MIJ v CIJ... and a prospective purchase

[Dabndug]

A couple of quick checks suggests $650 will pay for an excellent condition used upper spec MIJ/CIJ 60s RI P shipped from a Tokyo dealer to your door.

 

[W_R]

Hey guys,

In the process of tracking down a fender precision to purchase my friend has suggested he may be willing to part with his. He procured it from a friend who bought it in Japan. He’s an old friend and I trust him completely.

It is in excellent condition based on the pictures. However, the serial would suggest that it is a 2012, but based on my limited research, a 2012 should list crafted in Japan, not made in Japan. I have offered $700 for it, which on my research seems to be a fair price, I’m not trying to low ball him. Can I get your thoughts? Should I be concerned if it’s genuine? I truly don’t think my friend wouldn’t knowingly screw me over. Looks legit to me! View attachment 3857209View attachment 3857210View attachment 3857211

The instrument looks about right. Check out digimart.net for a Japan marketplace site where you can see a bunch of the MIJ models, for reference—Google Chrome can translate it for you. Your sale price isn’t necessarily my business, but you might consider the pickups/tone wiring—I felt that the stock pickups/tone circuits in my couple of MIJ basses were unsatisfying/inferior and I upgraded those parts. Again, just for reference, if you were to find yourself considering a purchase from a Japan vendor, I think the shipping ballparks about $150-160 and the bass is likely to arrive in exactly the condition pictured/specified.

 

[Robert B]

that low huh? Surprising, thanks for the thoughts though

As has been often said on these forums (and I believe it to be true), "an instrument is worth what someone is willing to pay for it". If it's worth $700 to you, then it's perfectly reasonable to pay that.

 

[kangarupe]

As has been often said on these forums (and I believe it to be true), "an instrument is worth what someone is willing to pay for it". If it's worth $700 to you, then it's perfectly reasonable to pay that.

I like the way you think. It looks as though I have convinced myself to go with an American anyway, and my budget is suddenly growing beyond what I originally considered lol. I honestly would have been okay paying that though.

 

[kangarupe]

Not all Fender Japan instruments are equal. I lived in Tokyo from 1982-88 and Kyoto from 2002-06, a Fender Japan P was my first good instrument, and I have owned several others over the years. In Japan they put them out at various quality/price points. The highest had USA pickups, the middle ones had Japanese pickups (and probably other differences) and they made really cheap ones too. Mine were always middle grade, none were perfect but I loved them. I used to have a mid-range Jazz from about 1988 and my luthier said he thought it was great.

A lot of the ones that were sold here were kind of special editions, like the early Geddy Lee basses. I have a Donald Duck Dunn Signature P-Bass, the mid/late '90s Bass VI reissue, and the '70s P-Bass from around 2008. Things changed a few years after that (2008) and they stopped selling Fender Japan stuff here in the States for a while, but I've noticed that they've been putting out limited batches like the ones at CME that the OP mentioned. I have a soft spot for them, with my experience with them and also living there and being half-Japanese, but they aren't miraculous or anything. I would say don't get your hopes up - it could be anywhere from decent to great, but no guarantees - try before you buy if possible!

Here's a pic of two of mine - the DDD is stock, I Alembicized the '70s and put a Baddass II bridge I had laying around in order to really '70s-ize it.:

View attachment 3858155

great info, arigatou gozaimasu! I visited a few years ago, beautiful country, Kyoto especially fun and cool. Fond memories of walking the streets!

 

[Williethump]

Looks just like my 2014 MIJ swamp ash P-bass. I bought mine used with TI Jazz flats, Seymour Duncan pickups and vintage style plush hard case for $465usd two years back. It hardly has a scratch and is super lightweight. The tone is super too. I'm getting used to the wide fingerboard. The only flaw is a slightly wide neck pocket.

 

[jnewmark]

I have one, with a serial # that starts with " JD ". All info is on the back of the headstock, nothing on the back of the heel of the neck, or metal plate. " JD " in the serial # indicates, " Made In Japan ".

 

[FunkHead]

I have one, with a serial # that starts with " JD ". All info is on the back of the headstock, nothing on the back of the heel of the neck, or metal plate. " JD " in the serial # indicates, " Made In Japan ".

