Tokai FA235

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 10:12 AM

I've been practicing more Jazz-style playing in the last couple of months, and Iv'e always wanted an ES175 type, came accross this and was smitten.

I have been lurking the forums for a while, but I think this may be my 2nd or 3rd post only, but I will probably have some questions in the next few weeks, regarding tips for playing this type of guitar.

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**Jabberwocky** · 01-15-2015, 10:26 AM

Oh wow. Congrats. You are the first person I read about here who has one of these beauties. You are not in the US, I suppose.

A tone report is not mandatory but will be most welcomed.

I have Tokais but they are planks.

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 10:33 AM

I am in the US, I acquired this in my travels.

I am new to Jazz guitar, so my input on tonality will probably be, well... worthless.

To me, it has a bell-like tone when I play it clean through my Mesa 5:25 Express amp, I really dig the sound, but again, novice ears...

**Jabberwocky** · 01-15-2015, 10:38 AM

I didn't think you bought it in the US or imported it due to trademark issues...

Your input is NOT worthless.

All opinions are valued. Do not be afraid to state what you think.

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 10:49 AM

When I play it a bit more, I may even post some passages.

Just playability alone has me completely happy that I got it. It's so easy to play that it's hard to put it down.

**TOMMO** · 01-15-2015, 11:05 AM

Congrats! Beautiful guitar!

**Jabberwocky** · 01-15-2015, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Hekdiesel

When I play it a bit more, I may even post some passages.

Just playability alone has me completely happy that I got it. It's so easy to play that it's hard to put it down.

Sounds good to me.

Playability. I'm glad it is foremost on your mind. Would that some be as astute.

**Klatu** · 01-15-2015, 11:19 AM

Where did you pick up the guitar, and where was it built?

Congratulations on a beautiful guitar. The design is timeless, tried, and true, so it should serve you well for many years to come.

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 11:21 AM

It's a Japanese-made Tokai. I got it while travelling in Japan.

**Silentwiz** · 01-15-2015, 12:21 PM

How would one go about acquiring a new Tokai if one lived in the US? Is it worth the hassle vs alternatives?

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 12:28 PM

Getting them is not easy, and as far as it being worth, it depends on the player, I'd say. As far as quality, this thing is impeccable.

If you're in the NYC area you could come and check mine out if you want.

**pubylakeg** · 01-15-2015, 01:12 PM

Congrats, my money would bet that's a great guitar.

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 01:14 PM

Yeah, I showed it to a friend who's a long time player and collector, and he was more shocked than I was. I had played Tokais before, and always thought they were great, but this one is rare in how good it is (although its the only hollow archtop that I've played from them, I've played their semi-hollow one before and didnt like it nearly as much). I hope it doesnt change for the worse with age (it's a new model).

**Jabberwocky** · 01-15-2015, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Silentwiz

How would one go about acquiring a new Tokai if one lived in the US? Is it worth the hassle vs alternatives?

The alternative is the Seventy-seven Guitars Fat Hawk or Archtop Tribute AT series. They are all Made in Japan according to "traditional" formula.

For trademark reasons these are not easily found Stateside.

The price of a new one is about the price of a used Memphis ES-175 or a little lower. You may wish to weigh the cost-benefit before making a move.

**Archie** · 01-15-2015, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Oh wow. Congrats. You are the first person I read about here who has one of these beauties. You are not in the US, I suppose.

A tone report is not mandatory but will be most welcomed.

I have Tokais but they are planks.

All I ever wanted was for Jabba to notice me, said my Tokai several years ago

(

I just remembered why too. No matter what size I make the pics in Jpeg, this forum wont upload them. I've tried everything.

I had a blonde one a few years back. It was the model down, the UAF-180 VNT series.

Essentially the same guitar but mine had nicer woods (birds eye maple front and back).

Although I'm not 100% sure but nitro finish on the top, might have been the only difference between the two.

Of course it goes without saying, it was just as well built as a Gibson (if not better) and looked more like a vintage one, long before Gibson came up with the VOS range.

