Unique to Japan Basses

[pbgonecrazy99]

I've always been interested in some of the unique basses that Japan seems to have that aren't available in the US, something along the lines of the ESP halibut. I will be traveling to Japan in the next month, and was wondering if anyone knows what places in Japan would have some of those types of basses and what brands/models to look for.

 

[joninjapan]

If you will be in Tokyo, head to Ochanomizu Station on the Chuo train line. The main street has the greatest collection of musical instrument shops. New, used, custom and more. great place to spend a day, or two

 

[pklima]

I have an ESP AS-H which is pretty much a traditonal Jazz Bass in Gibson-style hollowbody disguise. Just bought it via Reverb from one of the stores that list stuff there, though. And a Killer Simmony which is a hotter 24-fret Jazz Bass in upside-down Rick disguise, which I got from a guy in the UK.

What to look for, well, we've already both mentioned ESP. Many of the smaller builders like Atelier Z and dragonfly do have at least some foreign distribution, and a lot of 60s basses have made their way around the world by now. But there's a lot more out there, from T.S Factory's "once in a lifetime" series of one-offs to very modern fanned-fret weirdness like Ruina Miyashiro, where even the neck bolt arrangement is highly unique. Are Halibut-like basses, in other words relatively modern active but not totally wild, your kind of thing?

 

[Hibike]

If you pick up a Momose or a Bacchus, you will not be disappointed. They often look like Fender copies, but with their own flavor. STR also makes some boutique only in Japan basses. These basses are all marketed by Deviser.

 

[ModuMan]

Sugi makes great stuff and is still under the radar here in the US. I'd love to try a Freedom bass.

ESP Japan is... well, as you know, awesome.

 

[sparkyness]

I would recommend having a look around on 【デジマート】楽器と音楽機材専門の検索＆総合情報サイト (google translate is your friend) before you go as most of the big stores will post their stock on there.

There's tons of unique stuff in Japan that folks have already mentioned. You can get a really high end instrument for reasonable $$$. The MIJ Bacchus basses are exceptional for the price if you want a modern J.

If you're on a fairly tight budget, a few stores have "house brands" like Cool Z which is a Shimimura brand made by Fujigen. These are great bang for buck instruments. I grabbed a Cool Z P Bass for next to nothing that's as good as some of the Fenders I've owned.

My main instruments are old MIJ G&L L2000 "Slim Neck" Tribute models (fretted/fretless pair) which have a more Jazz-like neck profile when compared to the USA necks, but used the same electronics.

 

[pklima]

Oh yeah, the Sugi basses look really cool, especially with the bat inlays. Sago's another builder that does things that are unique but not all-out weird.

 

[bbao]

Check out second hand used instrument shops too. There are always cool guitars/basses/pedals there too

 

[Jimmy P.]

HardOff is a nationwide chain store with locations in every city. They stock new and used instruments in a range of prices. There is also an online store: ギター・ベース本体|オフモール - 中古通販のハードオフ公式サイト【オフモ】

 

[Nolan Tremblay]

If you will be in Tokyo, head to Ochanomizu Station on the Chuo train line. The main street has the greatest collection of musical instrument shops. New, used, custom and more. great place to spend a day, or two

This! I was there last year and it was unbelievable. You could definitely spend two days there (I only had two hours as we had many other things on the list to do).

 

[Gervais Cote]

If I was to test and buy a bass in Japan, Bacchus would be the first on my list.

They make basses similar to Fender with a much better quality control and they also make outstanding custom basses like the one below.

The trick is to get one that’s made in Japan, not Indonesia or another foreign country.

 

[Rib 13]

I've always been interested in some of the unique basses that Japan seems to have that aren't available in the US, something along the lines of the ESP halibut. I will be traveling to Japan in the next month, and was wondering if anyone knows what places in Japan would have some of those types of basses and what brands/models to look for.

Fernandes....vintage Fernades in particular, many of which were unavailable here....especially if you can find their BC Rich clones and Alembic clones (Im not kidding when I say "Clone").

 

[BobDeRosa]

I've always been interested in some of the unique basses that Japan seems to have that aren't available in the US, something along the lines of the ESP halibut. I will be traveling to Japan in the next month, and was wondering if anyone knows what places in Japan would have some of those types of basses and what brands/models to look for.

Check out this guy before you go. I've never dealt with him but he has posted a ton of YT videos about Japanese-made basses sold and for sale. Good player, too.

Bass Japan Direct

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I've had basses by Sugi, Atelier Z, and Bacchus and they are all great builders. Sugi is the best I've tried so far.

Still have my Sugi, but may list for sale again soon if interested

 

[Prodigus Filius]

https://www.atlansia.info/

 

[Prodigus Filius]

@mikewalker
Hayashi
Atlansia Guitars and Hayashi Nobuaki

About Atlansia Guitars and H. Noble
Chances are if anyone has a mij bass from the late 60's to early 80's, particularly a flashy one, Hayashi designed it. Mr MIJ himself.
Wonder if JIO has some Hayashi creations?
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/vintage-japanese-basses-for-those-who-appreciate-them.1481664/

Matsumoto City in Nagano pf. The cradle of mij guitar and bass manufacture.

 

[Prodigus Filius]

Dated but, https://www.talkbass.com/threads/crazy-basses-on-esp-japan-website.1108505/

 

[project_c]

Check out this guy before you go. I've never dealt with him but he has posted a ton of YT videos about Japanese-made basses sold and for sale. Good player, too.

Bass Japan Direct

I ordered an Atelier Z from him a while back, maybe 3 years ago. I can totally recommend him. Communication was great, the bass arrived perfectly set up and exactly as described. No regrets whatsoever and I love that bass. One day I’ll order a custom Atelier Z, they make some amazing basses.

 

[Brad8008135]

Check out this guy before you go. I've never dealt with him but he has posted a ton of YT videos about Japanese-made basses sold and for sale. Good player, too.

Bass Japan Direct

Danny's the best. It's amazing that in 4 days, he can ship a bass from Tokyo to Atlanta (via Alaska/Tennessee) and it arrive with nice low action. Examples...this Greco, as well as Funky Junk #36:

 

[superiorpine]

Dragonfly, made in Tokyo. Quoted from JT Lee: Harry's Engineering / Dragonfly is a high-end Japanese guitar brand (comparable in quality to Tune, Atelier, STR, ESP, Sugi etc); it was founded 25 years ago by luthier Tatsuaki Totani San (nicknamed Harry), who had previously been at Aria Pro II in the 1980's.

Bass Direct Japan carries them, and probably lots of other shops. Used may be the ticket.