How is Ishibashi?

Justin89 · #1 04-17-2009, 11:23 PM

has anybody ordered from them?
I always see cool stuff up there, but never pulled the trigger. is this all just used stuff?

Justin89 · #2 04-17-2009, 11:30 PM

sorry forgot to add:
has anyone had any problems ordering from them? particularly to do with shipping
how about customer service?

Dee_01 · #3 04-18-2009, 12:46 AM

I haven't ordered from Ishibashi but I'm considering doing so at some point in the future. I want a MIJ Jazz.

No, they sell new gear too, not just used stuff in the U-Box.

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/

bpwb · #4 04-18-2009, 12:51 AM

I have a friend that has ordered from them in the past. No problems. Highly reputable.

Dee_01 · #5 04-18-2009, 01:11 AM

+1.

I have several friends that have ordered from them and apparently it was a painless experience. They have English speaking staff, as far as I am aware.

PS: There's Ikebe, too: http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/index.php

nickn · #6 04-18-2009, 01:15 AM

I don't have first-hand experience about this, but I heard that they won't ship NIB MIJ basses to the USA because of Fender's policy. The only MIJ basses Fender allows to be sold in the USA are the ones you see at the big dealers, such as the Mustang, Jaguar, all the various RIs, etc. All the other MIJ Fenders are made for domestic (read: Only for Japan) sale.

Someone confirm/deny this?

Dee_01 · #7 04-18-2009, 01:18 AM

I made a thread on it earlier. Unfortunately, nobody replied. However, someone mentioned in another thread that they do still ship out new MIJ Fenders. I would like confirmation. If it's true, it sucks. MIJ is the best quality to price ratio. I can't afford USA made Fender and I don't want Mex.

tonybassboss · #8 04-18-2009, 01:40 AM

I've purchased several basses from Ishibashi u-box. Never had problems.. Highly recomended!!!

hypercarrots · #9 04-18-2009, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickn

I don't have first-hand experience about this, but I heard that they won't ship NIB MIJ basses to the USA because of Fender's policy. The only MIJ basses Fender allows to be sold in the USA are the ones you see at the big dealers, such as the Mustang, Jaguar, all the various RIs, etc. All the other MIJ Fenders are made for domestic (read: Only for Japan) sale.

Someone confirm/deny this?

deny

theNoseBleedKid · #10 04-18-2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin89

has anybody ordered from them?
I always see cool stuff up there, but never pulled the trigger. is this all just used stuff?

sorry forgot to add:
has anyone had any problems ordering from them? particularly to do with shipping
how about customer service?

They are great, there is also new stuff. The only 'problem' I've had is there are limited English speaking employees so be prepared to wait 2-3 days for your email to get replied to. Otherwise they are polite, to the point and FAST.

choo5 · #11 04-18-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypercarrots

deny

actualy its true, they refused a friend of mine when he asked.

4-Stringer · #12 04-18-2009, 05:17 AM

Bought a couple of times there (used and new). Very friendly staff, extremely reliable, very good after sales support.

However, my last two orders were problematic (for different reasons), I will not buy there anymore, at least not in the near future.
After the extremely positive experience I had in the past, I'm pretty disappointed because of the trouble I recently had

Edit: They don't ship new(!) Fender instruments outside Japan. You can buy used ones anytime.
The same goes for Ikebe. Not the dealers are to be blamed for this, it's Fender who wants to sell mediocre stuff for exaggerated prices.
The best Fenders I've seen so far were CIJ and Fender wants to sell MIM and MIA.

Johnny Alien · #13 04-18-2009, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4-Stringer

Not the dealers are to be blamed for this, it's Fender who wants to sell mediocre stuff for exaggerated prices.
The best Fenders I've seen so far were CIJ and Fender wants to sell MIM and MIA.

The dealers did not make that decision that's true but calling Fender's MIA products mediocre and claiming their is a conspiracy to not bring MIJ to America is crazy. Fender sells MIJ in America right now so clearly they have no problem with selling it here. Most of the stuff available in Japan is color variants and such. I also would take a MIA Fender over a MIJ one any day of the week.

Music Man will shut down US dealers that sell their products outside of America. Are they part of a conspiracy to keep decently priced MM instruments away from foreign buyers?

On topic: I ordered from Ishibashi years agi and it was a killer experience. They responded to my email within hours I bank wired them the money and had the bass in under a week straight from Japan. It was faster than Musicians Friend. I have no ordered recently so I know nothing about them not selling domestic Fenders outside of Japan or how their service is now.

Justin89 · #14 04-18-2009, 09:22 AM

thanks for the info guys, its really appreciated!

if any one has any other experiances let me and others know.

two fingers · #15 04-18-2009, 09:27 AM

I hear nothing but good things about ordering from them. And I LOVE my MIJ Jazz!!!

4-Stringer · #16 04-18-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

The dealers did not make that decision that's true but calling Fender's MIA products mediocre and claiming their is a conspiracy to not bring MIJ to America is crazy. Fender sells MIJ in America right now so clearly they have no problem with selling it here.

look, I have absolutely no idea about the USA, so if you think my posting is "crazy" - I don't care.
When Fender changed the policy for shipping CIJ to Europe, I had a chat with a guy who knows it - he works for Fender. The reason was that many people in Europe ordered CIJ from Ishibashi and others, because they got quality for their money. At the same time, a MIM was more expensive and MIA prices absolutely insane. Even guitar stores started to import CIJ by themselves instead of buying through the "official" Fender channels.

This might have been or be different in the USA.

Dan B · #17 04-18-2009, 09:36 AM

Do they deny shipping of other brands that are exclusive to Japan (IE some Ibanezes, Yamahas, Arias, etc)?

hypercarrots · #18 04-18-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choo5

actualy its true, they refused a friend of mine when he asked.

shipping to the US?

4-Stringer · #19 04-18-2009, 09:46 AM

@Dan B
The last time I've asked it was only Fender. But that was a couple of months ago.

Funny enough, I've bought a new Gibson Les Paul "Slash" there for much less money than
it would have been in the USA (and Europe, of course). Ishibashi is always worth to have a look

4-Stringer · #20 04-18-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypercarrots

shipping to the US?

shipping outside Japan. At least for NEW Fender stuff. Happened to me, too.
However, there are dealers on ebay and some "agents" in Japan who buy the stuff and re-sell it again.
This is more expensive bcs. they want to make some money and the 5% VAT are also included (Ishibiashi sells without VAT for export).
But at least it's a way to get such a bass/guitar.