Tokai? Burny? Edwards? Which is better quality?

[Rock Star]

In terms of wood used, tone, and structure of the guitar. Which would you pick and why?

I've seen some nice Edwards on the bay but also read some raving reviews about the Love Rock by Tokai. Same with Burny.

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by Rock Star

In terms of wood used, tone, and structure of the guitar. Which would you pick and why?

I've seen some nice Edwards on the bay but also read some raving reviews about the Love Rock by Tokai. Same with Burny.

don't forget Greco

[Rock Star]

Thx. I will look into Greco. Do u own any of the said replicas?

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by Rock Star

Thx. I will look into Greco. Do u own any of the said replicas?

I would consider these copies. I did have a tokai which was on pare to a historic, I know MapleFlame at one time had about 80 Greco's or something all hand bought in Japan & sold back to Japan to one guy who flew a jet to recieve them. The thing to look for is guitar that were attended for Japan market on ebay.( more accurate) At one Time Gibsons were not sold in Japan cause they had no trademark rights

[GuitarGal]

What is Greco if I may ask?

[Alex]

It's a guitar brand like Tokai, Burny, Edwards, etc. These guitars are manufactured in Japan.

[GuitarGal]

Originally Posted by Alex

It's a guitar brand like Tokai, Burny, Edwards, etc. These guitars are manufactured in Japan.

Thanks~

[ptate]

Look out for the Tokai Les Paul Reborn. It was one of the earliest and is built to the same dimensions/spec as the 58-60 Gibsons, i.e. Long tenon etc. They're very rare, but worth getting hold of.

Burny were licenced by Fernandes, Greco got bought out by Fender, Edwards a subsidiary of ESP and Orville were Gibson licenced originally.

Go for the oldest model you can find as they were almost identical copies of the early LPs.

[mapleflame]

Early Lawsuit Greco's are great guitars. EG2500's and up. Braz boards stopped at 87. Super Reals are great. Tokai Les Paul and Reborns are incredible guitars. I had a Greco LS200 that was light as a feather, and sustained like my 50's Gibson's.

[Rockaholic]

I recently played an old Tokai LP and was very impressed with the quality.

[Red Baron]

Did any of the real early copies go as far as having a 'Gibson' logo on them?

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

Did any of the real early copies go as far as having a 'Gibson' logo on them?

some had Les Paul Model on them

[LoKi]

My dad had a 'Mann' *some part of Ibanez back in the day* Blonde Les Paul Custom copy. It was an amazing quality guitar.

I've plaid about a dozen Tokai's and they are damn nice too. I had no idea about the wood quality, but the fit and finish on these guitars is superb, considering the price tag.

[Hackubus]

Can't comment on Tokai, Greco, or Burny, but I grabbed a white three pickup Edwards LP Custom of Ebay a few weeks back, I was completely surprised with it. Perfect finish, and was very well set up right out of the gig bag.
Sounds mean too! I'm not crazy about the Duncan JB that lives in the bridge position, but it'll work in the meantime.

[WBPickups]

Originally Posted by ptate

Look out for the Tokai Les Paul Reborn. It was one of the earliest and is built to the same dimensions/spec as the 58-60 Gibsons, i.e. Long tenon etc. They're very rare, but worth getting hold of.

Burny were licenced by Fernandes, Greco got bought out by Fender, Edwards a subsidiary of ESP and Orville were Gibson licenced originally.

Go for the oldest model you can find as they were almost identical copies of the early LPs.

I have a friend who just bought a Tokai Les Paul Reborn. From the pictures I have seen.. Great looking guitar. He said it plays like champ.

I have been wanting a couple of Edwards that Katana Guitars have in stock. I am leaning on getting one I think this week. They look like they are solid, and so far everyone has said great things about them.... I think I am going for the Gold Top one.

[FrankiePRS]

I own Tokais and Grecos as well, but I prefer 80's Burnys with VH-1 pickups...

L to R:

Black Beauty Custom with a repaired headstock break - Slated for an insane re-fin.
John Sykes model Custom.
Mint Black Beauty Custom.
"Super Grade" Ebony Standard.

[jimmydeuce]

I hate to threadjack but I gots a question on an 80's Burny Super Grade. I found a black one local, it sounds and plays great but I honestly know nothing about these. This one has been played, a few chips, buckle rash, tarnished hardware, ect. None of this bothers me at all because I like the way it looks, it's got a little mojo going on. I'm not really even looking for another guitar right now but when has that ever stopped any of us from buying one.

If anybody has one ( yea you FrankiePRS ) or knows about them could you chime in on what a decent price for one in this condition would be. It's all original and looks like the one on the far right in Frankie's picture except for the wear, it's not even close to being as clean as his.

I've looked on ebay and this one is priced close to ones in very good condition. I know in the end it's worth whatever I'm willing to pay, I'd just like to get some ideas from people who know these guitars.

Thanks
Jimmy

[FrankiePRS]

Hi Jimmy -

Yep - that's an ebony Super Grade. It sounds like you've found an 80's model. I can't speak highly enough of the 80's Burnys. To me they feel and sound more like a vintage Gibby than the current VOS line. If the guitar you've found ahs the original VH-1 pups and decent frets, the going rate is currently between 550 and 950 (USD). They've been rising rapidly for the last year or so, and I'm guessing they'll break the 1k mark for good by the end of this year. Dammit.

If it doesn't have the VH-1 stickers on the pickup rings, pull the pups and look for 4 brass screws on the back and gray wiring.

