Tokai Breezysound!

incaowns · January 31st, 2007, 08:52 AM

i heard good things bout these. anyone have one?
if you do, post some pics! please

Telemarkman · January 31st, 2007, 09:50 AM

I had one in the '90s, but no pics - sorry.

I bought it used - it was an early-'80s model (or so I was told) with a quilted maple top (brown) and single white binding and w/b/w pickguard. Very good looking guitar actually ! At that time I couldn't afford a REAL Telecaster, but to be honest I don't think there was much difference anyway. Played and sounded like a typical Fender Telecaster, rather like my MIM '60s, but I never bonded with it and eventually replaced it with an acoustic. (I'd stopped gigging at the time).

Nothing wrong with it at all though, and if it had been white or blond, I might have kept it.

The Tokai Breezysound might easily be the most accurate non-Fender Tele copy. At least that I have seen.

fakeocaster · January 31st, 2007, 09:57 AM

I have an 86 breezysound with Fralins.It was my main gigging guitar until a few years ago.

I have a Fender 52 RI now.I got a great deal second hand.otherwise I would have kept the Tokai as my number 1

Both are excellent

charlie chitlin · January 31st, 2007, 10:02 AM

I've seen Duke Robillard playing one.
It shared the stage with an L-5.
He's pretty serious about his tone.

Sarge · January 31st, 2007, 10:05 AM

I WISH I had one. As the owner of several 80's Tokai strats I can only say that the 80's BreezySound teles I've played have been steller in both tone and construction. I've owned and played the newer (2000) Korean Tokai's and they too were a very nice guitar for the $$$$. One of these days...........

soltwanger · January 31st, 2007, 10:05 AM

I played one of the last ones made before they had to discontinue them last year (due to a fender lawsuit, apparently) and I wasn't overly impressed by the tones. seemed rather weak sounding. Nice colour though, grey with white binding. They were selling for £499 which is ridiculous really, considering you can get a brand new classic 50s or highway1 for less than that. If one came up cheap (lets face it, i cant see how they could have huge resale value) I would definately consider it. They just have a cool vibe to them.

Gunslinger · January 31st, 2007, 01:18 PM

Great guitars, i just sold my 1980's breezysound with one of the original
b-benders fitted to a guy in Switzerland, he loves it.

GS

genelovesjez · January 31st, 2007, 02:40 PM

I don't have one, but for some reason I do have a picture of one:

BLACKCAT69 · January 31st, 2007, 05:43 PM

Just sold this one on Ebay back in Nov.

Five Finger Fender Fiend · January 31st, 2007, 05:55 PM

I've had one in the 80's. It was without doubt one of the best guitars i've ever owned. I sold it after a few years coz i was broke, but i still hanker after that guitar even after all those years. It had everything, the right weight/sound/colour. Selling that girl was a big mistake..

tele12 · January 31st, 2007, 08:52 PM

Gotta love Tokai's model names "Breezy sound" for the Tele "Springy sound" for the Strat.

soul-o · January 31st, 2007, 09:31 PM

I know that Nile Rogers was really into Tokai guitars for his signature clean sounds and he got the guys in INXS into them around the time of the Kick album. This is the sort of info my brain retains for some reason.

studebaker hawk · February 1st, 2007, 01:29 AM

I never really liked the TELECASTER, then I played one of these though
a SF TWIN at a jam in the mid 80's. Blew me away! I would've bought that guitar if I had known it was going to be sold.

FraKcture · February 1st, 2007, 04:57 AM

I own one, left hand and i love it too.
Its also early eighties ( most likely '83) And its one of the finest telecasters i've ever played.
Like Sarge stated, they really are stellar in construction; it even has a quarter sawn neck.
I will never, ever ever sell this one...

telejake · February 1st, 2007, 11:29 AM

They really are great guitars. Billy Gibbons and SRV both used them back in the early '80s. A sample would be...TTE-80. That would be a Tokyo distributed Tele that sold for 80,00 Yen at that time, or AST-80 would be a Strat made to be sent to America (slightly altered headstock). The 80 would still be in Yen. They ranged from 40,000-120,000 Yen in price. The late 70s LP guitars actually said Les Paul on the headstock. Later they were Love Rock models. Check out <www.tokairegistry.com>.
Enjoy!

