Tokai Firebird - any thoughts?

markblack

Anyone have one? Tried one? I'd like to try a Firebird without trying a Firebird if you know what I mean.

lustycourtier

I dont think Tokai do a proper through neck FB. Proper through neck is a joy to behold. Theres nothing like it.

markblack

@lustycourtier I'd say they've cut a few corners... at £387.

(bit down the page) http://thelittleguitarshop.com/electric-guitars/tokai-guitars.html

lustycourtier

That looks cool, but I think its bolt on neck. Still a great guitar I imagine.

longjaw

I had a MIK one a couple of years ago and was underwhelmed by it, stock pick-ups were sterile, paint job was a bit blochy and the neck was one of the most uncomfortable I've played.

So I sold it and got a Gibson Firebird Studio 70's Tribute which is 10 times better and wasn't much more expensive than the Tokai (Thomann end-of-line clearance).

Corvus

I had a MIC one for a while, needed slight fret-level but was generally fine. Pups were ok, bridge a little thin-sounding but not terribly so. Finish was better than my Gibson.

Moss

markblack said:

@lustycourtier I'd say they've cut a few corners... at £387.

(bit down the page) http://thelittleguitarshop.com/electric-guitars/tokai-guitars.html

That LPB Tele...

Kebabkid

@McToot has got one and it sounded and looked fabulous at the recent Gearfest. Those mini humbuckers are something else!!!

markblack

@longjaw I kind of thought that's how it might end up

Rox

I tried one in a shop a few years ago.  It was horrible.  It really was like trying to play a coffee table.

Sadly, I had no option but to dub it the Tokai Firewood. 

I really wanted to like it, because I love the look of Firebirds.

Dave_Mc

I tried one of the non-japanese tokai firebirds several years back (like, 10 maybe) in a shop. Was alright but a bit meh IIRC.

McToot

As @Kebabkid says, I got one.  I bought it on here from @misterg. ; Maybe he'll chip in?

It's worth saying that I am no connoisseur and don't have any really high end instruments, but I do have a couple of lower end Gibbos and a 1980 Yamaha SG1000, so some decent things to compare... Mine is a Korean Firebird VII type and I really like it.  The finish is fine (sparkling CAR), and it plays really well.

Well, I say that, but it is an acquired taste ergonomically.  It's a bit like playing an ironing board and the neck is quite wide, with 'open' shoulders, so unless you have got big mitts (I don't), it can be a struggle. But to my ears the mini buckers are bloody brilliant.  I'm not sure if they are stock, but I assume so.  They are way fatter and quieter than SCs, but somehow more cultured than normal buckers.  I like them clean, I like them for classic rock, I have no idea how they shred as I can't do that.  Sure the pots could do with upgrading and the non-Gibson tuners are an arse, but these are foibles I can live with. 

For reference I played a new Gibson Firebird V  down at GAK a while back and I hated the neck - it had a really unusual flattened D carve that was just plain weird.  I  did like the Mini buckers on that though. 

Here's a crap pic or mine and then the family shot:

With brothers and sisters

markblack

@McToot cheers for that. Seems like a try before you buy for sure. Seems the firebird could be a bit of handful.

McToot

markblack said:

@McToot cheers for that. Seems like a try before you buy for sure. Seems the firebird could be a bit of handful.

I work in London (commute into Victoria 3 days a week).  I'm happy to shlepp it in for a loaner week if you fancy it. Would just need a bit of warning. 

My fees are simple, (relatively) cheap and usually served in a 568ml glass... Anything to keep the forum wheel of GAS turning at the correct RPM.

markblack

@McToot that is a very generous offer. Let me do some more reading up.