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Fender Japan @ Sweetwater

#42
musicman556 said:
The finishing on the MIJ is simply spectacular. All flat painted surfaces are window-glass smooth, EVERYWHERE. This Aerodyne Special has a painted headstock, and the buffing and cleaning even way down into the truss rod access recess is simply sublime. Usually this is an area where they say "eh. Not worth it." and you often end up with lumpy paint and/or excess buffing compound caking up the area. Not so with this thing! It is surgically clean in there!

Hardware is better than most, as well. REALLY nice Babic bridge (probably a $150ish bridge, retail), sweet tuners that feel better than the standard jobs on my MIMs, and on par with the current MIA tuners. This bass has standard single-coils, but with them both on the bass is DEAD silent. Zero self-noise. I can even roll back the bridge pickup to about 75% and it still remains noiseless but gets to that perfect warm bark that is just to die for! Nice and fancy solid metal/chrome control knobs, too.

We now live in a world of $900-$1,500 Made in Mexico basses. The quality of MIMs, to me, has not changed much from the first MIM Jazz Standard I bought in 2001. I don't know what the MIJs were like 20 years ago, but after 25+ MIMs and 4 MIAs in the last 2 decades, I am truly impressed by the recent MIJs I have played. I do not have experience with CIJs/MIJs of yesteryear.

When MIJs are trading within the same price range as MIMs it becomes a no-brainer to me, if there are MIJ models you are interested in. Yes, these specific International colors are a bit out there, and I also am not a 3 bolt fan. However, they're replicating a very specific range that has its own fan-base, and I hope they do well!
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Defintely not implying that Japan doesn't make a quality product. I had a couple of Yamahas that were top notch. A lot of good stuff coming out of Indonesia as well for a great price. The last run Peavey Cirrus basses from Indondesia are exceptional. Maybe I'm just too behind on the times or not a big Fender fan (or both) but there are quite a few (although used) basses I would like to buy in that price range before I would consider one of these. YMMV.
 
#43
ELG60 said:
Basswood is a non-starter for me . . . Too easily damaged, and doesn't hold hardware as well as harder woods.
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Do you have data to prove this? My 1984 MIJ Fender Jazz Bass Special has not imploded (been using it since 2005 and it was already used before me ). My old Kramer Pioneer bass 1983 model - my first bass that I travelled with overseas in a gig bag is fine. They have held on the bridge, strap locks and knobs just fine and the neck pockets have not rotted, chipped or split. They have battle scars but nothing different than my 1972 P and old Telecaster. The MIJ just has a paint chip
 
#47
I thought the yellow was the same as the Mononeon signature bass but I think that one is a bit brighter.
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#51
dralionux said:
If you’ve wanted to get your hands on an exceptional Made in Japan Fender bass, then your time has come. Sweetwater is pleased to present this impressive line of MIJ Limited International Color Jazz Basses. Based on the Made in Japan Traditional Series originally brought to fruition in the early '80s, these MIJ basses bring classic Fender playability, gorgeous colors, and '70s-style specifications to the table. Built from a foundation of basswood, the MIJ Fender J Bass brings in boatloads of classic tone plus a maple neck married to a smooth-playing maple fingerboard. A 4-saddle vintage-style bridge and a thumb rest help reel in this bass’s vintage appeal while ensuring modern-day playability. Lastly, the Vintage-Style Split Single-coil Jazz Bass pickups ensure you'll have a heaping helping of that beloved Fender Jazz Bass tone.

Fender MIJ Traditional | Sweetwater
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Those colors....

Those basses look like a collaboration between Fender and Fisher-Price.
 
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#53
I'd have to hold one. I mean ... to look at, it's "just" a P-bass. But I own a few (older) CIJ models and they really nice in terms of quality craftsmanship. I don't see these to be at that level. I mean ... Pau / dull color / nothing special bout it / $1200 .... Not a good business move. I'd opt for a older/used CIJ and it'll be the same price / nice color / rosewood.
 
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#56
DrBnz said:
I'd have to hold one. I mean ... to look at, it's "just" a P-bass. But I own a few (older) CIJ models and they really nice in terms of quality craftsmanship. I don't see these to be at that level. I mean ... Pau / dull color / nothing special bout it / $1200 .... Not a good business move. I'd opt for a older/used CIJ and it'll be the same price / nice color / rosewood.
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what are you talking about? they are rosewood.
 
#57
I knew it was a gamble to order my bass. Several MIM basses on the rack at GC that I tried had absolutely no tone, or "ringing" unplugged. Even the feel of a couple of them was not great to me. I did find a Jazz I liked the feel of but not the color. I ordered what I wanted because the return policy is good at GC. I was lucky. Really like the one I got. It was in need of a set up though, its Wintertime.
 
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