Questions about some ES Tokai models

[ElLladre]

Hi everyone!

First of all I want to apologize in advance for my so-so english, I’m from Barcelona. For a long time I’ve been an admirer of the ES style guitars and now I’ve decided to go for one. I’ve been watching at the japanese copies (especially Greco’s and Tokai’s) and I got a bit confused by the models, years, prices… And that’s why I’m here, just to see if someone can shed a bit of light.

In my quest for finding a nice (and affordable) 335 copy I’ve found 2 Tokai’s near me. One is a UES-135 and the other one is a UES-138. The thing is, they both have 122xxxx serial numbers so, from what I’ve read so far they are from the year 2012, am I right? And what confuses me is the close model number (but not the same) being same year of manufacture. Am I missing something? Anyone know the difference between the two models? Are they supposed to be like equivalent or there’s a superior one in terms of quality? Also, what would be the equivalent model as today, the ES-180?

They’re asking 1000€ for the UES-138 and 1500€ for the UES-135. The last one has a few mods, Lollar Peter Green pickups and grover tuning machines. The two of them are in good shape. Are these fair prices?

Also, I’ve seen a Greco Clear Sound SA-75 from 1990, all original and in good shape. How would that one compare to the Tokai’s. Is this one a better guitar. They’re asking 1500€ for it.

Thank you very much!

[citizenk74]

[Jabberwocky]

Tokai guitar models are taken from the first 3 digits of their then prevailing list price in Japanese Yen. A Tokai UES 135 would have had a list price of JPY135000, UES 138- JPY138000, ES 180-JPY180000, etc.. The same model guitar would have a different model name as its price rose over the years.

The UES 135 and UES 138 may well be the same model. Tokai raised the price from JPY135K to JPY138K.

[Jabberwocky]

The latest Tokai: ES248

[ElLladre]

Thank you citizenk74!

[ElLladre]

Tokai guitar models are taken from the first 3 digits of their then prevailing list price in Japanese Yen. A Tokai UES 135 would have had a list price of JPY135000, UES 138- JPY138000, ES 180-JPY180000, etc.. The same model guitar would have a different model name as its price rose over the years.

The UES 135 and UES 138 may well be the same model. Tokai raised the price from JPY135K to JPY138K.

Hi Jabberwocky, and thanks for your response!

I know that de model names and numbers works the way you have described. What gets me confused is that de two guitars are supposedly from the same year but has different (but very close) model numbers. Maybe it's just the same model and Tokai changed the price (and thus the model name) during the year...

[hotpepper01]

Greetings from the Netherlands.

There are many 335 copies available. I think that some months ago there was a special thread here about what the best 335 copies were.. May be it is worth while to look that up. For me, the best 335 copy that I owned was a lovely Ibanez 2467 (ES345 copy) from 1977. I wished I never sold it...I hope you dont mind me posting a pic.




I have owned only one Tokai copy and that was the ES60 model. I believe that one dated from somewhere 2008-2010 and was made in China. Please take my advice and avoid that model. I thought it was a rather liveless guitar. It did not cost much either.