Bassassin Posted June 11, 2010 Posted June 11, 2010 (edited) [b]UPDATE: Can't do it. Sale pulled.[/b] [b]Tokai B-135 Talbo bass[/b]: I bought this new, in a fit of lust from Rockers in Denmark Street in 2003. I'd never seen one in the flesh before & suspect I'll never see another. This has been barely played - it's in precisely the same condition now as it was when I bought it. There's a small scuff on the end of the headstock, which was there when I bought it: But besides that it's immaculate. There are some slight casting marks here & there on the body - apparently this is a consequence of the manufacturing process, and they all have this to some extent. I don't know if these are still available - [url="http://www.tokai-guitars.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=17&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31"]Tokai UK still lists them[/url], but I've never seen another in the flesh apart from mine. Anyway, some info. [b]T[/b]okai [b]AL[/b]uminium [b]BO[/b]dy is the Japronym derivation of the name, and apparently these are made from the same material as racing car engines. These originally appeared in the 80s, and were reissued in 2000. The body's hollow, so not incredibly heavy and the bass has an active EQ with volume, bass & treble controls. Sound-wise I'd say it's something like a Precision on steroids, but with a bright, slightly nasal growl. The EQ does allow for some fairly radical tweaking, to it's pretty versatile. The neck's more J than P - quite thin & 39mm at the nut. Sorry - no longer for sale. I really don't want to part with this & I think I was being a bit hasty listing it. I'll live on beans for the rest of the year. Jon. Edited June 11, 2010 by Bassassin
Skezza Posted June 11, 2010 Posted June 11, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='864462' date='Jun 11 2010, 04:27 PM']As crisis lurches into all-out financial disaster, I'm heartbroken to have to sell this: [b]Tokai B-135 Talbo bass[/b]: I bought this new, in a fit of lust from Rockers in Denmark Street in 2003. I'd never seen one in the flesh before & suspect I'll never see another. This has been barely played - it's in precisely the same condition now as it was when I bought it. There's a small scuff on the end of the headstock, which was there when I bought it: But besides that it's immaculate. There are some slight casting marks here & there on the body - apparently this is a consequence of the manufacturing process, and they all have this to some extent. I don't know if these are still available - [url="http://www.tokai-guitars.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=6&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=17&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31"]Tokai UK still lists them[/url], but I've never seen another in the flesh apart from mine. Anyway, some info. [b]T[/b]okai [b]AL[/b]uminium [b]BO[/b]dy is the Japronym derivation of the name, and apparently these are made from the same material as racing car engines. These originally appeared in the 80s, and were reissued in 2000. The body's hollow, so not incredibly heavy and the bass has an active EQ with volume, bass & treble controls. Sound-wise I'd say it's something like a Precision on steroids, but with a bright, slightly nasal growl. The EQ does allow for some fairly radical tweaking, to it's pretty versatile. The neck's more J than P - quite thin & 39mm at the nut. The new price for this bass is £899 (if you can find one) and this is, to all intents & purposes new. I'm looking for [u][b]£650[/b][/u] and I'm happy to pack it up (neck off, I don't have a case for it) and post anywhere on planet Earth, or possibly beyond. Can't really consider trades at the moment, unfortunately. Jon.[/quote] Where in the country are you skez
Bassassin Posted June 11, 2010 Author Posted June 11, 2010 I'm in Edinburgh - but like I say, I'll post it anywhere. J.
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 11, 2010 Posted June 11, 2010 That's about the coolest bass on the planet!!! Good luck with the the sale dude.
noelk27 Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='864462' date='Jun 11 2010, 03:27 PM'][b]UPDATE: Can't do it. Sale pulled.[/b][/quote] Good decision, Jon.
LukeFRC Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' post='864823' date='Jun 12 2010, 12:05 AM']That's about the coolest bass on the planet!!! Good luck with the the sale dude.[/quote] its about the oddest bass on the planet.
PURPOLARIS Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 I love that Bass, cool as a cool thing. Don't know if I'd pay £900 for a new one but £650 was pretty tempting. Don't blame you for not selling it, you'd regret it the minute it left you.
arsenic Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 You made the right call there Jon. "Suffer the indignity of poverty, for tomorrow you wil still have beauty"
fraff Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 That's a beautiful thing. Just noticed that Rock Factory seemingly have a ex-display one up for £699 if anyone is in the mood ... [url="http://www.rockfactory.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=Gbg-toktal"]http://www.rockfactory.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=Gbg-toktal[/url]
bassaussie Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 I don't blame you for pulling this. This is such a rarity I doubt you'd ever be able to replace, especially in the condition your's is in. Bassassin, I know you're a bit of an expert on all things Japanese, so I've got a trivia question for you. Which guitarist with a very famous Aussie band used to use the guitar model of the Talbo as his main guitar for many years?
