Tokai KLS230F S/VF '59 Les Paul Clone - Nitro Violin Finish - Premium Japanese Craftsmanship - Pro Set Up w Perfect frets/Action/Intonation!

$3,259.00

Tokai KLS230F S/VF '59 Les Paul Clone - Violin Finish

Premium Japanese Craftsmanship

Serial: 1738773

Luthier Measurements: 

Nut Width: 1.71

Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .90

Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .98

Radius: 12

Scale: 24.75

Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz's

Comes in a Original Hard Case with the Paperwork Pictured

$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings,  Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!


🔥 TOKAI KLS230F S/VF LOVE ROCK LES PAUL REISSUE (2017–2018) – SUNBURST VIOLIN FINISH – JAPANESE TOP-TIER PRECISION THAT RIVALS A REAL ’58 🔥


This is not just another Les Paul copy. This is a Tokai KLS230F S/VF Love Rock — a Kurosawa Gakki special-order premium model from the peak of Tokai’s modern Japanese production. It is a highly specific, limited-batch custom run made exclusively for Kurosawa Music in Japan. Built in 2017–2018, it sits firmly in Tokai’s upper tier, where the company’s obsessive attention to vintage detail truly shines. The S/VF designation refers to its stunning Nitro Sunburst Violin Finish, that classic, warm, slightly transparent violin-style sunburst that lets the flame maple top glow with depth and character.

Japanese builders (and Tokai in particular) have long been celebrated for producing some of the most accurate and consistently excellent Les Paul-style instruments in the world. The Love Rock series has earned that reputation for decades by getting the critical specs right: correct body contours and carve, proper neck set, quality tonewoods, and electronics voiced for classic PAF character. This KLS230F is a prime example of that top-line approach.

Closely Modeled on a Real late 1950's Les Paul

It follows the classic late-1950s formula with impressive fidelity:

•  Carved flame maple top over a solid mahogany body (typically one-piece back on these higher models)

•  One-piece mahogany set neck with deep joint (long-tenon style construction) for superior vibration transfer, sustain, and resonance — a key vintage feature many modern production guitars omit

•  ~625 mm scale length (extremely close to Gibson’s traditional 24.75”)

•  Bone nut, medium-jumbo frets (Sanko Japanese), and quality Gotoh-style hardware

•  ABR-style bridge with brass saddles and aluminum stopbar tailpiece

•  High-quality Nitro finish that will age along with you (more about the finish below)

The mismatched flame top under the Sunburst Violin Finish is a standout feature. The figuring doesn’t line up perfectly across the center seam, delivering that organic, slightly irregular “real vintage burst” appearance that high-end collectors and players love. Combined with the warm, glowing Violin Sunburst, it looks and feels like a genuine late-’50s instrument rather than a perfectly book-matched modern reissue.

The Pickups: Authentic PAF-Vintage Character

Equipped with Tokai’s highly regarded original PAF-Vintage MK2 (or MK2S) humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets. These are voiced to capture the classic late-1950s Gibson PAF magic:

•  Warm, woody lows

•  Rich, singing midrange with excellent note definition

•  Sweet, clear highs that stay musical even when pushed

•  Dynamic response and touch sensitivity that reward nuanced playing

They deliver that thick, creamy overdrive, open clean chime, and singing sustain the original ’58s are famous for — without the modern high-output aggression that can sound compressed or one-dimensional. Paired with quality electronics (typically CTS pots, Switchcraft switch/jack, and Orange Drop-style capacitors on these premium Tokais), the whole circuit is dialed for classic Les Paul tone.

Condition & Playability

Excellent overall. Only some super-fine scratches on the back & a Small ding to to corner of the back of the headstock — the top, neck, and hardware remain clean and sharp under that beautiful Sunburst Violin Finish. Professionally set up and dialed in for optimal action, intonation, and playability. This one feels broken-in, responsive, and inspiring right away.