ROADMAN · February 13th, 2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genelovesjez

I don't have one, but for some reason I do have a picture of one:

I'D PUT UP A PICTURE OF MY 85 BREEZYSOUND BUT MY CAMERA HAS THE FLU

I GOT IT LAST WEEK IN A TRADE FOR AN S470 IBANEZ..WHAT A COOL GUITAR ,MINT CONDITION SOUNDS AWESOME ...JUST LIKE GENELOVESJEZ PIC. BUT WITH A ROSEWOOD BOARD..MINE HAS A SMALL ROUND STICKER ON THE BACK OF THE NECK THAT SAYS 55...ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT MIGHT REPRESENT?

Stefan · February 13th, 2007, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genelovesjez

I don't have one, but for some reason I do have a picture of one:

Ooooh! That is a pretty Tele!

lambtron · February 19th, 2007, 02:58 PM

Hey guys. I recently bought one of these off of eBay... till a close friend of mine played it and offered twice what I paid for it! =(
It pains me to see it go (it's leaving tomorrow) after only having had it for a couple days but
the whole idea of buying the Tokai was to "down grade" from my Fenders (Jazzmaster, etc.)
and save a bit of dosh for non-guitar related stuff (there's such a thing?!)

Anyway, here it is :(

www.zenriot.com/tokai

The couple days I did have with it I must say I've never played a guitar that felt so right.
I'm on the lookout for another 84' Tokai now!

degsycaster · February 19th, 2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telemarkman

I had one in the '90s, but no pics - sorry.

I bought it used - it was an early-'80s model (or so I was told) with a quilted maple top (brown) and single white binding and w/b/w pickguard. Very good looking guitar actually ! At that time I couldn't afford a REAL Telecaster, but to be honest I don't think there was much difference anyway. Played and sounded like a typical Fender Telecaster, rather like my MIM '60s, but I never bonded with it and eventually replaced it with an acoustic. (I'd stopped gigging at the time).

Nothing wrong with it at all though, and if it had been white or blond, I might have kept it.

The Tokai Breezysound might easily be the most accurate non-Fender Tele copy. At least that I have seen.

Oh wow deja-vu !!!!

I had exactly the same experience. Bought a quilt top, edge bound, 2nd hand Breezysound in the early 90's. It looked fantastic, sounded really good but I also just couldn't feel comfortable with it. All my mates loved it but I just didn't feel anything for it. What a strange coincidence.

winny pooh · February 20th, 2007, 01:28 PM

[quote=FraKcture;705483]I own one, left hand and i love it too.
Its also early eighties ( most likely '83) And its one of the finest telecasters i've ever played.
Like Sarge stated, they really are stellar in construction; it even has a quarter sawn neck.
I will never, ever ever sell this one...

Thats actually flatsawn, but no worry, most vintage teles are also like that.
If quarter sawn the long horizontal lines in your first pic will be vertical.

winny pooh · February 20th, 2007, 01:35 PM

This was my first tele and i hoard it like gold, Before i got my other tele i didn't even let anyone play it.
Its wonderful, great neck, responsive and very pretty in candy apple red and lively tone. Compares easily to most 60's teles i have played.
The stock pickups have become tiring though and i plan to replace them soon.
Lovely guitars

eddiewagner · February 20th, 2007, 02:27 PM

i had two in the 80ies. a black one and a paisley one. i did not like them too much at the time. wish i knew then what i know now.

Telemarkman · February 20th, 2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by degsycaster

Oh wow deja-vu !!!!

I had exactly the same experience. Bought a quilt top, edge bound, 2nd hand Breezysound in the early 90's. It looked fantastic, sounded really good but I also just couldn't feel comfortable with it. All my mates loved it but I just didn't feel anything for it. What a strange coincidence.

Well, stranger things have happened.

