DanH71

So looking here: http://www.tokairegistry.com/tokai-info/tokai-fender.html It illustrates that all tokai j-basses carried a fender copy ID number on the neck plate. My bass doesn't have such a number (it's blank) so how can I tell if I have an actual tokai other than going on a gut Feeling from my above observations (last post)? Is there another tell tale sign other than this plate mark or the headstock decal (that I don't have)? The headstock shape certainly looks like and meets the description of a post Fender law suit (anywhere from 82-86)..

Just an update on my newly acquired bass... So at closer inspection and by comparing it to other guitars I suspect I could have a tokai bass That has had its headstock sprayed and dodgy Fender decal put on. The bridge and its spacing to the pickup seem to be identical to the tokai as does the Fender jazz bass shaped headstock With its more acute and poorly rounded floor facing contour. Also the more rounded tip on the lower horn of the scratch plate seems To be like several tokai bases I have seen as is the more acute bevel of the body. The neck plate seems to have no serial though so don't know if this was replaced to disguise the fact It wasn't a fender (without bothering to put a fender one on in its place;) Slightly dissapointed it's not in part some rare Fender gem but I understand to that some tokai jazz basses are sought after..it certainly sounds good with the basic pickups it has (very jazzy) Question is, how can I tell what tokai I do have (year and place of production)? Thanks Dan

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1496925547' post='3314740'] I'd leave the headstock alone, and just enjoy the bass. "What's in a name..? A rose [i]etc[/i]..." [/quote] Dad3353, I could not agree more. that's why I want it removed as Fender is only a name, which isn't descriptive of what it is [as far as I know;]

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1496920638' post='3314672'] Aw Heeheehee. What makes the Fender decal "dodgy" then? Is the guitar a Gibson copy or summat? Edit; I've just found this and answered my own question; [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/303932-i-dont-get-the-whole-putting-a-fender-decal-on-a-non-fender-bass-thing/page__view__findpost__p__3314264"]http://basschat.co.u...ost__p__3314264[/url] [/quote] neck is unknown..but for £116 i know I haven't just picked up an american vintage 64. Guy who im getting it from got it from another guy who was also upfront about its non authenticity, but thats all I know. its my bitsa bass and Im not worried about being seen playing something other than Fender. In fact i may design and put on my own decal.

[quote name='samhay' timestamp='1496922615' post='3314700'] A further tweak to the Stanley blade scrapper technique - which is what I would try first - is to add a bur. See here: [url="http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/RazorScrape/razorscrape1.html"]http://www.frets.com...zorscrape1.html[/url] [/quote] samhay, that is gold right there! big thanks

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1496915517' post='3314637'] This. You need to hold the blade in your fingers with the long sharp edge flat to the surface and scrape towards you. Allow the blade edge to tilt back, so it will be at, something like a 45 degree angle. Use it as a scraper, but dragging, not pushing. So think of it as being like a window squeegee, not a wall-paper scraper. This method is also good for getting a smooth surface on wood. So, as Norris says; it's used in wood furniture. Which is the industry in which I learned to do it. [/quote] [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1496915715' post='3314639'] I would still scrape it, but go gently. Then finish it after with very fine wet & dry. Then lacquer it. [/quote] thanks Grangur! very helpful indeed. much appreciated. Dan

case closed

Thanks Norris, very helpful! SpondonBassed, not so much..

Thanks to both Roger2611 and Grangur. @Grangur so do you try to get as horizontal to the headstock and decal as possible and try to lift of the decal by getting under it? Not sure how to scrape at it and don't want to leave it like a subject of Jack the Ripper!

[quote name='tonyquipment' timestamp='1496864164' post='3314400'] Personally I would just belt sand it off lol Obv I would re-lacquer it and stuff. Don't take my word for it! [/quote] Yeh...that's a lot of work and I don't have any tools of the trade to do so. Was hoping for a less extreme approach;) Cheers though

Hi, So wanting to remove a dodgy Fender decal of the headstock off a recent purchase and looking for he best method to do so. Haven't got the bass yet so can't see if the decal is under a coat but interested to know if anybodies experience with trying to do so. I could keep the Fender decal on there (believe it's the kind that comes with the American vintage 64 j-bass but leaning towards applying my own custom decal instead (I'm not proud;). Any ideas? Dan

ive just bought this.. [sharedmedia=core:attachments:246796] its someone else's bitsa base emulating a J-Bass american vintage 64 and comes with Fender Decal.. Id like to customise it to my liking and may remove the decal [haven't decided yet on how bothered I am either way], so as not to be a sheep in wolves clothing;) surely its how you play the thing, and how it feels and sounds anyway and not the badge it has or hasn't got on it. If I do though, anyone point me in the direction of the process of safely removing the decal, and a shop fro custom decals would be good too! [i like the idea of designing and uploading my own].

