beerdragon Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) I'm looking to buy a Thunderbird. a Gibson is out of the question. I have seen a Tokai on here, [url="http://www.expressmusicstore.co.uk/products.asp?code=79389"]http://www.expressmusicstore.co.uk/products.asp?code=79389[/url]. Or there's a couple on ebay. Whats the difference in build quality between the two? Edited July 9, 2009 by beerdragon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I've heard the Tokai's neck isn't set into the body far enough, making it a right old stretch if you are playing on the bottom frets. G. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) [quote name='geoffbyrne' post='536793' date='Jul 9 2009, 09:08 PM']I've heard the Tokai's neck isn't set into the body far enough, making it a right old stretch if you are playing on the bottom frets. G.[/quote] My Epiphone is a right pain to get to the top fret. Alright Now is a struggle. I wouldn't mind having a chance to compare to a Tokai. I like the baby blue look! There are threads about this topic [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=42186"]here[/url] and [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=29468"]here[/url] for some comparison. Seems that the Tokai is better , but not as popular/available! Edited July 9, 2009 by allighatt0r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Wait for reviews on the new Epi Pro if I were you, they should be hitting shops end of this month in the UK. Like mentioned in the aforementioned threads that have been linked to, it could fill the gap between the completely different current Epi T-bird and it's Gibson counterpart nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I loved my white Epi TB. Apart from the neck dive, which I soon got used to, there were no issues at all. I expected to have to pimp the guts, but out of the box it sounded massive, and the neck was a really lovely too. Great bass indeed. A mate of mine has a Tokai version, and yes, it's very nice indeed. Does the glues neck make a difference? I guess some would argue that the sustain is better, but other than that I don't believe there's a big difference between the two in terms of build. My Epi was genuinely as nice to play as a couple of Gibsons I tried, and I would strongly argue that the tone was right up there too. Value for money of course goes without saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 There's a v cheap 2nd hand Tokai T'bird on eBay which also comes with a hard case (albeit the latter is described as shabby) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Thunderbird-Bass-Korean_W0QQitemZ150356419914QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2301f0e54a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Thunderbird-Ba...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tee Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 The Tokai bodies are in my opinion too fat, unlike the Gibson and Epiphone models. The Epi body is more like the Gibson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I wouldn't want to make a decision until I'd tried one of the new Epiphone Thunderbird Pros. Due soon in the UK i believe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatori Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 My Tokai went into my luthier for a setup. He had a Gibson Thunderbird there also. He told me that the Tokai was better made than than the Gibson. Mine plays nice and I have no complaints. Ive never compared it to an Epiphone but during my internet travels it seems that the Epiphone Goth is good bangs for the buck. Played a Gibson in Hartnolls Plymouth and fell totally in love. Lightweight with action and sounds to die for. Cetera has an old Epiphone Goth that I was going to buy for a Fenderbird project but sadly I had to shoot through due to home strife. Why not give him a buzz. All the best on your quest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='Clarky' post='537019' date='Jul 10 2009, 09:02 AM']There's a v cheap 2nd hand Tokai T'bird on eBay which also comes with a hard case (albeit the latter is described as shabby) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Thunderbird-Bass-Korean_W0QQitemZ150356419914QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2301f0e54a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Thunderbird-Ba...%3A1%7C294%3A50[/url][/quote] Thanks Clarky, i might make him an offer. although it has twenty two days to go and i don't really want to hang about. [quote name='hatori' post='537140' date='Jul 10 2009, 12:03 PM']Cetera has an old Epiphone Goth that I was going to buy for a Fenderbird project but sadly I had to shoot through due to home strife. Why not give him a buzz. All the best on your quest.[/quote] Thanks but i guess that's black! looking for a burst or even white. goth's not my thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I wouldn't be surprised if the Tokai had a better resale value than the Epi..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoe_BillySheehan Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='537099' date='Jul 10 2009, 11:00 AM']I wouldn't want to make a decision until I'd tried one of the new Epiphone Thunderbird Pros. Due soon in the UK i believe?