Tokai J Bass

[EllCurrell95]

Just wondering what people’s thoughts on MIC Tokai J basses? Eyeing one up and wondering whether id get a good bang for my buck at £350 or should just go with a squier or second hand mim fender? 

[Bassassin]

Won't be anything wrong with it but there will be a big element of paying for the name in that £350 price tag. I recently spent £130 on a J&D Thinline Telecaster - I subsequently found you can buy the exact same guitar branded Tokai, for about £200 more, literally the only differences being headstock shape, tuners & the brand name.

 

If I wanted to spend £350 on a Jazz I think I'd be looking at Sire V3s & V5s. I have a V7 fretless and it's superb.

 

 

 

 

[yorks5stringer]

Agree, don't think the current Tokais are a patch on the MIJ ones that were better than the Fender equivalent  from years ago. I think a classic case of badge engineering. Here's a reprise of the debate:

 

[Reggaebass]

I’ve had one for about 4 years, I’m not sure where mine was made, but it’s a seriously good jazz , very well made and finished and  great pickups , I don’t do squier so I can’t comment on them, I’ve had around 50 jazzes and I would put them equal to a good MIM fender jazz, that one looks nice with the matching headstock 

[OliverBlackman]

I’ve got a Squier VMJ which really isn’t that great, and had an 80’s MIJ Tokai which again wasn’t great (couldn’t cut through any mix). However, I have also had a Sire V7 and would 100% have one again.