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Fujigen FGN Club

#221
Hello FGN Club. My apologies for bursting in, but I figured this might be a good place to ask my question.

I want to buy one of these: Fujigen Neo Classic FGN NJB100 RALV-BK ...(This Fujigen Link defaults to Sunburst, I want the Gloss Black version).

I'm also open to your "other brand" suggestions, the critical parameters are: Five String traditional PASSIVE (only) Jazz bass, GLOSS Black, "Rosewood": not maple, but a dark (not pale) rosewood-ish fretboard, fretted neck, dots preferred, blocks OK.

The not-as-critical parameters: More that 20 frets would be good, under 10lbs is pretty much mandatory, under 9lbs even better, I prefer neck-depth at the first fret to be in the 20mm to 21mm range, neck width is not critical but 18mm string spacing minimum. VVT preferred, VBT is OK too. Output jack on top (not lower edge) strongly preferred.

I'm in the Eastern USA, and have never purchased a bass directly from a non-US source before, so I know little of what to expect regarding Customs processing, what Import Duties and "other" charges to expect, and also what pitfalls to (hopefully) actively avoid. Any advice is appreciated, and Thank You!
 
#222
badinage said:
Hello FGN Club. My apologies for bursting in, but I figured this might be a good place to ask my question.

I want to buy one of these: Fujigen Neo Classic FGN NJB100 RALV-BK ...(This Fujigen Link defaults to Sunburst, I want the Gloss Black version).

I'm also open to your "other brand" suggestions, the critical parameters are: Five String traditional PASSIVE (only) Jazz bass, GLOSS Black, "Rosewood": not maple, but a dark (not pale) rosewood-ish fretboard, fretted neck, dots preferred, blocks OK.

The not-as-critical parameters: More that 20 frets would be good, under 10lbs is pretty much mandatory, under 9lbs even better, I prefer neck-depth at the first fret to be in the 20mm to 21mm range, neck width is not critical but 18mm string spacing minimum. VVT preferred, VBT is OK too. Output jack on top (not lower edge) strongly preferred.

I'm in the Eastern USA, and have never purchased a bass directly from a non-US source before, so I know little of what to expect regarding Customs processing, what Import Duties and "other" charges to expect, and also what pitfalls to (hopefully) actively avoid. Any advice is appreciated, and Thank You!
Click to expand...
If you can afford it, I say go for it. FGN is a pretty solid brand. Check out our own Low End Lobster on YT for some reviews.

FWIW, I purchased my FGN EMJ from a reputable Japanese retailer (on Reverb) a few years ago. It went very smoothly. 4 days from order to delivery. Then I got a bill for duties from Canada Customs a few days later; it was around 10% of the purchase price, IIRC, but that was Canada. Sometime you get contacted by the courier - while in transit they ask you to pay them for the customs charges.

You might want to move fast though, because...well, current events might cause you to pay more soon.
 
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#224
jcburn said:
Just bought this second hand from a store in Australia. Always intrigued by the look of these basses. Can't find much on the net re the controls.... I'm guessing volume, blend, bass, mids and treble but not sure what the extra knob or switches do. Maybe active\passive, series\parallel and passive tone? View attachment 5053497 View attachment 5053497 View attachment 5053498 View attachment 5053499
Click to expand...

I'd LOVE to snag one of these. They're so rare and look so good!
 
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#225
Just scored this as a new birthday purchase after the epiphone T-bird I ordered had a bad neck:

1740156890985.png
 
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#231
Hi guys!

I'm really considering pulling the trigger on a used 4-string Mighty Jazz Dark Evolution, but I'm concerned about the neck on these basses.

I prefer meaty necks, had a Stingray previously and loved that neck. Now I know that this bass has 38mm width at the nut, but how is the thickness and feel of the neck?

How would you compare it to a Fender Jazz Bass neck? Thicker or thinner?

I don't have the possibility to test a FGN before buying, so I'm trying to get as much info before buying. Any help would be appreciated. 🙂
 
#232
carver87 said:
Hi guys!

I'm really considering pulling the trigger on a used 4-string Mighty Jazz Dark Evolution, but I'm concerned about the neck on these basses.

I prefer meaty necks, had a Stingray previously and loved that neck. Now I know that this bass has 38mm width at the nut, but how is the thickness and feel of the neck?

How would you compare it to a Fender Jazz Bass neck? Thicker or thinner?

I don't have the possibility to test a FGN before buying, so I'm trying to get as much info before buying. Any help would be appreciated. 🙂
Click to expand...
I can't really compare it to a Fender or Stingray, as I don't have much experience with those. But the neck on my EMJ 4 is terrific. I wouldn't call it particularly thick or thin - a good "medium". The finish on it, and the shape is perfect. Quality of necks is one thing FGN has been noted for.

LowEndLobster would be able to offer a comparison.
 
#234
Asking again, has anyone had any experience with a fretless FGN?
I have a craving for a Japanese made, passive, 5-string fretless. I'm not really seeing anything else that covers all these right now. Unfortunately, they aren't cheap. Looking at ~CDN$2300 with shipping an duties. Seems like a lot. Want to be sure it's worth it.
 
#235
NFD! New FGN Day.
Well, I went ahead and did it anyway. I won't have a chance to play it until later (Mrs. Thrisby is sleeping), but so far it looks awesome! Tuned and relief adjusted. Other adjustments later. (case is from another bass; this one came with a gig bag).
Fretless 5-string. A lot of learning to be done.

FGN Fretless 5.jpg
 
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#236
Well, a report on the new fretless. I'm actually a bit disappointed. Everything is perfect except for a big one:
After trying everything I could think of, setup wise, I can only figure that the fretboard has a couple of high spots. In order to avoid buzzing at certain very specific locations I had to increase neck relief and/or action to unacceptable levels. I don't feel confident in levelling it myself, so I'm taking it to an experienced luthier later this week to confirm my diagnosis and fix it.
Once that's taken care of, I expect it to be an outstanding instrument.
 
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#237
It's fixed! Took it to a tech who confirmed what I thought. He levelled the board and did a full setup.
Got it back today. Now it plays and sounds amazing. Great sound!
Now I just have to develop the muscle memory for good intonation. Summer project when our band takes a break.
 
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