FS: Tokai Hardpuncher PB80 GS, 1979/80, £475 o.n.o. £475 Potton, Central East Bedfordshire

[silverfoxnik]

Hi Folks,

 

This is a bit of a feeler to be honest, but I'm thinking of moving on this fabulous Tokai Hardpuncher PB80 GS which, according to the online databases, was a 1979 / 1980 model. 

 

These 'lawsuit' era Tokai P Basses are very highly regarded, as one quote I found on Talkbass said:

 

"... They were as good as the actual Fenders of that era, but more consistent. A Seventies Tokai is a legit vintage bass." 

 

There's a lot of info out there on them for anyone interested:

https://www.tokaiforum.com/threads/the-earliest-hard-puncher-basses.26472/page-2

 

Price

I'd like £475 or near offer for it, and am not looking for trades at this time. 

 

Specs/Condition etc

Ash 1-piece body, maple neck, maple fingerboard and it's pretty much all 'stock' apart from what looks like a replacement, Gotoh style bridge. 

 

As can be seen in the photos, it's most definitely had a life and been very well used, so it's not a case queen.

 

That said, the electrics need a bit of a clean and it could do with a restring... But, as it is, it plays really well; the frets/fingerboard are in good condition, the truss rod works as it should, and it sounds great - i.e.,  warm, fat, funky, rocky P bass tones and that nice zingy 'snap' you get from a maple neck! !  😁

 

Which brings me to it's weight ; according to my fairly un-scientific weighing method, it's 4.5 kg or 9.9 lbs. Not light I know, but as I've always liked ash-bodied basses, that sort of weight in a bass has never troubled me... YMMV of course. 

 

Provenance

One additional point of interest, this used to belong to the late, and much-missed, Nick Smith, aka 'Doctor_Bass', and as such, it has more than a little sentimental value to me. Nick was the last person to set it up by the way. 

 

Reason for sale

But I'm not really using it due to having too many other basses - a few of which get used all the time - hence why listing it here for sale. It's a player's bass, and really does need to used...

 

Collection etc

Happy for anyone interested to come and test it out here in Potton, Central East Bedfordshire. Tea/coffee /Basschat chat in plentiful supply.. 

 

For many reasons, I do not want to post this.

 

But in terms of meeting up, I'd be happy to arrange something reasonably local to me (within 30-40 miles), or somewhere in and around North West London where I work. 

 

Whatever - I'm sure something can be worked out if the need arises. 

 

Any questions, please ask, and thanks for looking as always. 👍

 

Cheers 

 

Nik

[oldslapper]

That seems a great price. This era of Tokai was/were/are/is fab! 
GLWTS 

[silverfoxnik]

And some more photos.. 

Edited 12 hours ago by silverfoxnik
Photos

[Mickeyboro]

Where was it made please? And could we have headstock pic? Ta!

[three]

Wonderful, these sort of shook the world of bass (and guitar) in the late ‘70s.  An extremely cool example and lovely that it’s been through Nick’s hands (though that might apply that to quite a few bases on BC!). ‘Looks like a fantastic deal to me

[silverfoxnik]

53 minutes ago, Mickeyboro said:

Where was it made please? And could we have headstock pic? Ta!

I don't know where it was made tbh.  

 

Here's a headstock photo.  

[silverfoxnik]

And another... 

[Steve Browning]

Every so often a bass turns up that challenges my (unreasonable) aversion to maple necks. 

 

Superb instruments and amazing value. 

[Paul C]

Tokai instruments rule. Won't be here long.

Love mine. 

[ash]

I’m sure all the early Tokai instruments were Japanese made - the logo had to be altered to a block version (because it looked rather like a rather more famous US brand at the time) and then the headstock changed to a more angular design around mid 80s. I’m sure Bassassin will know the correct history and manufacturing info. 

[bassbiscuits]

That’s lovely isn’t it. 

[sambecker1]

PM’d

[briansbrew]

Ah Nik, not another tempting bass,, where do you find these gems...GLWTS

[grahamd]

Another vote from me, fantastic workhorses. I have Lollars in mine and its the bomb

[silverfoxnik]

49 minutes ago, briansbrew said:

Ah Nik, not another tempting bass,, where do you find these gems...GLWTS

Thanks 👍

 

And I could equally say the same of you Brian - over the years, you've always had such a great array of basses for sale here on Basschat... 

[Geek99]

Holy f#%king hell