Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
New Guy Needs Help With Japanese Basses
- Thread starter BASSically Awful
- Start date
Welcome to TB
This fella has a very good rep in the UK for getting basses. He's an English bass player living in Tokyo and besides teaching and
playing he sources basses. Handy fella to know
BASS JAPAN DIRECT SHOP - MIJ Basses Direct, Bass Lessons, Reviews,Bass TABS and Music DLs!
This fella has a very good rep in the UK for getting basses. He's an English bass player living in Tokyo and besides teaching and
playing he sources basses. Handy fella to know
BASS JAPAN DIRECT SHOP - MIJ Basses Direct, Bass Lessons, Reviews,Bass TABS and Music DLs!
Awesome! That is a great resource. I really appreciate your reply!Welcome to TB
This fella has a very good rep in the UK for getting basses. He's an English bass player living in Tokyo and besides teaching and
playing he sources basses. Handy fella to know
BASS JAPAN DIRECT SHOP - MIJ Basses Direct, Bass Lessons, Reviews,Bass TABS and Music DLs!
Bacchus.... I have read the name here but never researched it. I will do so. I need to learn more than just the name "Fender". Thank you very much!
Check out Danny Stewart Bass Guitar Japan website. He reps several hi quality Japanese bass builders. I just ordered a Momose classic P...the quality is top notch...they are hand made...as good as the many Sadowskys I have owned. And Danny's service is great!
Thank you for the welcome! This is the site that I also check out frequently. To be honest, I came to TB first because I was afraid of a communication breakdown somewhere along the line. Since you have not had that issue, I feel better talking with them. And, BTW, I get a big kick out of you asking others for their "family photos", in regards to their gear! I think you asked a guy for a family photo regarding Steve Harris P Basses a few weeks ago, but I do not think he sent you an "Olan Mills" family shot you and the rest of us wanted! I have two of them. Better get out the Polaroid!
Thank you very much! Momose is not a name familiar to me. No surprise there, as I am very new to this. One of my favorite guys in music, Jason Newsted, plays Sadowskys I believe. If the Momose line is that good, that is a great recommendation. Again, I appreciate your time!
Hello. I believe I saw the Capri Orange P Bass on their site just a few weeks ago. If yours is the same, or that particular one is now yours, that is a beautiful Bass. No doubt. You are now the second TBer that I have so far read that says communication is not a problem. I wonder if you can order a HSC to ship the Bass in? I am sure that is not a problem for them to do. Thank you for your advice! Oh.... thanks for the comment on the angled jack as well!
Yes, that is the quality I appreciate about Japanese items. I use to have a fairly nice collection of telescopes, and even the most novice stargazer could immediately tell the superiority of the Japanese scope, Takahashi, in comparision to others in the field. The top end American scopes were maybe a half-step better, but the Japanese company will put out nearly perfect scopes each time with a huge selection, as the American high-end stuff might get to you when you are taking your dirt nap! Thank you for your response!
I would add that not all of them are overpriced, even with the high shipping cost. A brand new, "Export Edition" Aerodyne (more on what that means below) goes for $800. The average used price I see tends to range from $500 to $600, give or take fifty to one-hundred, depending on the condition.
That aside, Gilmourisgod is right. You just might find a nice Non-Export model Stateside, just like I did last year. <cue further gratuitous gear photo>
Not at all.Thank you very much for your reply! I really appreciate it! Indeed, The pictured AJB is a real stunner. I do/did have only one hang up with it, but, like most things, it is probably "just in my head". The input jack for the cable..... do you have any issues with that? Both of my P Basses have it coming straight off the face on the body. This jack has a placement more in line with a regular six string guitar. Has that ever given you any issues? Another great thing about this AJB, just like you said, is that it can be had here directly from Fender's website! Again, thanks for your input! (Good pun!!)
Very true!
Possibly not the case. To the best of my memory, I've only heard one or two people complain about a loose Strat-jack. Certainly, the basswood will be a bit softer, but think it's a rare incident.
Now, on the topic of "Export" vs. "Non-Export", and I promise to make this brief.
The Invalid Link Removed, as it's titled in the States (black, P/J, Strat-Jack, no pickguard), is referred to as the "Export Edition". It's the model that's regularly shipped outside Japan to all other corners of the World. Any other Aerodyne (any other colors, flush-mounted jacks, pickguards, Precision-bodied and the occasional J/J config) is a "Non-Export" and has to be specially ordered or purchased within the Land of the Rising Sun.
