Tokai Thunderbird

[thedonutman]

I really want a thunderbird bass, and i heard that tokai make really good copies which are better than the epiphone copy.

the epiphone is 230pounds whereas the tokai is just 300pounds

 

I was wondering if anyone had this bass or could give me some info about it.

 

 

thanks,

 

 

Joe

[bholder]

Wow, pretty heavy. Check out the Rondo bird if they have it in stock (doesn't seem to be at the moment).

[Thumper]

I know the '80s Tokais are great basses. Don't know about the current models.

 

I'd look at construction as the deciding factor. Many Epi T-birds sold in the US have bolt-on necks. I'd prefer set-neck, or ideally neck-through.

 

I suspect overall quality will be similar. Bottom line---play 'em both a get the one you like best.

[thedonutman]

the tokai has a glued in neck. i believe that this is also known as a set neck right?

 

whats the rondo bird?

[bassplayinguy]

 

Originally posted by thedonutman the tokai has a glued in neck. i believe that this is also known as a set neck right? whats the rondo bird?

 

 

ya the glued in ones are called set necks, i dont really know how the new tokais compare to the older ones, but liek others have said... play both and buythe one you like more

[thedonutman]

yeah good idea. im in luck ive only managed to find one shop that actually stocked the tokai. and its a lucky coincidence that they also stock the epiphone

[PrestiaRules]

I went through this exact thought process a year ago. The Tokai is set neck but it is made of Alder....

 

The Epi standard is bolt on and either Agathis or Alder

 

The Epi Goth is Mahogany but bolt on...however it features TB Plus pickups...

 

A 'real' T-Bird (ie Modern version...post '76) is Mahogany and Neck Through and features TB plus pickups

 

From what I gathered from researching and playing the closet copies that actually nail what a T-Bird is are the Orville + Orville by Gibson models (now discontinued) that you can find on ebay..or the Epiphone Elite version which is Made in Japan and is GREAT!!! I would have bought that model but I found a N.O.S. Gibson T-Bird on ebay for

[bholder]

 

Originally posted by thedonutman whats the rondo bird?

 

 

Rondo music (rondomusic.net) sometimes has SX Thunderbird models that are a good bargain for the price (I think mine was $130 or so). I'll have to double check, but I'm thinking it's neck-through. They're not available at the moment, but you might find one somewhere. I can't say I know how they compare to a Tokai or Epiphone, but I like mine.

[Thumper]

Originally posted by PrestiaRules I went through this exact thought process a year ago. The Tokai is set neck but it is made of Alder.... The Epi standard is bolt on and either Agathis or Alder The Epi Goth is Mahogany but bolt on...however it features TB Plus pickups... A 'real' T-Bird (ie Modern version...post '76) is Mahogany and Neck Through and features TB plus pickups From what I gathered from researching and playing the closet copies that actually nail what a T-Bird is are the Orville + Orville by Gibson models (now discontinued) that you can find on ebay..or the Epiphone Elite version which is Made in Japan and is GREAT!!! I would have bought that model but I found a N.O.S. Gibson T-Bird on ebay for

 

You, Sir, are a veritable trove of information

 

Donutman: I'd go with the Orville T-bird if you can get one off eBay. The Epi Elitist sounds (and looks) fantastic. Good luck in your comparison shopping, and post pics of your choice when you can.

[thedonutman]

I wish i lived in america, you just cant get enough shops around here in england. So i cant get a SX or an orville. but we have a other cheap thunderbird copies here aswell. But i dont really want those. Il probably just do the comparisons