Got me a Tele!

TheDoctor · May 7th, 2008, 12:51 PM

Well, thanks to the inspiration and discussion on these pages, and after a number of posts of my own, lady luck tapped me on the shoulder earlier today and showed me a Telecaster. Imagine my delight!

As those who have encountered my posts will have perhaps noticed, I was trying to decide which Tele to go for, whether to get one of the USA standards, a Japanese one or to go all out and bankrupt myself getting hold of a '52 reissue. In all this rumination, and having been a little bit out of the guitar loop over the past few years, I forgot my previous golden rule of buying. Play it, try it, and if it sounds like I want it to, and looks like I'd like it to, then buy it. A friend and I took an early finish today and went into the city for lunch. As we walked up 'Music' street (where all the shops are) we reached Cash Converters Music Store. I hadn't encountered it before coming to live in Norwich, and I don't know if Cash Converters exists in the US, but in Norwich there is the usual store selling this and that of varying quality in price, and there is also the music store which often has a nice line in reasonable priced guitars. In the window was a row of lefties (which instantly makes me happy) including a Tele-style guitar, in a sort of blonde colour. In I go, tune it up and have a play. I was well impressed. Smooth action, nice tone in all settings. Comfortable to play. The fella tells me it's a Tokai unbranded Tele. I have no idea whether he's right or not, (the only markings are a serial number stuck on the body, under the neck). Price £199. Hmmm think I, that seems pretty damn reasonable for this guitar, but perhaps I'll haggle a bit. Play a bit more, really enjoying the guitar. Look again at the price tag - £129. No haggle, no argument, cash on the desk and away I went.

So, attached is a picture of it. I know it's not a Fender etc., but I believe I've got a pretty good guitar, certainly for the level I play at and the use it will be put to. Plus, I've got a fair bit left over from the budget to put towards a luthier setting it up nicely for me. Those with a keen eye for detail will see that I have already damaged the nut, via over-vigorous strumming I suppose, and the low E string is no longer in place. My suspicious mind wonders if that was weak originally and had been glued or something, hence the price reduction. Whatever, I am delighted.

Once it has been set up, I will play it for a while and get used to it before deciding what to do next. I imagine eventually it will become a bit of a Partscaster as I gradually modify things.

Thanks to all on this forum for help and advice, either in response to my threads or on other posts as I have read widely and enjoyed it. Hopefully in the future I can contribute more.

Regards,

Mark.

PS: Anyone with any more info about these models feel free to educate me. Thanks.

riggergreg · May 7th, 2008, 02:48 PM

Nice!! Nice price, also

Enjoy. It's just the start

Dennis68 · May 7th, 2008, 02:51 PM

Congrats and enjoy!

kelnet · May 7th, 2008, 02:57 PM

I just bought a Tokai myself, and I love it.
Too bad Tokai is pulling out of Canada, because they make a nice guitar.
Congrats on the purchase, Doc.

Doug Ferguson · May 7th, 2008, 03:02 PM

Very nice! I think you'll be happy with it.

stephwills · May 7th, 2008, 03:39 PM

She's a looker! Have fun!

Dan German · May 7th, 2008, 03:58 PM

I've liked most every Tokai I've played. (And I didn't know they were still in Canada!) That one looks fine!

As far as not being a Fender goes, the only electrics I have that are the "real thing" are my Danelectros. I'd rather play a copy I can afford than look at the real thing in the store and dream.

Stevie 202 · May 7th, 2008, 04:13 PM

Sweet!

Will Ray wrote just recently "My criteria for a new guitar is this: could I actually play a gig with this guitar?"

Don't matter what it says (or doesn't) on the headstock; you've found an axe you've bonded with. Gold!

mudbean · May 7th, 2008, 04:18 PM

A luthier can easily replace that nut for you for not too much $$$.

mud

mikespe · May 7th, 2008, 04:19 PM

I have never played or seen a Tokai before but is something wrong with the neck on yours? The headstock looks BACKWARDS!

Nice guitar by the way!

Wardpike · May 7th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikespe

I have never played or seen a Tokai before but is something wrong with the neck on yours? The headstock looks BACKWARDS!

Nice guitar by the way!

It's not just the headsstock! The whole dang thang is backwards! (Elliot Easton might give us a smack for saying that). :LOL:

teleamp · May 8th, 2008, 12:29 AM

If that is the original neck, then it is a "lawsuit" model...Fender sued Tokai way back when and they had to change the headstock.

Great buy!

TheDoctor · May 8th, 2008, 01:02 AM

Thanks guys. Spent most of yesterday evening playing it, albeit without the low E, and it has a nice tone acoustically as well. I think I really did get lucky.

May 7th, 2008, 02:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
riggergreg Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lebanon, Ohio Age: 51 Posts: 942 29 Photos	Nice!! Nice price, also Enjoy. It's just the start __________________ I got all I need.....For now

May 7th, 2008, 02:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dennis68 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hudson Valley Posts: 757	Congrats and enjoy! __________________ -Dennis

May 7th, 2008, 03:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doug Ferguson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Age: 55 Posts: 1,131	Very nice! I think you'll be happy with it. __________________ If you get hung up on just guitar players, you've missed something.... Don't ever get to a point where you just gotta be a guitar player. You hear something, go try to get that note and sound as much like that as you can.-Buddy Guy

May 7th, 2008, 03:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
stephwills Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 257	She's a looker! Have fun! __________________ steph Think I'll just stay here and drink ...

May 7th, 2008, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dan German Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rupertsland Age: 47 Posts: 518	I've liked most every Tokai I've played. (And I didn't know they were still in Canada!) That one looks fine! As far as not being a Fender goes, the only electrics I have that are the "real thing" are my Danelectros. I'd rather play a copy I can afford than look at the real thing in the store and dream. __________________ Higgy

May 7th, 2008, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
kelnet TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Port Moody, BC Posts: 75	I just bought a Tokai myself, and I love it. Too bad Tokai is pulling out of Canada, because they make a nice guitar. Congrats on the purchase, Doc.

May 7th, 2008, 04:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Stevie 202 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ottawa Age: 53 Posts: 246	Sweet! Will Ray wrote just recently "My criteria for a new guitar is this: could I actually play a gig with this guitar?" Don't matter what it says (or doesn't) on the headstock; you've found an axe you've bonded with. Gold!

May 7th, 2008, 04:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
mudbean Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Semi-Desert Semi-Paradise Age: 49 Posts: 815	A luthier can easily replace that nut for you for not too much $$$. mud __________________ *Everyone brings joy to my room ... some by entering, some by leaving.* www.mudbean.com

May 8th, 2008, 12:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
teleamp Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central TX Age: 49 Posts: 344	Lawsuit Tokai If that is the original neck, then it is a "lawsuit" model...Fender sued Tokai way back when and they had to change the headstock. Great buy!

May 8th, 2008, 01:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
TheDoctor TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 29	Thanks guys. Spent most of yesterday evening playing it, albeit without the low E, and it has a nice tone acoustically as well. I think I really did get lucky.