Tokai Jazz Bass- what to look for

[briansbrew]

Hi Guys

Need some help again, I recently bought this 1980 ish Tokai Jazz bass and noticed right away that the neck pocked was not as tight as it should be so decided to take the neck off to see the pocket.
As you can see the stamp 1997 DEM stamped on the body.
Not having a Tokla before so does anybody have any idea what this might be or what should be stamped there.

The neck looks ok but not great as I think someone was messing around with some lacquer spray near the nut and headstock. There is a plate at the back stamped L45786

Hope these photos help

Thanks in advance guys

[attachment=213363:Tokaibody.JPG][attachment=213364:Tokaiheadstock.JPG]

[briansbrew]

Oh forgot to add, the truss rod is adjusted by an allen key, in some pics I've seen its a slotted type ???

[doomed]

My 83 Jazz (owned from new) has the slotted truss adjuster, my Hardpuncher which I bought new a few years ago has an Allen headed adjuster.

[Bassassin]

What sort of tuners are they? While I don't intimately know Tokais, I do know that early 80s examples sometimes had 3-screw, cast body units, with torque-adjusting collars. Similar to the ones used on Yamaha BBs from the same era, apart from the keys.

From what I can see, yours might be this type - I'd doubt that a '97 bass would have these.

Jon.

[briansbrew]

Hi Jon

Thanks for getting back, It was sold to me as an early eighties Tokai Jazz and when I recieved it I took the neck off and don't understand the stamp mark in the neck pocket. The neck looks to be genuine but the body ??

The tuners have 3 screws and can be tightened by the collars. Is the body a 97 do you think

Brian

[doomed]

My Jazz has the 3 screw with collar type, so they were in use till 83 for sure.

[briansbrew]

Thanks Doomed, The neck fits the description ok, But its very loose in the next pocket about a 3mm gap on one side, the body of a different bass ?

[doomed]

Sounds a possibility, both mine are very tight despite the difference in age between them.

[briansbrew]

Yes, of all the basses I have or ever owned this has to be the worst fitting neck I have seen.

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[Fitzy73]

I had a lot of 80's tokai's
the body it's not from that period.

[spyder]

I'm not an expert but would have to agree the body is from a 90s bass.
I've had the misfortune to have this happen to me.
I was sold a MIJ P bass that had a fake body.
It's very unfortunate but it looks like you have been stitched up as I was.

[briansbrew]

thanks guys, you have realised my worst suspicion. I will contact the seller to see what he has to say. at least I have his address and mobile number

I will keep you posted

[doomed]

[quote name='briansbrew' timestamp='1456503986' post='2989792']
Yes, of all the basses I have or ever owned this has to be the worst fitting neck I have seen.

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[font=Verdana !important][size=2]
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Condition: [b]Used[/b] [b]:[/b] [size=1][url=""][/url][/size] Seller notes: [size=5][b]“[/b][/size][size=1]GENERALLY EXCELLANT, SOME MINOR WARE, VINTAGE ITEM, SEE PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTON FOR FULL DETAILS[/size][size=5][b]”[/b][/size] Type: [size=1]Electric Bass[/size] Size: [size=1]4/4[/size] Brand: [size=1]Tokai[/size] Right-/ Left-Handed: [size=1]Right-Handed[/size] MPN: [size=1]Does Not Apply[/size] No. of Strings: [size=1]4 string[/size] EAN: [size=1]Does not apply[/size] [/size][/size][/color]




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[/quote]

I had a 'I ought to have a fender' phase a while ago, the upshot being a trip to Bristol and a good look round pmt, virtually every mexican jazz they had on display had a pocket gap big enough to slip a pick in either side, leading me to think they're very hit and miss. The usa models were no better built than my old Tokai, I left with a smile on my face and my money still in my pocket 😊. (The phase has passed)

[briansbrew]

[quote name='doomed' timestamp='1456511149' post='2989913']
I had a 'I ought to have a fender' phase a while ago, the upshot being a trip to Bristol and a good look round pmt, virtually every mexican jazz they had on display had a pocket gap big enough to slip a pick in either side, leading me to think they're very hit and miss. The usa models were no better built than my old Tokai, I left with a smile on my face and my money still in my pocket . (The phase has passed)
[/quote]

Lucky you

[cameltoe]

[quote name='doomed' timestamp='1456511149' post='2989913']


I had a 'I ought to have a fender' phase a while ago, the upshot being a trip to Bristol and a good look round pmt, virtually every mexican jazz they had on display had a pocket gap big enough to slip a pick in either side, leading me to think they're very hit and miss. The usa models were no better built than my old Tokai, I left with a smile on my face and my money still in my pocket 😊. (The phase has passed)
[/quote]

Go MIJ for craftsmanship. I've always felt (from my experience) the USA's use the better quality materials whereas the MIJ's use cheaper components but put them together far better.

Post 2012 USA's are supposedly much improved but I've never played one!!

[JoeEvans]

Don't know about Fenders but I've got an old Tokai jazz fretless and I bloody love it, although it took Bartolini pickups to bring out the best in it.