Fender and Gibson, the cost is it worth it...Discuss amongst the group.

[Chuck]

When I was 16 I bought my first real bass - a blond 4001. I was a big Jam fan and Bruce Foxton was my bass inspiration! I played it in bands for a few years but eventually sold it. After a bit of a break I started playing P and J basses a bit more. About 10 years ago I bought another '70s 4001 but it never felt quite right. I still love the sound and the look, but I just don't feel comfortable with them anymore - which is really sad!! I wonder if playing P basses in particular for so many years made the Ric neck just feel too small.

And to get back on thread track, I agree with you Waz that a Ric is a brand that can't be replicated.

[wazkelly]

Hi Chuck, know what you mean about the slim neck on a Ric and that is the main attraction for me as my hands are fairly small and more suited to 6 string guitar than the long stretching as is quite often required on Bass. Mind you I have been playing my 5 stringer more than any of them lately and that feels like 150% the size of the Ric whilst the J Bass feels about 110% to 115% and that is mostly due to the radius/profile depth through the neck rather than width across the fret board. The Ric has the lowest and fastest action of them all and only dislike on the 4001 was it's weight as at the end of a gig you felt buggered.

[Tweaky]

Well since I've temporarily lost my guitar building construction space [with 3 builds not finished ] , I had 'New Toy' withdrawal.

I've already got two Strat's and a Tele, and I find Les Paul's, although sounding great, just too heavy.

So I bought a S.G.
I had looked at Gibsons, but found that they have changed the specs of what used to be a S.G. Standard to something different, and this happens year to year.
I looked around the Guitar stores both personally and visited websites to check stock..... Nothing, just the lesser models with Maple necks and matt finishes, or some ridiculously overpriced new vintage rebuild to original specs that quite honestly looked out of whack.

I ended up getting so fed up trying to find a Mahogany body/Mahogany neck Gibson S.G. standard anywhere, I ended up basically saying stuff you Gibson, I'll buy a Jap made Tokai S.G. that does have the original specs and wood.
So that's what I did.
It's build is immaculate, the Finnish and fretting is as well, like wise the setup, it played like a dream as soon as it emerged from the case, the pickups are great as well, not overly powerful, but heaps of character and wonderful tonefulness.
Cavets, well the vintage style silver top tone/volume knobs feel a little light weight [nothing wrong with the pots themselves], and the jury is still out on the vintage Kluson type tuners [they work well enough ATM, but feel a bit light weight]

Would I buy another Jap Made Tokai over a Gibson.
Yes.
I'm seriously considering getting one of their premium range guitars [cost around AUS$3000 depending on model] these hold their value better than Gibsons or Fenders from what I've seen.

[wokkaboy]

nice one Tweaky, can we please see some pics of the new axe ?

[Tweaky]

Here you go.
Pretty snazzy case that came with it.



The headstock with Kluson copy tuners, one seems to be looser than the rest, I'm not sure if can be adjust yet.

[Tweaky]

Here's some links to Tokai Australia
http://www.tokaiguitarsaustralia.com.au/

And Tokai overseas [Netherlands in this case].
http://www.tokai-guitars.nl/

The range starts with the Legacy - which are made in China....currently not available in Aus.
Next is the Traditional, slightly higher spec'd, but still made in China
Then the Vintage series, again still higher quality parts, but now made in Japan [My S.G is from this range]
Then the Premium series, which has top of the range everything, also Japan made.

I've also seen one off runs [50-100] of some special editions that are up around the $6000+ mark, these have spectacular woods, and uber expensive boutique made pickups, that alone cost US$700 for a set.

[wazkelly]

Looks as good as a Gibbo. Still quite pricey and therefore I would have a crack at a PBG kit instead as these are just a bit hard for me to justify at the moment.

[Tweaky]

I paid $1400 for mine with case.
And it actually looks a lot better than the Gibsons I saw, that's why I went for it.
The biggest problem is finding them if you are not in Victoria

[andrewdosborne]

Love a good Tokai

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[stan]

Tokais are great bang for buck, those Love Rock, LP copies are really nice too