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

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Жыл бұрын

For my Presets visit: johnnathancordy.gumroad.com/
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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!
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/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
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only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

Пікірлер: 88

@fivewattworld Жыл бұрын

She’s a beauty!

@christopherjbutler Жыл бұрын

I agree Keith! And that acoustic tone,even through his camera mic, sounds really pleasing! My Firefly FF338 don't sound like THAT 😊

@elmolewis9123 Жыл бұрын

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

@Takianagi Жыл бұрын

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

@friedkin71 10 ай бұрын

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

@bleigh6562 Жыл бұрын

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

@fredmanteghian5913 Ай бұрын

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

@akjl01 10 ай бұрын

Looks and sounds great. Brilliant playing 👍

@KajHeGeHaggman Жыл бұрын

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!

@davidsalzman6677 2 ай бұрын

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.

@profoundsinger Жыл бұрын

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

@Bredaxe Жыл бұрын

Wow, just wow on that playing.

@southpaw335 Жыл бұрын

John, absolutely one of you best intros!

@picksalot1 Жыл бұрын

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

@garyjohnson627 8 ай бұрын

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.

@mortonwilson795 Жыл бұрын

Sounds great! Never played a Tokai - will explore next time I get to Tokyo. Also want to try the Eastman options - some excellent reviews of their ES styles and I am really impressed with the SB59/v.

@SamJMartinMusic 5 ай бұрын

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!

@mlowack Жыл бұрын

Wonderful, seems to be a very inspiring guitar.

@joshevenson4257 Жыл бұрын

What a beauty! Sounds incredible. Wondering what your tone was today. HX stomp?

@user-bh3rp5kh3j Жыл бұрын

So nice melody you played... .

@chrisgmurray3622 Жыл бұрын

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

@patricelecanu6150 Жыл бұрын

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

@grooveitman929 Жыл бұрын

Superb playing

@lalruatkimahauhulh7939 Жыл бұрын

Great tone🎉

@iannicholls7476 Жыл бұрын

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.

@chrohm Жыл бұрын

I have a ES135 Tokai, I need to fix the front pickup tone pot but it sounds and plays great - the quality is fantastic

@john808welk Жыл бұрын

That is some inspired playing mate!

@alexandermclaughlin3978 7 ай бұрын

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 😂

@thecaveofthedead Жыл бұрын

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.

@moogsick Жыл бұрын

i recently got a Greco superview SV600, a 1980 model, just a beautiful guitar, its ever slightly small (20mm) than a 335, a sweet spot for me, smaller but not as small as a 339.lovely unplugged, and the Greco pu2 pickup are very nice especially in rhe neck. Came on at the 1k euro mark

@garyjohnson627 8 ай бұрын

I have three of these. A see through red, a tea burst and a Pelham blue one.

@IndigoJo Жыл бұрын

I recall an interview with Larry Carlton who said he sometimes plays his 335 unplugged. They do produce enough sound that you can do that when you're alone in your hotel room. The Japanese copy guitars came along in the 70s when a lot of American guitar builders had let the quality slide, and with the possible exception of Ibanez, they're cheaper than a Gibson (other than custom) and often better quality. The Yamaha SA-2200 is fairly easy to get hold of, not cheap but cheaper than Gibson. (Strangely, cheaper than the Yamaha SG series which appearance-wise is a cross between a Les Paul and a Gibson SG.)

@KozmykJ Жыл бұрын

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.

@pepisoul1 Жыл бұрын

I own a UES210 Custom (ES 335 Type) which is a stunning instrument.

@elL-Jay Жыл бұрын

I have a Tokai premium (I think that's what they call their high-end ones?) 335 from 2005, and it is great in every way.

@nightsdew8136 Жыл бұрын

@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.

@marais888 Жыл бұрын

I think you have a winner!

@pulpongpulsawat5232 6 ай бұрын

Your melody. Very beauttful

@Lucasadamrau Жыл бұрын

3:50 the lick!

@wr5347 Жыл бұрын

We need to get you a Collings ASAP!

@Guitaural. Жыл бұрын

Thanks John. Although looks like the pricing averages around $2000 or so on Reverb - I'd go for the Gibson at those rates. They did invent it also - it's always good to support the one that brought you to the dance, so to speak.

@achill3usoverclocking874 Жыл бұрын

Agree with you.

