Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top and Robert Fripp have also played Tokai guitars. Tokai also made Fender replicas starting in 1977 and Stevie Ray Vaughan played a "Tokai Springy Sound" Stratocaster replica at one time. The Tokai "Les Paul Reborn" Les Paul replicas started around 1976 and around 1978 Tokai changed the name from "Les Paul Reborn" to "Love Rock Model".
In 1983 Tokai started making a metal body guitar called the Talbo which the band Devo played at one time. In 1973 Tokai started making the "Cat's Eyes" Martin Acoustic replicas. In 1972 Tokai went into a joint venture with C.F._Martin_&_Company to supply Acoustic guitar parts and also build Martin's solid body Sigma guitars. Brian May from Queen uses a Tokai Hummingbird Acoustic on some recordings. In 1965 Tokai started making classical guitars and in 1968 started making the Hummingbird electric guitar models and in 1970 started making the Hummingbird Acoustic models. Tokai have also made a lot of Gibson and Martin Acoustic model replicas. Tokai have built a lot of Gibson and Fender replica models over the years such as the "Love Rock Model" and "Les Paul Reborn" Les Paul replicas and the "Springy Sound" Stratocaster replicas and the "BreezySound" Telecaster replicas. Tokai Guitars produces acoustic guitars, electric guitars, electric basses, autoharps, and melodicas. Tokai Gakki Co., Ltd., often referred as Tokai Guitars Company Ltd., is a Japanese guitar manufacturer founded in 1947 and situated in Hamamatsu city, Shizuoka perfecture. Tokai LS129 Nitro Lemon Drop The Tokai LS129 is the classic Love Rock you know and love with a upgraded Nitro finish with a Canadian maple plain top. Tokai have their own instrument making factory and have built guitars for lots of well known brands (OEM).
Tokai's renowned quality is on full display with the LS132S series, featuring vintage style appointments such as top hat bell knobs accompanied by pointers, maple cap, hybrid 50's/60's neck profile for ultimate playing comfort and equipped with PAF-Vintage MK2 pickups, the LS132S is the result of over 40 years of refinement. Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top and Robert Fripp have also played Tokai guitars. Tokai have their own instrument making factory and have built guitars for lots of well known brands (OEM).The Tokai LS132S has all the understated beauty of a traditional gold top Love Rock, but perhaps most importantly the LS132S is a wonderful combination of classic LP models, resulting in one of the most affordable high quality guitars on the market. Bass guitarist Erdal Kizilcay (say that five times fast), who has played with Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Roger Waters and Tin Machine, also wails a Tokai strat from time to time. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden plays a Tokai SG-75. Tokai have also made a lot of Gibson and Martin Acoustic model replicas. Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame also wields a Tokai Love Rock on occasion. Tokai's renowned quality is on full display with the LS129 series, featuring vintage style appointments such as top hat bell knobs, maple cap, asymmetrical U shape neck profile for ultimate playing comfort and equipped with PAF-Vintage MK2 pickups, the LS129 is the result of over 40 years of refinement. The Tokai LS129 has all the understated beauty of a traditional maple top Love Rock, but perhaps most importantly the LS129 is a wonderful combination of classic LP models, resulting in one of the most affordable high quality guitars on the market.