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Purchased a bass from Japan...

#21
Smooth_bass88 said:
Why not share who you bought it from though? People share this type of information all the time.
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I might as well share the company name. It'll save me a ton of time as I've been getting dozens of message requests for the name.

The company I used for my three different purchases is Ishibashi Music. Once again, I have no affiliation with them apart from me being a typical bassist who happened to see and buy basses that I saw on their website. The website, btw, is one of the few that is also offered in English so you don't have to battle with a translation app. From what I gather, they have several stores located throughout Japan. At last check they had right around 450 used basses available.
 
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#22
#23
Whale said:
I might as well share the company name. It'll save me a ton of time as I've been getting dozens of message requests for the name.

The company I used for my three different purchases is Ishibashi Music. Once again, I have no affiliation with them apart from me being a typical bassist who happened to see and buy basses that I saw on their website. The website, btw, is one of the few that is also offered in English so you don't have to battle with a translation app. From what I gather, they have several stores located throughout Japan. At last check they had right around 450 used basses available.
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Many of us have heard of Ishibashi and many here have bought from them over the years. It’s definitely no secret. Great looking bass you have btw.
 
#24
I have had nothing but great experiences with guitars and bases from Japan. Typically, they arrive much faster than even domestic shipping and are always described well and packed impeccably. For example, I just posted about a new bass I got, that's a Fender Special Run Jazz Bass from Japan.I only wish Fender America could make these type of instruments.
 

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#25
xsnrg27 said:
I have had nothing but great experiences with guitars and bases from Japan. Typically, they arrive much faster than even domestic shipping and are always described well and packed impeccably. For example, I just posted about a new bass I got, that's a Fender Special Run Jazz Bass from Japan.I only wish Fender America could make these type of instruments.
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I want the Hybrid Red one. How does the neck on yours compare to a MIA or MIM?
 
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#27
Deleted member 394181 said:
I want the Hybrid Red one. How does the neck on yours compare to a MIA or MIM?
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Also the Hybrid Red is a 64 jazz. (I believe) the one pictured is a FSR 70s Jazz bass with a bound and blocked neck(It's not the new Aquamarine Hybrid) so it will be different. However, I also have a MIJ 64 Jazz bass limited in Flamingo Pink and likewise its fit and finish is the same. ( it actually has one of the best rosewood necks i've ever seen on a fender)
 
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#29
Yeah, Ishibashi are a great store. Shimamura are another large retailer, and their house brand instruments (History, Ryoga, Laidback, and Buskers, and formerly, Cool Z) are surprisingly high quality, with some being made by Fujigen.

If you’re not buying directly from stores, there’s the overseas buying service Buyee.jp, which plugs into Yahoo Japan store and auction listings, plus Rakuten / Rakuma classifieds. They handle the overseas shipping and do immaculate packing for a reasonable cost, and they deliver super fast esp if you live near a major air freight hub.
 
#30
I have had mixed results on ebay from Japan. I have received impeccable music equipment very quickly. One time, however, it became apparent that the person who sold it did not have the pedal. It came after over a month, and it wasn't fully functional. I got it fixed and it was still at a decent price, so I wasn't too worked up about it. But yes, sometimes things for sale on ebay from Japan they don't really have it on hand, so they might not have all of the details and it may take longer. Other times it will be brilliant and quick. I probably should have emailed and asked a question or two before that last purchase.
 
#31
xsnrg27 said:
Also the Hybrid Red is a 64 jazz. (I believe) the one pictured is a FSR 70s Jazz bass with a bound and blocked neck(It's not the new Aquamarine Hybrid) so it will be different. However, I also have a MIJ 64 Jazz bass limited in Flamingo Pink and likewise its fit and finish is the same. ( it actually has one of the best rosewood necks i've ever seen on a fender)
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I may be confused, this is the one I'm thinking of.
 

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#32
So a month or so ago I order a inexpensive tele copy, because I never had a pink guitar

after it's a week late I ask for a refund and the seller admits he never shipped it and tries to haggle to complete the sale, I say, "no"

a cuppla days go by and no refund and then I get a package from Japan

I don't open it, just wait

a cuppla days later the guy reaches out and says he accidentially sent something meant for SoKo and will I please ship it back

now, we go round about getting him to pay the return shipping - even as my refund hasn't come

my refund comes

we then spent 3 weeks for him to learn how to post a return label on the ebog messaging app

along the way he called me - no idear how and I didn't pick up or return

and he kept asking for my US mail addy so he could mail the return slip

yeah, I returned it, un-opened

moral of the story: it was weird made weirder by the evident use of a translation app, and all of the above
 
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#33
You have it so good in America,
Every time I have something shipped here in Canada....The Government dings me for their 15% plus the huge exchange rate kick in the butt...and delivery cost
Ouch is all I can say :woot:
 
#34
On a positive note , I have read peoples positive experiences with Ishibashi Music for the last ...20? years

I would really love to take the leap and buy also....or even better visit Japan one day.....always a dream of mine.

Arigato
 
#35
Whale said:
I might as well share the company name. It'll save me a ton of time as I've been getting dozens of message requests for the name.

The company I used for my three different purchases is Ishibashi Music. Once again, I have no affiliation with them apart from me being a typical bassist who happened to see and buy basses that I saw on their website. The website, btw, is one of the few that is also offered in English so you don't have to battle with a translation app. From what I gather, they have several stores located throughout Japan. At last check they had right around 450 used basses available.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing. I eventually want to buy a p bass. Used and made in Japan. Nice bass you have there.
 
#37
Methaneman said:
Thanks for sharing. I eventually want to buy a p bass. Used and made in Japan. Nice bass you have there.
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The second purchase I made from Japan was a 1984 MIJ PB62-98 with a JV serial number. It arrived in perfect condition and is an absolute stunner of a bass! In terms of sound, variety of tones, playability, workmanship, and weight, I honestly could not have asked for anything more. People say the early MIJ instruments were/are as good or better than their counterpart USA models. It is very true. I love that bass.

If you are considering a MIJ instrument I STRONGLY advise you to do your research. There are typically three levels or tiers of quality for each Fender model that is made (and/or crafted) in Japan. This means you could pay a higher price for a lower quality instrument if you're not careful.

Best wishes
 
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#38
xsnrg27 said:
I have had nothing but great experiences with guitars and bases from Japan. Typically, they arrive much faster than even domestic shipping and are always described well and packed impeccably. For example, I just posted about a new bass I got, that's a Fender Special Run Jazz Bass from Japan.I only wish Fender America could make these type of instruments.
Click to expand...
Is it a picture of the ocean or your bass ?! Anyway, looks outstanding.
 
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#40
I had a similar experience while looking for a decently priced NS CR4M recently - got one from Japan from the below shop for ~$1500 and no tax, shipping, or luckily import fees:

bassshop-gib.com

Bass Shop Geek IN Box

All import duties and taxes are included in the price.There are no hidden fees upon delivery.
bassshop-gib.com bassshop-gib.com

They had it listed on reverb for $200+ more and I would've had to pay tax on reverb (most reverb listings for the CR4M or the 5 are $2000+, it seems - I did want a 5 but couldn't pass this up for the deal to get into the EUB realm), so this was a pretty great deal, and it showed up immaculate and packed well.

IMG_4408.jpeg
 
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