Ritsugamesh Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Purchased from Danny at Bass Japan Direct and waylaid in Germany due to labour strikes, this arrived safe and sound on my doorstep this morning. It's all original and the date is a close approximation, as with these sorts of instruments. It's somewhere between 83-85 based on the serial number. Small amount of setup required given it's week and change trotting the globe, and the low E intonation took some dialing in, but playing beautifully now at 1.75mm (as is my preference) and the pickups sound superb. It's perhaps a little difficult to spot in the photos, but there's a lovely sun tan effect that's happened on the headstock and neck, sending the white into a more cream colour. Definitely got the played-in feel that you'd expect something pushing 40 to have. I'm mostly just sad at how played-in I feel at only 30 😂 19 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintoid Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Nice bass. What happened about customs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 I was going to ask the same, we’re you stung for taxes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 Lovely bass! Well made and great looking. 1.75mm E if measured at the 17th would be too low for me, by all of 0.5mm lol. You must have good playing dynamics. But also means the bass has no setup issues, as you would expect from a well cared for quality, early to mid 80s Tokai. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 1 hour ago, Ritsugamesh said: It's somewhere between 83-85 based on the serial number. Nice. Went Fender shopping in Denmark St summer of 85. After playing 8 meh Fenders, I tried a Hard Puncher 🙂 Cracking bass, the the others to shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeEvans Posted April 25, 2023 Share Posted April 25, 2023 I have a very similar bass but lined fretless with Bartolini pickups and I love it. I've had it since 1991 and I doubt I'll ever sell it, unless I lose an arm or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritsugamesh Posted April 25, 2023 Author Share Posted April 25, 2023 6 hours ago, wintoid said: Nice bass. What happened about customs? There were customs charges unfortunately yes, came to 20% so if you did order you essentially need consider that in as a part of the package price. Still came out to cheaper than an MIM Fender these days, so I wasn't too fussed and Danny gave me quality estimate charges and made me clear and aware of everything. He was a pleasure to deal with for sure. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintoid Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 8 hours ago, Ritsugamesh said: There were customs charges unfortunately yes, came to 20% so if you did order you essentially need consider that in as a part of the package price. Still came out to cheaper than an MIM Fender these days, so I wasn't too fussed and Danny gave me quality estimate charges and made me clear and aware of everything. He was a pleasure to deal with for sure. Thanks for the info, that's useful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 9 hours ago, Ritsugamesh said: Still came out to cheaper than an MIM Fender Wow. Bargain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 Gold and white/cream would not be my first choice of colour scheme but that it gorgeous. Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritsugamesh Posted April 26, 2023 Author Share Posted April 26, 2023 3 hours ago, Chienmortbb said: Gold and white/cream would not be my first choice of colour scheme but that it gorgeous. Enjoy. Wouldn't generally be mine either but I've recently joined a Funk band and this screamed Larry Graham so figured it had to be done! Just need the sequin guitar strap and I think I'm there, got the bass face down. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted April 26, 2023 Share Posted April 26, 2023 I saw this.....slightly jealous 🙂 looks great. He briefly had a black one too. How's the painted neck? Never tried a bass with a neck finish like that. Cool bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritsugamesh Posted April 26, 2023 Author Share Posted April 26, 2023 5 hours ago, Paul C said: I saw this.....slightly jealous 🙂 looks great. He briefly had a black one too. How's the painted neck? Never tried a bass with a neck finish like that. Cool bass Aye I nearly bought the black one when I saw it, let it get away and this came up so I knew I couldn't let it slip by! The painted neck feels absolutely fine to be honest, somewhere between a satin and gloss finish, though it's possible once I run it at a full gig I might change my mind. I do have another bass with a painted neck and that doesn't bother me, but I know many people get really turned off by it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 Nice bass. Interesting intonation on the E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritsugamesh Posted April 27, 2023 Author Share Posted April 27, 2023 36 minutes ago, NikNik said: Nice bass. Interesting intonation on the E. Aye took me a good minute to find the right spot for it. For some reason when I took the neck off to touch up the truss rod, upon putting it back the intonation specifically on the E was right out. All the other strings were note perfect still! The nut is perfectly fine, no catching, plenty of winds on the string, neck relief ideal and the action in the right spot, it just needed pulling much further forward than I anticipated to get it intonated at the 12th and across the board. Not sure why, but if it works it works! If anyone more savvy than me has additional info as to why only the E would be out of intonation like that, do let me know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted April 27, 2023 Share Posted April 27, 2023 13 minutes ago, Ritsugamesh said: Aye took me a good minute to find the right spot for it. For some reason when I took the neck off to touch up the truss rod, upon putting it back the intonation specifically on the E was right out. All the other strings were note perfect still! The nut is perfectly fine, no catching, plenty of winds on the string, neck relief ideal and the action in the right spot, it just needed pulling much further forward than I anticipated to get it intonated at the 12th and across the board. Not sure why, but if it works it works! If anyone more savvy than me has additional info as to why only the E would be out of intonation like that, do let me know. Actually, I had that issue on an acoustic bass guitar. It did indeed turn out to be the string! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesterbassman Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Just thought you may be interested to know (having traded with the OP for this lovely bass) that a new set of Bass Centre Elites 45-105 and the intonation is back to normal (so assuming it was some kind of issue with the string maybe?) lovely bass and goes well with my mini collection of early 80s MIJ Squier/ESP/Westone/Yamahas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ritsugamesh Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 (edited) Ah that's good to hear, must have just been a duff string indeed! I'm honestly sad I gave it up haha. Glad you're happy with it either way pal. EDIT: And if you are thinking of selling, get in touch and I might nab it back! 😅 Edited April 1 by Ritsugamesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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