@joshhernandez2292 Жыл бұрын

Normally I would agree with you on principal alone. However, I have played hundreds of standard and custom shop Gibsons over the past decade and the build quality is incredibly inconsistent and at times atrocious, even at the highest price points. Sloppy bindings, uneven frets, inability to stay in tune, and the list goes on and on. I bought a Tokai ES-190 new last year for $1400 shipped to my door and it was flawless, better than any Gibson ES I've ever played. Tokai may be knocking off Gibson's designs but the Japanese level of craftsmanship and attention to detail for me is unmatched. Also, if you want a Japanese guitar, I would contact the shop directly rather than going through Reverb. You will save $200-400 making the purchase even more reasonable.

@Guitaural. Жыл бұрын

@@joshhernandez2292 Hi Josh, I've had a similar, but completely opposite experience...lol. I've played many with a slightly different feel (neck carve, etc), but the quality has been really nice. I don't feel we're in a "Norlin" era at all over the past few years. Glad you picked up your Tokai for a nice deal though! I _do_ wish Gibson would find somewhere else to build their Epiphones though...I won't consider a 'made in China' like we're getting now.

@tlister67 5 ай бұрын

I have a Tokai es168 with block inlays. It is an amazing guitar as stock. The neck is slightly narrow compared to a Gibson ES and even my Tokai Love Rock. I read the block inlay Gibsons past 1965 had narrow string spacing, so maybe they were going for that.

@peterpigna9505 Жыл бұрын

Anche io possiedo una Tokai Les Paul Made in Japan, sono ottime chitarre, la tua semi acustica suona molto bene

@rudiyantohalim736 Жыл бұрын

Tokai and Edwards are my go to guitar because Gibson is way pricey for me. That one is a beauty 👍

@richleonard55 Жыл бұрын

I have an ES-Custom from Tokai. (335 special order with 'premium' this and that). It's a beautiful guitar but some people have trouble playing it because the nut width is a little too narrow. I've got slim fingers and it's still a bit cramped. But obviously yours is OK?

@MRBRANDYWINETHETHIRD Жыл бұрын

I had a es130 years ago. Stupidly sold it. And I regretted it ever since. I won a ce24 semi hollow and I was hoping it would quench my 335 itch. It didn't, I owned a core dgt 10 top and I was concerned with how expensive that guitar had become. So I sold the ce24 semi hollow and somebody offered me a tokai es120 plus money in a trade for the DGT. I now have one back and its one I'll never sell. I was initially concerned with the size aspect of a 335 but nothing really sounds like a 335. Mines reasonably flamey and the equivalent Gibson model is four times the price.

@erickmo1188 Жыл бұрын

You should check out a Heritage H535. Made in the old Gibson factory…. Their production stuff is all Gibson Custom Shop Quality and usually can be grabbed on the used market for less $2400

@fredmanteghian5913 Ай бұрын

I have never played a Heritage. I understand from acquaintances that they are every bit as good and even better than Gibsons. I just can’t get by the headstock. Not my cuppa tea. Someday I’m sure I will find one at a music store and get to play it to get over my prejudices.

@dustsculpture Жыл бұрын

What do you think about the prs se hollowbody piezo ?

@jialewan2367 Жыл бұрын

i want to to know your thoughts on polychrome dsp mcrocklin how does it sound?

@abicamoro4117 Жыл бұрын

3:49 the lick

@sharkair2839 Жыл бұрын

do they still sell these?

@Silmarieni1 Жыл бұрын

Have you ever tried a Harley Benton HB-35 Plus and an Aeolus?

@SteveKuhMusic 11 ай бұрын

Does it stay in tune?

@colinjames2469 Жыл бұрын

Japanese craftsmen are world class.

@stefanodelstef7988 11 ай бұрын

I have the Tokai ES224 SR and it's very comparable in any way to a Gibson. The only apparent visual difference are the fret end knobs. I even find that it plays better than the custom shop '63 I used to have.

@moorfrosch5752 11 ай бұрын

What´s the Amp for this sound?

@basicforge Жыл бұрын

I don't know if it's better than a Gibson, but I love my Ibanez AS-73!

@Roshan-tb3iz 4 ай бұрын

How do you know that it is an ES130? Is the model number stamped on the guitar?

@pepisoul1 Жыл бұрын

The TOKAI UES210 Custom is nearly or even the highest tier TOKAI offers!

