Guitar review: Tokai AST-33's solid intonation suitable for young hopefuls

There are few models of the electric guitar that are so iconic they have become archetypal. One of these is the stratocaster, or strat. Imagine an electric guitar and chances are, you're picturing a strat. While there are a few other archetypal electric guitar models, there is perhaps none as revered nor as copied as the strat.

Enter the Tokai AST-33, one of the newest in a long line of Japanese strat copycats. As with most Japanese strats, this one boasts good wood and credible craftsmanship, but has abysmal pickups. It's a pity, really, as the AST-33 is fun to play. It feels good in one's hands and has good, solid intonation. Even after hours of physical playing, the guitar maintains its intonation. But once it's amplified, it sounds like Vice Ganda's so-called apology -- labas sa ilong (nasal).

Fellow guitarist and Prog Prince Mico Ong recommends "immediate pickup replacement" for this guitar. I concur, and go one step further. After replacing these pickups, run them over with a truck, put them in a burlap sack, take 'em to a distant location via a circuitous route then leave 'em in said distant location that they may not find their way back.

I've always held that any axe can be made to sound good in skilled hands. This guitar proved that belief wrong. No matter how hard I tried, no matter what amp or effects I played through, amplified, the guitar just, well... sucked.

That said, though, I hasten to reiterate that this guitar is made of fine, resonant wood -- alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard --and unamplified, sounds promising acoustically. Slap a set of Duncans, DiMarzios, or your replacement pickups of choice on this and have a go at it. It's snarky, tasty and/or quacky and feels solid under the fingers -- everything a good strat should be.

With its solid hardware -- decent tuning machines, decent tremolo bridge -- and good craftsmanship, with a new set of pickups, the AST-33 would make a commendable first instrument for a young hopeful, or a fine back-up axe for even the most seasoned of pros.

It's available at Lyric Music Store. I borrowed my review model from the fine folks at their home branch in Horseshoe Village, Q.C. Penny-pinching six-stringers and guitar tinkerers, beware! The Tokai AST-33 strat copy -- abysmal pickups notwithstanding -- could just be the find you're looking for. – YA, GMA News

Photo from Tokai website