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 20 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

 

[W1_Pro]

Fantastic bass at a very decent price...GLWTS Nik.

[silverfoxnik]

14 hours ago, Mickeyboro said:

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

Apologies for being a bit dumb in my earlier reply. 

 

So, yes, made in Japan, but as to which of the legendary factories, I don't know for sure. 

 

However, a quick Google AI search gave this answer:

 

"Your Tokai PB80 bass was produced in the Tokai Gakki factory in Hamamatsu, Japan. This is the same factory where Tokai has made its highly regarded instruments since the 1970s."

 

Cheers, Nik 

[Beedster]

Tokais of that era were everything Fenders of that era could and should have been! I bought a stunning red Tokai Jazz from @silverfoxnik around 20 years ago (wow, time flies), I still remember it as being one of the best basses I've owned 👍

[silverfoxnik]

12 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Tokais of that era were everything Fenders of that era could and should have been! I bought a stunning red Tokai Jazz from @silverfoxnik around 20 years ago (wow, time flies), I still remember it as being one of the best basses I've owned 👍

I remember that one, Chris... 

 

It was a beauty! 

 

2007 I think that was... 😮

[silverfoxnik]

This one @Beedster 

[soulstar89]

Hey @silverfoxnik what is the width of the nut. 40 or 42?

 

I was looking for one of these so went on the tokai forum to gain experience. Tokai stamped the model number at the base of the fretboard. Does it say 80? 
The bridge has been changed also. 

[StingRayBoy42]

Isn't 'Tokai Hardpuncher' a Dickens character? 

 

Gorgeous Bass, GLWTS!

[petecarlton]

I so wish I was in funds at the moment. These are amazing basses, a great deal better imho than contemporaneous Fenders.

 

You don’t need it, but good luck with the sale, Nik.

[silverfoxnik]

24 minutes ago, soulstar89 said:

Hey @silverfoxnik what is the width of the nut. 40 or 42?

 

I was looking for one of these so went on the tokai forum to gain experience. Tokai stamped the model number at the base of the fretboard. Does it say 80? 
The bridge has been changed also. 

Hi @soulstar89

 

These Tokais have quite chunky necks. This is a quote from a Tokai forum that i found:

 

"They are solid, accurate, and well built P bass copies with old school thick necks and 7.25 radius." 

 

A Google search just now said this:

 

The Tokai PB80 bass neck profile is described as a "vintage U profile" or a "deeper profile," which is characteristic of a 1950s-style Precision Bass. It is a maple neck that is on the larger side, though many players find it comfortable to play. The neck is also noted as being "slight cambered". 

 

Nut width is. 43mm according to the same Google search. 

 

Does that help? 

 

I've not taken the neck off to look at what's stamped on there bit could do if absolutely necessary... 

 

And yes, the bridge has definitely been modded.