yorick Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I've seen Tokai Thunderbirds on fleabat for £290 inc next day delivery, new. This is is a set set neck jobbie. Are they any good/build play wise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I had one a few years ago. Lovely punchy tone which (IMO) is far superior to the Epi's. They look so cool when hung low, ala Nikki Sixx & Pete Waye!! A little neck dive but it is a T-bird. My advice would be to watch out here and on e-bay for a second hand one first if you're in no hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I don't buy the 'far superior to the Epi' talk. The Tokai body is ridiculously thick, in comparison to both the Gibson and Epiphone versions, which are a lot thinner. All imo of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 When I was after a T-bird I tried Tokais, Epiphones and Gibsons. I bought an Epiphone one (Alpine white). I preferred the weight, the neck feel and that you can shim it. Mine doesn't neck dive as I relocated the front strap button. I didn't do a side by side comparison of the tokai & Epiphone as shops that had the tokai didn't have the epi & vice-versa. The tokai is still a very nice bass, but the epi suited my requirements better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='351605' date='Dec 11 2008, 11:13 AM']When I was after a T-bird I tried Tokais, Epiphones and Gibsons. I bought an Epiphone one (Alpine white). I preferred the weight, the neck feel and that you can shim it.[/quote] You love a shim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share Posted December 11, 2008 Ah, i'm blessed with the wit and wistdom of tBBC on my thread.... Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 [quote name='yorick' post='351638' date='Dec 11 2008, 11:37 AM']Ah, i'm blessed with the wit and wistdom of tBBC on my thread.... Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!![/quote] It must indeed be a great honour to have someone with the wit & wisdom of Finbarr Saunders on your thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted December 11, 2008 Author Share Posted December 11, 2008 And there was no hint of irony........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='351675' date='Dec 11 2008, 12:13 PM']It must indeed be a great honour to have someone with the wit & wisdom of Finbarr Saunders on your thread.[/quote] You overestimate me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathewsanchez Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I played one the other day and I hated it. The body was uncomfortable, the action was pretty bad, it had an awful case of neck dive and tonally it was nothing special. Hate to sound like a grumpy rump but I really couldn't get on with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redzombie Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 [quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='351605' date='Dec 11 2008, 11:13 AM']When I was after a T-bird I tried Tokais, Epiphones and Gibsons. I bought an Epiphone one (Alpine white). I preferred the weight, the neck feel and that you can shim it. Mine doesn't neck dive as I relocated the front strap button. I didn't do a side by side comparison of the tokai & Epiphone as shops that had the tokai didn't have the epi & vice-versa. The tokai is still a very nice bass, but the epi suited my requirements better.[/quote] Similar to yourself, I tried regular Gibson back when I brought my Epi T-bird. There was no way in my mind, that the Gibson was worth nearly £700 more than the Epi. If the Gibson was a 10 then the Epi was an 8.5 IMO. Maybe I just got a crap Gibson and a really good Epi, I dunno, but that's how they sounded and played to me. Anyway, this thread's about Tokais, what I'm getting at is I want to find a shop with one I can go try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 [quote name='redzombie' post='353468' date='Dec 13 2008, 11:57 AM']Anyway, this thread's about Tokais, what I'm getting at is I want to find a shop with one I can go try.[/quote] I've seen & tried Tokai T-birds in Regent Sounds & Rokas in Denmark Street, but as they tend to rotate stock around the MusicGround-owned shops they might be in one of the other shops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redzombie Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 Cool thanks for the heads up, I'll have to try and pop down there next time I'm up town during the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatori Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 I have one that I use as my main gigging bass. Cant fault the build quality and can find no flaws in the finish. I can get a nice John Entwistle sound out of it and it looks dead cool. I find myself just sitting looking at it and dribbling slightly...lots of comments from the fans and admiring looks from the ladies...works for me! Yeh a Gibson would be nice but at £1600 (Vintage and rare) you must be bleedin jokin mate!! Go on you know you wanna! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Just sticking my opinion in, I used an Alpine White Epi TB for a year in a rock band, and it was faultless. Brilliant bass, well put together, awesome sound, VERY big tone, and a very playable neck indeed. Having tried a few Gibsons over the years, I [i]honestly[/i] believe the Epi beat them all for sound and playability, and of course price. Never tried a Tokai, so I can't comment, but I'd definately recommend the Epiphone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 [quote name='Tee' post='351483' date='Dec 11 2008, 09:35 AM']I don't buy the 'far superior to the Epi' talk. The Tokai body is ridiculously thick, in comparison to both the Gibson and Epiphone versions, which are a lot thinner. All imo of course.[/quote] Erm... my opinion on comparative superiority was limited to the sound as my post states, not the finish or build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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