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Trip to Japan- getting a bass?

T

Tachyon

Mar 21, 2009
2
0
Lisbon
#1
Hey guys! So I'm getting on a plane to Japan first thing tomorrow for a family trip, and while I'm there I thought I'd look around the music shops for some electric basses :p

I know there are some non-export Fender models and I've heard about Moon basses and Atelier Z, but what stuff should I look for around there? Also, should I look into buying a bass and bringing it back by plane or is that a big no-no? I don't know much about customs charges or freight fares so maybe it's not worth the trouble.

Thanks for the replies!
 
#3
i went on a cruise one time and we port at vera cruz mexico....and notice walking around downtown we went into a little guitar shop and this old man was making some very usual looking guitars and basses for cheap almost remind me of a Ken smith type basses but with just a vol knob but very nice..at the time he quoted me like 200 for a 4 string...since that all he was doing anyway...

but since i didnt know the policy of what to bring back to the boat i pass on the offer.:rollno:
 
#4
Tachyon said:
but what stuff should I look for around there? Also, should I look into buying a bass and bringing it back by plane or is that a big no-no? I don't know much about customs charges or freight fares so maybe it's not worth the trouble.

Thanks for the replies!
Click to expand...

Its summer here so watch out for cute girls in mini skirts:D especially when they are riding the bicycle heading toward you:D:D:D
for bass, you can check the local used shops (HARD-OFF, ECO-MALL etc,) or go tho guitar shops like SHIMAMURA, ROCK-INN etc.
Bringing back the bass to your country, UNBOLT the NECK and put it with the body in your luggage. I tell you, a fellow player from L.A. sold me his Fender because the airline was charging him almost $350 and required him to put it in a hardshell case. Guitars have no custom tax, don't worry.
 
#6
kenjikun said:
Its summer here so watch out for cute girls in mini skirts:D especially when they are riding the bicycle heading toward you:D:D:D
for bass, you can check the local used shops (HARD-OFF, ECO-MALL etc,) or go tho guitar shops like SHIMAMURA, ROCK-INN etc.
Bringing back the bass to your country, UNBOLT the NECK and put it with the body in your luggage. I tell you, a fellow player from L.A. sold me his Fender because the airline was charging him almost $350 and required him to put it in a hardshell case. Guitars have no custom tax, don't worry.
Click to expand...

Kenjisan - get information and tips on transporting a bass.

-richard
 
#7
If I go to Japan, I would bring back a moon jazz bass (one like Larry Graham) or a fretless like Bona has (a pensa) but now the luthier who did his blue fretless works for another company but I don't remember the name.
 
#8
kenjikun said:
Bringing back the bass to your country, UNBOLT the NECK and put it with the body in your luggage. I tell you, a fellow player from L.A. sold me his Fender because the airline was charging him almost $350 and required him to put it in a hardshell case. Guitars have no custom tax, don't worry.
Click to expand...

I flew from Narita to NY with a checked bass for no fee. It was in a padded gigbag with lots of protection and it was fine.
 
#9
Getting my fretless P back from Japan was a nightmare ... I had it shipped. As others have recommended, if you can get it back with you and can unbolt the neck or take as baggage, by all means do so.

I would recommend going to TC Gakki (http://www.tcgakki.com). That's where I got my '76 USA fretless P for what I believe to be fair money.
 
#13
warnan said:
any body know 'history' bass?
Click to expand...

History is the flagship brand of FujiGen and distributed exclusively by Shimamura Music. History guitars and basses use the CIRCLE FRETTING SYSTEM which according to them
"C.F.S.(Circle Fretting System) is a revolutionary technology of arc-shaped frets. It is the solution to the common problems multi-stringed instruments have been facing.

The problem is that "the further the strings are from the center of the neck, the longer the length becomes from the 0 fret". In other words, the 1st and the 6th string will be slightly longer than the 2nd and the 5th, and the 2nd and the 5th string will be slightly longer than the 3rd and the 4th.

By utilizing a slightly arc-shaped frets, the strings and the frets will be lined at a right angle(90 degrees), therefore maintaining an even scale length on all of the strings.

For the wood, according to them

"Utilizing a real vintage wood, the "Timeless Timber", this series produces an exceptional tonal quality."

"Ashland Wisconsin. Lies deep at the bottom of the Great Lakes for 50 to 200 years are the legendary hard maple, "Timeless Timber". Through modern technology, we have been able to use this rare premium quality wood to build guitars with extremely outstanding tone.
 
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#16
yeah, atlansia, the most unique bass that i've ever seen.

To kenjikun:
thanks a lot for your help on History bass, i placed an order on history th-pj. I am always interesting in timeless timer and cfs system. i want to know how different they will affect the sound. I can't find any info about history and fujigen.Seems fgn has a new website and begin to sell worldwider, good news.

I used to have a momose custom jazz bass and tune gap518,very well built. some small company made top notch basses such as Inner wood, basstec. I like them. but Japanese Yen is so expensive these days.....:bawl:
 
#17
hi, i got my History th-pj vintage white pj bass. it was owesome. looks great ...plays like a dream. before i plan to upgrade the pickups but now..i don't need to upgrade it. it sounds great. CFS and timeless timber,wow:p
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Circle fret system and timeless timber
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like musicman finish on neck
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