@rustyking5321 11 ай бұрын

Have you ever played Ibanez’s John Scofield signature model? IMO it blows away every other 335-style guitar on the market. I’m speaking of the Made in Japan JSM100, but I hear the less expensive Made in China(?) JSM10 is great, as well.

@stratocumulusnimbostratus328 Ай бұрын

Anyone know what the difference between 130 and 158?

@andrewbecker3700 Жыл бұрын

Tokai would be my next choice after Epiphone for value in a LP style electric guitar. Eastman has to be in the conversation also. The shipping cost and risk is what keeps me from buying them.

@joejohnson8966 Жыл бұрын

1:15 - 1:40 makes me glad I am alive.

@jimmcdougall9973 Жыл бұрын

Ah, at last. Something I can comment on 😊 They are beautifully crafted instruments, to the highest of Japanese standards. It was only when I got mine that I realised, Gibson only take on guitar companies that are a genuine threat to their business. You don’t hear of them taking on the likes of Harley Benton etc, or even Ibanez.

@aidanguitarshamiwhatever Жыл бұрын

well, they did take on ibanez. There’s a whole bunch of “lawsuit” models from back in the day

@jimmcdougall9973 Жыл бұрын

@@aidanguitarshamiwhatever yes, many years ago.

@miguelfmonteiro Жыл бұрын

What a shame they only seem to produce ES models with 41mm nut

@tonedowne Жыл бұрын

The 335 is just a great design. It’s like a strat in the way that, if it looks a certain way it will sound a certain way. I have a Cort 335 and it does the thing. I always get positive comments about the sound when I play it out. It sounds a bit thin compared to a Gibson, but it cost about a fifth of the price.

@ddr5138 11 ай бұрын

Beautiful, but these things approach Gibson prices. I'm content with my $600 Epiphone version which does have Gibson DNA in a way.

@andersg9451 Жыл бұрын

Sorry, forgot to skip away...

@rdanalytics9197 Жыл бұрын

Different but not better. I have both and they are not the same. I have a Murphy Lab 335 and a Murphy Lab Les Paul. I had a Gibson 355, but sold it. And I have 2 Tokai Les Pauls. The best one of the bunch was the 355, but it would go out of tune a lot. The Tokai guitars have less of a neck angle and don’t go out of tune at all. But, they just don't feel good.

@guitarplayingman Жыл бұрын

If you're going to keep reviewing guitars, you must stop playing the beautiful melodic guitar passages! Wow! After a minute or so, I wouldn't have cared what you were playing.... Oh yea, what was the name of the guitar you were playing???

@rodnyg7952 Жыл бұрын

sure, it may be wonderful, but whether or not it's better than a Gibson is entirely subjective to the user

@NicholasANappiNick Жыл бұрын

I’ve not seen a nicer guitar

@jltrem Жыл бұрын

How inauthentic!!

@jfar3340 Жыл бұрын

No way is this better than a gibson

@colinjames2469 Жыл бұрын

Get real. Gibson is dead.

@jfar3340 Жыл бұрын

@@colinjames2469 hahaha

@sam-browne Жыл бұрын

Get yourself a Yamaha SA2000S. The best Gibson ES335 you can get.

@PNWJEEPER01 4 ай бұрын

Dear YT Guitarists: Please get over and get past nonsensical, meaningless "as good as the real thing" comparisons and make content with actual substance. It's entirely meaningless that your knockoff guitar may be as high quality a build as the real thing. It's not the real thing. End of story. If these Japanese companies were truly that amazing, they would have their own designs; they would be the real thing and Gibson and Fender, et al, would be the copies. But that's not how it is. So let's get over trying to fool ourselves and everybody else into thinking that knockoff guitars are better and just portray them as the cheaper, decent alternatives for the average player that they really are. It's an easy thing to use someone else's intellectual material and regurgitate their ideas; and another thing entirely to come up with the idea yourself. The real thing is the real thing for a reason.

@yoheff988 Жыл бұрын

These guitars are made out of plywood (which is not really wood, it's really great for fish boxes LOL), as far as the sound not much difference between those and a solid body guitars, after all pickups are magnetic not micro phonic. It's more for the feel not sound!

@aidanguitarshamiwhatever Жыл бұрын

looks like it’s a maple body according to google

@aricwilliams4168 9 ай бұрын

They make just like the big G . It’s maple poplar maple