Between 1977 and 1978, Tokai began making various Fender and Gibson replica electric guitars and basses.

The name change was in response to threats from American guitar companies to go to court to protect their copyrights.

This guitar was fitted with lipstick pickups and can be seen on the cover of his second studio album Couldn't Stand the Weather.

[8] Tokai has its own instrument making factory and have built guitars for well-known brands under contract (OEM).

Tokai Gakki was acquired by Grace Company, Ltd. in November 2021 becoming a wholly owned subsidiary.

The higher priced Tokai Gibson replicas have nitrocellulose finishes and long tenon neck joints.

Tokai uses a seven-digit serial number usually pressed into the back of the headstock for the Gibson model replicas.

There is a major exception to this in that some "Reborn Olds" (very rare) and "Love Rock" models have inked serial numbers on the reverse of the headstock (often referred to as "Inkies").

Some MIK Love Rock models have no serial number and simply have "Made In Korea" inked on the back of the headstock.