Ordering from ishibashi.

[bigbass94]

Hi everyone, I was thinking about buying a japanese fender from ishibashi. Any tips and things I should know so I dont start some world crisis or something.

[Beta]

Assuming you're from the U.S., the first thing you should know about buying a Fender Japan bass from Ishibashi is that unless it's a used bass, you can't.

They've been told not to sell new basses to the U.S.

[chingas]

Why is that?

[Beta]

Probably because domestic sales would suffer, and domestic dealers wouldn't be happy. There have been at least a couple threads here discussing this.

If you go to Ishibashi's Fender Japan bass page (the English translated version), you should see "- I will limit sales of the fender Japan commodity only to Japan." at the top right.

Caparison guitars did the same thing.

[Horny Toad]

Originally Posted by Beta

Assuming you're from the U.S., the first thing you should know about buying a Fender Japan bass from Ishibashi is that unless it's a used bass, you can't.

They've been told not to sell new basses to the U.S.

Incorrect.


I know what it says on their web site, and I had no issues whatsoever ordering a brand new CIJ Precision from them. You just have to deal with them directly. My transaction with them was as smooth as could be.

[Beta]

Originally Posted by Horny Toad

Incorrect.


I know what it says on their web site, and I had no issues whatsoever ordering a brand new CIJ Precision from them. You just have to deal with them directly. My transaction with them was as smooth as could be.

I'll stand corrected. Here's what their international rep said in an e-mail:

"We still sell Fender Japan products to individual customers outside of Japan for personal use only."

As best I can tell, that means you have to send them an e-mail with whatever model you're interested in, and they get back to you with a price. I don't know why they say they'll sell only to Japan in one place and tell you something different in an e-mail, or how they know it's really for "personal use only," but it doesn't matter. Enjoy the good news.

[Horny Toad]

Originally Posted by Beta

As best I can tell, that means you have to send them an e-mail with whatever model you're interested in, and they get back to you with a price.

That is exactly how they do it.

[bassguitar]

Yep. They just want to make sure you're not a dealer. Do it!