Tokai MIJ APB114 Hard Puncher PBass – Matching Headstock

2023 Tokai APB114 GMB/R Bass Gunmetal Blue Metallic

Professor’s Notes

The Hard Puncher does not try to reinvent the P-style bass, and that is exactly the point. This APB114 gets the familiar formula remarkably right, with standout Japanese build quality, a substantial but comfortable neck, and a strong, authoritative split-coil voice.

The neck has a Goldilocks-vintage feel, with enough shoulder to feel supportive without becoming cumbersome. The PB-Vintage MK3 pickup has the weight, clarity, and punch we want from this type of bass, and together with the fretwork, balance, and overall construction, leaves us wanting to change very little. The Gunmetal Blue Metallic finish and matching headstock also give this example a distinctive identity without taking away from what is fundamentally a very traditional instrument.

Condition

This bass is in Excellent (near mint) condition. There are very few signs of use, including fine scratches near the bridge as pictured. The frets show virtually no wear.

The truss rod adjusts properly in both directions, and the neck is straight with no warping or waviness. Electronics are clean, unmodified, and fully functional.

Professionally set up with D’Addario EXL170 45-100 strings, it is dialed in with comfortable medium action, proper relief, accurate intonation, and correctly adjusted pickup height.

Includes the original Tokai padded gig bag and tools. A hard case is available upon request at additional cost—please message us for details.

Specifications
Weight: 8 lbs 10 oz
Case: Original Tokai Gig Bag
Nut Width (measured): 1.64 in
12th Fret Width: 2.27 in
1st Fret Depth: 0.84 in
12th Fret Depth: 0.99 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 in
Scale Length: 34" (864 mm)
Bridge: BB-VB 4-Saddle Vintage-Style
Pickup: PB-Vintage MK3 split-coil
Controls: Volume, Tone
Hardware Finish: Chrome
Country of Manufacture: Japan

Overview

The comparison to Fender is unavoidable with an instrument built around such a familiar design, but Tokai’s appeal is not about reinventing the formula. The question is how well that formula is executed.

That is where this APB114 makes its case.

Built in Japan, it pairs a 2-piece alder body with a thick slab rosewood fingerboard, bone nut, traditional hardware, and Tokai’s consistently excellent fretwork and fit and finish. The result feels deliberate and refined rather than like a platform waiting for upgrades.

The U-profile maple neck is substantial without feeling excessive, with enough shoulder to provide a secure, vintage-influenced feel in the hand. The measured .84" depth at the first fret and .99" at the 12th give it real presence, while the 9.5" radius keeps the playing surface familiar and comfortable.

The Gunmetal Blue Metallic finish and matching headstock give this particular bass a more distinctive look than the traditional finishes usually associated with the platform, while retaining the straightforward character that makes a great P-style bass so useful.

Electronics and Tone

The PB-Vintage MK3 split-coil pickup is a genuine strength of the instrument rather than something that feels like an eventual upgrade point.

It delivers a strong fundamental with authoritative lows, punchy mids, good note definition, and a rounded top end that stays articulate without becoming harsh. With the tone wide open, there is plenty of clarity and presence to sit confidently in a mix; rolling it back brings out the warmer, more compressed character players expect from a traditional P-style bass.

The simple volume-and-tone layout keeps the focus where it belongs. There is nothing complicated here—just a very well-executed version of one of the most useful bass designs ever made.

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