"Japanese Production of Les Paul-style Guitars in the '80s Impressively Stepped Up to Challenge Fender and Gibson Originals: The Emergence of High-Quality Fender and Gibson Replicas in the Land of the Rising Sun"
Article Title: The Resurgence of Classic Guitar Models in 1980s Japan: A Look at Tokai and Greco Les Paul Clones
In the late 1970s, Japanese guitar manufacturers like Tokai and Greco began producing high-quality and accurate copies of classic US electric guitars, including Les Pauls. This trend was a response to the significantly lower cost of producing guitars in Japan compared to the US.
One of the most notable productions from Tokai during this era was the LS Series, originally known as the Reborn series, which they produced from around 1978 to 1985. The series included models such as the LS-60, LS-80, and LS-120, with each model being an improvement in quality and features over the previous one. The LS-50, an entry-level model, is particularly celebrated as an amazing guitar by Keith Anderson of Gas Station Guitars.
Greco, on the other hand, used veneer tops on their higher-end models to achieve better-looking maple flames. One of their standout models was the EGF-1200, which came equipped with Dry Z pickups from Maxon, considered fantastic by Anderson.
Fender, noticing the high-quality copies of their guitars being produced by Tokai, eventually started producing official Fender Japan guitars with Fujigen, rather than Tokai. However, the production of Fender Japan guitars was eventually moved to Mexico. The earlier offset models made by Fender Japan had ash bodies, while later models were made of alder.
Fender Japan did not set out to make exact replicas of classic American models, but gave their models names that hinted at the era they were evoking. Despite a mixed reputation in the 1980s and 1990s, Fender Japan guitars, particularly from the CIJ Q-serial period between 2002 and 2004, are now becoming more sought after due to improved quality control.
The range of finishes for Fender Japan guitars was better than the US models, offering a wider variety of tone woods for their guitars. Fender Japan also produced a few unique models in the 1980s, such as the Esquire Custom and an unofficial version of Keith Richards' Micawber.
However, it's the Tokai Les Paul models from the 1980s, especially the "Love Rock" series with 57 PAF humbuckers, and Greco Les Paul copies from the same era that are highly regarded and particularly collectible today. These Tokai guitars, made in Japan during that period, stand out as excellent replicas of classic Gibson models and are sought after by collectors.
Interestingly, during the 1980s, early Fender Japan production mainly focused on Strats and Telecasters, with offsets like Jaguars, Jazzmasters, and Mustangs not being produced in large quantities until the early 1990s. Fender Japan's production of guitars was eventually taken over by Fujigen, and then briefly by Tokai, before ending in 1997.
Despite the passage of time, the high-quality craftsmanship and vintage appeal of these Japanese-made Les Paul clones continue to captivate guitar enthusiasts, making them a valuable addition to any collection.
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