Fresher Personal Bass 4th Gen. – Sunburst, Precision Bass, '80s.

Fresher Personal Bass PB is a Japanese bass guitar, manufactured in the first half of the 1980s (no later than 1985) at the Chushin Gakki factory for the Kyowa Shokai brand. This model represents the fourth generation of Fresher instruments (the so-called 4th logo). This unit features a Sunburst finish and a new, 3-ply black pickguard. After our preventive service work, which included fret polishing, fingerboard conditioning, and a full setup, the bass is ready to play.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Fresher (Kyowa Shokai)
• Model: Personal Bass PB
• Year of production: 1980s (up to 1985)
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: Vintage (Condition: after polishing)
• Pickups: 1x Split-Coil
• Electronics: Passive (1x Volume, 1x Tone)
• Visual condition: Visible signs of use (details in description)
• Finish: Sunburst
• Weight: 3.61 kg / 7.96 lbs

Body and construction The solid body is made of alder. The instrument features a Sunburst lacquer finish. A traditional Bolt-on neck construction is used. A new, 3-ply black pickguard has been installed on the body, to which a classic thumbrest is attached above the strings. In our workshop, the lacquer coating went through a cleaning and protecting process.

Neck and ergonomics The maple neck features a profile similar to a "C" shape. The neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. As part of the service work, the original Vintage size frets underwent a polishing process. The fingerboard surface was cleaned and conditioned.

Sound The instrument is equipped with a factory Split-Coil pickup in a passive circuit.

• Characteristics: The combination of an alder body and a split-coil pickup generates a frequency response with clear low-mids and a controlled bottom end.
• Dynamics: The passive electronics, controlled by a classic Volume and Tone layout, respond directly to articulation strength, maintaining clarity during both fingerstyle playing and picking.

Additional information

The Fresher brand was managed by the Kyowa Shokai company, and the fourth generation (4th logo) from the 1980s featured a modernized logo font.

The Chushin Gakki factory was responsible for assembling many respected Japanese brands of that period, relying on proven construction specifications.

The application of a thumbrest above the strings is a modification referring historically to the early specifications of PB models, designed to make resting the thumb easier during fingerstyle playing.

The service work we performed was preventive in nature and included: fret polishing, fingerboard cleaning and conditioning, pickguard replacement, and adjusting the intonation and string action.

Hardware

• Bridge: Vintage Style PB – a steel construction equipped with four saddles, retaining its original patina.
• Tuners: Vintage Open Gear – open-back mechanisms with classic buttons. The hardware went through a cleaning process and retains its mechanical efficiency.

Instrument condition

• Technical condition: The instrument is mechanically and electronically functional after a luthier verification. The truss rod works properly, and the electronics operate without interference.
• Visual condition: The guitar shows clear signs of use. Lacquer chips and scratches are visible on the lacquer coating, mainly on the edges of the body. The instrument has no structural wood cracks.
• Setup and Modifications: A new pickguard and a thumbrest were installed. Fret polishing, fingerboard conditioning, and a full setup of the scale length and string action were performed.

Why choose this instrument

• Alder body: A traditional body material providing the classic, balanced frequency response typical for PB models.
• Preventive service: The polished frets and cleaned fingerboard ensure appropriate playing comfort without the need for deep luthier interventions (such as fret leveling or replacement).
• New pickguard and thumbrest: An aesthetic modification that refreshes the look of the instrument while maintaining its classic configuration.
• Ready to play: After the performed setup, the guitar is fully prepared for regular work.