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Tokai Hardpuncher
- Thread starter bassbengoa
- Start date
I have to admit that’s one spec I never pay attention to. The nut is 1.62 or so. The spacing seems fairly “spacious “.
I find that is way easier for me to play on basses with less string spacing, so I check it
Companies like the one making Tokai’s tend to be very good at building to a price point. I doubt if their $150 and $400 models are built to the same standard.
I don't believe that website is officially Tokai. Sounds like a reseller. So I would be cautious on what that site says.
If the hard puncher was made in Japan, it will say that on the back of the neck near the heal. Much like a Fender MIJ.
However, for $400usd in Chile, I would expect it's a Chinese one. Tokai makes products in Japan, China, and Korea. I think they stopped using Korean contractors though.
Current list price for a Tokai MIJ bass floats near $1000usd. Good deals on used ones here in the USA typically go for $700 to $800, iirc.
So you can see that it's very likely made by their contractor in chicom.
devnulljp
Supporting Member
Meh, pass.
I loved the old Japanese ones from the late 70s early 80s. All this is is an overpriced Chinese PBass copy
I loved the old Japanese ones from the late 70s early 80s. All this is is an overpriced Chinese PBass copy
I passed on a couple of the 80s Hardpunchers and still regret it to this day. They were great basses right there with Fender USA. Not thinking the ones made today are anywhere close.
Not intending to derail with this question, but does anyone know how to tell which of the old Tokais are medium scale? I have the same issue with the old Greco basses too and it drives me mad!
I had an 80's one that was one of the best P's I ever owned. The body was like a nice 60's P that just sings....
This is my '81 Hard Puncher. It's a beast. Keep an eye out on reverb and ebay. You can snag the old Japanese made ones for close to what you're looking to spend on this new one.
I got this guy for $400 including shipping from Japan. It was at my house 2 days later. I have no clue how the shipping gods made that happen.
I got this guy for $400 including shipping from Japan. It was at my house 2 days later. I have no clue how the shipping gods made that happen.
i received a bass in 2 days from japan too. it was amazing.
Never had one of their basses, but I did have a Tokai Flying V once, that was a clone of the '59 Gibson. Somebody once chased me as I left the stage, in the hope of buying it off me... until he got a better look at the logo on the headstock.
It was a very nice instrument; just a shame I never got comfortable on Gibson-scale guitars.
It was a very nice instrument; just a shame I never got comfortable on Gibson-scale guitars.
Yeah, it was crazy.
I ordered it just before dinner time. Got an almost immediately email that it had been shipped, which I know was the label being created. Checked that night and it said the bass was in Alaska already.
Two days later, I'm picking it up at UPS in Baltimore MD. Crazy.
Back on topic.
My Hard Puncher is strung with Thomastik Jazz flats, and it's a beast.
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In fact, there's one on Reverb right now from the same time period. Guy wants $499 plus $140 to ship from Tokyo. No affiliation.
Tokai Hard Puncher bass made in JAPAN Late 1970-80s
Seconded! Danny also has his "bass hunter" service if you know what you want. Give him the order and a down payment, and he'll find a good example. In my case, I wanted a white Hard Puncher with a maple neck, which apparently is a rarity. He ended up finding two Hard Punchers and swapped the necks - and it plays beautifully. I thought the prices were decent, too - just keep in mind that shipping from Japan is expensive.
My early 80s Tokai Hard Puncher collections. 3tone burst was sold to my friend and I miss it so much. These 3 are all PB80, top of the line.
These lawsuit era Tokai basses sound so sweet!
These lawsuit era Tokai basses sound so sweet!
Where do you see that Tokai is now built in China? I can't find anything online which suggests that. Here is the current Tokai website and it doesn't mention anything being made in China.
https://tokaijapan.com/basses/