If you’ve been chasing the look, feel, and voice of a real 1958 Les Paul without the five-figure price (or the inconsistency that sometimes comes with vintage instruments), this top-of-the-line Japanese Love Rock in Sunburst Violin Finish is a serious contender. Tokai’s craftsmen didn’t just copy the shape — they nailed the spirit.

Serious inquiries only. This KLS230F S/VF is ready to deliver vintage soul with modern Japanese precision.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


  • The Top Coat: The outermost layers are 100% genuine nitrocellulose lacquer. This gives the guitar the signature smooth vintage feel, a glossy look that isn't overly plastic, and the classic "sweet" nitro smell when you open the case.
  • The Hybrid Base Coat: Consistent with many high-end Japanese luthier techniques, Tokai often applies a very thin polyurethane or polyester undercoat directly to the wood before spraying the nitro top coats. This seals the porous mahogany and prevents the wood from entirely absorbing the initial coats of nitro, saving immense manufacturing time. [1]

Because of this hybrid application, the finish will not check, crack, or yellow heavily over time the exact same way a 100% all-nitro vintage Gibson would. It will, however, wear down beautifully where your arm and hands make frequent contact, ensuring it avoids the "plastic shell" feel of a cheap poly-only guitar.



🔥 This guitar (or bass) has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 🔥


About The Guitar Dude 

Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).  

Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content. 


Consignment Services

Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fair priced consignment service on the planet! Look for me online. @TheGuitarDude


Our Guarantee  

We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.  


Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)

- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues. 

- Intonation is spot-on.  

- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.  

- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.  


Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy 

We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:  

- You must 

notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.  

- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.  

- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described.  Please note there is a 10% restocking fee on guitar orders that have been purchased and paid for - that have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier. We perform a final set up and change strings put when an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS


We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, if something very small can be overseen, if tiny marks, dings or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.


We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.  


Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.  


We are a small family owned and run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling, returns without restocking fees or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.  


Payment, Shipping & International Duties  

- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.  

- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.  

- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.  


International Shipping Note 

International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier in certain situations. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can’t under value merchandise as it can not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different avenues, contact us by phone for a personalized quote.  


Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.




Tokai KLS230F S/VF '59 Les Paul Clone - Violin Finish

Premium Japanese Craftsmanship

Serial: 1738773

Luthier Measurements: 

Nut Width: 1.71

Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .90

Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .98

Radius: 12

Scale: 24.75

Weight: 9 lbs 5 oz's

Comes in a Original Hard Case with the Paperwork Pictured

$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready/worthy. Including New Strings,  Perfect Intonation, Truss Rod Adjustment and Low Action Read Our Feedback and Rest Assured, The Dude Abides!


🔥 TOKAI KLS230F S/VF LOVE ROCK LES PAUL REISSUE (2017–2018) – SUNBURST VIOLIN FINISH – JAPANESE TOP-TIER PRECISION THAT RIVALS A REAL ’58 🔥


This is not just another Les Paul copy. This is a Tokai KLS230F S/VF Love Rock — a Kurosawa Gakki special-order premium model from the peak of Tokai’s modern Japanese production. It is a highly specific, limited-batch custom run made exclusively for Kurosawa Music in Japan. Built in 2017–2018, it sits firmly in Tokai’s upper tier, where the company’s obsessive attention to vintage detail truly shines. The S/VF designation refers to its stunning Nitro Sunburst Violin Finish, that classic, warm, slightly transparent violin-style sunburst that lets the flame maple top glow with depth and character.

Japanese builders (and Tokai in particular) have long been celebrated for producing some of the most accurate and consistently excellent Les Paul-style instruments in the world. The Love Rock series has earned that reputation for decades by getting the critical specs right: correct body contours and carve, proper neck set, quality tonewoods, and electronics voiced for classic PAF character. This KLS230F is a prime example of that top-line approach.

