Old vs new Tokai Jazz Sound

[Sigmania]

"Tokai change ”modelnumbers” every year ’cause model number tells the price in Japanese Yen. We wanted to keep original modelnumbers from the 80s." and "It’s comparable with AJB-108/110."

OK. So that explains it. You are getting, and paying for, an over 100,000 yen bass but they are calling it a 55... Makes perfect sense. Clear as mud.

I have seen this with special order TST50 Mary Kay Goldstars as well. They actually cost a lot more than 50,000 yen.

I would assume these are special orders placed by the distributor. They then get to rename them it seems.

Same with Nafiri in Indonesia. I believe they are a distributor and place big orders and have some say in how the guitars are built and named it would seem. They also carry these so called TJB55 bass guitars.

 

[Sigmania]

Looks like I found another one from the same period as yours, maybe a year later? I am guessing 1987/88 based on the serial number 221xxx.

Tokai Electric Sound Bassエレキベースシリーズ... - ヤフオク!