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1496769938' post='3313765'] The general shape of the body. A number of Squiers also come with Skunk lines too. But TBH any judgment of mine should come with a public health warning. There are many more knowledgeable people on here than me. Edit: Have you taken the neck off and looked for markings and to see if the body is solid wood; assuming you can see anything through the paint? [/quote] Sorry, missed your post! No I haven't got the bass yet, but what might that tell me if it's solid wood (do you mean 1 piece?)? Obviously brand stamps would be a giveaway. Thanks again D

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1496769938' post='3313765'] The general shape of the body. A number of Squiers also come with Skunk lines too. But TBH any judgment of mine should come with a public health warning. There are many more knowledgeable people on here than me. [/quote] Warning heeded and your input much appreciated;)! not sure though about the body, as the neck/body bolt plate is not squier. Doesn't mean it isn't ,maybe he wanted a 'fender' plate but couldn't find one and just put on a blank plate to hide the shame of it being a squier:)

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' timestamp='1496768128' post='3313750'] Looks nice but its not a squier, mighty mite or licensed by Fender neck as the headstock is not the correct shape. The blob on the end of a Fender/Squier/licensed headstock would be bigger and the lower edge would be more curved. It looks more like one of the generic Chinese necks that come up on ebay [/quote] Thanks for the insight on the headstock shape! Any ideas on the body at all? Squier or jazz copy from a different manufacturer maybe..

[quote name='PawelG' timestamp='1496765278' post='3313719'] Looking forward to hear more about it. I bet you can't wait to see what it is :-) Looks like a bargain to me. [/quote] No I can't, its a bit like Xmas!. Just hope it plays/feels nice. The rest can be tweaked!

@Grangur could you tell me what makes it look like a squier to you? I mean what model/signature of squier? Cheers

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1496760005' post='3313689'] Looks good man! Sounds like you've got a nice bargain, fingers crossed! [/quote] cheers Bass_Guardian hope so too!

[quote name='RickyV' timestamp='1496760585' post='3313693'] For the money that looks great! Could just be something like a Mighty Mite neck with the headstock sprayed to match the body and then the decal applied. Any idea what pick-ups it has? [/quote] no, no idea as yet. Just seen the two pictures. When I collect it at the weekend I can post any more info that I may get by looking at it. That was mostly why I posted in the 1st place; to see if folks could give any possible leads.. could well be a mighty mite. will have to check the quality of the headstock paint when i get it.

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1496753475' post='3313625'] I've no idea, but id say for £116 you cant go far wrong! [/quote] yeh, was surprised the auction price was so low. still haven't played it yet; might be like a cheese grater!

yeh, just looked at the aerodyne thanks with the similarly coloured headstock, but it: https://reverb.com/item/4758303-fender-fsr-aerodyne-jazz-bass-lake-placid-blue-pre-owned seems to have a different wood and no laquer finish as mine does. curios-er and curios-er..

Hi all, just bought this jazz bass off ebay for £116 pounds, in the knowledge that this is NOT a fender bass guitar, despite what the decal says. The guy who sold it was very sure to make it clear that this was not a genuine Fender jazz bass and told of how he had bought it off a guy who was equally honest about its non authenticity. Ive asked the seller if he knows the origin of these parts but he only knows it is a put together item. I haven't received it yet but am curious as to what the original owner has done in terms what guitar/s the body and neck are from. I can see that he has tried to create a Fender Jazz Bass American Vintage 64 in Lake Placid Blue [headstock decal is the same] but want to try to find out what its actually put together from? http://davesguitar.com/products/fender/american-vintage-1964-jazz-bass/ Its curious because the colored headstock with moody fender decal sits on a neck with contrasting skunk stripe, and I dont know of any squires/or other guitars that have this colour headstock and skunk stripe. I know the John Johnston has this coloured headstock https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/0301078502/electric-basses/squier-james-johnston-biffy-clyro-jazz-bass-in-lake-placid-blue but its not this has they have no skunk and model and manufacture decal on the reverse. Same for the body? As I say, I haven't received it yet but was looking to see if anyone had any ideas from the two pictures I have, OR if anyone could give me any advice or where to look and what to look for to find out more about this frankenstein bass? Wanted to start a bitsa project and thought this a cheap way to start. cheers Dan

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1495635765' post='3305492'] I shall find the bag out for you later and see if its got enough space. [/quote] that would be very kind of you fella! Cheers Dan

thanks naxos10. good to know of this place although its not great for soft gig bags. great for hard cases though. cheers

@EBS_freak thomann E-Bass gigbag looks great. aguilar th350 is [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]8.25" W x 7.5" D x 3" H[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]do you think the front pocket has this kind of depth in it?[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Cheers[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Dan[/size][/font][/color]