Fender Japan is gone :(

[Doctor J]

I don't know about that. Americans like buying American products. I think both lines would've done well. Maybe the higher end Mexican Fenders would've gone through the floor, but I think American Fenders woulda done just fine.

Indeed, however there are more than just Americans out there who buy guitars

 

[felis]

Just received the news from a trusted vendor, fmic just bought over fender Japan. They are closing the Japanese production line....

Did your 'trusted vendor' happen to say why?

 

[willbassyeah]

Did your 'trusted vendor' happen to say why?

The other thread seemed to know the reason behind the closure :
Fender Japan is gone | TalkBass.com

 

[shorty4life]

in regards to this rumor, i really like post #8 on this thread: Invalid Link Removed
it's been said (i've heard, for like 10 years) this was happening and never did.

Sounds about right, as that comment you linked to was also 10yrs old

 

[willbassyeah]

Okay anyway for those of you who don't know.

I believe fender Japan is of a seperate entity with fmic,

I believe Kanda shokai is the Japanese company who have the rights to build basses using the Fender trademark,

Kanda shokai had contracted the Fender Japan instruments through many different manufacturer most notably fUjigen

Now that fmic had bought over the rights back from kanda shokai, means fender no longer build instruments from Japan Unless they engage the Japan manufacturers.

This could be the reason why some of the previous mij Model such as the Geddy lee is moved to Mexico

 

[gln1955]

Yah but they no longer selling the Japanese product. That is a new website. Previously fender Japan is of a seperate entity with fender us.

OK, I read the other thread. Wow, what a bummer! They made some nice stuff. My MIJ Aerodyne P and Mustang are my go to basses.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

A couple of years ago when Japan had that terrible earthquake and tsunami, Fender moved the production of the Marcus Miller and Geddy Lee basses to Mexico. Mexico did a great job on those basses, just like they do a great job on the Reggie Hamilton Jazz and the Road Worn basses. Japan is likely redundant now.

 

[pauljude]

Thank God I own a 92' Jazz Bass from Fender Japan...buy them now if you can. They are made beautifully.

 

[Quilbert]

First they are going 'website only' in sales and now they're shutting down Japan and increasing manufacturing in China. I bought a Chinese Fender acoustic Bass 2 years ago.....absolute junk. Fender is certainly racing to the bottom.

 

[SamJ]

The other thread seemed to know the reason behind the closure :
Fender Japan is gone | TalkBass.

Am I in the Twilight Zone?

 

[nerkoids]

This truly bites. So much for getting a lefty Jazzmaster or SS Jazz bass now....

 

[nilpla]

So maybe we will see some new exciting brands from Japan, then. The high-end Tokai, Fujigen and ESPs are already up there. Would be strange if the production facilities and the know-how should get lost.

 

[Marial]

I was hoping to snag one of the medium scale Jazzes, probably won't happen now. At least I got my MIJ Mustang before all of this.

 

[yodedude2]

So maybe we will see some new exciting brands from Japan, then. The high-end Tokai, Fujigen and ESPs are already up there. Would be strange if the production facilities and the know-how should get lost.

am i reading all this correctly? it seems like the 'fender japan' models were not 'real' fenders at all but merely licensed, trademarked copies from other manufacturers. does that sound about right? a fujigen with a different label made to predetermined (copy) specs?

edit: like the 'hondo' s.d. curlee models....

 

[SamJ]

am i reading all this correctly? it seems like the 'fender japan' models were not 'real' fenders at all but merely licensed, trademarked copies from other manufacturers. does that sound about right? a fujigen with a different label made to predetermined (copy) specs?

edit: like the 'hondo' s.d. curlee models....

that's usually the case when you buy USA branded instruments made in other countries. As Americans can't own large factories in some countries, or the cost is very high, we just contact. This is always the case in China and Korea, and I know that Spector's EU models made in the Czech republic are also "made under license" as well as their Korean stuff... I'm not sure the status of the Fender Mexico business arrangement but that may also be a manufacturing agreement with two companies.

 

[nilpla]

I don`t think so, at least I don`t imply that. I just think that these factories may keep on building basses. They may even work for the aforementioned brands. Just hope they keep on making quality instruments..

 

[Doner Designs]

I didn't read this whole thread but noticed yesterday that nobody seems to be selling the Mustang reissue anymore (part of what gave me second thoughts about selling mine). I see the pawn shop version with a humbucker is there for $800 and the Squier too but the Japanese reissue is gone, at least for now (so it seems). Maybe they will come back out in an MIA or MIM model but it probably would not get enough volume because of the Squier Mustang.

 

[mr.mow]

Easiest way to think of it is, there never was a 'fender japan' there is a company named Kanda Shokai who built instruments at various plants and licenced the fender name and likeness for said products.

Those various plants will still continue to build instruments and already do for several other brands, some of which look similar to fender products.

It's not the end of anything, it's just kanda Shokai won't be building fender licenced products any more.. I mean, none of you care about the label on the headstock right?!

 

[Jigsawjaybus]

If nothing else that means the MIJ's are going to shoot thru roof pricewise. Oy....

 

[Marial]

If nothing else that means the MIJ's are going to shoot thru roof pricewise. Oy....

Yep.