Closely Modeled on a Real late 1950's Les Paul

It follows the classic late-1950s formula with impressive fidelity:

•  Carved flame maple top over a solid mahogany body (typically one-piece back on these higher models)

•  One-piece mahogany set neck with deep joint (long-tenon style construction) for superior vibration transfer, sustain, and resonance — a key vintage feature many modern production guitars omit

•  ~625 mm scale length (extremely close to Gibson’s traditional 24.75”)

•  Bone nut, medium-jumbo frets (Sanko Japanese), and quality Gotoh-style hardware

•  ABR-style bridge with brass saddles and aluminum stopbar tailpiece

•  High-quality Nitro finish that will age along with you (more about the finish below)

The mismatched flame top under the Sunburst Violin Finish is a standout feature. The figuring doesn’t line up perfectly across the center seam, delivering that organic, slightly irregular “real vintage burst” appearance that high-end collectors and players love. Combined with the warm, glowing Violin Sunburst, it looks and feels like a genuine late-’50s instrument rather than a perfectly book-matched modern reissue.

The Pickups: Authentic PAF-Vintage Character

Equipped with Tokai’s highly regarded original PAF-Vintage MK2 (or MK2S) humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets. These are voiced to capture the classic late-1950s Gibson PAF magic:

•  Warm, woody lows

•  Rich, singing midrange with excellent note definition

•  Sweet, clear highs that stay musical even when pushed

•  Dynamic response and touch sensitivity that reward nuanced playing

They deliver that thick, creamy overdrive, open clean chime, and singing sustain the original ’58s are famous for — without the modern high-output aggression that can sound compressed or one-dimensional. Paired with quality electronics (typically CTS pots, Switchcraft switch/jack, and Orange Drop-style capacitors on these premium Tokais), the whole circuit is dialed for classic Les Paul tone.

Condition & Playability

Excellent overall. Only some super-fine scratches on the back & a Small ding to to corner of the back of the headstock — the top, neck, and hardware remain clean and sharp under that beautiful Sunburst Violin Finish. Professionally set up and dialed in for optimal action, intonation, and playability. This one feels broken-in, responsive, and inspiring right away.

If you’ve been chasing the look, feel, and voice of a real 1958 Les Paul without the five-figure price (or the inconsistency that sometimes comes with vintage instruments), this top-of-the-line Japanese Love Rock in Sunburst Violin Finish is a serious contender. Tokai’s craftsmen didn’t just copy the shape — they nailed the spirit.

Serious inquiries only. This KLS230F S/VF is ready to deliver vintage soul with modern Japanese precision.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


  • The Top Coat: The outermost layers are 100% genuine nitrocellulose lacquer. This gives the guitar the signature smooth vintage feel, a glossy look that isn't overly plastic, and the classic "sweet" nitro smell when you open the case.
  • The Hybrid Base Coat: Consistent with many high-end Japanese luthier techniques, Tokai often applies a very thin polyurethane or polyester undercoat directly to the wood before spraying the nitro top coats. This seals the porous mahogany and prevents the wood from entirely absorbing the initial coats of nitro, saving immense manufacturing time. [1]

Because of this hybrid application, the finish will not check, crack, or yellow heavily over time the exact same way a 100% all-nitro vintage Gibson would. It will, however, wear down beautifully where your arm and hands make frequent contact, ensuring it avoids the "plastic shell" feel of a cheap poly-only guitar.



🔥 This guitar (or bass) has been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. Unless otherwise noted in the listing, It features low action with no buzzing or dead spots, perfect intonation, a brand-new set of American-made Ernie Ball strings, and a straight neck with a fully functional truss rod. We make sure all frets are leveled, dressed, crowned, and polished to a mirror shine. The fingerboard has been thoroughly cleaned (unfinished rosewood and ebony boards are treated with Fret Doctor, a premium all-natural oil). All electronics function flawlessly. The guitar has been deep-cleaned and detailed and arrives stage- or studio-ready. 🔥


About The Guitar Dude 

Three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer worldwide. Specializing in premium Gibson, classic Fender guitars from all eras and the best Japanese made treasures. Known for the highest-quality consignment sales and custom layaway plans (available on select guitars and extendable beyond 45 days to fit your budget—contact us for details).  

