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Tokai Hard Puncher for $300?

Kinda BassVI

Kinda BassVI

Nov 26, 2007
169
117
Detroit, MI
#1
I'm talking with a guy on Craigslist about an early '80's Tokai Hard Puncher P-Bass clone. He wants $300 or he'll trade for a Telecaster, and I happen to have a Squier VM Tele Special that I never play.

Are these good basses? I seem to remember that maybe Tokai was the factory that made the '80's JV Squiers? I know that the Tokai Tele copies are well regarded. Is this a fair price/trade?
 
#4
I just sold a similar Japanese vintage Precision on eBay for $359 plus shipping. It was a 1976 Greco PB-750 -- basically, a very nice Fujigen P/J Precision bass from the lawsuit era. And it had a great tone and feel.

If your Tokai is in good condition, the $300 price sounds fair (or even a little low) to me too. (For the record, I don't think Tokai is the name of the factory, but I could be wrong. I've read that the two big factories were Fujigen and Matsumoku, and I think Tokai's came from one or both of these places.)
 
#6
Tokai make and have made lots of great instruments, including some of the current fender Japan instruments. Just checking my notes though Tokai has always had its own shop in Hamamatsu, so they were never made in Matsumoku or in Matsumoto (where Fuji Gen Gakki is)
 
#9
If its in good shape, $300 is a good price. These were Precision killers back in the day. Really well made and have stood up to time very well.

Negotiate, of course, but if you can trade a Squier 6 string for it, it could approach 'steal of a deal' territory.
 
#10
I remember tryin' one at a pawnshop back in the early 90's, and it seemed build quality was every bit as good, if not better than a US Fender. I can't speak for the playability, due to (as usual) a poor set-up. To this day they still seem to be a "secret" among bassist who like a nice bass for a little scratch. But, to be honest, it seems I've seen several sell in the $500-$600 range before. But, that was 3, or 4 years ago (market fluctuation? Who knows). But, if you're in the market for a P-Bass, then...... Well? What're you waitin' for?!? Hit "BUY IT NOW"...... Now!!!
 
#15
An Army Of Juan said:
I may one day consider a Squier Matt Freeman or an older MIM standard P Bass, but I think I'll be happy with this awesomely named bass for now, assuming that the trade goes through. :-)
Click to expand...
Make sure to post pics. They're a little on the rare side and TB loves to check out anything and everything. This thread will show up in google searches for Hard Punchers and those visitors - like you did - will want all the info they can get.

Oh, and no pics = it didn't happen :p
 
#16
BUY IT FAST....I think it was Fuji Gen who made the JV instruments for Fender?I own a 1982 JV Strat early production Fender logo large squire small a very fine instrument i would LOVE to find a JV Bass.Also i remember reading an article talking about the Tokia copy Strats being worth roughly $1500 this was a few years ago not sure they would pull that now but my point is this if that being the case i would think this bass might be worth more than $300.I would pay that in a heartbeat Good Luck post pics.
 
#19
Super Iridium said:
I just sold a similar Japanese vintage Precision on eBay for $359 plus shipping. It was a 1976 Greco PB-750 -- basically, a very nice Fujigen P/J Precision bass from the lawsuit era. And it had a great tone and feel.

If your Tokai is in good condition, the $300 price sounds fair (or even a little low) to me too. (For the record, I don't think Tokai is the name of the factory, but I could be wrong. I've read that the two big factories were Fujigen and Matsumoku, and I think Tokai's came from one or both of these places.)
Click to expand...

Just to argue semantics (and parrot things I've gathered from the intertubez). Fender never sued anyone.

Norlin (Gibson's Parent Company) Went after Ibanez in 1977 and it was only trademark infringement on the open book headstock that Ibanez (or more accurately Hoshino Gakki Gen) was copying. I'm fairly certain the case was settled out of court. This was the main focus and I don't think any other suits were filed until Gibson went after PRS.

I'm not saying you are wrong to say it's "Lawsuit Era" as it is pretty much the common nomenclature when referring to these MIJ instruments. I think that "Copy Era" is a bit more accurate.

:)

With that out of the way,...at $300 I'd rather have an old 70's Tokai/Greco/Ibanez etc P-Bass Copy than any 90's or above MIM Fender etc etc. Provided that it is in good knick it is likely a higher quality instrument with more mojo and a legit appearance than any other of the umpteen million P-Basses and knockoffs currently on the market. $300-ish is totally a reasonable price for one of these.

Now if these were only more widely available locally. :hmm:
 

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