Bassassin Posted June 12, 2010 Author Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='bassaussie' post='865029' date='Jun 12 2010, 11:22 AM']I don't blame you for pulling this. This is such a rarity I doubt you'd ever be able to replace, especially in the condition your's is in. Bassassin, I know you're a bit of an expert on all things Japanese, so I've got a trivia question for you. Which guitarist with a very famous Aussie band used to use the guitar model of the Talbo as his main guitar for many years?[/quote] That'll be the chap out of INXS, I expect.... ... .... ......at least, that's what Google tells me. J.
bassaussie Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='865045' date='Jun 12 2010, 11:41 AM']That'll be the chap out of INXS, I expect.... ... .... ......at least, that's what Google tells me. J.[/quote] Spot on. Tim Farris, to be exact. He's the only person I can think of that I've seen using one on stage.
Delberthot Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 bizarre - I was watching an INXS vid on youtube last night and thought that it looked like the guitar version of this. It is absolutely amazing looking and I'd be kicking myself if I had one and then sold it. Its one of those rare basses that you're meant to hold onto - all the other crap can go. Rare in the sense that so much passes through chez Delberthot but that's defintely a keeper and one even I'd hold onto
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 Good decision- after all it is "The new legend of the guitar history"!!
LukeFRC Posted June 12, 2010 Posted June 12, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='865045' date='Jun 12 2010, 11:41 AM']That'll be the chap out of INXS, I expect.... ... .... ......at least, that's what Google tells me. J.[/quote] are there even that many 'very famous australian bands'?
danbowskill Posted June 14, 2010 Posted June 14, 2010 now he has pulled it i can be honest and say this bass look bloomin rancid(id feel a fool on stage)!! each to there own i guess?( i mean no dissrepect boys)
The Twickerman Posted June 14, 2010 Posted June 14, 2010 [quote name='fraff' post='865013' date='Jun 12 2010, 11:10 AM']That's a beautiful thing. Just noticed that Rock Factory seemingly have a ex-display one up for £699 if anyone is in the mood ... [url="http://www.rockfactory.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=Gbg-toktal"]http://www.rockfactory.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=Gbg-toktal[/url][/quote] Oooh, tempting....
MB1 Posted June 14, 2010 Posted June 14, 2010 MB1. Gotta Admit ive never actually seen a Bass Version!... didnt know they made them!..a Guitarist in a previous band had the guitar version which was a stunning Candy Apple Red Colour. Good Idea to Keep Hold me thinks!
Bassassin Posted June 14, 2010 Author Posted June 14, 2010 [quote name='danbowskill' post='867402' date='Jun 14 2010, 08:33 PM']now he has pulled it i can be honest and say this bass look bloomin rancid(id feel a fool on stage)!! each to there own i guess?( i mean no dissrepect boys)[/quote] No problem, opinions being like arseholes & all that. So what do you play on stage that makes you feel not-foolish, then? J.
grumble Posted June 14, 2010 Posted June 14, 2010 [quote name='danbowskill' post='867402' date='Jun 14 2010, 08:33 PM']now he has pulled it i can be honest and say this bass look bloomin rancid(id feel a fool on stage)!! each to there own i guess?( i mean no dissrepect boys)[/quote] You mean it wasn't designed by Leo ? Give me this and and a GUS bass and I'm in hog-heaven. Oh and maybe a few more other non-F basses, like the Guild b-301..... I assume you ain't a Bongo fan either Each to their own.
Bassassin Posted June 14, 2010 Author Posted June 14, 2010 I love Leo's designs, me. I just like weird, [i]noticeable[/i] sh!t too. J.
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 15, 2010 Posted June 15, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='867674' date='Jun 15 2010, 12:38 AM']I love Leo's designs, me. I just like weird, [i]noticeable[/i] sh!t too. J.[/quote] Amen to that! Just out of interest, how heavy are these? Jules
BigRedX Posted June 15, 2010 Posted June 15, 2010 Just as well I'd already got one as, you'd have found yourself with a sale and the cash before you were able to change your mind! ;-) Of course what I'd really like to find is one of the original 80s Talbo basses....
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