Skybone

Obviously... Life on Mars - David Bowie

Jambi - Tool

Another pedal retailer: Joe's Pedals

Wild Women Do - Natalie Cole

As would I. Thing is, there is no definitive source for Tokai catalogues, there are many holes in the knowledge base. There were loads of Ibanez fan sites circa 2000, loads of parts of catalogues, loads of holes in the knowledge of the historic models. Since then, Ibanez have published historic catalogues on their website.

And I've been stating that for years. The only association that Rockinbetter has to Tokai is that the company that brought them into Europe was called "Tokai UK" (who were based in Dinnington, South Yorkshire). It didn't help that the advertising used was branded with "Tokai UK", fuelling the misconception of Rockinbetter basses being made by Tokai. They weren't. What I have said, is that during the mid-late 70's, at the height of the what is now known as the "Lawsuit Era", I have seen catalogues from Tokai, issued for the Japanese market, that also included copies of Rickenbacker guitars and basses.

Yes, but that's the 2000 edition of the catalogue. I didn't say anything about there being any Tokai built Ric copies in the 2000 catalogue, as I know for a fact that there weren't any because of the 70's "Lawsuit Era" instruments. What I did say was: I also know for a fact, that around 2000-ish, the "MkI" Rockinbetter basses started coming in (solo rail bridge, J style BBOT bridge pickup cover, no mounting plate, plain binding). The "MkII" Rockinbetter started arriving circa 2003, this time with the flat bridge pickup mounting plate, the now classic "Chickenbacker" style bridge, plain binding. It was circa 2004 that the checker bound versions started arriving in the UK. They were discontinued after legal pressure in 2010, although there were still some new ones kicking around until 2011. I bought my first MkII in 2010 after selling a 4003.

Don't forget D*A*M (Differential Audio Manifestationz), COG and Hudson. Differential Audio Manifestationz (stompboxes.co.uk) HUDSON ELECTRONICS UK Cog Effects - Home Almost forgot Castledine: Castledine Electronics - Hand Built Guitar Effects (wah-wah.co.uk) Thorpy FX: ThorpyFX - Guitar Effects Pedals for the discerning guitarist. – ThorpyFX Ltd

I have seen the catalogue pictures on the t'interweb, just can't recall where I saw them. Backstory: about 20-odd years ago, I became a bit deluded and had started playing guitar almost axclusively (sic). During that time, as you do, I bought & sold a lot of gear, including a few Gibson LP's. Also during that time, Tokai UK had started importing Tokai Gakki instruments into the UK. The Tokai Love Rock's were gaining very favourable reviews in the UK guitar press, so I bought one. Then another... then another... Again, during this time, I was doing a fair bit of research into Tokai guitars, and the Tokai Registry / Tokai Forum started up. During my "research", I saw a few copies of Tokai Catalogues from the late 70's, showing, not only Love Rock's, ES, Strat & Tele, P & J copies, but also copies of Rickenbacker guitars AND basses. There was a hell of a lot of misinformation regarding the "Lawsuit" era MIJ guitars & basses, so all these resources were proving invaluable to the discerning MIJ players & collectors. The market of "vintage" MIJ instruments was "hotting up", and traders from Japan started selling direct to the oversea's customers (mainly US, but some Europeans). On these sites, I saw mainly Ibanez, Kasuga, and Aria 4001 copies, but I also recall seeing a few (just a few) Tokai 4001 copies. These were generally snapped up pretty quickly by the MIIJ collectors. Other things happened, and I ended up acquiring a small collection of late 70's Ibanez guitars, but that's another story...

Bad Reputation - Thin Lizzy

Did Tokai UK commission them? They just bought a load of basses and guitars that were already in production, between 2000 & 2012. They were being sold under the guise of the "Rebelrocker" in Australia and as the Bass Collection Californian here in the UK. The location of their manufacture is still a bit of a mystery, though more than likely China. Tokai UK then proceeded to advertise them in the UK & European Guitar magazines, alongside the Tokai guitars & basses. Which brings us to the "Tokai Rockinbetter" "myth". It's just iffy advertising. Tokai Gakki did actually make Rickenbacker copy guitars and basses that were advertised in their catalogues in Japan in the late 70's & early 80's, but obviously, these were made in more smaller batches than the money making Gibson & Fender copies.

Rockin' the Black Metal vibes

Seven by Seven - Hawkwind

Seven Tears - Goombay Dance Band

Sound Of The Underground - Girls Aloud

Special Brew - Bad Manners

Strange Brew - Cream

I've owned copies of them all... except for the Fender Jazz (MIM if that counts). Only ever really wanted own a Ric out of that lot though. And a Thunderbird.

Mama Weer All Crazee Now - Slade / Quiet Riot

Yup, cocktail sticks or matchsticks. Use PVA or some other wood glue. Again, like @mcnach says, I've sometimes just used the sticks on their own, but the glue adds a little "piece of mind" (even though it can get a little messy).

Always remember the Aria Pro ads from the mid-late-80's with @neilmurraybass. Also remember being dragged along to "We Will Rock You" (herself loves a musical, and it was the only one I'd agree to go to!), and being thoroughly overjoyed at realising that it was Neil Murray himself on bass.

Wind of Change - The Scorpions

Wouldn't you be better tuning it to D - G - C - F - A# - D, same as a guitar tuning?

Coptic Times - Bad Brains