Bass / Tokai
Tokai Hard Puncher TPB50 – Candy Apple Red, Golden Era, 1984
Listed on Reverb
1 025.00 EUR
Original Reverb prices in EUR. Check the listing for shipping and the final total.
- Model
- Hard Puncher TPB50
- Year
- 1984
- Finish
- Candy Apple Red
About this instrument
Instrument description in English.
Tokai Hard Puncher TPB-50 is a Japanese bass guitar, manufactured in 1984 at the Tokai Gakki factory. The instrument is a replica of the 1962 PB model, which is reflected, among other things, by the use of a Fender-style logo typical for that period (instead of the standard Tokai mark). This unit is finished in Candy Apple Red and equipped with a rosewood fingerboard. After our service work, which included fingerboard leveling, refretting, electronics replacement, and cavity shielding, the bass is ready to play.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Tokai
Model: Hard Puncher TPB-50
Year of production: 1984
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium Jumbo (Condition: 100% – new)
Pickups: 1x Tokai Split-Coil
Electronics: Passive (new potentiometers and wiring)
Visual condition: Very good (details in description)
Finish: Candy Apple Red
Weight: 3.99 kg / 8.80 lbs
Body and construction The solid body is made of alder. The instrument features a lacquer finish in Candy Apple Red. A traditional Bolt-on construction with a classic neck joint is used. In our workshop, the electronics cavities were completely shielded with copper foil. The lacquer coating went through a cleaning and waxing process.
Neck and ergonomics The maple neck features an original profile defined by Tokai designers, differing from a strict replica of 1962 necks. The neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard with a 7.25" radius. As part of the service work, the old frets were removed, the fingerboard was leveled, and brand new Medium Jumbo size frets were installed. A new nut made of natural bone was also fitted. The fingerboard surface was cleaned and conditioned.
Sound The instrument is equipped with a factory Tokai Split-Coil pickup in a passive circuit.
Characteristics: The combination of an alder body and a split-coil pickup generates a frequency response with clear mids and a controlled, dynamic bottom end.
Dynamics: The passive electronics, based on entirely new potentiometers and wiring, respond directly to articulation strength. The applied shielding lowers the circuit's susceptibility to noise and external electromagnetic interference.
Additional information
The TPB-50 model is heavily inspired by the 1962 specification, which is confirmed by the use of a Fender-style logo font from that period on the headstock, differing from Tokai's typical graphic mark.
The "L" prefix found in the serial numbers of these models is a historical nod by the Japanese manufacturer to the American originals from 1963–1965.
Despite its visual faithfulness to the '62 vintage, the neck of the instrument features an original "Tokai" profile, providing a different feel in the hand than standard reissues.
The service work we performed included: fingerboard leveling, complete refretting, crafting a bone nut, replacing potentiometers and wiring, and full copper shielding of the electronics cavities.
Hardware
Bridge: Vintage Style Spiral Saddle – a steel construction equipped with threaded (spiral) saddles, which is consistent with the historical specification of the 1962 originals.
Tuners: Reverse Vintage Style – open-back mechanisms with a reverse tuning direction. The hardware went through a revitalization process and retains its mechanical efficiency.
Instrument condition
Technical condition: The instrument is mechanically and electronically functional after a luthier verification. The truss rod works properly, and the frets are brand new.
Visual condition: The guitar is preserved in very good visual condition. Minor scratches are visible on the lacquer (mostly noticeable against the light), and the hardware features a natural patina appropriate for the year 1984. The instrument has no structural wood cracks.
Setup and Modifications: A complete refretting (Medium Jumbo), fingerboard leveling, electronics replacement (potentiometers, wires), copper cavity shielding, crafting a bone nut, and a setup of the string action were performed.
Why choose this instrument
'62 Specification: The use of spiral saddles in the bridge, reverse tuners, and a Fender-style logo are historical details valued by collectors.
Tokai neck profile: The neck offers the Japanese factory's original ergonomics, providing an interesting alternative to standard vintage profiles.
New frets and leveling: The complete fret replacement (Medium Jumbo) and fingerboard leveling eliminate the wear resulting from use and improve playing comfort.
Modernized electronics: The replacement of outdated potentiometers and wires, along with the application of full shielding, guarantee quiet, noise-free operation.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Tokai
Model: Hard Puncher TPB-50
Year of production: 1984
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium Jumbo (Condition: 100% – new)
Pickups: 1x Tokai Split-Coil
Electronics: Passive (new potentiometers and wiring)
Visual condition: Very good (details in description)
Finish: Candy Apple Red
Weight: 3.99 kg / 8.80 lbs
Body and construction The solid body is made of alder. The instrument features a lacquer finish in Candy Apple Red. A traditional Bolt-on construction with a classic neck joint is used. In our workshop, the electronics cavities were completely shielded with copper foil. The lacquer coating went through a cleaning and waxing process.
Neck and ergonomics The maple neck features an original profile defined by Tokai designers, differing from a strict replica of 1962 necks. The neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard with a 7.25" radius. As part of the service work, the old frets were removed, the fingerboard was leveled, and brand new Medium Jumbo size frets were installed. A new nut made of natural bone was also fitted. The fingerboard surface was cleaned and conditioned.
Sound The instrument is equipped with a factory Tokai Split-Coil pickup in a passive circuit.
Characteristics: The combination of an alder body and a split-coil pickup generates a frequency response with clear mids and a controlled, dynamic bottom end.
Dynamics: The passive electronics, based on entirely new potentiometers and wiring, respond directly to articulation strength. The applied shielding lowers the circuit's susceptibility to noise and external electromagnetic interference.
Additional information
The TPB-50 model is heavily inspired by the 1962 specification, which is confirmed by the use of a Fender-style logo font from that period on the headstock, differing from Tokai's typical graphic mark.
The "L" prefix found in the serial numbers of these models is a historical nod by the Japanese manufacturer to the American originals from 1963–1965.
Despite its visual faithfulness to the '62 vintage, the neck of the instrument features an original "Tokai" profile, providing a different feel in the hand than standard reissues.
The service work we performed included: fingerboard leveling, complete refretting, crafting a bone nut, replacing potentiometers and wiring, and full copper shielding of the electronics cavities.
Hardware
Bridge: Vintage Style Spiral Saddle – a steel construction equipped with threaded (spiral) saddles, which is consistent with the historical specification of the 1962 originals.
Tuners: Reverse Vintage Style – open-back mechanisms with a reverse tuning direction. The hardware went through a revitalization process and retains its mechanical efficiency.
Instrument condition
Technical condition: The instrument is mechanically and electronically functional after a luthier verification. The truss rod works properly, and the frets are brand new.
Visual condition: The guitar is preserved in very good visual condition. Minor scratches are visible on the lacquer (mostly noticeable against the light), and the hardware features a natural patina appropriate for the year 1984. The instrument has no structural wood cracks.
Setup and Modifications: A complete refretting (Medium Jumbo), fingerboard leveling, electronics replacement (potentiometers, wires), copper cavity shielding, crafting a bone nut, and a setup of the string action were performed.
Why choose this instrument
'62 Specification: The use of spiral saddles in the bridge, reverse tuners, and a Fender-style logo are historical details valued by collectors.
Tokai neck profile: The neck offers the Japanese factory's original ergonomics, providing an interesting alternative to standard vintage profiles.
New frets and leveling: The complete fret replacement (Medium Jumbo) and fingerboard leveling eliminate the wear resulting from use and improve playing comfort.
Modernized electronics: The replacement of outdated potentiometers and wires, along with the application of full shielding, guarantee quiet, noise-free operation.