I payed about £700

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 03:46 PM

I'm not familiar, that sounds like perhaps one of the UK models.

This is definitely has plain maple. But they did the burst quite nicely, they do have a natural finish, I like bursts.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-15-2015, 03:46 PM

ATH, I'd like to see your birdseye Tokai UAF180VNT, if you still have it. That should be a nice gander.

You know what Tokai FA235 stands for, right? Eastern Sea Fine Art 235 000 Yen.

And UAF180VNT is UnitedKingdom Art Fine 180 000 Yen Vintage Natural.

Just some trivia.

**Archie** · 01-15-2015, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

ATH, I'd like to see your birdseye Tokai UAF180VNT if you still have it. That should be a nice gander.

You know what Tokai FA235 stands for, right? Eastern Sea Fine Art 235 000 Yen.

It was indeed a UK model. never did know what the UAF stood for but the VNT stood for vintage. For some reason the forum isn't letting me post pics right now. I tried to post a pic of Bob's 'Building an Archtop' and it would let me do that either.

I will get them up at some point.

Nice name though Eastern Sea Fine Art. Mine would have been 180,000. They were available for £1500 new if you got a good price from an importer. They went in weeks though, maybe less and never saw them again.

**Sorry it was a UFA which makes perfect sense. I presume United? or Ulster? lol

**Hekdiesel** · 01-15-2015, 04:02 PM

VNT is Vintage Natural I think.

**Jabberwocky** · 01-15-2015, 04:05 PM

To Kai = Eastern/East Sea
Hok Kai = Northern/North Sea
Nan Kai = Southern/South Sea

Pok kai = Doomed Accursed Person, a Hong Kong Cantonese Chinese vulgarity...which reminds me. Gonna check out now.

**Archie** · 01-15-2015, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Hekdiesel

VNT is Vintage Natural I think.

Always hard deciphering Japanese translations or meanings once translated by them.

Sound of body is Uroko tree on field branch in sand

Open door is neck lace and with much blossom.

Something like that

(I hope thats not taken as a racial slur, I find it very endearing actually, although I am exaggerating a little).

**Archie** · 01-15-2015, 04:15 PM

Nope apparently the forum is not letting me post any pics right now. Probably just an internal error.

If you want to check it out its also here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1303062&type=3

Thats my Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/archtopheaven

There quite a few albums there with some real fine Japanese Es-175's.

Anyway not to Hijack a mans MGD thread, congrats mate on your purchase. You did well and over time I'm sure it will prove to be an excellent performer.

Just keep the neck straight and adjust the truss rod now and then to keep the neck sweet. Not that these have any issues, its just something you should do with every guitar.

Other than that there should be no issues, they are built extremely well.

**Hekdiesel** · 01-17-2015, 09:02 PM

I am so blown away by this guitar - it is sooo easy to play its going to be hard playing my strat after all the time im putting in on this gal!

**Greentone** · 01-17-2015, 09:14 PM

Wow. I am a big fan of the Japanese-made guitars. I have owned them since 1962, when I received my first Yairi. My father, also a guitar player, went to Japan and brought one back. He brought another back the next year. I have owned and played Japanese guitars ever since. One of my favorites is my Matsumoku-made copy of a Gibson Super-V from the mid-70s. It has an exceptionally good-playing neck.

I imagine that your Tokai is a great player and that it sounds super. It looks fantastic.

Enjoy it.

**Archie** · 01-17-2015, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Hekdiesel

I'm not familiar, that sounds like perhaps one of the UK models.

This is definitely has plain maple. But they did the burst quite nicely, they do have a natural finish, I like bursts.

Yeh sorry I didn't mean mine had better woods and nicer is subjective I suppose.

Perhaps because it was blonde, they chose some with figuring. However I think yours was the model up by some 45,000

I would very much like to play your one as I don't think mine was finished in Lacquer. I believe yours is but it could be only the top.

Japanese are a bit funny about Nitro as are the Germans. They usually make up for it though by applying a nice thin layer of whatever it is they do use.