2022 Tokai MIJ AJB114 Matching Headstock Gunmetal Blue Jazz Bass Made in Japan MH

2022 Tokai AJB114 GMB/R Bass Gunmetal Blue Metallic Matching Headstock

Professor’s Notes

Imported directly from Japan and exceptional value for money, Tokai AJBs are typically in short supply. Tokai’s instruments always win us over, and this bass is no exception. Orthodox vintage J-bass specifications meet Tokai’s uncommon dedication to craftsmanship and materials selection. This near mint example features a beautifully executed Gunmetal Blue finish with matching headstock. Brilliant feel and playability with outstanding punch, growl, and clarity for a passive instrument.

Specifications
Weight: 8 lbs 11oz

Case: Original Tokai Gig Bag

Nut Width (measured): 1.51 in

12th Fret Width: 2.22 in

1st Fret Depth: 0.81 in

12th Fret Depth: 0.98 in

Neck Profile: U

Nut Material: Bone

Body Material: 2-piece Alder

Body Finish: Gunmetal Blue Metallic, Polyester Gloss Clearcoat

Neck Material : Maple

Fingerboard Material: Rosewood

Number of Frets: 20

Fret Size: Medium Jumbo

Fingerboard Radius: 9.5 inch

Scale Length: 34" (864 mm)

Bridge: BB-VB 4-Saddle Vintage-Style

Pickups: JB-Vintage MK3 single coil x2

Controls: Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Tone

Hardware Finish: Chrome

Country of manufacture: Japan

Condition

This bass is in Excellent (near mint) condition. There are very few signs of use such as fine scratches on the body and neck plate. There is a tiny surface chip on the lower horn (pictured). There are a couple very small scuffs on the back of the lower bout (pictured). The frets show almost no signs of use. The truss rod is in good working order with adjustability in both directions. The neck is straight with no signs of warping or waviness. The electronics are in excellent working order and do not show signs of modification.

This bass has been professionally set up with D’Addario EXL170 45-100 strings, medium-low action with optimally adjusted relief, intonation dialed in up and down the neck, and pickup height set. The original well-padded Tokai gig bag, tools and warranty card are included. Hard case available upon request at additional cost, please send us a message for details and options.

Overview

While adhering to orthodox 1960s Jazz Bass specifications on paper, Tokai’s instruments posess a distinct character due to extreme dedication to traditional construction methods and exceptional materials selection. The AJB114 exudes quality with upscale features like a 2-piece alder body, thick slab rosewood fretboard, 4-ply mint pickguard, Gotoh hardware, and masterfully applied Gunmetal Blue paint with thin polyurethane clearcoat and matching headstock. There is an effortless precision and robustness about it that all finely crafted objects seem to posess. The gloss finish 34-inch scale maple neck’s vintage U profile feels substantial in hand without feeling overly large and clumsy. The neck is topped by a gorgeous cinnamon hued thick slab 9.5-inch radius rosewood fretboard, bone nut, white dot position markers, and 20 immaculately finished frets. Top quality Gotoh FB30 tuners and Tokai BB-VB 4-Saddle Vintage-Style ensure accurate, stable tuning and coupling to the neck and body.

Electronics and Tone

Tokai have done an excellent job voicing the JB-Vintage MK3 pickups to highlight the fantastic acoustic properties of the AJB series while being unmistakably a J-bass. There is a definition, focus and refinement across the instrument’s range typically reserved for boutique instruments. Bass is tight and focused, with outstanding fundamental note definition. Treble is pleasantly bright, with bite and snarl that ensures you’ll sit well in the mix no matter your playing style. The mids stay clear, focused and slightly forward. Rounder low end depth and thump without mud is accessible from the neck pickup, with tight punch, growl and burp on tap from the bridge pickup. Controls are traditional neck volume, bridge volume, and master tone. High-quality 250k pots are paired with a 0.047µF poly film cap. No modifications are noticeable to the standard Jazz Bass wiring and everything is in proper working order.