Bass / Tokai
PRE-SALE: Tokai Hard Puncher PB48 – Vintage White (VWH), 1981
Listed on Reverb
942.00 EUR
Original Reverb prices in EUR. Check the listing for shipping and the final total.
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- Model
- Hard Puncher PB48
- Year
- 1981
- Finish
- VWH (Vintage White)
- SKU
- B25086
- Condition
- Used — see description
Service and condition at a glance
Work and modifications
The instrument is fitted with a non-original Wilkinson bridge. The scheduled service work includes: setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), fret cleaning and polishing or – if required – fingerboard planing with a refret, cleaning and polishing of wooden and metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics.
Technical condition
The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the scheduled luthier work has been completed, it will be fully functional both mechanically and electronically. Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use consistent with its age – details are visible in the photographs.
About this instrument
Instrument description in English.
PLEASE NOTE! This instrument is presented as a pre-sale item. It will undergo luthier work, including, among other things, polishing of the finish, refurbishment of the metal parts and shielding of the electronics. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. The final price includes the above work. This listing does not constitute a commercial offer within the meaning of Article 66 § 1 of the Polish Civil Code.
About the instrument
The Tokai Hard Puncher PB48 is a Japanese bass guitar produced in 1981 at the Tokai Gakki factory in Hamamatsu. The model is a replica of a Precision Bass-type instrument with a single split-coil pickup. The instrument presented here has a Vintage White finish, an alder body, a maple neck and a maple fingerboard. Tokai Gakki, founded in 1947 in Hamamatsu, began producing replicas of Fender instruments in the late 1970s; the Hard Puncher line comprised Precision-type basses whose numerical designations (PB40, PB48, etc.) corresponded to the list price in thousands of yen. The PB models appear in Tokai catalogues from 1979–1982, and at the end of 1983 they were replaced by a series with TPB designations. The establishment of Fender Japan in 1982 was in part a response to the success of Japanese replicas – Tokai was considered at the time as a manufacturer for Fender, but the contract was ultimately awarded to FujiGen. The instrument is currently being prepared and will undergo the scheduled luthier service in our workshop before being released.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Tokai
Model: Hard Puncher PB48
Year: 1981 (Japan)
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Frets: Vintage Style (planned levelling and polishing / new frets if required)
Pickup: 1x Tokai Vintage PB-P Split-Coil
Electronics: Passive (1x Volume, 1x Tone)
Bridge: Wilkinson (non-original – upgrade)
Cosmetic condition: Pre-sale / 8 out of 10 (see description)
Finish: Vintage White (VWH)
Weight: 3.86 kg
Body and construction
The solid PB-shaped body is made of alder. The instrument has a Vintage White lacquer finish. A traditional bolt-on neck construction (Bolt-on) with a four-bolt neck joint is used. In line with the terms of the pre-sale, the finish and wooden components will be cleaned and polished in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.
Neck and playability
The maple neck is paired with a maple fingerboard. The Vintage Style frets are original. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will undergo a thorough levelling and polishing, or – should the fingerboard require levelling (planing) – the instrument will receive entirely new frets. This will ensure correct intonation and appropriate string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.
Sound
The instrument is fitted with a single split-coil pickup (Split-Coil) – the factory Tokai Vintage PB-P Split-Coil – in a passive circuit with Volume and Tone potentiometers.
Character: The combination of an alder body and a split-coil pickup produces the classic PB-type frequency response, with a clear midrange and a well-defined low end.
Dynamics: The passive electronics respond proportionally to the force of articulation, both with fingerstyle and pick playing. The scheduled servicing of the circuit and shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise.
Additional information
Fender-style Tokai instruments from 1979–1985 are dated on the basis of the first digit of the serial number (1 – 1981, 2 – 1982); the “spaghetti”-style logo on the headstock was used until 1982, after which Tokai changed the headstock and logo design.
This period is colloquially referred to as the “Lawsuit era” – the name refers to the pressure exerted by American manufacturers on Japanese replica makers; in Tokai’s case it resulted in a change to the headstock and logo design after 1982, whereas no lawsuit between Fender and Tokai is documented.
The Hard Puncher line is still produced by Tokai today, which attests to the model’s lasting position in the manufacturer’s range.
The PB48 model appears in Tokai catalogues from 1979 to 1983 (list price 48,000 JPY), positioned above the basic PB40.
The bass is offered on a pre-sale basis, which allows this particular instrument to be reserved before the full luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
Hardware
Bridge: Wilkinson – a non-original bridge installed as an upgrade to the instrument, with adjustable saddles allowing intonation and string height to be set. As part of the scope of work, the hardware will be cleaned and refurbished, and the bridge will receive a full adjustment of intonation and string height.
Tuners: Original tuning machines. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.
Condition
Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the scheduled luthier work has been completed, it will be fully functional both mechanically and electronically.
Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use consistent with its age – details are visible in the photographs.
Setup and modifications: The instrument is fitted with a non-original Wilkinson bridge. The scheduled service work includes: setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), fret cleaning and polishing or – if required – fingerboard planing with a refret, cleaning and polishing of wooden and metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics.
