Author Topic: It's not just Bugera that copies people... (Read 4773 times)

LazyNinja · « **on:** April 19, 2007, 09:43:06 AM »

http://www.thomann.de/gb/news_msg_tube_power_harley_benton_ga5.html

cheaper copy of an already cheap amp! Actually it could be better since Epi wasn't all that great and this one already has a tone control. I might be interested if they had a head version. :)

Mr Ed · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2007, 10:05:53 AM »

Put it this way, it can't be any worse than the Epiphone version so go for it.

dave_mc · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2007, 12:25:15 PM »

the Epi VJ is great fun for the cash, IMO, as long as you don't expect too much out of it (i.e. too much of a range of tones) and it's easily moddable if you're that way inclined.

I hear the Thomann one is a similar (if not identical, bar the tone control) circuit to the VJ... 'tis a shame they don't have a head version.

Plus, IMO the tolex clashes with the cream faceplate, but that doesn't matter.

Canadian Steve · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2007, 12:41:47 PM »

Looks nice! I like the way they made their model number (GA5) look a lot like GAS!!!

dave_mc · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2007, 03:20:14 PM »

^ or exactly like the gibson GA5, lol.

Simon D · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2007, 05:19:58 PM »

^ One for the copyright infringement lawyers to get their teeth into?

As we know, Gibson ain't shy when it comes to sueing other companies, whether they have a winnable case or not.

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** April 19, 2007, 05:42:43 PM »

Quote from: Simon D

^ One for the copyright infringement lawyers to get their teeth into?

As we know, Gibson ain't shy when it comes to sueing other companies, whether they have a winnable case or not.

what i don't get is why they sue PRS, but not Tokai...

Adam.M · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2007, 05:49:32 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

Quote from: Simon D
^ One for the copyright infringement lawyers to get their teeth into?

As we know, Gibson ain't shy when it comes to sueing other companies, whether they have a winnable case or not.

what i don't get is why they sue PRS, but not Tokai...

They've allready done it with Tokai a looooong time ago. (i belive)

Simon D · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2007, 05:49:44 PM »

^ I hear ya Indy, and for once, I think I have an answer!

As I understand it, Gibson can't sue Tokai because they wouldn't be able to bring the case in a US court, as Tokai is a Japanese owned and based company, and therefore not 'sueable' (not sure if that's a real word, but bear with me) under US copyright or trademark infringement law.

Also, I believe Gibson no longer see Tokai's guitars as direct competitors to their own product.

PRS on the other hand, are an American owned and based firm, and in direct price range competition, so Gibson were free to sue the cr@p out of them.

That's my understanding of why. Hopefully it's not too far wide of the mark.

the_bleeding · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2007, 06:22:01 PM »

correct me if im wrong, but isnt Tokai licensed to make gibson copies?

Simon D · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2007, 06:24:24 PM »

Quote from: the_bleeding

correct me if im wrong, but isnt Tokai licensed to make gibson copies?

I honestly don't know. Although given that Gibson owns Epiphone, I'd doubt it.

Philly Q · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2007, 06:28:03 PM »

As far as I know, the only officially licensed Gibson copies were Orville (in the 80s/90s) and now Epiphone. Even then, it's only the ones made for the domestic Japanese market that have the correct Gibson headstock shape.

LazyNinja · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2007, 01:04:04 AM »

Modded version already...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HOT-ROD-ALL-VALVE-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-AMPLIFIER-AMP-COMBO_W0QQitemZ140113232505QQihZ004QQcategoryZ10171QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Elliot · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2007, 03:41:48 PM »

That modded one looks quite cool - £196 including postage is steep for a £66 amp, but it has all the bells and whistles.

5F6-A · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:23:02 PM »

the harley benton and the epi amps are made int he same factory by the same people. The epi sounds a little bit rougher though due to a slight change in the amp layout.