My Old Tokai

[Craig-]

I’ve put a thread up and re-posted the details of the Bass , thank you for the work and time you do here , it’s very very much appreciated

 

[Sigmania]

You are welcome. This is a great place and fun to be a part of it.

I really hope that we can overhaul the Registry. With your input and others that may help get some momentum to work on it.

 

[Craig-]

Well I certainly intend to stick around , I have very limited knowledge to contribute as I’ve pretty much just picked up a bass and played following my thoughts on if it feels good and sounds how you want then it’s all good , it just happens to be that My Tokai has always been the best fit for me in every way . The last few days since I joined here has been a learning curve already for me that I find interesting and fascinating .

 

[Craig-]

Well I’ve got the first update and pics from the Luthier just now so I thought I’d post the pics up

 

[Sigmania]

Well I’ve got the first update and pics from the Luthier just now so I thought I’d post the pics up

Wow! Any pics inside the control or neck pickup compartment? That is where the body code with the color would be.

Your color looks brighter than my MG ST75.

 

[Craig-]

It’s late here so I’ll
Message in the morning and ask if he will take a look .
These pics show the true colour of the bass much better than my earlier pics

 

[Sigmania]

Cool. That color is gorgeous.

And I would also be interested in whether the code on the body has the = sign or the - sign like your neck does.

 

[Craig-]

What do the codes that you can see tell us ?

 

[Sigmania]

Well the 6 - 20 is interesting.

The 6 means it was made in June. Or at least the neck was.

The - sign is something that replaced the = sign in the mid 80s.

I believe Peter Mac, who is kind of the expert on vintage Tokais, said that the - sign came in in 1985? I am not totally clear on it and maybe he will pop in and say what he has found.

I have for sure found mixed symbols on at least one guitar in 1985 where the body had the = sign and the neck had the - sign.

Mixed Symbols = & -

So I was just curious if one or both on your were the - sign.

I am thinking 1985 at the moment.

Unfortunately, the type of pots your bass has doesn't give us a date..

 

[Craig-]

Fascinating stuff , could the mixed symbols on a guitar possibly relative to when the stock component was manufactured , then obviously there could be a mix at the point of assembly such as a body from 1984 and a neck from 1985 ? The good thing is the Luthier has found no issues at all with the bass apart from the screws in the bridge are a little seized up which he is working on overnight , hopefully I’ll get more information today

 

[Sigmania]

Lots of mysteries with Tokai. Not as clear cut as that since the codes match otherwise. Seems intentional.

Let’s wait and see what the pics in the cavities look like. Really looking forward to seeing what the body code is.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sigmania]

Btw, you might like to check out this thread if you haven’t already.

Post your Tokai bass pics, please!

1981 JB65 MGR owned bt T.M.D.

 

[Craig-]

I’ve been assured there is no code in the control cavities ( he’s just informed me he’s already looked in there ) later today I’m assuming he’s going to take the pick ups out and have a look in there to see what we can find in there , I’m at work at the moment so will take a look at the bass pic thread as soon as I can

 

[Sigmania]

Best to take pictures with a flash. There should be a code in there if it is a Tokai body. It can be faint. Flash can help you see it.

 

[Craig-]

So I get my bass back tomorrow but unfortunately he hasn’t been able to find the body code so when I get it back I’m going to have a good look myself , I am 100% sure it’s genuine as who I bought it from originally bought it new from a reputable music shop we had In our local town and I know for sure it has never been tampered with or any original parts been exchanged, it now has new bridge saddles on as the originals screws are seized in place but I can sort that and will re-fit those at a later date

 

[Sigmania]

Cool. It may be in the control compartment under the knobs. Should be easy to get in there once you get it back.

I don't see it in the one pickup cavity.

 

[Sigmania]

Kind of looks like there is metal flake in the finish which would be the MG finish.

On the TG finish you can actually see through it and see the wood grain.

Beautiful bass.

 

[Craig-]

That’s good to know , I’m looking forward to getting it back and putting it through its paces . Thank you , this bass is my baby , I’ve such a strong attachment to it

 

[Craig-]

I have the bass back as of today and it’s playing awesome after it’s clean and set up with new rotosound strings too , I think I’ve established we’re the code is hiding but I’m not confident of revealing it myself in the control cavity under the knobs there is a brass/copper plate screwed into the body ( shown in pic ) I’m convinced it has to be under there and not a job a fact myself ….. the Luthier has said he believes it’s definitely Metallic Green in colour so I’m happy with that for now and I’ll just enjoy playing it again , the next time it goe’s in for a check up I’ll ask Hume to lift the plate to finally reveal what’s there !!

 

[ATO]

It is likely to be under that plate. Definitely MG. Great looking bass!