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Where did the Japanese basses Go?

#42
bassplayeroreo said:
I was wondering, where did the Fender Japanese basses go? I know they still make some of them in Japan (Like Geddy's) But the standard Mexican basses aren't that great. I have a MIJ and in my opinion it's as good as an American, but the Mexicans in my opinion don't feel that great. Any of you guys can tell me why did Fender cut back so much on the Japanese Basses?
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I think it´s kinda funny that, although MIM basses ara actually made in the US and just put together in mexico, they are never nearly as good as the MIJ, and much less so than the ones "made" in california.

Are the screws making all that difference? or maybe the hands of the guy that screws the bass together?

Anyway, it´s my understanding that the japanese market is pretty different than the US market... that´s why we dont see those models here. They love reissues! Thats why the mij stuff we see here is "reissue-ish"

Id sure jump on a mim 51 p though...
 
#44
i know people are all getting defensive about their beloved MIJ/CIJ basses, but I think the issue that you may be ignoring is the quality of the components. sure the japanese factory puts out well assembled products generally speaking, but I've found the tuners on most MIJ/CIJ guitars and basses to be below the standard of their american counterparts. The same usually goes for the pickups, pots, wiring, and shielding (or lack thereof). My guitarist currently has two japanese guitars, and both benefited greatly from a pickup swap to the standard US issue pickups, and in the case of the '72 tele reissue, the pot swap was absolutely essential to get any kind of top end out of it (this is a well documented issue around the interweb).

I assume part of the reason for the lesser quality components is likely due to the fact that the MIA guitars and basses are still sold in Japan as their higher end gear. If they put top quality components in all the japanese models they'd most likely be on the same level of overall quality, and would be a much better value than the MIA imports. Kinda the same reason the MIM's (sold here) have much cheaper components than their MIA counterparts. Obviously cheaper components means a cheaper manufacturing cost, but it's also to reinforce the various tiers of quality in the minds of the consumer. This differs from the way a company like Lakland treats their import line, where the imports are using as much of the same components as possible to maximize the value and quality of their cheaper instruments. Just a different approach.
 
#45
thedude77md said:
I don't think so but am not sure. Honestly, I think Fender doesn't want to cut into US made guitar sales. Many folks (self included) think the Japanese models are as good or better than the American ones. Also, I am not certain MIM is sold in Japan.... MIJ may be the Asian equivalent but that's an educated guess there.
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The necks are 'to die for'...

Shomer Shabbas!!! LOL
 
#47
Bryndog said:
Word is that Fender US stopped Japan exporting their fender intruments beacause the build quality was seen by many as superior to the US build. As a result, Fender paid more to their workers to ensure quality in the US - possibly a reason for the price jump between the Japanese and US models.
After all, Fender gave the very blueprints for the p and J basses to their Japanese counterparts...it was supposed to be the same guitar.



Does someone have a problem with my Japanese Ash?
I think that's a bit racialist. My Japanese 75 Re-issue Jazz would kick all the Ash bodied US Re-issues asses from Cardiff to Shinjuku and back! Why I oughtta...

I played many Fenders from all over, there's not a lot of difference, between the US and Japanese premium re-issues - seriously there isn't, except my Japanese made Jazz bass is made by a dilligent, hard working people with a love of what they do and who get fired if things aren't absolutely perfect, and US re-issues...well...aren't.

I reckon a good US made one is as good as it gets, but its way more likely you'll find a really good Japanese one. Pick-ups can be swapped and set-ups changed - only gripe with my jazz is the Tuners...oh, and I could knock and elephant out with this thing, its so F*%kin' heavy...good tone though, comes as standard with US vintage pickups.

Just my 2 pence...
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I totally agree. I just bought an early 90s japanese jazz 70s model. It's one of the best jazzes I've ever played. Maybe the best. The only thing that is not perfect is the weight: 9.9 lbs with schaller 3d bridge.
 
#48
Does Ishibashi really sell new domestic Fenders outside Japan or just items from the U-Box?

I am about o gettin my 6th japanese Fender and they are all very good basses I have by now a fotoflame Precision, a white 62 RI precision, an aerodyne jazz bass (p/j with pickguard), a 75 RI JB and a 65b RI JB with matching headstock dots and binding.

I want one of their top of the line Precision basses called PB 62 -105 DMC.
 
#49
I have a CIJ Fender Jazz (2002ish) which I love. It's better quality than any US Fender I've owned/played. And a lot less expensive too.

However . . . I used to own a fretless Jazz I bought direct from Ishibashi in 2006/7 which had a distinct smell about it (poly) and wasn't as good. A bit of variation somewhere along the line so they don't all compare the same.

The CIJ I kept was from ebay and 1/4 of the price of a similar '62 RI US model in a store here in Oz.
 

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