One of my local music strores has gone into liquidation, and are being 
taken over by another local store.  Most of the stock is being taken 
over, but they've still been having a sale for the past couple of 
weekends.

I popped in there literally half hour ago to see if they had anything 
worth nosing at.  They were primarily a 'traditional' music shop, 
specialsing in keyboards/organs and a few orchestral instruments, mainy 
aimed at school children methinks.  But they always had some guitars 
and a couple of basses, normally of the stagg variety.

Anyway, I saw a couple of US Fender basses, going for £399 each. Nice, 
but I just can't get on with them.  Then it caught my eye.  A black 
Tokai Thunderbird for £199.  Still got all the plastic film on the 
pickguard and tuning key.  Checked neck, action, frets, plugged in and 
checked electronics, walked up to counter and handed my card over.

I don't normaly buy an instrument on a whim like that, and yes, it's 
not one of the most manageable shaped basses, but I've always liked 
them, and now I have one.  Just need to get a case for it now... not an 
easy task!

Greg - off to do a bit of bass fettling

In article <2008020915560616807-gregDOTedwardswebNOSPAM@virginnet>,
 Greg Edwards  wrote:

> One of my local music strores has gone into liquidation, and are being 
> taken over by another local store.  Most of the stock is being taken 
> over, but they've still been having a sale for the past couple of 
> weekends.
> 
> I popped in there literally half hour ago to see if they had anything 
> worth nosing at.  They were primarily a 'traditional' music shop, 
> specialsing in keyboards/organs and a few orchestral instruments, mainy 
> aimed at school children methinks.  But they always had some guitars 
> and a couple of basses, normally of the stagg variety.
> 
> Anyway, I saw a couple of US Fender basses, going for £399 each. Nice, 
> but I just can't get on with them.  Then it caught my eye.  A black 
> Tokai Thunderbird for £199.  Still got all the plastic film on the 
> pickguard and tuning key.  Checked neck, action, frets, plugged in and 
> checked electronics, walked up to counter and handed my card over.
> 
> I don't normaly buy an instrument on a whim like that, and yes, it's 
> not one of the most manageable shaped basses, but I've always liked 
> them, and now I have one.  Just need to get a case for it now... not an 
> easy task!
> 
> Greg - off to do a bit of bass fettling

Nice one, Greg!

Nige.

-- 
Nev
snowman1@molars.yetitracks.org.uk
Remove the teeth from my email address to reply

Greg Edwards wrote:

> 
> Anyway, I saw a couple of US Fender basses, going for £399 each. Nice, 
> but I just can't get on with them.  Then it caught my eye.  A black 
> Tokai Thunderbird for £199.  Still got all the plastic film on the 
> pickguard and tuning key.  Checked neck, action, frets, plugged in and 
> checked electronics, walked up to counter and handed my card over.
> 
> I don't normaly buy an instrument on a whim like that, and yes, it's not 
> one of the most manageable shaped basses, but I've always liked them, 
> and now I have one.  Just need to get a case for it now... not an easy 
> task!
> 
> Greg - off to do a bit of bass fettling


Oddly enough, I can see you with a Thunderbird, I reckon it'll suit your 
on-stage look. Nice one.
Mike E.


>

On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:54:12 GMT, Greg Edwards
 wrote:

>One of my local music strores has gone into liquidation, and are being 
>taken over by another local store.  Most of the stock is being taken 
>over, but they've still been having a sale for the past couple of 
>weekends.
>
>I popped in there literally half hour ago to see if they had anything 
>worth nosing at.  They were primarily a 'traditional' music shop, 
>specialsing in keyboards/organs and a few orchestral instruments, mainy 
>aimed at school children methinks.  But they always had some guitars 
>and a couple of basses, normally of the stagg variety.
>
>Anyway, I saw a couple of US Fender basses, going for £399 each. Nice, 
>but I just can't get on with them.  Then it caught my eye.  A black 
>Tokai Thunderbird for £199.  Still got all the plastic film on the 
>pickguard and tuning key.  Checked neck, action, frets, plugged in and 
>checked electronics, walked up to counter and handed my card over.
>
>I don't normaly buy an instrument on a whim like that, and yes, it's 
>not one of the most manageable shaped basses, but I've always liked 
>them, and now I have one.  Just need to get a case for it now... not an 
>easy task!
>
You lucky fellow - we paid over £300 for Holly's. As regards cases,
Ritter used to list a gigbag that fits, but they don't seem to any more.
However GAK have a Roksak to fit, or the Epiphone hard case. Thomann
also list them and are a little cheaper.
-- 
Chris Bolus (change o to zero to reply by email)
A guitar is for life, not just for Christmas!

On 2008-02-10 14:30:02 +0000, Chris Bolus  said:

>> 
>> 
> You lucky fellow - we paid over £300 for Holly's. As regards cases,
> Ritter used to list a gigbag that fits, but they don't seem to any more.
> However GAK have a Roksak to fit, or the Epiphone hard case. Thomann
> also list them and are a little cheaper.

Cheers Chris,  I asked in a couple of other local shops (PMT being one 
of them) and neither had any cases in stock.  I saw the rockbag one on 
Thomann for a little of £42 so I may get then one.  It's a huge beast 
and I don't drive so a hard case is out of the question.

Mike - Image wise yes it's great.  And for most 'rock' stuff it's great 
for laying down meaty basslines.  But I couldn't do a whole gig with 
it, it's only got 20 frets and I can reach past the 17th comfortably.  
So Billy Sheehan stuff it ain't made for.

But it looks fab.  Gonna have to love that top strap button tho!

Greg