Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

paul_yan wrote:And here's Tokai's official TB48 page, Marc:

http://www.tokai-guitars.co.uk/index.ph ... &Itemid=31

Still not sure Paul. Can you send me your bass for personal inspection ?

Actually I read a bunch of reviews. None of them bad. Most said with slight adjustments they felt the basses very roadworthy, gigworthy etc.

One of the top basses on my regret to have sold list was my Epi Elitist T-Bird. An awesome beast, and you hardly ever see them for sale.

I'm confused and know next to nothing about Thunderbirds. Aren't these Gibson instruments? Is Tokai making copies of them? Did they acquire the trade dress rights somehow? Thanks, J

T-Birds be Gibson's yo! and they make Epi models fo sho!

Tokai be excellent copies

I really hate to be difficult on this one, mainly because Paul is a great long time member here... but I'm surprised no one has addressed the infringement issue; it's such a major sticking point when it comes to Ricks here, so shouldn't the same standard apply to another manufacturer, love'm or hate'm?

I'm trying an Epi Thunderbird out tomorrow. It will be interesting.

jdogric12 wrote:I really hate to be difficult on this one, mainly because Paul is a great long time member here... but I'm surprised no one has addressed the infringement issue; it's such a major sticking point when it comes to Ricks here, so shouldn't the same standard apply to another manufacturer, love'm or hate'm?

Perhaps it is because RIC is vigilant in policing infringement, whereas, Gibson, Fender, et al, turns a deaf eye, or is that a blind ear, to it, for the most part?

White 'birds are the best! Congrats Paul!

Thank you, Scott. Yes indeed, white birds are the best!

Jason, I don't know, man. I didn't really think about the copyright infringement issue when I bought her used from another player since Japanese companies like Tokai and Greco have been churning out excellent copies without Fender and Gibson suing and stopping them. After all, I'm just glad to have her in my collection.

That looks like a nice player Paul. I've been saving my pennies for awhile in hopes of finding a red T Bird like the Simon Gallup special edition. Wish I had a picture of one. Congrats!

Here's an interesting and original looking Tokai...anyone ever see one of these? (in person)

http://www.guitarjapan.com/talbo/spec/A-135SH.htm

Thanks, Brian. She's indeed a nice player. Love her growl which is quite a different kind of growl from that of a Rickenbacker bass. Good luck scoring your dream red T-Bird soon.

Marc, this might be the closest thing to a first hand in-person review of a Talbo bass: http://bass-soup.com/?p=31

That is a beautiful bass - congrats, Paul!

(I love white basses, too!)

Thank you, Gary! Yes, white is lovely for everything!