Fender Made in Japan!

[fretter]

MIJ does carry a certain cache with it. As to why, I'm sure this development will relaunch several threads and/or generate new ones.

 

[wyleeboxer]

MIJ does carry a certain cache with it. As to why, I'm sure this development will relaunch several threads and/or generate new ones.

To me I’ll take either a MIA or MIJ without thinking to much about it, both are very similar in build quality and attention to detail, and that I believe can be said for other brands MIJ models ie. Yamaha, Tokai, Ibanez..

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I agree that it is a little disappointing that they have five guitars to one bass in this campaign. However, I am still interested in this new development and believe that there will be more to come if more interest develops.

Since you are a fan and owner of MIJ basses I am surprised by your rather pessimistic attitude. I guess we are all entitled to an opinion though.

Yes, correct ... however the recent decision of Fender to change their way of doing business in Japan or Far East area may lead to a failure if not managed appropriately and i’ve got the impression (maybe wrong but supported by facts like this one) that part of Fender’s current board is not interested in letting this business unit developing further

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

You are really confident and still don’t know what the word means. Defunct means nonexistent. That’s obviously not the case. If it means something else in another language that’s ok but this particular thread is being conducted in English.

Ahahah my young English native speaker ... the word defunct in English is an adjective meaning something that no longer exists or no longer functions/operates ... synonyms are dead, gone, departed, extinct etc.
Hence it has the same meaning as the original Latin word from which it derived, the only difference being that it seems that this adjective, in English, is not applicable to human beings ... I use this adjective for a company branch that is not yet extinct but is on the right path for reaching this condition .. oh, does this now explain my point of view to you Sir?

 

[Double E]

Yes, correct ... however the recent decision of Fender to change their way of doing business in Japan or Far East area may lead to a failure if not managed appropriately and i’ve got the impression (maybe wrong but supported by facts like this one) that part of Fender’s current board is not interested in letting this business unit developing further

They at least have a mild interest or they would not have gone to the trouble to insert these six new offerings into their USA product catalog.

In this case, I would rather be an optimist that is wrong than a pessimist that is right.

 

[R&B]

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drool Beautiful. And surprisingly reasonable price point at $800.

 

[OllyW]

Only one bass ... line is defunct

There seems to be a few more on the way...

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[onamission]

I like that Blonde!!!

 

[felis]

There seems to be a few more on the way.........

Nice. I notice 3 of them have maple necks, and those three have the truss rod adjuster at the headstock.

 

[P_Robyn]

I like that Blonde!!!

Yeah, nice!!! But go to the U.S. web site and it says, 'This product is currently unavailable for delivery to your country.'

 

[user362432]

And Jazz has 3 points neck screw with curious hole (neck adjustment?)...

 

[OllyW]

And Jazz has 3 points neck screw with curious hole (neck adjustment?)...

That's the Invalid Link Removed adjustment.

 

[skortch]

I adjust truss rods so seldom there’s no real downside to this arrangement, to me. Even if you do need to, you don’t even need to take the strings off. It takes all of a couple of minutes to loosen the strings then screws tilt the neck in the socket, make adjustment, tilt down tighten screws and you’re done, 5 minutes tops. Even if I lived where the neck needed a seasonal tweak, this would not be a deal breaker. Everyone should be comfortable doing this kind of minor service. This is not rocket science and a heck of a lot quicker and easier than changing my oil.

I get what you and onamission are saying. However, in this day and age when there are easy-access options that have been proven to be effective (either at the body or the neck) and often employed by Fender themselves, why stick with a flawed design from the 50's?

I check neck relief with each string change. Minor adjustments are likely if I'm going between gauges, brands, or string types (rounds to flats). Outside of that there can be seasonal changes that require a truss rod tweak. Sometimes it might require several tweaks, especially if I'm buying someone's used bass that hasn't been played in a decade. Multiply that by multiple basses in the household and the difference between ~5-10 minutes per adjustment vs. 5 seconds can get annoying. And really, I'd just as soon not have to open up the neck/body joint if I can avoid it.

Speaking of oil, it's the difference between changing your oil by removing the drain plug vs. needing to take the oil pan off each time.

Like you say it's probably not a complete deal breaker, just an odd design choice that leaves me scratching my head. I'll be waiting for the MIJ Jazz model, regardless.

 

[Lownote38]

Nice. I notice 3 of them have maple necks, and those three have the truss rod adjuster at the headstock.

You're only 1/3 correct. The 2 without the bullet truss rod do not have head stock truss rod adjustments. That's just the wooden plug that's on every maple head stock from Fender that has a heel adjustment for the truss rod.

 

[MCF]

There seems to be a few more on the way...

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Oh my. Like the blue jazz. Now if they would match the headstock....

 

[felis]

You're only 1/3 correct. The 2 without the bullet truss rod do not have head stock truss rod adjustments. That's just the wooden plug that's on every maple head stock from Fender that has a heel adjustment for the truss rod.

If so, I stand corrected and admit that I learn something new every day.

I don't know much about Fender basses.

 

[user362432]

It has been taken off from Fender web-site.
*** is going on. It's available in Europe!
Look for the model number: 5564600306.
I had an old link and it says: not in stock anymore....

 

[felis]

I still see it here: Invalid Link Removed

 

[user362432]

I still see it here: Invalid Link Removed

Notify Me When In Stock
I see it in old link. But if you go from the front page of Fender it's not there anymore. I asked favorite vendor (with candies) to get me one. Still did not hear from them....). I am not going to buy any MIM or MIA. But, MIJ I will buy without hesitation.

 

[JIO]

I adjust truss rods so seldom there’s no real downside to this arrangement, to me. Even if you do need to, you don’t even need to take the strings off. It takes all of a couple of minutes to loosen the strings then screws tilt the neck in the socket, make adjustment, tilt down tighten screws and you’re done, 5 minutes tops. Even if I lived where the neck needed a seasonal tweak, this would not be a deal breaker. Everyone should be comfortable doing this kind of minor service. This is not rocket science and a heck of a lot quicker and easier than changing my oil.

It's true Kirk but it's just that most makers today offer clear access to the tr adjuster. (the rotary wheel is my fave) It started in the 60's with various makers but the later boutique makers brought it into focus with deeper routes for access and once players saw this they wanted it too. (and rightly so) Vintage instruments need this extra effort but anything new should be 'up-to-date' in that regard.