I guess my problem was that it wasn't white or blond. In the back of my mind there was this voice saying that a Tele should be white/blonde (well, maybe red), while a Strat could be either sunburst or red. (Like when I first saw them in the early '60s).
And I always listen to voices in my head...

casadyrocks · February 20th, 2007, 07:55 PM

I had a Tokai pink paisley ATL-67 , which I bought new in 84 and sold in about 89. It was absolutely fantastic, solid quality, great feel. I do miss it, but my '50 reissue has more than met my needs. Fender did not make a reasonably priced quality Tele during the "80's ( in my opinion), and the Tokai just kicked ass. Things are certainly different these days.

stinkymommasboy · February 20th, 2007, 08:06 PM

First time I hear of them.

casterway · February 20th, 2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stink

January 31st, 2007, 08:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
incaowns Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hong kong. Age: 18 Posts: 453	Tokai Breezysound! i heard good things bout these. anyone have one? if you do, post some pics! please

January 31st, 2007, 09:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
fakeocaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Enniscorthy, Ireland Posts: 656	I have an 86 breezysound with Fralins.It was my main gigging guitar until a few years ago. I have a Fender 52 RI now.I got a great deal second hand.otherwise I would have kept the Tokai as my number 1 Both are excellent __________________ cheers fakeocaster

January 31st, 2007, 10:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,359	I've seen Duke Robillard playing one. It shared the stage with an L-5. He's pretty serious about his tone. __________________ Nil illigitimi carborundum http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

January 31st, 2007, 10:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
soltwanger Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: norfolk, england Posts: 633	I played one of the last ones made before they had to discontinue them last year (due to a fender lawsuit, apparently) and I wasn't overly impressed by the tones. seemed rather weak sounding. Nice colour though, grey with white binding. They were selling for £499 which is ridiculous really, considering you can get a brand new classic 50s or highway1 for less than that. If one came up cheap (lets face it, i cant see how they could have huge resale value) I would definately consider it. They just have a cool vibe to them. __________________ www.myspace.com/wreckoftheminotaur www.myspace.com/cherryblossommelodies www.myspace.com/solphilcox

January 31st, 2007, 05:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
BLACKCAT69 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada-Windsor-Ont. Age: 37 Posts: 2,633 5 Photos	Just sold this one on Ebay back in Nov. __________________ http://www.lukefisher.com/blame.wav

January 31st, 2007, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Telemarkman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Age: 61 Posts: 4,725	I had one in the '90s, but no pics - sorry. I bought it used - it was an early-'80s model (or so I was told) with a quilted maple top (brown) and single white binding and w/b/w pickguard. Very good looking guitar actually ! At that time I couldn't afford a REAL Telecaster, but to be honest I don't think there was much difference anyway. Played and sounded like a typical Fender Telecaster, rather like my MIM '60s, but I never bonded with it and eventually replaced it with an acoustic. (I'd stopped gigging at the time). Nothing wrong with it at all though, and if it had been white or blond, I might have kept it. The Tokai Breezysound might easily be the most accurate non-Fender Tele copy. At least that I have seen.

January 31st, 2007, 10:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	I WISH I had one. As the owner of several 80's Tokai strats I can only say that the 80's BreezySound teles I've played have been steller in both tone and construction. I've owned and played the newer (2000) Korean Tokai's and they too were a very nice guitar for the $$$$. One of these days...........

January 31st, 2007, 01:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Gunslinger Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cheshire • England Posts: 247	Great guitars, i just sold my 1980's breezysound with one of the original b-benders fitted to a guy in Switzerland, he loves it. GS

January 31st, 2007, 02:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
genelovesjez Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 41 Posts: 3,735	I don't have one, but for some reason I do have a picture of one:

January 31st, 2007, 05:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
Five Finger Fender Fiend Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bron-Yr-Aur Posts: 668	I've had one in the 80's. It was without doubt one of the best guitars i've ever owned. I sold it after a few years coz i was broke, but i still hanker after that guitar even after all those years. It had everything, the right weight/sound/colour. Selling that girl was a big mistake.. __________________ I'm on the road tonight with this old hillbilly band. We may not be good looking but we sure get outta hand. -Neil Young

January 31st, 2007, 08:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
tele12 Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NY Posts: 527	Gotta love Tokai's model names "Breezy sound" for the Tele "Springy sound" for the Strat.

