What happened to Fender's Japanese production?!?

[Pbass4003]

Well, time to treat her extra nice, cuz I may not see another quite like it!

Anyone know if the MIJ cum MIM Fenders use the traditional Mex satin finish on their necks, or retain the high gloss that the MIJ basses are known for?

And what about the Jaguar Deluxe? This is a traditional Japan-only run bass. MIM, MIA, or discontinued?? That's a bass that's not a god fit for me personally, but I'm an aloof fan on it anyway.

[PluckyThump]

Originally Posted by Pbass4003

Anyone know if the MIJ cum MIM Fenders use the traditional Mex satin finish on their necks, or retain the high gloss that the MIJ basses are known for?

Mine has a high gloss finish. I had the chance to compare both MIM and MIJ classic series before buying and the only difference was the MIM did not have the "F" on the neck plate. If you really want that you can buy one for a few dollars. I walked out with the MIM because it was less neck-heavy.

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by Pbass4003

I knew from reading the forums the Geddy and Marcus models went over to Mexico earlier this year... but did Fender cease ALL Japanese production? The Classic Series basses (50s, 70s) are now made in MX as well. When did this happen? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PBass70MOWT/

This topic hits close to home because I have a very (personally) special P Bass. It's a MIJ 70s P that I bought new last year. It is perfect in every way and achieves the lowest, buzz-free action that I have ever had on any bass, ever. I also happen to love the polarizing JP high-gloss neck finish, which makes it feel very Ric-like IMHO. This isn't a MX vs JP quality argument thread, rather a bewildered fan of CIJ/MIJ Fenders.

My MIJ P is my favorite gigging bass and it's insured. I'm wondering if it's now "irreplaceable." I can still get the same model, but I have my doubts I could ever get the same bass again unless I find another used... but there was only 1 year of MIJ models! I guess I gotta start taking better care of her... I wonder if the value went up (it sure did to me!).

Same here. Earlier this year I also bought a sunburst MIJ 70's P bass (my first Precision) and yeah, it was...."how can they get the action so low with no rattle?? I play fingerstyle and with a pick and there's no fret buzz! How is this possible?" It played so easy that I couldn't leave it behind.

But it did have a flaw. The pickup was installed at about a 15 to a 20 degree angle! It was crooked and "leaned" towards the neck. Got it home, took the pickup out and glued some small, wooden dowels into the the body where the original mounting holes for the picup was. Re-drilled the holes so the pickup would be straight...and the pickguard wouldn't fit! With the pickup now being straight it moved it back towards the bridge about an eight of an inch which was just enough to throw the whole alignment of the pickguard off. So I had to enlarge the opening for the pickup somewhat in order to make it fit.

Big deal. The bass played so good that it was worth it. It also sounded good and it sounded even better once I straightend out the pickup. Despite the bit of work I put into it I still think I came out way ahead of the game.

[Pbass4003]

Originally Posted by Mike M.

Same here. Earlier this year I also bought a sunburst MIJ 70's P bass (my first Precision) and yeah, it was...."how can they get the action so low with no rattle?? I play fingerstyle and with a pick and there's no fret buzz! How is this possible?" It played so easy that I couldn't leave it behind.

But it did have a flaw. The pickup was installed at about a 15 to a 20 degree angle! It was crooked and "leaned" towards the neck. Got it home, took the pickup out and glued some small, wooden dowels into the the body where the original mounting holes for the picup was. Re-drilled the holes so the pickup would be straight...and the pickguard wouldn't fit! With the pickup now being straight it moved it back towards the bridge about an eight of an inch which was just enough to throw the whole alignment of the pickguard off. So I had to enlarge the opening for the pickup somewhat in order to make it fit.

Big deal. The bass played so good that it was worth it. It also sounded good and it sounded even better once I straightend out the pickup. Despite the bit of work I put into it I still think I came out way ahead of the game.

I think my bass had the same problem if memory serves, but I quickly upgraded the pups to Classic 62s and my tech was easily able to redrill the crooked hole at not extra charge. It's also been strung with both Chromes and 9050s. That setup plus a BAII bridge make this the best playing and sounding bass I have ever owned. Everyone who picks it up is like ***... this is made in Japan?! Even my tech who is a Ric specialist is dumbfounded by how straight my neck is/low action without any buzzing.

