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Fender Japan

I have been trying to find one that ship to US. I think there may be some grey market action here. Most of the ones I have talked to say (very politely) they can not ship to the US. Though they phrase it more along the lines that they only sell domestic.
The sites that do ship here are kind of convoluted about how you buy. But as a plus the usual expensive Japanese shipping is offset by not paying the same sales tax that A Tokyo resident would.
 
I have heard this a ton of times as well but I just don't buy that argument. You also have to keep in mind that FMIC owns a large share of Fender Japan but they are still two separate companies. Fender Japan is a manufacturing company that licenses the Fender logo.
+1. I've tried the Sting, the Geddy, the Aerodyne and the Marcus--very nice basses, but I didn't think they were as good as the MIA stuff. Maybe the Fender MIJ rep is based on the '80s stuff or models I haven't played.

That said, it would certainly be cool if more of these MIJ models were offered here.
 
Tell you what....anytime you want to compare your MIJ 75 to my MIA 75 - let me know. :D

The MIJ stuff is, indeed, top shelf. But better than the US stuff...not in this lifetime.

Before the damn flame war starts - IMO YMMV IMHO and anything else that may apply ;)
tell you what... i would take up that challenge... ive had a LTD edition Custom shop 1970 jazz, 3 american std's.. and my MIJ US 75 RI smokes them all...
 
+1. I've tried the Sting, the Geddy, the Aerodyne and the Marcus--very nice basses, but I didn't think they were as good as the MIA stuff. Maybe the Fender MIJ rep is based on the '80s stuff or models I haven't played.

That said, it would certainly be cool if more of these MIJ models were offered here.

MIA must be pretty good then, because those three CIJ basses--Sting, Geddy, Miller--are my favorites on Fender's list. I did try a friend's custom shop Precision once, with p/j, and it's probably the nicest neck I've tried. I just felt uncomfortable playing it (it was new at the time; he gave it the white-glove treatment). It's odd to me that the sig models aren't offered there. You'd think they would be. Whatever, Fender.
 
So the big question is.....

Where can we Americans order one of these without getting killed on shipping and what ever importing fees/charges that may apply?

Is there Duty Tax or something like that?

There are some sellers on Ebay.

I've bought non-export used Fender Japan basses before on Ebay - they arrived right to my door via DHL or some hand-off and dropped right in my lap.

The US belches jobs to other countries because we have no standards when it comes to duties and tariffs. Americans importing have it easier than anyone else. If you want to find duties there's a 500 bajillion page guide to read up on them.
 
Same here. There are a few used shops in Japan that will list their Fender Japan basses on eBay. But it's take what you find there. New MIJ, not so easy.

They sure throw up some real uggo's on there ;)


There is one seller who lists '75 RI's in various colors - for $1520 or something like that. They are oh, so sexy.


I've owned a LPB '75 RI - it was one of those beat-up imports. I used it for a year or so and off'ed it. It never made me happy seeing it with big cracks through the body. And it always clacked - there seemed to be no way to really get the setup well enough. I just saw a used one this morning go for a bout $800 with a hard case. I want a red or ocean turquoise one.
 
I've been all over Fender's site and they simply do not offer any basses which correspond with the Fender Japan JB66B or JB75.
The main features for me are the bound and blocked neck, as well as the matching finished headstock. I also am a big nerd because I want the pickup covers on a vintage re-issue. Otherwise it's not really a 62, 66, 68 re-issue is it?
I've found a place that can ship me the black or white 66RI, but I am now interested in the other colors I have seen for those or the 75RI. Such as Lake Placid Blue, CAR etc. There also was a kind of teal color I saw at one store's site, but they did not give a name for the color. Of course all the stores with the coolest looking Fender Japan basses dont ship international.
 
I love the Japanese aerodyne basses. I wish they'd offer a larger selection of aerodyne over here in America like they do in Japan.

I just picked this up and I'm pretty sure it is a non-import and was a Japan only bass brought over. Really rare as I can't find any others as of yet. It was only run for 2 years I believe and is a Fender Aerodyne Precision (Not Jazz) Classic Edition. Jazz neck, Pbass body and the pups are in the sweet spot verse the reqular jazz aerodyne so a little more p tone.

It is on par with my '97 natural jazz std USA. :)
 

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