Tokai is a Japanese guitar manufacturer founded in 1947 and located in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. Tokai Guitars produces acoustic guitars, electric guitars, electric basses, Harps (ChromaHarp) and melodicas. Tokai has built many Gibson and Fender replica models over the years, such as the "Love Rock Model" and "Les Paul Reborn" Les Paul replicas or the "Springy Sound" Stratocaster and "BreezySound" Telecaster replicas. Tokai has also made many Gibson and Martin Acoustic replicated models.
In 1965 Tokai began manufacturing classical guitars and in 1968 began manufacturing Hummingbird electric guitar models in 1970 began manufacturing Hummingbird Acoustic models. Queen's Brian May uses a Tokai Hummingbird Acoustic on some recordings. In 1972, Tokai formed a joint venture with the CFMartin Company to supply acoustic guitar parts and also build Martin's solid-body Sigma guitars. In 1973, Tokai began manufacturing Martin "Cat's Eyes" acoustic replicas. In 1983, Tokai began making a metal-bodied guitar called the Talbo, which the band Devo played at one point and also INXS frontman Tim Farriss.
Tokai "Les Paul Reborn" replicas started in 1976 and around 1978 Tokai changed the name from "Les Paul Reborn" to "Love Rock Model". Tokai also made Fender replicas starting in 1977 and Stevie Ray Vaughan played a "Tokai Springy Sound" replica Stratocaster and were a one-time endorser of the brand. Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Robert Fripp or John Mayer have also played Tokai guitars. Tokai has its own instrument factory and has built guitars for many well-known brands (OEMs) including Fender.
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Canadian maple set-neck, U shape
- Fingerboard: Carbonized Jatoba Wood, 20 frets
- Scale length: 864 mm (34")
- Nut width: 43 mm (1,69")
- Frets: Sanko SBB-213 (Medium Jumbo Size) made in Japan
- Bridge: TB-SPL
- Nut: Cow bone
- Machine heads: GB100L_D51
- Pickups: 2 x TB-H
- Controls: 2 x volume, 1 x Tone
- Strings: D'Addario 45-105
- Made in China under Japanese Quality Control
- Lacquer: Polyester