I would hate to see something happen to this bass (I live in NYC), but good to know the MIM version may get me close haha.

[Marley's Ghost]

There are lots of threads here on MIJ. Consensus is MIJ is more or less equal to MIA. I am gassing for an Alpine white lefty 5 string Jazz, but not at 1900 with no USA warranty.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using TalkBass.com

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by mexicant

For the same reason that toyota and honda produce cars in the usa, unfavorable currency rates. It just costs to much to make them in japan anymore.

Yes, this would be the reason I would believe. No Japan factory stays shut for long, they get up and running quick.
But for anyone who has been watching the American dollar plummet...its way more costly to deal from a country like Japan where its always been more expensive. Look at the CAN or AUS dollar that used to be a good 35% behind the US dollar, is now equal or behind them. Our dollar is weak. So it makes most sense to ramp up production where its cheapest.

[synaesthesia]

PRIMARILY, Fender MIJ is for the domestic Japanese market and NOT PRIMARILY for export. That has not changed. The terms of importing may affect the tail end where a customer offshore (of Japan) is less able to pick one up new.

[antontanzil]

This is a very accurate Information, I worked in a guitar and amp factory, and one of my supplier is also a supplier for Fender, Jackson, etc.

The Japanesse factory (don't recall the name) closed down mid 2012, the factory is NOT owned by Fender, they're an OEM Company, making guitars, etc for various brands. The reason is, sadly because the number of order quantity Fender and the other companies ordered has decline since the 2008 crisis.

And according to my Supplier, the factory closes down just like that, no information whatsoever to Fender, or any of their customers and supplier, my supplier went there one day to deliver, and the doors are closed, he called the Factory's owner, then he got an answer that the factory is permanently out of business.

So, now Fender has no choice but to make their Products elsewhere, India, Indonesia, China and Mexico are some of them.

As someone who works in the MI business and a big fan of Japanesse Fenders (my first GAS was a Marcus Miller-4) it's a really sad thing. I hope things can get better and the factory could re-open, maybe, just a hope...

[ShowLow]

Originally Posted by antontanzil

So, now Fender has no choice but to make their Products elsewhere, India, Indonesia, China and Mexico are some of them.

As someone who works in the MI business and a big fan of Japanesse Fenders (my first GAS was a Marcus Miller-4) it's a really sad thing. I hope things can get better and the factory could re-open, maybe, just a hope...

Three of my very favorite Fender basses are MIJ. It is unsettling to realize that they could not be easily replaced in case of calamity.

MIJ Classic Series '70s Precision. Plays beautifully.
MIJ Classic Series '70s Jazz (One of only 52 made! All the rest are MIM.) Incredible workmanship.
MIJ Precision Lyte Deluxe. Plays itself, pretty much. Killer!!

IMHO, the used prices for MIJ Fenders are a steal. Here's the P with its new strap.





P.S. My all time favorite car is also MIJ. Big Acura with 105,000 miles, smooth as the day I brought her home.

[lakesguypaul]

I have a 1987 Fender Lyte MIJ and i love the thing.i don't go home after a gig with a numb shoulder and the active pickups give me anything i want. i also like the neck, it is very fast and the frets and setup is perfect and i have never touched it in the 10 years i have owned it and use it weekly for shows or practice. I would hate to have to find a replacement.

[lakesguypaul]

mine was made here
Guitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Fuji-gen Plant (for Fender Japan), Japan
in the Year(s): 1984 - 1987
Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation
Fuji String Instrument Production Corporation was opened in may 1960, they initially started manufacturing violins and quickly switched to classical guitar production. In 1962 electric guitar construction was started. Fujigen has a reputation for excellent quality and craftsmanship so the guitars they produce are highly regarded.

[alfred88]

I was recently near Musique Archambault in Montreal and stopped by as I do about once a week to try a bass. They had a Black and white Geddy Lee Jazz that I picked off the wall to try.

