Lowend Lobster and the guy above are really good at demonstrating how nice Fujigen basses are. Unless they signed a no competition contract with Ibanez, why are FGN instruments not more available in North America?
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Fujigen or FGN
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Lowend Lobster and the guy above are really good at demonstrating how nice Fujigen basses are. Unless they signed a no competition contract with Ibanez, why are FGN instruments not more available in North America?
Well, actually, Dr. C., in a tentatively small way, they are:
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They have an American Sales Office in Cali, if you back out of that page and go roaming that site. I would suspect, that since many of the products they offer might, some would say, bear a striking resemblance to some other products on sale here, they may be testing the waters. Somewhat of a shame to me in that with their resources and the right designer of original product, they are very capable of building something as good as anything out there. Lord know they build enough for other manufacturers you've probably already bought an FGN product; that alone may keep them sidelined as an original manufacturer, too many phantom-build agreements with most of the big companies.
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They have an American Sales Office in Cali, if you back out of that page and go roaming that site. I would suspect, that since many of the products they offer might, some would say, bear a striking resemblance to some other products on sale here, they may be testing the waters. Somewhat of a shame to me in that with their resources and the right designer of original product, they are very capable of building something as good as anything out there. Lord know they build enough for other manufacturers you've probably already bought an FGN product; that alone may keep them sidelined as an original manufacturer, too many phantom-build agreements with most of the big companies.
I really don't know the state of business / legal relations since the so-called 'lawsuit days' with some of the MIJ manufacturers, but I would love it if we could easily buy Bacchus, Moon, Atelier, and the other fabulous Japanese instruments here.
I don’t know if you’re still interested in fgn basses but I have one for sale here on tb and on reverb.
For Sale/Trade - FGN (FujiGen) Mighty Jazz 8.6LBS!
The one I posted the classified link is the same one in the video. I’m just needing to sell to pay for a 5 string. Otherwise I’d keep it.
On the subject of FGN basses, I'm looking at maybe picking up 5 string at some point. They seem to be well regarded. My only issue is that the CFS thing sounds like snake oil.
What are some opinions on them?
What are some opinions on them?
No problem with this tech: CFS is solid physics, apparently has no negatives — I'm yet to experience any negatives and I've been in possession of CFS tech for over a decade now — they say no future third-party fretwork will be hindered, complicated, or differing in any way from traditional fretwork, taking them at their word — no specialization / retooling required; there's a distinct appeal, sound-wise and effort-wise, as the system addresses asymmetry across the length of a standard neck which is traditionally countered by subtle bending of strings. Specifically, it's about string-length.
Here's a diagram which may help illustrate this,
Using a hand-fan shape here, to help reflect the physical nature of a standard neck and the shift in width across the neck length — useful here because of the obviously exaggerated dimensions of a fan compared to a neck, hoping to help highlight the actual science involved.
Note that the center magenta arrow (string) is plainly shorter than the two at each edge. This discrepancy in comparative length, produced by the fan-effect on a standard, fretted neck with a standard bone and bridge, is further exaggerated, the closer you get to the bridge, as the width of the neck increases.
Even the smallest difference in length / geometry has bearing on the math implicit in uniform frequency adjustment / tuning / fretting. Those necessary micro-adjustments, required during tuning, reveal just how important accuracy is, in tuning and in note production, and how even tiny irregularities and errors play a significant and deleterious role.
Effectively, lengthening a string, by stringing it, along each extremity of a fret-board, between a standard nut, along a standard, fretted neck, towards a standard bridge, with no compensation for the fan-effect, produces another equation — a different dimension — each time you move from fret to fret, along the length of a standard neck — one that subtly corrupts tuning.
CFS effectively works to counter that subtle length extension, of the longer, outside strings (the E and G strings on a four-string bass) as they travel towards the bridge, effectively maintaining the geometry of the lower neck, along the entire length of the board.
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My FGN 4 string Neo Classic P is incredibly smooth, easy to play, easy to set up, and easy to intonate. The neck is where they put most of their effort in manufacturing IIRC. It’s the smoothest neck I’ve played, I’m not sure if it’s because of CFS or if it’s just really well made. Regardless, I would be more worried about the pickup(s) than the neck on a FGN bass, this is usually their weak spot.
I LOVE Greco and Tokai instruments.
I have only seen one for sale used in a local store. I wish I knew for sure why some are so hard to find.
The only Tokai I do own was made for Fender.
Fujigen has also made instruments for Fender as well.
I have only seen one for sale used in a local store. I wish I knew for sure why some are so hard to find.
The only Tokai I do own was made for Fender.
Fujigen has also made instruments for Fender as well.
How would they compare in value to a Fender jazz?
For example, the Neo Classic Series, Expert series, or Boundary. How do they line up in quality and value to, say, MIM, MIA, etc.?
For example, the Neo Classic Series, Expert series, or Boundary. How do they line up in quality and value to, say, MIM, MIA, etc.?
I’m just generalizing here, but usually MIJ (and especially made by Fujigen) is on-par if not better than MIA.
According to Fujigen’s company profile page, they aim to market and sell their guitar products to overseas distributors and guitar makers. When that will happen, who knows.
In my limited experience playing their FGN line, I’ve never had a bad experience. The instruments are consistently well made (though I did find their instruments to be somewhat heavy).
In Japan, FGN is considered to be a mid-range brand.
In terms of comparing to MIJ Fender basses, I have found FGN to be more consistent and provide better value for the money. That said, MIJ Fender basses (particularly their limited run models) are very nice instruments. I just think they cost a bit much.
In my limited experience playing their FGN line, I’ve never had a bad experience. The instruments are consistently well made (though I did find their instruments to be somewhat heavy).
In Japan, FGN is considered to be a mid-range brand.
In terms of comparing to MIJ Fender basses, I have found FGN to be more consistent and provide better value for the money. That said, MIJ Fender basses (particularly their limited run models) are very nice instruments. I just think they cost a bit much.
Well, I took the leap and ordered one. Some videos by LowEndLobster had a part in it.
I'll post a NBD when I receive it.
I'll post a NBD when I receive it.
Try [This invalid link has been removed] on for sighs
(Give or take all the case candy 
). They're not getting any cheaper. But these beasts incorporate Timeless Timber, ancient and rock solid, a rare gift from the fabled Lady in the Lake 
Not to be sneezed at.
