Withdrawn: 1981/82 Jazz-sound JB120

[evert]

 

[evert]

The staggering of the PU poles I did myself to minimize volume differences between E/E and D/G strings. Now much better balance.

 

[evert]

3 piece body seems like too many for such a high grade guitar.

In pre-CBS Fender Jazzbasses I saw this many times. I read somewhere that Tokai aquired some pre-CBS guitars and basses in the 70's and copied the structures/materials/finishes, for the high-end models, as much as possible.

 

[Sigmania]

Yeah. Looks like a mated pair.

Your body code was 6=7 and then 6=12.



It is from a different run than the neck, 4=3.



The neck is absolutely off a JB120 and has cashew finish as indicated by the K stamp.

That body I would bet you is polyurethane or polyester. You should try an acetone test on the body to confirm.

 

[Sigmania]

Btw, the first number is the month and the second number is a sort of batch code.

These were made at least 2 months apart.

 

[Sigmania]

Your bass triggered a memory of another recent and odd JB120. Also having mixed parts. And having a code stamped in the neck pocket which is unusual.

JB120 Stamp Oddities

Not sure where that leaves us. Confusing.

I would definitely do the acetone test on the body in an area under the pickguard. Maybe pickup cavity. Would be interesting to know.

 

[evert]

 

[evert]

How to do such Aceton test?

 

[guitar hiro]

when I saw the 3 piece body I thought that seems odd for the top end JS bass and also for a Jacaranda spec board

I would expect at a minimum a 2 piece/center seam body but then hey .......

 

[evert]

when I saw the 3 piece body I thought that seems odd for the top end JS bass and also for a Jacaranda spec board

I would expect at a minimum a 2 piece/center seam body but then hey .......

Given current high-end standards I understand, but I had 2 pre-1965 Jazz basses that were stripped and finished with clear varnish: both had a 3 piece body!
So as in the Tokai catalog it is stated to be a perfect 1964 replica my thought was: the 3 piece body matches the expectation ;-)

 

[Sigmania]

So as in the Tokai catalog it is stated to be a perfect 1964 replica my thought was: the 3 piece body matches the expectation ;-)

The catalog says 2 piece body.

 

[Sigmania]

Do this in an area no one will see, under the pickguard in the pickup cavity. And nowhere near any markings.

Testing Finish with Acetone

 

[evert]

The catalog says 2 piece body.

I have that catalog, but cannot read Japanese LOL. And as it is with Fender, you will always find deviations from what was thought to be standard.

Anyway, last week I bought a reel Fender 1964 Jazzbass, to re-generate some cash I thought about selling this one (which was my main Jazzbass for gigs for years, prefer it over my 69 and 73 Fenders!).
But the Tokai is a good second choice, more safe to throw in my car for gigging, so withdraw the sale !

 

[Sigmania]

I have that catalog, but cannot read Japanese LOL

I translated it above. See posts 15 and 16.

1981 and 1982 catalogs say 2 piece bodies.

 

[evert]

I translated it above. See posts 15 and 16.

1981 and 1982 catalogs say 2 piece bodies.

Did not have that information when I bought the bass long time ago ;-(

 

[evert]

The aceton test shows it is not Nitro-cellulose finish. Good observation it was.

 

[Sigmania]

So it is probably a body from a JB48 mated with a JB120 neck?

Hard to say when that was done.

As noted in the thread I linked, there is at least one other "JB120" with the production stamp in the neck pocket. Very unusual. And its numbers are all over the place.

So who knows what happened and when?

 

[evert]

I am in contact now with 2 previous owner, no clarity yet on what happened!
Anyway, I am considering buying a nice Nitro finished body (2 piece or 1 piece Alder or SwampAsh) to get it more to original state ;-)

 

[warnan]

Original JB80 or JB120 neck joint is not as wide as neck pocket, slightly narrower. Hope this helps. I don't think multi piece body is correct.