Tokai Gakki Co. Ltd, commonly referred to as Tokai Guitars, is a Japanese guitar manufacturer situated in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka. It was founded in 1947 by Tadayouki Adachi and still remains a family run business today.

Throughout their history Tokai have produced a wide range of musical instruments for both the international and Japanese domestic markets; including pianos, harmonicas, melodicas and autoharps. It was in the early 1970s that they were introduced to the international market through a partnership with C.F. Martin, where they produced Sigma branded guitars.

It wasn’t until later in the decade that the Tokai name really started to emerge onto the international music scene with their recreations of classic American guitar designs. These instruments boasted impeccable Japanese craftsmanship at a more affordable price point than their American cousins. They quickly gained an impressive reputation with their Love Rock, Breezy and Springy Sound models all of which boasted incredible craftsmanship and vintage correct specs.

After that it wasn’t long until their guitars found themselves in the hands of some big name players such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, who can be seen holding a Springy Sound in the original photo for the Texas Flood album cover and promo material.

We believe Tokai guitars are far from just another copy of a classic design and in fact their value for money has to be played to be believed! Check out our full range of Tokai guitars in store now and see what all the fuss is about!

By Dara Monagahan

SHOP TOKAI

Here is how some of our customers reacted in a recent post when we announced we were stocking Tokai.