[doudoubass]

my three JV basses:

first: 1982 Tokai JB60










one of the best jazz bass i ever played, especially with flatwounds: think herbie flower on Melody Nelson, and you're really close to hear its sound!
I really love that figured rosewood fingerboard and the thin C profile neck.

2nd: 1982 Tokai PB80











a really nice precision, lighter than the jazz sound and a true vintage style (birdeyes mapple neck, laquer finished).

Third: not a Tokai but also a nice japanese vintage bass, 1981-83 Fernandes RJB75








this is my main bass (the jb60 needs some frets repair), one of the lightest bass i ever played, 3kg!!
2 pieces alder body, lacquer finish and an awesome sustain!
totally a different animal than the jazz sound, not as bright with its slab board.
Between the precision and the traditionnal jazz bass sound!
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j'adore mes Tokai!

[Fender32]

Excellent pictures, excellent basses and excellent post !!!

It's really interesting to hear your opinions on the tones of the three basses, doudoubass - thanks for sharing!

You're fortunate to have three such 'high-end' models (a '60', an '80' and a '75') - they don't seem to be as common as the TJB45s and TPB40s.

Also, you probably don't need me to tell you this (although somebody is bound to ), but you've got the neckplate on upside down on the TJB60 .

Thanks again for adding to the thread.
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Certified Tokai Jazz Sound whore.

[stratman323]

Even a humble guitarist can appreciate that little collection. Very nice & very cool. The rosewood on the white one is gorgeous, & I only ever see that on early 80s Tokais.

Beautiful.

[Goestoeleven]

I like the wood on the body of the sunburst one.
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"My guitar is definitely a P**** extension. I play with it behind locked doors for my own amusement"

[bassssy68]

Hi All.
Just registered and found this thread. Dribbling at the jazzers. Would a picture of a Tokai made Sigma ric copy fit in this thread?

[Fender32]

[bassssy68]

Hi All again.
Couldn't upload here so tried putting link instead.
This is my Sigma made by Tokai 1972.

http://www.rezumaid.com/page222222.html
It's the closest to the real thing ( sound and feel)I've ever played.

Still think those jazzers are awsum. [/url]

[bassssy68]

oops - I meant 1973 Doh!

[Fender32]

[doudoubass]

another rare Tokai sold to buy my PB80:

1981 PB50, LPB matching headstock
3 pieces alder body, a little heavy (4.5kgs) but sounded good with its veneer rosewood neck.





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j'adore mes Tokai!

[Fender32]

Nice one !

Lovely rosewood on that fretboard (again). Seems that the Tokai factory certainly had access to some top notch timber in those days. Even a lot of today's more expensive basses don't have maple and rosewood that's as attractive as some of the examples we've seen here.

What's more, 4.5kgs may be heavy for a Hard Puncher, but it's still a lot less than a lot of '70s Fenders (my '75 P Bass weighed 5.2kgs )!

Thanks for posting the pics.

Any more out there .... ?
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Certified Tokai Jazz Sound whore.

[Goestoeleven]

Be interesting to compare it to a "Rockinbetter" and see how they stack up side by side...
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"My guitar is definitely a P**** extension. I play with it behind locked doors for my own amusement"

[Fender32]

So, I've posted these pics elsewhere here, but in keeping with the idea behind this thread here are some shots of my 1984 Metallic Red TJB60 and my 1985 Black TJB45/60(?), as well as the whole collection (including my 1983 Olympic White TJB45).



























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Certified Tokai Jazz Sound whore.

[zbigniew]

Hi all, lovely photos you have here of your Tokai basses

This is just making me lust for a Jazz sound bass to compliment my Hard Puncher which you can see below:






I love that bass and how it looks although I'd also like to get a traditional Hard Puncher too hehe. This one need a little tlc and a pro setup, I have to get it done soon. I gigged it last weekend trough an Ashdown 4x10 combo and it was great

Here's a scan from an old ad which was included in an e-bay auction of an VSB 80 bass which identifies my bass as an VSB 60 ltd. ed.



cheers, Z

[Fender32]

Hi Z and welcome to the forum !

It's great that your Hard Puncher is in such good, original condition - look after it, won't you !?

How much does it weigh, out of interest?
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Certified Tokai Jazz Sound whore.