Regarding the frets, they should be medium-jumbos with edge-binding.

[jimmydeuce]

Thanks for the info Frankie. The frets are about 80% and original. The guy thinks the PU's are the VH-1's but he's not 100% sure, he bought it used. I'll see if I can pull them to check the wiring and brass screws.

Thanks again.

[Ducati]

Early Tokai's are pretty hot guitars! Loads of fun for the price you pay. There is a lot of mythology about how they are better than this or that, but of course you need to try for yourself to decide. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 78-82 Tokai.

[FrankiePRS]

Originally Posted by Ducati

Early Tokai's are pretty hot guitars! Loads of fun for the price you pay. There is a lot of mythology about how they are better than this or that, but of course you need to try for yourself to decide. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 78-82 Tokai.

+1 (Whuzzup D?? )

[WBPickups]

Originally Posted by Ducati

Early Tokai's are pretty hot guitars! Loads of fun for the price you pay. There is a lot of mythology about how they are better than this or that, but of course you need to try for yourself to decide. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 78-82 Tokai.

Post a picture of your Reborn Ducati....

[GuitarGal]

Originally Posted by Ducati

Early Tokai's are pretty hot guitars! Loads of fun for the price you pay. There is a lot of mythology about how they are better than this or that, but of course you need to try for yourself to decide. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 78-82 Tokai.

Pssst...Just to say and Welcome here~

[Kuroyama]

Ive just purchased a MiC LP copy called "Photogenic". I bought a low priced LP copy because I cant play. Well, by playing scales, and actually putting in practice time my ability has improved faster than I thought it would.

So Im considering a 2nd guitar. Here in Japan Ive seen some Tokai, Edwards, as well as Epis (MiC?) and actual Gibsons MiA. If I could buy one tomorrow (and I might... Im torn between a Gibson Special (used, a little worn), or ordering an Epiphone 57 Gold Top. Problem is that ordering online is such a throw of the dice...

Ive read good things about Tokai, but the ones I found have funny shaped horns. The horn on the right side of the body should be rounded and well shaped. These horns seemed ill shaped. Perhaps tone should be the most important thing... but if looks dont matter, then wed play ANYTHING right? IMO the guitar should look good to its owner. Even an unfinished rig like the LP BFG has an appeal to it because thats how its supposed to look.

[Ducati]

Originally Posted by FrankiePRS

+1 (Whuzzup D?? )

Howdy fellas

Here's my Tokai. Funny thing it says "Les Paul Reborn" on the headstock. Wonder how they got away with that?

The inlays have a nice look and the playing feel is broken in and comfy.

Really fun guitar for me. Sorry for the crappy pics but I'm in a rush to get some new pickups in this bad boy.

[Kuroyama]

Hey Ducati...

In the 2nd pic there... Is that a bottle of guitar oil/polish sitting on that WHITE SOFA? Me personally? Kinda wonderin how your wife didnt blow a gasket!

...howd YOU get away with THAT?

[Ducati]

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

In the 2nd pic there... Is that a bottle of guitar oil/polish sitting on that WHITE SOFA? Me personally? Kinda wonderin how your wife didnt blow a gasket!

Good eyes. It's actually a fancy pillow tassle (can't believe I'm admitting this in public). No wife to worry about for me, I don't let them get past the girlfriend stage.

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

Ive just purchased a MiC LP copy called "Photogenic". I bought a low priced LP copy because I cant play. Well, by playing scales, and actually putting in practice time my ability has improved faster than I thought it would.

So Im considering a 2nd guitar. Here in Japan Ive seen some Tokai, Edwards, as well as Epis (MiC?) and actual Gibsons MiA. If I could buy one tomorrow (and I might... Im torn between a Gibson Special (used, a little worn), or ordering an Epiphone 57 Gold Top. Problem is that ordering online is such a throw of the dice...

Ive read good things about Tokai, but the ones I found have funny shaped horns. The horn on the right side of the body should be rounded and well shaped. These horns seemed ill shaped. Perhaps tone should be the most important thing... but if looks dont matter, then wed play ANYTHING right? IMO the guitar should look good to its owner. Even an unfinished rig like the LP BFG has an appeal to it because thats how its supposed to look.

Being in Japan you are at access to lots of good copies that us else where are not & also to some really good replica parts. Look for Japan market only used Epiphones, Orvilles , Orvilles by Gibson, Tokai. Burny. Greco, Navigator,Edwards All with correct appointments & replica parts Dead Mint Club (DMC) & Angel parts & Allparts Japan all have some killer replica parts that can only be bought elsewhere in the world is thru Ebay & you could do Quite well selling them yourself

[Ducati]

Originally Posted by Kuroyama

Here in Japan Ive seen some Tokai, Edwards, as well as Epis (MiC?) and actual Gibsons MiA.

ps - if you're in Japan we have to talk, I'd love to find an old Tokai LS-80

[Kuroyama]

Mail me Son! Tell me what to look for. If I spot it out, Im think we can work out something beneficial for everyone. So far most used gear Ive seen here has been reasonable. In fact I just bought a Les Paul Special which for some reason I cant fathom seems to go for more than a new Les Paul (studio or standard). Although Im finding fewer faults with my Photogenic LP copy than I expected... I had to buy the Special on principle. I figure the odds of me finding such a nice deal again were low. But then, its logic like that thatll have me fielding 12 guitars or more before I know it...

In any case, let me know, send me an address to send pics to, and lets see what we can find.