________________ Gibson 2007 Les Paul Plaintop 60 reissue Lemonburst Gibson 2010 Les Paul Traditional Pro Cherryburst Bulldog Bodies Les Paul Replica Faded Cherryburst Gibson 2002 Sg Special Gibson 2012 Les Paul Junior Special Kiralu Kookscaster Custom Allparts Tele Relic Fender 2006 S.R.V. Silver Creek T-160 Peavey Classic 50 4x10.

04-24-2012, 08:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheWilly17 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 354 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) You just live better than the rest of us,,hehe,,,Congrats Harold,,it is a sweetie! GammyBird likes this. __________________ Eat a Peach

04-24-2012, 08:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ace Warslave Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 945 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Nice one wulfman now you can do your best ace frehley lick, with that super d in the bridge....

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04-24-2012, 08:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
wulfman I'm calling dibs! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,749 Thanks: 15 Thanked 49 Times in 18 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) The Super D definitley works for that sound, I just need a Marshall now to take advantage I guess. Ace Warslave and Thomas/Sweden like this. __________________

04-24-2012, 08:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
matmont1305 ...on the Nightrain Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Down Under Posts: 4,533 Thanks: 69 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Congrats mate, she's a real beauty! Top condition too, and that rosewood sure does look sweet. The kamaboko looks to be a good representation of the neck on my 80, just love it, nicest neck I've had. Is this a keeper or will you pass it on to me for peanuts? __________________ "The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say."

04-24-2012, 09:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
steveb73b Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Gifu, Japan Posts: 242 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) すばらしい Thanks for posting it.

04-24-2012, 09:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
GammyBird Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 16,629 Thanks: 378 Thanked 175 Times in 82 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) I repeat...the nicest cherryburst I've seen yet! Congrats Wulf!!

04-24-2012, 09:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
emptyisvarah Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,095 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) H, send me the Super distortion!!

04-24-2012, 09:59 PM	#11 (permalink)
3pupLPC Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NJ USA Posts: 1,565 Thanks: 1 Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) mommy.... GammyBird likes this. __________________ In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

04-24-2012, 11:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
JamesT Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 2,015 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Once again, Old Tokai for the win! wulfman, Thomas/Sweden and matmont1305 like this.

04-25-2012, 12:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
reborn old Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 13 Thanked 68 Times in 12 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) After the LS-150 gets the correct pickups, and if time permits, we would really like a... Bacchus . vs . Navi . vs . R8 . vs . Tokai . vs . Greco comparo. ...only because.... having owned nice examples of each, probably no one else can be as unbiased about relative strengths and weaknesses of each. Very nice Les Paul BTW. Congrats ! SingeMonkey, JamesT and matmont1305 like this. Last edited by reborn old; 04-26-2012 at 10:36 PM.

04-25-2012, 01:12 AM	#14 (permalink)
wulfman I'm calling dibs! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,749 Thanks: 15 Thanked 49 Times in 18 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) I am probably as biased as the next person but could give it a shot sometime. The pickups make such a difference when playing though that it is hard to come up with any meaningful comparison or any kind of real evidence of a "better". reborn old likes this. __________________

04-25-2012, 01:31 AM	#15 (permalink)
matmont1305 ...on the Nightrain Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Down Under Posts: 4,533 Thanks: 69 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Just stick a set of Z's in it Harold. GammyBird and MauiCliff like this. __________________ "The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say."

04-25-2012, 01:42 AM	#16 (permalink)
jacco Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Netherlands Posts: 3,324 Thanks: 6 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Wow Harold, just wow! Congrats! __________________ MIJ mea arena est. Adde parvum parvo magnus acervus erit.

04-25-2012, 01:44 AM	#17 (permalink)
MauiCliff Eat, Sleep, Shred !! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 1,285 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Congrats Harold.... very nice!

04-25-2012, 01:46 AM	#18 (permalink)
SingeMonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cape Town, South Africa (Yes. It's a real country) Posts: 784 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Congrats man! I'd also love to hear a comparison. It'd also be cool to know your impressions of playing them all unplugged - feel, volume, resonance, all that malarkey.

04-25-2012, 03:20 AM	#19 (permalink)
Thomas/Sweden Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,188 Thanks: 22 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Good to hear you finally found one. Absolutely beautiful, rocking machine! __________________

04-25-2012, 05:17 AM	#20 (permalink)
villager Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Posts: 1,162 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) lovely guitar harold, lose the SD though !! __________________ Japanguitars.co.uk--The World's Finest Japanese Replicas

04-25-2012, 05:27 AM	#21 (permalink)
lifele55 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reddot Singapore Posts: 3,298 Thanks: 83 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) The ability to walk into a store and find a guitar of such quality is just awesome. __________________ https://soundcloud.com/achillespecies/session-10-light-normal https://www.facebook.com/CutOutHeroes

04-25-2012, 07:04 AM	#22 (permalink)
o0mobius0o Bartlett Retrospec Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: RI, US Posts: 1,573 Thanks: 37 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) That finish looks great. __________________ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

04-25-2012, 07:30 AM	#23 (permalink)
joebonsai Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Duesseldorf/Germany Posts: 1,634 Thanks: 226 Thanked 164 Times in 41 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) BOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!:wo w: Need medicine!!!!

04-25-2012, 04:59 PM	#24 (permalink)
candletears7 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melburn, Oztraylia... Posts: 630 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Usually I'm not into Cherrybursts, but that is a hell of a looker. Lovely.

04-25-2012, 05:00 PM	#25 (permalink)
the passenger Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 175 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Damn nice axe. I would also be interested in an unplugged comparison between these models. I've always wondered what would be the sonic difference between a Reissue and an old high end MIJ with both having identical weight and neck size. __________________ Like my band: www.facebook.com/nomoreshelter http://soundcloud.com/no-more-shelte...er-when-we-are Last edited by the passenger; 04-26-2012 at 03:12 AM.

04-25-2012, 05:38 PM	#27 (permalink)
swampblues Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 2,020 Thanks: 0 Thanked 28 Times in 17 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Verrrrrry Nice now post it for sale and let the Shark Feeding Frenzy begin. Me included. Alligator in my case

04-25-2012, 06:30 PM	#29 (permalink)
reborn old Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,239 Thanks: 13 Thanked 68 Times in 12 Posts	Re: NGD - Tokai LS-150 (1981) Is there a #36 or #37 in the selling order yet ? ..

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