Why choose this instrument
Tokai Gakki production: An example from the early 1980s – the period in which Tokai’s Japanese replicas earned their reputation for build quality and faithfulness to the original specifications.
Wilkinson bridge: The installed Wilkinson bridge facilitates precise adjustment of intonation and string height; the original bridge is not included.
Pre-sale offer: Purchasing on a pre-sale basis makes it possible to reserve this particular instrument and receive it directly upon completion of the luthier work in our workshop.
Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price, the bass will undergo all the scheduled preparatory work, which eliminates the need for any additional investment after collection.
About the instrument
The Tokai Hard Puncher PB48 is a Japanese bass guitar produced in 1981 at the Tokai Gakki factory in Hamamatsu. The model is a replica of a Precision Bass-type instrument with a single split-coil pickup. The instrument presented here has a Vintage White finish, an alder body, a maple neck and a maple fingerboard. Tokai Gakki, founded in 1947 in Hamamatsu, began producing replicas of Fender instruments in the late 1970s; the Hard Puncher line comprised Precision-type basses whose numerical designations (PB40, PB48, etc.) corresponded to the list price in thousands of yen. The PB models appear in Tokai catalogues from 1979–1982, and at the end of 1983 they were replaced by a series with TPB designations. The establishment of Fender Japan in 1982 was in part a response to the success of Japanese replicas – Tokai was considered at the time as a manufacturer for Fender, but the contract was ultimately awarded to FujiGen. The instrument is currently being prepared and will undergo the scheduled luthier service in our workshop before being released.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Tokai
Model: Hard Puncher PB48
Year: 1981 (Japan)
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple
Frets: Vintage Style (planned levelling and polishing / new frets if required)
Pickup: 1x Tokai Vintage PB-P Split-Coil
Electronics: Passive (1x Volume, 1x Tone)
Bridge: Wilkinson (non-original – upgrade)
Cosmetic condition: Pre-sale / 8 out of 10 (see description)
Finish: Vintage White (VWH)
Weight: 3.86 kg
Body and construction
The solid PB-shaped body is made of alder. The instrument has a Vintage White lacquer finish. A traditional bolt-on neck construction (Bolt-on) with a four-bolt neck joint is used. In line with the terms of the pre-sale, the finish and wooden components will be cleaned and polished in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.
Neck and playability
The maple neck is paired with a maple fingerboard. The Vintage Style frets are original. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will undergo a thorough levelling and polishing, or – should the fingerboard require levelling (planing) – the instrument will receive entirely new frets. This will ensure correct intonation and appropriate string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.
Sound
The instrument is fitted with a single split-coil pickup (Split-Coil) – the factory Tokai Vintage PB-P Split-Coil – in a passive circuit with Volume and Tone potentiometers.
Character: The combination of an alder body and a split-coil pickup produces the classic PB-type frequency response, with a clear midrange and a well-defined low end.
Dynamics: The passive electronics respond proportionally to the force of articulation, both with fingerstyle and pick playing. The scheduled servicing of the circuit and shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise.
Additional information
Fender-style Tokai instruments from 1979–1985 are dated on the basis of the first digit of the serial number (1 – 1981, 2 – 1982); the “spaghetti”-style logo on the headstock was used until 1982, after which Tokai changed the headstock and logo design.
This period is colloquially referred to as the “Lawsuit era” – the name refers to the pressure exerted by American manufacturers on Japanese replica makers; in Tokai’s case it resulted in a change to the headstock and logo design after 1982, whereas no lawsuit between Fender and Tokai is documented.
The Hard Puncher line is still produced by Tokai today, which attests to the model’s lasting position in the manufacturer’s range.
The PB48 model appears in Tokai catalogues from 1979 to 1983 (list price 48,000 JPY), positioned above the basic PB40.
The bass is offered on a pre-sale basis, which allows this particular instrument to be reserved before the full luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
Hardware
Bridge: Wilkinson – a non-original bridge installed as an upgrade to the instrument, with adjustable saddles allowing intonation and string height to be set. As part of the scope of work, the hardware will be cleaned and refurbished, and the bridge will receive a full adjustment of intonation and string height.
Tuners: Original tuning machines. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.
Condition
Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the scheduled luthier work has been completed, it will be fully functional both mechanically and electronically.
Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use consistent with its age – details are visible in the photographs.
Setup and modifications: The instrument is fitted with a non-original Wilkinson bridge. The scheduled service work includes: setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), fret cleaning and polishing or – if required – fingerboard planing with a refret, cleaning and polishing of wooden and metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics.
Why choose this instrument
Tokai Gakki production: An example from the early 1980s – the period in which Tokai’s Japanese replicas earned their reputation for build quality and faithfulness to the original specifications.
Wilkinson bridge: The installed Wilkinson bridge facilitates precise adjustment of intonation and string height; the original bridge is not included.
Pre-sale offer: Purchasing on a pre-sale basis makes it possible to reserve this particular instrument and receive it directly upon completion of the luthier work in our workshop.
Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price, the bass will undergo all the scheduled preparatory work, which eliminates the need for any additional investment after collection.