Tokai Hard Puncher PB45 - Black, Lawsuit era, 1981

Tokai Hard Puncher PB45 is a Japanese bass guitar, manufactured in 1981 at the Tokai Gakki factory. This model is a replica of early Precision Bass type instruments. This unit features a Black finish and is characterized by the use of a logo colloquially known as the "Spaghetti Logo". After our service work, which included fingerboard leveling, refretting, and full electronics shielding, the bass is ready to play.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Tokai

• Model: Hard Puncher PB45

• Year of production: 1981

• Body: Alder

• Neck: Maple

• Fingerboard: Rosewood

• Frets: Vintage Style (Condition: 100% – new)

• Pickups: 1x Tokai PB-Split Coil

• Electronics: Passive (shielded)

• Visual condition: Visible signs of use (details in description)

• Finish: Black

• Weight: (to be completed)

Body and construction The solid body is made of alder. The instrument features a black lacquer finish. A traditional Bolt-on neck construction is used. Factory holes from the installation of an optional metal pickup cover are visible on the body. In our workshop, the electronics cavities were completely shielded. The lacquer coating went through a cleaning and polishing process.

Neck and ergonomics The maple neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. As part of the service work, the old frets were removed, the fingerboard was leveled, and brand new Vintage Style frets were installed. The fingerboard surface was cleaned and conditioned. The appropriate neck geometry allowed for a precise string action setup.

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

• Characteristics: The combination of an alder body and a split-coil pickup generates a classic frequency response with clear mids and an appropriately defined bottom end.

• Dynamics: The passive electronics respond proportionally to articulation strength. The applied shielding noticeably lowers the circuit's susceptibility to ambient hardware noise.

Additional information

The Hard Puncher PB45 model from the early 1980s is an instrument replicating the specification of American PB models.

The use of the so-called "Spaghetti Logo" on the headstock is a characteristic detail of Japanese Tokai production from the Lawsuit era, often sought after by MIJ gear collectors.

The holes in the body indicate the historical presence of metal pickup covers, which were standard equipment or an option on instruments inspired by the 1960s.

The service work we performed included: fingerboard leveling, complete refretting, electronics cavity shielding, finish polishing, and setting the scale length and string action.

Hardware

• Bridge: Vintage Style PB – a steel construction that has undergone a cleaning and restoration process, allowing for proper intonation adjustment.

• Tuners: Vintage Open Gear – open-back mechanisms with classic buttons. The chrome 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 frets are brand new.

• Visual condition: The guitar shows clear signs of use. Scratches, chips, and dings appropriate for the instrument's age are visible on the lacquer coating (especially on the back and edges). The instrument has no structural wood cracks.

• Setup and Modifications: Complete refretting, fingerboard leveling, full electronics shielding, finish polishing, and a full setup of the string action and intonation were performed.

Why choose this instrument

• Tokai Gakki production: A unit manufactured during the highly regarded Lawsuit era, characterized by the high assembly quality of Japanese replicas.

• Shielded electronics: The passive circuit was professionally protected to minimize hardware noise.

• New frets and leveling: The complete fret replacement and fingerboard leveling eliminate the wear resulting from decades of use and ensure proper intonation.

• Ready to play: After the performed luthier check, refretting, and shielding, the bass is fully prepared for regular work.