MIJ v CIJ... and a prospective purchase

It looks very legit to me. I would be into buying it at $575ish

 

For what it’s worth, my 2013 MIJ Mustang bass is "Made In Japan", not crafted. Very nice instrument

 

You can get a USA with Graphite Rods for $700. Unless you are getting a JV serial MIJ, $700 is too much.

 

Depends on where you live - the going rate for a used MIM where I live is around $350-400. A MIJ is around $600, a MIA is $700-800. I would say $600 for a MIJ depending on condition would be fair.

 

Just one example:
For Sale/Trade - 2003 USA Fender Precision Bass Highway One

 

I've had a dozen MIJ's and they're okay. They also get way over-hyped here on Talkbass. I'll take that Hwy one over an MIJ and day of the week.
Of course, I would build myself a Roadworn before doing that.

 

There was a US P Bass for $749 obo that was in very good condition I had my eye on recently but disappeared. Same seller has a '96 US Jazz for $875 obo though.
There's a Fender Aerodyne (CIJ) for $599...hmmm.

 

That thing is beat to hell!

 

Most Highway Ones are, they must have like a super-thin 'vintage' finish on them or something. I bet aside from the finish it's in excellent shape.

 

From the wiki....

"Made in Japan" and "Crafted in Japan"[edit]

MADE IN JAPAN serial number

Crafted in Japan serial number

• "Made in Japan" = FujiGen Gakki
  
• "Crafted in Japan" = Others (Tōkai Gakki, Dyna Gakki)

According to a Fender representative, it was stipulated in the Fender Japan contract that if there was a change of manufacturer from FujiGen Gakki to another guitar factory, the production inscription in the guitar would be changed from "Made in Japan" (MIJ) to "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ). Most of the Japanese-made Fenders up until 1996/1997 were MIJ Fenders.

The first CIJ Fenders started around 1992, when Dyna Gakki took over some of the production requirements of Fender Japan. This resulted in the "Crafted in Japan" inscription appearing on some Japanese Fenders during this period. Dyna took over because FujiGen was expanding its own factory operations.

CIJ was used entirely on Japanese Fenders produced from 1996/1997 until 2015, after Tōkai and Dyna took over the Fender Japan manufacturing contract. The Fender Squier range was also brought in line with the Japanese Fenders at around the same time (1996/1997), with the CIJ inscription being used.

Timeline[edit]
1982: Fender Japan starts production with FujiGen Gakki having the manufacturing contract. The "Made in Japan" (MIJ) logo is used.

1984: CBS sells Fender to its current owners and while waiting for a new US factory to begin production, Fender Japan models and leftover US stock were mostly sold in the US for a few years.

1993: The first "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) models start appearing due to Dyna Gakki taking over some of the manufacturing while FujiGen Gakki were expanding their operations.

1996/1997: "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) is used instead of "Made in Japan" (MIJ) because Tōkai Gakki and Dyna Gakki take over the manufacturing contract from FujiGen Gakki.

2015: Fender, Yamano and Kanda Shokai end the Fender Japan joint venture on March 31, 2015. Fender took over the Japanese business effective April 1, 2015.

 

I'd say $500-550 would be a fair price for that bass, $600 at the outside since it's your friend's. The truly great Japanese Fenders were the 80s E-serial ones (maybe others, but those for sure), the post-2000 ones are consistently better than any Mexican one but nowhere near a US one, which as stated before can often be had for around $700.

 

Here's a guide for reference. Your friend's bass is legit
Fender: Fender Japan Serial guide - the most complete and updated chart

And here's a pic of mine

 

Keep in mind that the final sale price is often considerably less than the posted asking price.