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Fender Japan is gone :(

#501
GG7 said:
Those who have never looked on the other side of their control plates may not be aware that Fender Japan uses "tiny" little "micro" pots on all their guitars and basses.
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At least with all the Fender Japan Basses I own and have owned, this was not the case but with one. The older stuff until at least 2006 all had full sized pots, probably Gotho ore Alpha. The micro 16mm pots were just used on the very cheap models. Maybe your seller already changed the wiring?
 
#502
cellkirk74 said:
At least with all the Fender Japan Basses I own and have owned, this was not the case but with one. The older stuff until at least 2006 all had full sized pots, probably Gotho ore Alpha. The micro 16mm pots were just used on the very cheap models. Maybe your seller already changed the wiring?
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Nope. The wiring harness on the JB66 was factory. Same pots can be found in the JB62-US and the JB62SS models and I would assume everything else. I wouldn't consider any of these models "cheap". They all use the same micro pots with JAPAN stamped on them. Don't know when they switched, but the four JB62SS Mini Jazz's I own are all 2012 vintage. The JB66 is 2013, and my JB62-US is 2014.
 
#503
Jon,

I think the 410 for whatever reason sounds better than the 610 at moderate volumes, not to mention a bit easier to deal with in a home studio situation due to the size difference. At least that was what I thought when I auditioned both before I went with the 410.

I've always used a 4x10 cab for bass since I started playing and recording my own bass tracks back in the late 70s. Owned an old AMPEG bass head that I bought for the studio back then and also had a vintage 60s Fender Bassman head and we ran both through a Fender 4x10 cab or a Marshall 4x12 depending on the sound we were going for. I always liked the 410 cab's sound the best. Tighter bass and more defined midrange.

Too bad they didn't have a Bassman 100t to try the cabs through. That would have probably given you a real good idea of the difference in tone between the 410 and 610.
 
#504
GG7 said:
Jon,

I think the 410 for whatever reason sounds better than the 610 at moderate volumes, not to mention a bit easier to deal with in a home studio situation due to the size difference. At least that was what I thought when I auditioned both before I went with the 410.

I've always used a 4x10 cab for bass since I started playing and recording my own bass tracks back in the late 70s. Owned an old AMPEG bass head that I bought for the studio back then and also had a vintage 60s Fender Bassman head and we ran both through a Fender 4x10 cab or a Marshall 4x12 depending on the sound we were going for. I always liked the 410 cab's sound the best. Tighter bass and more defined midrange.

Too bad they didn't have a Bassman 100t to try the cabs through. That would have probably given you a real good idea of the difference in tone between the 410 and 610.
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Interesting to hear about your preferring the sound of a 410 over a 610. I guess that I’d expect there to be differences. There were no Fender heads in the store to try, but I was just happy to see the 610. I didn’t even play it as loud as I might at home. So I don’t really have a feel for what these things sound like. The punch it might provide was something I did not get to try out. With a good tube amp and some volume, I bet they sound very good. Changing basses changed the sound a lot, so that’s an indication that the cabinet might be able to reproduce things well. And that Ampeg head might just not have been my thing. Anyways, I’ll probably get that 410 once I have the domestic space straightened out.

I can’t believe that my new bass-related toy is on hold until I get curtains. I feel very manly right now. ;) :D
 
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#505
Hi Folks,

Being so happy with my VSP Jazz bass and not searching for other basses too much, I had not looked at the Ishibashi pages for a while. I just did and here is an update with the numbers. There are definitely fewer basses available now. The majority of listed models are used. All the new VSP ’s are gone. For new basses it is slim pickings, but some are still left.

April 21, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 202
Jazz basses = 137
Precision basses = 38

April 27, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 194
Jazz basses = 133
Precision basses = 36

May 1, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 180
Jazz basses = 123
Precision basses = 37

May 4, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 169
Jazz basses = 117
Precision basses = 33

May 7, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 159
Jazz basses = 109
Precision basses = 31

June 16, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 110
Jazz basses = 58
Precision basses = 32
 
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#507
There is one decently priced JB62-US in 3TSB from a Japanese shop on the Fleabay. It looks to be new, with a trivial finish chip by the bridge pickup. Now at $605 plus $97 shipping IIRC. I hope a TBer gets it. All the other remaining Fender Japan basses are posted at crazy prices.
 
#508
Even if F.J. is going bye-bye, it makes perfect sense that Ishibashi's U-Box database is still getting used Fenders. If anyone is interested, it's a JB62 "All-Black" similar to my 2008 Jazz, but this one is front-routed and has a pickguard and control plate.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#509
Are Ishibashi only allowed to sell used Aerodynes?

For example, I was looking at this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It says it's for sale on the "WEBSHOP", but on their other pages it says the webshop is only for Japan (not for international customers).

Is there a way for me to purchase this?
 
#511
wintremute said:
Are Ishibashi only allowed to sell used Aerodynes?

For example, I was looking at this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It says it's for sale on the "WEBSHOP", but on their other pages it says the webshop is only for Japan (not for international customers).

Is there a way for me to purchase this?
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Sending you a PM on that. (Keepin' it on the Q.T., yo! :ninja:)
 
#512
mpdd said:
just thought of something, if fender japan is gone, where are the gretsch instruments going to be made?
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The factory itself is still around, Fender just terminated their licensing/manufacturing agreement with them. I don't see that affecting other manufacturing contracts that factory holds.


wintremute said:
Are Ishibashi only allowed to sell used Aerodynes?
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No, I think they're just totally sold out of new Aerodynes. I bought a new grey 'dyne from their Yokohama store last week and it was the last Aerodyne they had - and it sounded like there was no more stock to come in.
 
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#513
Sorry, I put the wrong link (to an obviously used one). I meant this one: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This one looks new to me.

I guess either way I should send an inquiry asking them. I was just wondering if I was wasting my time.
 
#514
wintremute said:
Sorry, I put the wrong link (to an obviously used one). I meant this one: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This one looks new to me.

I guess either way I should send an inquiry asking them. I was just wondering if I was wasting my time.
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Worth a try, but they don't update their website in real time. If the bass is there when you inquire, they may or may not put it on hold for you. I had a bunch of new ones sold out from under me in the last 2 months. However, their prices are very good if you do get lucky. Beats the Bay! Good luck.
 
#516
I'm blowing off the dust from this thread for an update and clarification. I found an excellent and in-depth article about what seems to have happened to Fender Japan. I'm certainly no M.B.A. grad, but it looks like F.M.I.C. has dissolved the joint-venture in lieu of a more direct, hands-on approach to Japanese manufacturing and distribution.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This might shed some light on why the Japanese Fender site has the "Japan Exclusive" series. What I'm curious about is if these models are also being exclusively manufactured in Japan or could items like the Aerodyne start getting made in Mexico.

If someone more savvy than I can read a bit better between the lines, please translate "Business" to "English". :confused:
 
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#517
Well, It seems like Fender Japan is back, don't believe me?, take a look to the new Hama Okamoto Signature PBass

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And according to J-Guitar, there are at least 2 more MIJ Basses, the Fender Japan Exclusive Classic 70s P Bass and Fender Japan Exclusive Classic 60s P Bass USA pickups
UPGRADE: Invalid Link Removed
 
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