[sw686blue]

Anyone in Canada that sells Japan made Les Pauls (Edwards, Tokai, etc)?

Thanks!

 

[Robert1950]

I assume you mean 'new'. The answer is NO. Gibson's Legal Warlords have to seen to that. You have to buy new from Japan or used if you want it from North America.

 

[Hamm Guitars]

Did this happen again recently? I have seen Tokais in Hamilton, but it was about six months ago.

I like the Tokais better than most Gibsons I've played, but I've allways been an MIJ fan.

 

[JSD's Guitar Shack]

It was probably a Korean one you saw. Its been a few years since new Japanese made Tokais have been available here, something like 2002/03 and the ones that were available were altered, nuttered horns, reversed control knobs and altered headstocks. The ones available in Japan are exact copies and Tokai Japan does not produce those styles for markets other than Japan, that is their agreement with Gibson. Now its hard to even get a dealer to send you one because if Tokai finds out they sent one over here they risk getting cut off.

The Korean ones we sold had the body style down with slight alteration of the headstock but again Tokai has agreed to end our production of those and all copy styles to please Gibson so no more new Tokais in Canada.

 

[torndownunit]

If you do a saved search on eBay for Edwards guitars in Canada, they actually pop up fairly frequently. The go for a lot, but you don't have to worry about duties/taxes this way.

If you expand the search to North American you get more results. You also see them on the Gear Page a lot from US sellers.

The only option for new ones is to import them though.

 

[Robert1950]

Edwards is causing quite a stir. Here are some current threads on TheGearPage (all threads on the first page too). The last one has almost a 100 posts.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=221927

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=219660

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=219642

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=205601


ESP/Edwards (the original and lacquered taste series - models with LP in the number)

http://www.espguitars.co.jp/edwards/index.html


I wouldn't be surprised if the Legal Warriors at Gibson try find a way stop Edwards from getting out of Japan.

 

[sw686blue]

Thanks for the help. I was asking about buying new. There's a dealer in the US who has an Edwards Les Paul in Sunburst and I was wondering about it.

Does anyone know how much duty Canadian Customs would charge for Japanese instruments? I know that there is no duty on US made instruments.

Thanks again.
Nick

 

[allthumbs56]

Good luck. My 82' Tokai LC is an absolutely fabulous guitar. I also have a 76' Yamaki Martin acoustic copy that is exceptional. The Japanese sure know a thing or two about making fine guitars.

 

[Hamm Guitars]

It was probably a Korean one you saw. Its been a few years since new Japanese made Tokais have been available here, something like 2002/03 and the ones that were available were altered, nuttered horns, reversed control knobs and altered headstocks. The ones available in Japan are exact copies and Tokai Japan does not produce those styles for markets other than Japan, that is their agreement with Gibson. Now its hard to even get a dealer to send you one because if Tokai finds out they sent one over here they risk getting cut off.

The Korean ones we sold had the body style down with slight alteration of the headstock but again Tokai has agreed to end our production of those and all copy styles to please Gibson so no more new Tokais in Canada.

Thanks for the info. I have run into some strange politics in the guitar business myself.

 

[Lindsay]

Korean Love Rock

I bought one of the last available Love Rocks, Canadian Speck'd. It is a Korean made guitar. It may very well have a few minor differences than the Japan ones in appearance, but it sounds sooooooo good! I can't find a single flaw in it, and I am quite picky!
If Jap had been available I could have easily afforded one, but I wanted to buy local.......I have a really great music store in town that I trust......and I wanted to give them the business.

 

[Robert1950]

Does anyone know how much duty Canadian Customs would charge for Japanese instruments? I know that there is no duty on US made instruments.

Thanks again.
Nick

If it is through USPS, then you will pay 6% duty, plus GST/PST or HST and $5 brokerage. If it is UPS or FedEx then the brokerage will be highway robbery, the other costs will be the same