Tokai Hard Puncher PB40 – Candy Apple Red, Lawsuit era, approx. 1981

Tokai Hard Puncher PB40 is a Japanese replica of a PB-style bass, manufactured in 1981 at the Tokai Gakki factory. Early models from this period gained recognition due to their extremely rigorous reproduction of the dimensions and structural details of original instruments from the 50s and 60s. The instrument features an alder body finished in Candy Apple Red and a passive circuit with a Split-Coil pickup. After our service work, which included fret dressing and shielding of the electronics with copper foil, the bass is fully prepared to play.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Tokai
• Model: Hard Puncher (PB40)
• Year of production: 1981
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: Medium (Condition: 95% – after dressing)
• Pickups: 1x PB Split-Coil
• Electronics: Passive (1x Volume, 1x Tone)
• Visual condition: Very good (details in description)
• Finish: Candy Apple Red
• Weight: 4.10 kg / 9.04 lbs

Body and construction The solid body is made of alder. The instrument features a Candy Apple Red lacquer finish. A traditional Bolt-on construction is used, and the tightly fitted neck pocket ensures optimal resonance transfer from the neck to the body. In our workshop, the electronics cavities were completely shielded with copper foil. The lacquer coating went through a cleaning, polishing, and waxing process.

Neck and ergonomics The maple neck is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. The Medium size frets retain about 95% of their original height and underwent a dressing process (leveling and polishing) during our service work, eliminating the issue of string buzz. The fingerboard surface was cleaned and conditioned with lemon oil.

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

• Characteristics: The use of an alder body and a Split-Coil layout generates a balanced frequency response with pronounced low-mids, allowing the instrument to sit well in a mix.
• Dynamics: The passive electronics, controlled by Volume and Tone potentiometers, respond directly to the articulation strength of fingers or a pick. The applied copper shielding significantly reduces the circuit's susceptibility to external electromagnetic interference.

Additional information

Hard Puncher series models from the early 1980s are instruments where Tokai engineers focused on a very accurate, historical reproduction of American original specifications.

The Candy Apple Red finish is a historical lacquer from the Custom Color palette, which in the application process requires laying down a special silver or gold base coat beneath the actual red color layer.

The Split-Coil pickup used in this series features a design with two independent coils (each serving two strings) that physically reduce unwanted hum through reverse polarity.

The service work we performed included: fret dressing, full copper electronics shielding, finish polishing, fingerboard conditioning, hardware renewal, and scale length setup.

Hardware

• Bridge: Vintage-Style – a steel construction with threaded saddles ensuring proper intonation.
• Tuners: Open Gear – open-back mechanisms with classic buttons. The chrome hardware went through a renewal process and retains its full mechanical efficiency.

Instrument condition

• Technical condition: The instrument is 100% functionally and structurally stable, after a full luthier verification. The truss rod works properly, and the frets are leveled.
• Visual condition: The guitar is preserved in a very good visual condition. It shows minimal, standard signs of use appropriate for its vintage (isolated, minor lacquer scratches). There are no structural cracks.
• Setup and Modifications: Copper foil shielding of the electronics cavities, full fret dressing, metal hardware renewal, and setup of the scale length and string action were performed.

Why choose this instrument

• Historical accuracy: Early Tokai replicas from the beginning of the 80s are highly valued for their faithful reproduction of original instrument structural specifications.
• Custom Color finish: The Candy Apple Red lacquer is a rarer finish variant compared to basic colors like Sunburst or Black.
• Circuit shielding: Securing the cavities with copper foil effectively lowers the noise level during studio and stage work.
• Ready to play: After our service work, the bass is fully prepared for regular playing without the need for additional luthier visits.