I am almost positive that "JD" stands for Japan Domestic. They are non-Export models. I am curious if the quality is the same as the export models. I did have 2 and they were great but so were most of my other MIJ's.

 

[jnewmark]

I am almost positive that "JD" stands for Japan Domestic. They are non-Export models. I am curious if the quality is the same as the export models. I did have 2 and they were great but so were most of my other MIJ's.

Yes, the quality is excellent, although the neck profile is flatter and a tad wider than I like. Also, the pups seem to be stronger than other P basses I have played, although I'm not really a P bass guy. Fit and finish is excellent, stays in tune, and, after a trip to my luthier guy, no adjustments needed.

 

[R&B]

Not all Fender Japan instruments are equal. I lived in Tokyo from 1982-88 and Kyoto from 2002-06, a Fender Japan P was my first good instrument, and I have owned several others over the years. In Japan they put them out at various quality/price points. The highest had USA pickups, the middle ones had Japanese pickups (and probably other differences) and they made really cheap ones too. Mine were always middle grade, none were perfect but I loved them. I used to have a mid-range Jazz from about 1988 and my luthier said he thought it was great.

A lot of the ones that were sold here were kind of special editions, like the early Geddy Lee basses. I have a Donald Duck Dunn Signature P-Bass, the mid/late '90s Bass VI reissue, and the '70s P-Bass from around 2008. Things changed a few years after that (2008) and they stopped selling Fender Japan stuff here in the States for a while, but I've noticed that they've been putting out limited batches like the ones at CME that the OP mentioned. I have a soft spot for them, with my experience with them and also living there and being half-Japanese, but they aren't miraculous or anything. I would say don't get your hopes up - it could be anywhere from decent to great, but no guarantees - try before you buy if possible!

Here's a pic of two of mine - the DDD is stock, I Alembicized the '70s and put a Baddass II bridge I had laying around in order to really '70s-ize it.:

View attachment 3858155

Two rare beauties. You may inspire me to take a family photo of my MIJ/CIJ basses. They are embarrassingly plentiful because I can’t bear to part with any. Eventually will have to. But must say honestly that I might sell an American Standard first. Did sell my MIM. Good luck to the OP in finding “the one.”

Current thundering herd:
Donald Duck Dunn P
2 PB62-US
2 PB70-US
PB68 Flower Power
E series P
JB62-WAL
JB62-VSP
JB66B
JB70
PJ FSR
P Lyte Deluxe

As you can see, big fan of Fender Japan products. I play ‘em all. The Olympic white 1980s E series Precision is my main squeeze. Just killer.

 

[two fingers]

It's a nice bass.

MIJ P bases from this era will have thinner necks (in my experience) than standard P bass neck. That's a bad thing for me. But you might love it.

Even though it's very nice, it's worth about 5-6 hunnerd bucks.

 

[hieronymous]

great info, arigatou gozaimasu! I visited a few years ago, beautiful country, Kyoto especially fun and cool. Fond memories of walking the streets!

I love Japan - I haven't been back in years, but so fortunate to have spent over ten years of my life there. Did you go to any guitar stores? I used to go to Shibuya to guitar and record stores every weekend when I was in high school in the '80s - Ochanomizu is even more amazing!

Two rare beauties. You may inspire me to take a family photo of my MIJ/CIJ basses. They are embarrassingly plentiful because I can’t bear to part with any. Eventually will have to. But must say honestly that I might sell an American Standard first. Did sell my MIM. Good luck to the OP in finding “the one.”

Current thundering herd:
Donald Duck Dunn P
2 PB62-US
2 PB70-US
PB68 Flower Power
E series P
JB62-WAL
JB62-VSP
JB66B
JB70
PJ FSR
P Lyte Deluxe

As you can see, big fan of Fender Japan products. I play ‘em all. The Olympic white 1980s E series Precision is my main squeeze. Just killer.

View attachment 3858344

Those model numbers are natsukashii! ("make me nostalgic") I used to stare at catalogs. I remember the model numbers also had the list price - for example, my black Jazz was probably JB62-55 - the 55 meant 55,000 yen list price (only around $300 back then! Now it's more like $550), so you could buy it for I don't remember how much, 49,000? I used to have stuff like this memorized! It was 35 years ago now.