Often copied, never duplicated. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for beautiful guitar content. 


Consignment Services

Like what you see? Let us go to work for you. We offer the best and most fair priced consignment service on the planet! Look for me online. @TheGuitarDude


Our Guarantee  

We stand behind every guitar we sell. “Good enough” is never good enough. Every instrument is inspected, set up, and tested by multiple people immediately before shipping. We deliver the highest standard of quality and have built a reputation as a three-time NAMM Top 100 Dealer since 2009. The Dude Abides.  


Neck & Setup - (unless otherwise noted)

- Neck is perfectly straight with no truss-rod issues. 

- Intonation is spot-on.  

- Professionally set up with low action and new American-made strings.  

- All frets are dressed, leveled, crowned (if needed), and all frets on all guitars are polished to shine like new with no divots.  


Return Policy, Restocking Fees & No Tire-Kicking Policy 

We follow Reverb’s 7-day return policy. However:  

- You must 

notify us in writing within 3 days of delivery (per tracking) of your intent to return.  

- Original shipping and return shipping costs are not refunded unless the guitar is damaged in transit or is significantly not as described.  

- A 15% restocking fee applies to all returns for any reason other than damage in transit or significantly not as described.  Please note there is a 10% restocking fee on guitar orders that have been purchased and paid for - that have been off the market for 24 hours or more, even if they have not been shipped or picked up by the carrier. We perform a final set up and change strings put when an order is placed and paid for. NO EXCEPTIONS


We do our best to honestly describe and photograph every guitar and most of the noticeable imperfections. That said, we are human, if something very small can be overseen, if tiny marks, dings or super fine scratches (normal wear) bother you, please don't buy.


We record demo videos of every guitar before shipping to document exact condition and performance. Additional photos, measurements, or in-hand descriptions are available upon request prior to purchase.  


Minor adjustments and tweaks to a set up (for example to correct a slight buzz or truss-rod tweak) are normal after shipping due to carrier mishandling the package, climate & atmospheric changes, especially when moving from South Florida to colder or less humid environments. These slight issues do not constitute “significantly not as described.” Guitars must be returned in the exact same condition as received/advertised or additional repair/restocking fees will apply.  


We are a small family owned and run business, not a big-chain retailer. We invest significant time, money and effort into every guitar. This is a NO TIRE-KICKING shop. There is no post purchase haggling, returns without restocking fees or partial refunds. If minor cosmetic marks, tiny imperfections, or the possibility of a post-shipping setup tweak makes you uncomfortable, please do not buy. Plenty of large retailers offer free trials and can absorb shipping costs—we do not.  


Payment, Shipping & International Duties  

- All items can be shipped internationally. Buyer is fully responsible for all import duties, taxes, and customs fees.  

- We accept PayPal, PayPal Credit, Affirm, and other major payment methods.  

- Most U.S. shipments are sent via UPS or FedEx with full insurance, tracking, and signature confirmation. All packages are professionally packed for maximum protection.  


International Shipping Note 

International shipping prices shown are for most countries. Certain countries have higher costs. We try and avoid USPS and mostly ship UPS, but USPS is the only available or reasonable carrier in certain situations. Express services (UPS, DHL, FedEx) are always available. We can’t under value merchandise as it can not be properly insured. If you would like to discuss different avenues, contact us by phone for a personalized quote.  


Thank you for considering The Guitar Dude. We look forward to earning your business and delivering a guitar that exceeds your expectations. Contact us anytime for questions, consignment inquiries, layaway details, or a personalized shipping quote.