Fender Flagship Tokyo

[ibass3000]

I visited Fender Flagship Tokyo in Harajuku during my stay in Tokyo, and overall, it was a fun and exciting place to visit. They display special guitars available only there, as well as many Fender MIJ basses. I’ve attached photos of some beautiful MIJ basses that caught my attention.

They also carry apparel, including cool “Fender in Tokyo” T-shirts.

Overall, I had a good experience, but I did notice a few concerns. A noticeable number of basses on display had issues. On several instruments, the neck alignment seemed off—the distance between the neck edge and the G string was much smaller than the distance to the E string, even on American-made models. I also saw wear on the nuts. In addition, the string height was set very high on most basses. When I asked the staff about this, they explained that the setup had not been adjusted from the factory settings.
I’ve seen similar issues in U.S. shops, and it seems QC issues at the factory, but I expected a “flagship” store to display only the best examples from each brand.

Finally, they allowed tryouts, and I played the Tomomi model (shown in the photo) with headphones. Unfortunately, there was an extremely loud noise when I opened the tone knob. The staff told me the noise was caused by something related to the building’s equipment. That may be true, but it was still quite annoying. I hope they address and fix this issue in the future.

 

[jd56hawk]

Is it just the MIJ Fenders at that store?

 

[ibass3000]

Is it just the MIJ Fenders at that store?

Not only MIJ, but they also have all current brands and some historic models, too.

 

[Krakmann]

Salud!

The Ochanomizu area music stores are AMAZING (and some in Shinjuku, too). Never saw anything like that.

 

[jd56hawk]

Not only MIJ, but they also have all current brands and some historic models, too.

Sorry, what I meant was were all the problem basses MIJ or USA Fenders?

 

[Hot Rats]

See, if that blocked and bound black jazz bass was available here, it would be mine in a second.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Unfortunately, it is normal for a large store with lots of inventory to have some poor setups, especially around seasonal changes. It is near impossible to keep that much stock in tip-top shape. They would have to have full time staff continually doing setups. Most places will do it on demand if you are interested to buy.

 

[Sharko]

What’s the black jazz bass with the gold competition stripe?

 

[FenderP]

I was there a few weeks ago and the only bass I tried was the Junior Jazz Bass which was OK. I prefer higher action so it definitely wasn't set up for me, but it didn't see very out of whack. The Custom Shop floor is cool. For CS basses they had mainly Js with a handful of Ps. I loved the store and got some merch including a long sleeve Precision Bass shirt exclusive to the F is for Fender line only available at that store.

I spent more time looking at basses in Ochanomizu and Shibuya than I did in Fender. I didn't go anywhere in Shinjuku for basses but was there for other reasons. I went with a list of shops and basses I wanted to try so things were focused.

 

[konaaayukeeenee]

What’s the black jazz bass with the gold competition stripe?

MADE IN JAPAN TRADITIONAL 2025 Collection '60s JAZZ BASS (Competition Black / 3CSB): ベース｜三木楽器公式通販サイト

フェンダートラディショナルシリーズからコンペティションラインが施された2025年限定カラー「Competition Black」が入荷いたしました！

www.mikigakki.com

 

[ibass3000]

Sorry, what I meant was were all the problem basses MIJ or USA Fenders?

Yes, I saw the issue of string on very few MIJ, some of the Am Pro, and many MIM (high string hight seemed on most of basses).

 

[ibass3000]

I was there a few weeks ago and the only bass I tried was the Junior Jazz Bass which was OK. I prefer higher action so it definitely wasn't set up for me, but it didn't see very out of whack. The Custom Shop floor is cool. For CS basses they had mainly Js with a handful of Ps. I loved the store and got some merch including a long sleeve Precision Bass shirt exclusive to the F is for Fender line only available at that store.

I spent more time looking at basses in Ochanomizu and Shibuya than I did in Fender. I didn't go anywhere in Shinjuku for basses but was there for other reasons. I went with a list of shops and basses I wanted to try so things were focused.

I wish I had checked the Custom Shop floor... I missed it!

 

[ibass3000]

Unfortunately, it is normal for a large store with lots of inventory to have some poor setups, especially around seasonal changes. It is near impossible to keep that much stock in tip-top shape. They would have to have full time staff continually doing setups. Most places will do it on demand if you are interested to buy.

I understand it is challenging to keep all displayed basses adjusted. I might have too many expectations for the 'flagship' store. BTW, I happened to visit Yamano-gakki in Ginza today. Their Fender bass display was perfect, and all of them were adjusted correctly (MIJ, Am Por, Am Ultra II, and MIM).

 

[FullumMusic]

When i was there a couple summers ago it was definitely fun but a little underwhelming too. Limited bass selection (compared to the guitars, unsurprisingly), and nothing i looked at or played really stood out or wowed me beyond any Fender bass i could have played anywhere else.

Went to the Yamaha Flagship in the Ginza neighborhood too. Even smaller selection of basses, but was fairly impressed with each one i played.