Last edited:
Greetings, B.A. and Welcome to TalkBass!
Do I think you could do wrong by getting either a Made In Japan (MIJ) or a Crafted In Japan (CIJ) bass? From what I've seen here on TB, as well as the three Fender Japan basses I own…the odds are very much in your favor.
One thing to keep in mind…the contract between Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) and Fender Japan expired/wasn't renewed quite recently. This might, perhaps already has, caused some to increase their prices, so beware of artificially inflated prices. However, I did not encounter this when I made a recent purchase from Ishibashi.
And speaking of Ishibashi, [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Since they ship items to just about anywhere in the world, this site is in English (the modern-day Lingua Franca). Every instrument listed has two prices. The higher one in red is what you'd pay if you were in Japan, with all the appropriate taxes included. The lower amount is what you pay when purchasing from outside Japan. Shipping/handling/insurance can be pretty pricey (usually about $150), but at this particular time the value of the Yen vs. the U.S. Dollar is so different, you can get a decent, if not excellent, bass for about $400-$500 plus shipping. (e.g.: I got mine for $550 total, but the Yen just dropped even more. Getting it today would've been about $525.)
Just out of curiosity, is there a particular model you're looking for? Because there is a Japanese-made bass that's regularly available in America. Specifically, it's a Fender Deluxe Aerodyne Jazz Bass, sometimes referred to as an Export-Edition Aerodyne. Basically, if it's all-black, doesn't have a pickguard and has a Stratocaster-style output jack, that's the one.
Hi! Thank you for such detailed information! Indeed, I did miss the two price issue which you pointed out. As far as which model, I was just looking for a solid Jazz. There is one site that has a few beautiful Old Lake Placid Blue with a Rosewood Fretboard, and a, I believe it is called, a "Tortoise" pickguard. Sorry, even after 3 years of learning/training and trying to learn the lingo, I am kinda "Pickguard Illiterate"! Anyhow, it is stunning. But, their price is around $1100 USD. The Ishibashi has a few, I believe new, Jazz Basses that seem to be a standard MIJ platform, but with that same looking pickguard as the other site. And those look to be about $450 USD! This became my whole issue to begin with. Why such a marked price difference, even if shipping is taken into consideration on one or the other? You know what . . . I am going to try and show each Jazz from each site, and maybe you guys can tell or see the differences! Again, thank you for your knowledge! It helps, big time!
If you haven't already, go to Ishibashi's U-Box, click "E.Bass" and type in "fender" for the keyword. You should get about three pages of various models. Funny thing in your favor, most of them tend to be Jazzes. I suspect the Jazz "platform" is more popular over there.
EDIT: Something else I should mention; another idiosyncrasy among Fender Japan Jazz basses, they tend to have a curvier, vintage-style fretboard. If you're used to a flatter board, you might want to take that into consideration.
Last edited:
Thank you for your time! Another thing I like about the AJB is the Headstock color matches the body, on at least some, I believe! I think that is a nice look!
I own 4 basses, and all are MIJ. So, no worries there,
I agree that the shipping charges seem to be the difference in these two. Also agree that you would be well served by waiting and doing all the research possible. You'll learn some, and probably get a good deal down the line.
That's how my 4 MIJ basses cost me a total of $675.
Welcome to TB.
First off, only a man of great intelligence and a keen eye for business profit would have their picture being the almighty Bender!!! Bender can get the deals, the info, the ladies, and manages to keep quite a few items in his never ending, cavernous chest! Any image of Bender makes me laugh! Bravo! And thank you for preaching patience in this matter. When something may disappear that I want, OCD will take the driver's seat and wreck me financially. Getting four MIJ Basses for around $700 . . . only Bender can pull that off!
"Kiss My Shiny GunMetal Colored Jazz!!!" Thank you for your reply! Made me laugh. A LOT!
The extremely high markup you have mentioned has been my curiosity. Good point. Thanks for your time!
Actually, lowphatbass, I'm hoping YOU will know a good deal for me when you see it!
(I thought you might enjoy that! ) Agreed, continuing to do more research and familiarizing myself with prices that are average vs ones that are at the end of the curve is a necessity before a moderate sized purchase. Thank you for your reply, and that is a very pretty kitty!
I would add that not all of them are overpriced, even with the high shipping cost. A brand new, "Export Edition" Aerodyne (more on what that means below) goes for $800. The average used price I see tends to range from $500 to $600, give or take fifty to one-hundred, depending on the condition. My Ishibashi purchase came to about $550 en toto, and would've cost less given the further shrinking of the Yen's value since I got my JB62 "All-Black" in May.