Definitely need a family portrait!

 

[kangarupe]

I love Japan - I haven't been back in years, but so fortunate to have spent over ten years of my life there. Did you go to any guitar stores? I used to go to Shibuya to guitar and record stores every weekend when I was in high school in the '80s - Ochanomizu is even more amazing!



Those model numbers are natsukashii! ("make me nostalgic") I used to stare at catalogs. I remember the model numbers also had the list price - for example, my black Jazz was probably JB62-55 - the 55 meant 55,000 yen list price (only around $300 back then! Now it's more like $550), so you could buy it for I don't remember how much, 49,000? I used to have stuff like this memorized! It was 35 years ago now.

Definitely need a family portrait!

oh I didn’t live, only visited, was there for a couple of weeks!

 

[hieronymous]

oh I didn’t live, only visited, was there for a couple of weeks!

Oh yeah, that's what I thought - just wondered if you ever managed to make it into a guitar store - they are something else! From the regular big ones to the vintage shops with crazy vintage Fenders. It's not a normal spot for visitors, but I always try and get into one even if I'm only there for a few days!

 

[W_R]

Ochanomizu is still amazing, easily an all day stop if you have the time. It’s the second hand stores that have the bargains... I lucked out a few times shopping those in person, but digimart has most of it online anyway

 

[R&B]

A visit to a bustling music store in Japan sounds very cool. Just stay off Fleabay if looking at MIJ/CIJ instruments. Plenty of opportunistic middlemen looking to cash in on inexperienced shoppers.

 

[zombywoof5050]

Those model numbers are natsukashii! ("make me nostalgic") I used to stare at catalogs. I remember the model numbers also had the list price - for example, my black Jazz was probably JB62-55 - the 55 meant 55,000 yen list price (only around $300 back then! Now it's more like $550), so you could buy it for I don't remember how much, 49,000? I used to have stuff like this memorized! It was 35 years ago now.

Back in 2002 when I ordered my PB62-70US from Ishibashi music (before Fender put a stop to directly ordering new Japanese Fenders), it was listed at 70,000Yen (hence the '70' in the model number), but that was just the list price and you actually got a 20% discount when ordering, so my final sale price was 56,000Yen ($450 back in 2002), but then they tacked on 14,500Yen for shipping from Japan (usually received in only 4-5 days), so my final total for the bass was 70,500Yen (about $575). I still have it, and love it so much to this day. It's too bad that you can no longer order the new Japanese Fenders directly from Japan, they were such a good deal.

 

[hieronymous]

Back in 2002 when I ordered my PB62-70US from Ishibashi music (before Fender put a stop to directly ordering new Japanese Fenders), it was listed at 70,000Yen (hence the '70' in the model number), but that was just the list price and you actually got a 20% discount when ordering, so my final sale price was 56,000Yen ($450 back in 2002), but then they tacked on 14,500Yen for shipping from Japan (usually received in only 4-5 days), so my final total for the bass was 70,500Yen (about $575). I still have it, and love it so much to this day. It's too bad that you can no longer order the new Japanese Fenders directly from Japan, they were such a good deal.

That's awesome! Nice that you still have the bass. I picked up a Mustang Bass while I was there from 2002-2006 (and a few other things as well...) but sold 90% of it when I moved back. Kind of regret selling the Mustang, that was a fun bass - I can't stand the new ones with the PJ setup...

 

[R&B]

Back in 2002 when I ordered my PB62-70US from Ishibashi music (before Fender put a stop to directly ordering new Japanese Fenders), it was listed at 70,000Yen (hence the '70' in the model number), but that was just the list price and you actually got a 20% discount when ordering, so my final sale price was 56,000Yen ($450 back in 2002), but then they tacked on 14,500Yen for shipping from Japan (usually received in only 4-5 days), so my final total for the bass was 70,500Yen (about $575). I still have it, and love it so much to this day. It's too bad that you can no longer order the new Japanese Fenders directly from Japan, they were such a good deal.

”Used” basses from the big Japan retailers often still have pickguard plastic on them and they discount them generously.

 

[Mediocrity Man]

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.

Hell I would pay $800 for a MIJ. They are just as good as far as build quality. Mine is my number one bass.