[/quote] +1 they seem to be an amazing bit of kit Z x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Also, if you are not in a great hurry, a few people may change up from their std Epi's to the Epi Pro leading to a glut of std Epi's on eBay at knock down prices. Last time Pete Way toured with UFO he was using Epi T birds rather than Gibson and it sounded fine, I doubt they were modded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILD FROG SHOT Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Last time I was in Reverb/Sound Control they had a load of Epiphones. I had one about 7 years ago, and got so annoyed with the neck dive that it had to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 You can get the Tokia for £279 from these guys. Have used them in the past and their service was superb. Andersons are saying that the Epi Pro`s are arriving on the 20th of July so I would hold out for a bit and try and get a shot of one of those. [url="http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Rich-Tone-Music-Ltd_Bass-Guitars_W0QQ_fsubZ4QQ_sidZ38660718QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322"]http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Rich-Tone-Mu...634Q2ec0Q2em322[/url] Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) I hit the BIN button, [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Thunderbird-Bass-Korean_W0QQitemZ150356419914QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item2301f0e54a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1683|293%3A1|294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tokai-Thunderbird-Ba...93%3A1|294%3A50[/url] Got to look around for an address to send it to now. the GAS inspector might not be amused. Edited July 10, 2009 by beerdragon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='beerdragon' post='537387' date='Jul 10 2009, 06:06 PM']Got to look around for an address to send it to now. the GAS inspector might not be amused. [/quote] You can send it to my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
completecontrol Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Ive got an Epi T bass. I hate the thing. Yes it does look cool but the neck will never stay straight, the pickups are woolly and indistinct and ive had to place some plastic under the E string to keep it at a height to prevent fret buzz on every fret. It's been set up and re setup but its never been right. It's now gathering dust in the spare room. Having said all that I did have a look at the T bird pro. They look fit. I hope the gibbo corporation have sorted the quality issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='Eight' post='537491' date='Jul 10 2009, 08:57 PM']You can send it to my house. [/quote] Congratulations, you are the first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='537099' date='Jul 10 2009, 11:00 AM']I wouldn't want to make a decision until I'd tried one of the new Epiphone Thunderbird Pros. Due soon in the UK i believe?[/quote] completely different price range though, sadly. i one want of the thunderbird pros so bad, but i just dont have the cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='completecontrol' post='537517' date='Jul 10 2009, 09:36 PM']Ive got an Epi T bass. I hate the thing. Yes it does look cool but the neck will never stay straight, the pickups are woolly and indistinct and ive had to place some plastic under the E string to keep it at a height to prevent fret buzz on every fret. It's been set up and re setup but its never been right. It's now gathering dust in the spare room. Having said all that I did have a look at the T bird pro. They look fit. I hope the gibbo corporation have sorted the quality issues.[/quote] I Hope the Tokai are are better build than the Epiphone. I will give it a go and if i dont like it i'll try and shift it on ebay. There are are a few sites showing how to move the strap nut including a thread on basschat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 i used to have an epiphone thunderbird, and although moving the strap button reduces the neck dive, it doesn't work 100%. or at least, it didn't for me. hopefully the thicker body someone said the tokai had will reduce neck dive though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) [quote name='beerdragon' post='537531' date='Jul 10 2009, 09:43 PM']I Hope the Tokai are are better build than the Epiphone. I will give it a go and if i dont like it i'll try and shift it on ebay. There are are a few sites showing how to move the strap nut including a thread on basschat.[/quote] Epiphone are normally pretty good across all the instruments I've tried. Granted, the other poster has picked up a Friday afternoon special, and being honest, my current second hand Epi T-bird is also a Friday Special as the bridge isn't centered properly, which I can't be arsed to fix as it was bought on the cheap, although I'll concede the finish on mine is brilliant and sounds fantastic. Neck dive isn't an issue as you can move the pin off the horn to behind the neck heel (imo, might be too far, might get away with just moving it a couple of inches down the horn), and my first Epi Tbird I bought blind from new (and regret selling) a few years back was perfect barring one very minor smudge in the finish by a pup cavity. Try before you buy I think, but like I mentioned, hold out for the pro. As a fyi, new Epi T-birds are around £215 now (with delivery), but the new Pro's will be just shy of £400 with delivery from the prices I've seen. Edited July 10, 2009 by Buzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted July 10, 2009 Author Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='Eight' post='537491' date='Jul 10 2009, 08:57 PM']You can send it to my house. [/quote] what turned out to be sort of a joke is not funny, the seller refused to send anywhere but my address. Saying he;s got got more protection as a seller and if anything goes wrong then he's not covered through paypal. . Fairynuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='beerdragon' post='537601' date='Jul 10 2009, 11:08 PM']what turned out to be sort of a joke is not funny, the seller refused to send anywhere but my address. Saying he;s got got more protection as a seller and if anything goes wrong then he's not covered through paypal. . Fairynuff.[/quote] Flowers for Mrs Beerdragon tomorrow? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.