 

[mikeswals]

I understand it is challenging to keep all displayed basses adjusted. I might have too many expectations for the 'flagship' store. BTW, I happened to visit Yamano-gakki in Ginza today. Their Fender bass display was perfect, and all of them were adjusted correctly (MIJ, Am Por, Am Ultra II, and MIM). View attachment 7393961

The Jazz to the left in the pic: salmon color with matching headstock, and stack knobs. What's not to like?

 

[FenderP]

I wish I had checked the Custom Shop floor... I missed it!

This is what you see when you first get to the CS floor.

 

[FenderP]

Went to the Yamaha Flagship in the Ginza neighborhood too. Even smaller selection of basses, but was fairly impressed with each one i played.

I was staying within walking distance. Just a few basses but it was interesting to see the John Patitucci six string in person.

The one thing about Tokyo and sother places in Japan is that most of what you want to see or try may be somewhere sitting in a store. You can't say that easily in the US even in big cities like NY, Chicago, or LA. I was happy to be able try even US things lile the Pino fretless that I never have never seen in a store here.

I did sandbox my time as I wanted to do other things while in Tokyo but if you go with a plan, you can be efficient.

The same could also be said of camera equpment and other electronics. Stores like Map Camera, Kitamura Camera, Bic, and Yodobashi you can find nearly everything you want that you would most likely have to mail order here.

 

[FullumMusic]

I was staying within walking distance. Just a few basses but it was interesting to see the John Patitucci six string in person.

The one thing about Tokyo and sother places in Japan is that most of what you want to see or try may be somewhere sitting in a store. You can't say that easily in the US even in big cities like NY, Chicago, or LA. I was happy to be able try even US things lile the Pino fretless that I never have never seen in a store here.

I did sandbox my time as I wanted to do other things while in Tokyo but if you go with a plan, you can be efficient.

The same could also be said of camera equpment and other electronics. Stores like Map Camera, Kitamura Camera, Bic, and Yodobashi you can find nearly everything you want that you would most likely have to mail order here.

Yeah... i remember when going into a music store, even a chain store like Sam Ash or GC was kind of a magical experience many many years ago. Part of that was because i was a teen and being around all that gear was amazing. Partly because those stores used to have tons of cool gear. Nowadays, like you say, if there even is a store in the US, you're probably not gonna find much beyond the usual suspects unless you're in a crazy high-end shop in one of the big cities, and even then.

So that was definitely one of the cool aspects of going: the Patitucci six; the Nathan East signature; top tier BBs. Also, it was kinda nice seeing such a huge space dedicated to all the other instruments. And i really liked that the sheet music room was quite busy while i visited. It was nice seeing that it was an actual place for musicians to go and get instruments and sheetmusic and not just a novelty tourist/Instagram destination with musical instruments and a cafe. (i mean, both Flagships have a cafe, but the Yamaha Flagship was way more than just a way for the cafe to make money.) I could only imagine how good their performance rooms sound.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I visited Fender Flagship Tokyo in Harajuku during my stay in Tokyo, and overall, it was a fun and exciting place to visit. They display special guitars available only there, as well as many Fender MIJ basses. I’ve attached photos of some beautiful MIJ basses that caught my attention.

They also carry apparel, including cool “Fender in Tokyo” T-shirts.

Overall, I had a good experience, but I did notice a few concerns. A noticeable number of basses on display had issues. On several instruments, the neck alignment seemed off—the distance between the neck edge and the G string was much smaller than the distance to the E string, even on American-made models. I also saw wear on the nuts. In addition, the string height was set very high on most basses. When I asked the staff about this, they explained that the setup had not been adjusted from the factory settings.
I’ve seen similar issues in U.S. shops, and it seems QC issues at the factory, but I expected a “flagship” store to display only the best examples from each brand.

Finally, they allowed tryouts, and I played the Tomomi model (shown in the photo) with headphones. Unfortunately, there was an extremely loud noise when I opened the tone knob. The staff told me the noise was caused by something related to the building’s equipment. That may be true, but it was still quite annoying. I hope they address and fix this issue in the future.

I missed this one when I was in Tokyo this past summer. Went to several other guitar stores. With the exchange rate they were really tugging at my wallet…lol.

As for new instruments with “issues”, not that I’m likely to but a new bass, but as they are in stores these days? If I bought a new instrument, I’d be resigned to fact I’d probably need to hand it over to a luthier to get it into playable shape.

 

[FenderP]

If I bought a new instrument, I’d be resigned to fact I’d probably need to hand it over to a luthier to get it into playable shape.

Exactly. New or used, virtually no bass in a store is playable as I hate low action, roundwounds, etc. I am just trying to get a sense of neck, sound, ergonomics, etc. If I decide to buy, I know it is going to a luthier to be playable.

That said, both high end and low end instruments I played in Japan were all generally well cared for. Because you can't just grab one and play it, they are not beat to death. Trying has intent there.