A WONDERFUL ES335 - Tokai ES130 - This might be better than a Gibson?

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It has taken me a little while to warm up to the ES335 design. Being someone who has predominantly played Strat type guitars, the heft of the ES335 body and feel is really quite different. This Tokai ES130 is a really nice lightweight, Nitro finished guitar. The best Tokai I've played yet!

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[elmolewis]

I own a Tokai Love Rock (LP model) bought new about 20 years ago and it is still a pleasure to play daily.

[bleigh]

Going from electronics sound scapes to your wonderful intro, what a way to start a Sunday morning
Thanks for the extra long intro.

[Takianagi]

This is like my favorite sound. Been playing this on repeat a lot ❤

[picksalot]

I've never had the chance to play a Tokai, but every one I've heard on YouTube has sounded great. A guitar that inspires is a good guitar, and based on the Intro, this is a very good guitar indeed.

[fredmanteghian]

I have replayed the playing about 6 times so far while I read the comments. Subscribed! Keep up the great playing!

[SamJMartin]

These may be the finest guitars for the money. i just picked up an UESD68 and it’s quickly become my favourite guitar in the collection. Tokai build quality is just astounding! great stuff as always John!

[KajHeGeHaggman]

I realize I come back to hear you play, regardless of what the video is all about! Beautiful intro! Tokai makes great guitars, as proven here!

[davidsalzman]

I have an 80's Tokai strat and just today bought one of these MIJ Tokai ES335 type like yours. It's a 2008 ES125. I am knocked out by it. Sounds, looks and plays amazing. Thanks for your video/assessment which I wholeheartedly agree with.Nice playing as well! Cheers.

[friedkin]

You’re playing is just fantastic. Bravo. You really brought out all of the shining characteristics of this guitar.

[garyjohnson]

Excellent video about a fantastic guitar from the amazing Tokai brand. I have one of these and had a varitone fitted by my local Tokai dealership in Birmingham.

[profoundsinger]

If Andy Timmons and Eric Johnson had a long lost kid together, you might be it!! Absolutely gorgeous playing!!

[chrisgmurray]

The love rock (slash) les Paul style guitar is beautiful and sounds great.

[alexandermclaughlin]

Great playing! I have a 2007 ES-130 too, also with the dimpled headstock (paid 900£, which is the norm here in Denmark). Same finish, but with swapped pickups and wiring (Mørch pu's - Emerson wiring). They're absolutely glorious guitars, and was my first Tokai. Now i have 4 😂

[patricelecanu]

ho yeah !!! TOKAI since 1947 !!!! great quality for a good price !! great vid !!! thank you John !!!!

[thecaveofthedead]

My buddy's Tokai 335 is the single best guitar I've ever played. Also super light - despite the correct materials (maple and spruce centre block, laminate body, mahogany neck). Tokai 335s just seem to be flawless and completely consistent. And they all sound amazingly sweet with the Tokai MkII pickups. I changed those out of my Tokai LP. But in the 335s they just sound beautiful.

[southpaw]

John, absolutely one of you best intros!

[iannicholls]

I have an ES-135 which is the 60’s style with block inlays. You are absolutely right with your comment that it could be the end of your search for a 335. Particularly if it is going to be an additional guitar rather than your main instrument. I got mine about 10-12 years ago. At that time Gibson 335’s were about £1800-2000 in the UK; new ES-135’s were £1100 and mine was £670(used) on EBay. It certainly plays and sounds as good as any of the Gibsons I tried at that time.

[nightsdew]

@John Nathan Cordy Nice video. I've seen your video on a S type Tokai and comparing it with a Fender. Considering the price do you think it's a good alternative to an American fender? I'm really tempted to get a MIJ candy apple red Stype Tokai and modify it to Gilmour red strat.

[KozmykJ]

Happy new Tokai 👍
Around my way, we discovered the "Tokai Secret" about 1980 ..

As regards the Sire H7, I found the neck to be quite slim, and I have relatively small hands.
I had to send mine back as it was about a Rough B-Stock grade.
Still, it did make me more appreciate my old HB35+.
I did a DIY fret job on that within weeks of purchase, then some four years later I changed out the Wilkinson pickups (a bit dark) for Iron Gear Blues Engines and put on Kluson Lockheads.

[akjl]

Looks and sounds great. Brilliant playing 👍