January 31st, 2007, 09:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
soul-o TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Boston Age: 40 Posts: 88	I know that Nile Rogers was really into Tokai guitars for his signature clean sounds and he got the guys in INXS into them around the time of the Kick album. This is the sort of info my brain retains for some reason.

February 1st, 2007, 01:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
studebaker hawk Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 171	I never really liked the TELECASTER, then I played one of these though a SF TWIN at a jam in the mid 80's. Blew me away! I would've bought that guitar if I had known it was going to be sold.

February 1st, 2007, 04:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
FraKcture TDPRI Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brugge, Belgium Posts: 94 11 Photos	I own one, left hand and i love it too. Its also early eighties ( most likely '83) And its one of the finest telecasters i've ever played. Like Sarge stated, they really are stellar in construction; it even has a quarter sawn neck. I will never, ever ever sell this one...

February 1st, 2007, 11:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
telejake Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 8700 ft/Colorado Rockies Age: 61 Posts: 224	They really are great guitars. Billy Gibbons and SRV both used them back in the early '80s. A sample would be...TTE-80. That would be a Tokyo distributed Tele that sold for 80,00 Yen at that time, or AST-80 would be a Strat made to be sent to America (slightly altered headstock). The 80 would still be in Yen. They ranged from 40,000-120,000 Yen in price. The late 70s LP guitars actually said Les Paul on the headstock. Later they were Love Rock models. Check out <www.tokairegistry.com>. Enjoy! Last edited by telejake; February 27th, 2007 at 10:46 PM.

February 19th, 2007, 02:58 PM	#18 (permalink)
lambtron NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: australia Age: 21 Posts: 7	Hey guys. I recently bought one of these off of eBay... till a close friend of mine played it and offered twice what I paid for it! =( It pains me to see it go (it's leaving tomorrow) after only having had it for a couple days but the whole idea of buying the Tokai was to "down grade" from my Fenders (Jazzmaster, etc.) and save a bit of dosh for non-guitar related stuff (there's such a thing?!) Anyway, here it is :( www.zenriot.com/tokai The couple days I did have with it I must say I've never played a guitar that felt so right. I'm on the lookout for another 84' Tokai now!

February 20th, 2007, 01:28 PM	#20 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,612 7 Photos	[quote=FraKcture;705483]I own one, left hand and i love it too. Its also early eighties ( most likely '83) And its one of the finest telecasters i've ever played. Like Sarge stated, they really are stellar in construction; it even has a quarter sawn neck. I will never, ever ever sell this one... Thats actually flatsawn, but no worry, most vintage teles are also like that. If quarter sawn the long horizontal lines in your first pic will be vertical. __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

February 20th, 2007, 01:35 PM	#21 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,612 7 Photos	My 84 This was my first tele and i hoard it like gold, Before i got my other tele i didn't even let anyone play it. Its wonderful, great neck, responsive and very pretty in candy apple red and lively tone. Compares easily to most 60's teles i have played. The stock pickups have become tiring though and i plan to replace them soon. Lovely guitars __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions

February 20th, 2007, 02:27 PM	#22 (permalink)
eddiewagner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 50 Posts: 4,022 27 Photos	i had two in the 80ies. a black one and a paisley one. i did not like them too much at the time. wish i knew then what i know now. __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

February 20th, 2007, 07:55 PM	#24 (permalink)
casadyrocks Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 144	I had a Tokai pink paisley ATL-67 , which I bought new in 84 and sold in about 89. It was absolutely fantastic, solid quality, great feel. I do miss it, but my '50 reissue has more than met my needs. Fender did not make a reasonably priced quality Tele during the "80's ( in my opinion), and the Tokai just kicked ass. Things are certainly different these days.

February 20th, 2007, 08:06 PM	#25 (permalink)
stinkymommasboy Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: maurice, la Posts: 278	First time I hear of them. __________________ I play slow because I AM slow!! http://myspace.com/honkytonkzeros