I had played about 3 MIJ's before and was floored by the quality and craftsmanship. Everything was perfect (frets, finish, feel of neck etc..). For me the GL is one of the best that Fender makes. This one was different, first the strings weren't aligned properly over the pickup polepieces, fret job wasn't what I had experienced before with frets sticking out on the sides. Then I saw that it said "Crafted in Mexico" at the base of the neck.

I don't know if they are all like that, the only good thing is that it was about 150$ cheaper then the MIJ's. I would gladly pay more for the old version.

By the way, I also have a Precision Lyte and would never sell it, it's also my favorite gigging bass along with my Japanese SQ Precision.

[kreider204]

Originally Posted by gleneg61

Fender Japan is business as usual. I live here so I always get the local catalog & apart from ceasing a few lefties, they've added medium & short scale Ps & Js to the local mix. Here you go: http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/products.html

Ah, you shouldn't have done that - now I have GAS. Why do the MIJ basses have cool finishes that MIA & MIM don't?!?!

[NYCbassist]

I have owned dozens of MIJ Fenders & Squiers. I have never had one that wasn't excellent. I recommend keeping what you have no matter what year. Even in this poor economy they are holding their value. I have a 1983-4 MIJ Bullet with 70's P-bass Pickup that absolutely Smokes $2000 USA basses. Pure sweetness!

[uOpt]

So which factory was that, specifically?

[synaesthesia]

Sorry that is not accurate at all.

Fender does not have a factory in Japan but uses several OEM subcontractors, as do others. There are many factories and OEM business does shift as in any industry. You mention no names.

North East Asian economies operate dual economies, countries like Taiwan, Japan, Korea have dual economies, viz. they have a domestic market and an 'international' market. Again, Fender MIJ was established for the high demand of the brand in Japan, primarily.

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/index.html

The Fender MIJ products you get outside of Japan are mostly parallel imports, there was a time when they were exported but that has not been for the longest time their core business nor their remit.
There was a time when MIJ Fender was cheaper (in the 80s) and it was of some concern to Fender as an international market, I think the pricing has resolved itself now and offers some level of market protection.

Originally Posted by antontanzil

This is a very accurate Information, I worked in a guitar and amp factory, and one of my supplier is also a supplier for Fender, Jackson, etc.

The Japanesse factory (don't recall the name) closed down mid 2012, the factory is NOT owned by Fender, they're an OEM Company, making guitars, etc for various brands. The reason is, sadly because the number of order quantity Fender and the other companies ordered has decline since the 2008 crisis.

And according to my Supplier, the factory closes down just like that, no information whatsoever to Fender, or any of their customers and supplier, my supplier went there one day to deliver, and the doors are closed, he called the Factory's owner, then he got an answer that the factory is permanently out of business.

So, now Fender has no choice but to make their Products elsewhere, India, Indonesia, China and Mexico are some of them.

As someone who works in the MI business and a big fan of Japanesse Fenders (my first GAS was a Marcus Miller-4) it's a really sad thing. I hope things can get better and the factory could re-open, maybe, just a hope...

[Warmuth]

Japan, and even Korea are feeling the squeeze. Indonesia and China are the new, well, Japan and Korea.

[Suntory]

When I used to live in Tokyo I would go to the shops and look at the Variety of Basses made by Fender Japan. Take a look.

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/ajb-m.html

[Tajue17]

how are the neck Joints on the mexican basses now,,, I remember huge gaps between the necks and the bodys and the necks would move easily if you jumped around alot taking the whole bass out of tune during a live performance,,, I needed to constantly watch my tuner on stage.. the japanese basses where much better quality I'd say dead even with the US made models,,,,, this was mid 80's to late 90's though so wondering about nowadays..

[Suntory]

I should add that the prices in the shops are cheaper than the Fender jp site due to competition from the other shops, in Japan Fender jp are great value. I also saw custom shop touches on a few like quilted maple tops that were made in Japan. Buying them used looked like the deal of the year, check out yahoo auctions japan at the prices.
I have my trusty Jazz Bass that I bought 20 years ago so I never had to buy another.