That aside, Gilmourisgod is right. You just might find a nice Non-Export model Stateside, just like I did last year. <cue further gratuitous gear photo>
Not at all.
Very true!
Possibly not the case. To the best of my memory, I've only heard one or two people complain about a loose Strat-jack. Certainly, the basswood will be a bit softer, but think it's a rare incident.
Now, on the topic of "Export" vs. "Non-Export", and I promise to make this brief.
The Invalid Link Removed, as it's titled in the States (black, P/J, Strat-Jack, no pickguard), is referred to as the "Export Edition". It's the model that's regularly shipped outside Japan to all other corners of the World. Any other Aerodyne (any other colors, flush-mounted jacks, pickguards, Precision-bodied and the occasional J/J config) is a "Non-Export" and has to be specially ordered or purchased within the Land of the Rising Sun.
View attachment 662099
Fender Japan / Jazz Bass JB-STD Lake Placid Blue (LPB) w / Tortoise PG [Ishibashi instrument Shinjuku limited specification! [Shinjuku]
Product code: 06-321521500-6382
Selling price 55,600 yen (tax included)
(Tax selling price: 51,481 yen)
Fender Japan Jazz Bass Series JB62 (UGB)
Our Selling Price: US$883.00 [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Top Photo... $450 (I also get the idea Ishibashi may call their pickguard version a "limited specification" Bottom Photo... $883 .... So with shipping on the first one, it is almost $300 USD cheaper. Buy looking at each, is the bottom photo Jazz that much better, or are they the same with just different pickguards? I know many have jumped into help, but I think/hope this makes my venture more convenient for you to differentiate. If not, I am a loser for going over the same issue twice!
At your leisure, offer up anything this may change from your original replies. Sleep well....
View attachment 662142
Fender Japan / Jazz Bass JB-STD Lake Placid Blue (LPB) w / Tortoise PG [Ishibashi instrument Shinjuku limited specification! [Shinjuku]
Product code: 06-321521500-6382
Selling price 55,600 yen (tax included)
(Tax selling price: 51,481 yen)
View attachment 662144
Fender Japan Jazz Bass Series JB62 (UGB)
Our Selling Price: US$883.00 [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Top Photo... $450 (I also get the idea Ishibashi may call their pickguard version a "limited specification" Bottom Photo... $883 .... So with shipping on the first one, it is almost $300 USD cheaper. Buy looking at each, is the bottom photo Jazz that much better, or are they the same with just different pickguards? I know many have jumped into help, but I think/hope this makes my venture more convenient for you to differentiate. If not, I am a loser for going over the same issue twice!
Here's the differences I can see between the two, but forgive me if I'm stating the obvious here and there;
The LPB (Lake Placid Blue) model is a Fender Japan Standard Jazz, but the "limited specification" might mean it's a limited edition version, just like my "All-Black" pictured above. This would make sense as LPB is not a normal color for their Standard Jazz.
The JB62 UGB (U.S. Gunmetal Blue) is a very straightforward Fender Japan model. One way you can usually spot one is by the "grounding strap", which is that little band of metal running from the bridge to the bridge pickup. One big difference is the finish. UGB has a lot more grey in it, and as cool-looking as it is, it doesn't "pop" like LPB.
There's a listing for a JB62 in Gunmetal Blue on Ishibashi which is much more reasonably priced than the Bass-Japan one…again, by at least $300. That, plus their track record for excellent customer service, would steer me towards an Ishibashi purchase.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Two suggestions- 1) Fender P-Bass Lyte from mid-eighties. P-bass shape neck but with an Ibanez-like thickness. very unique bass. excellent bridge. basswood body. cool colors. has a tilt screw for the neck; P/J configuration. it is active and sounds huge, while being a very light instrument ($600 average for a good one)
2) Japanese made reisssue 60's and 70's jazz bass. made for the Japanese market. they are a little more pricey but play great and sound great. hard to find in the US, but Truetone Music in Santa Monica, CA has them. might cost around $1000, but worth it for any Japanese Fender fan!
2) Japanese made reisssue 60's and 70's jazz bass. made for the Japanese market. they are a little more pricey but play great and sound great. hard to find in the US, but Truetone Music in Santa Monica, CA has them. might cost around $1000, but worth it for any Japanese Fender fan!
Last edited:
