I would just like to give props to Fender Japan for all there great work they have done over the years and the lack of credit I think they have gotten.They have been pushed to the side except for those in the know.I have 6 fenders 3 U,S strats and 3 MIJ teles.Now I am writing this from experience but you can look it up as it is fact.In the 80s and early 90s Fender Japan were turning out equal if not better guitars than Fender U.S.They were doing all the reissues ,I have a 62 reissue and a 72 reissue thinline and the quality was just top notch.I also have a cream colored tele that you can see the grain of the wood through that is just beautiful.The first one I bought was the 62 reissue, red with white binding rosewood neck.I was in Sam Ash in N.Y checking out some guitars when it caught my eye and I started playng it.I did not go in that day with the intention to buy, I was friends with one of the managers who is an ace player and I told him wrap it up im taking her home.He said I was wondering when someone was going to buy that ax as it is a keeper and its been here over a year.Then I saw made in japan on the neck and said wait I dont want this its not a U.S model and if the manager was not a friend I would of just left,but he said Mike before you saw mij you loved it to be honest it is the best tele in here and I have 2 mij I gig and record with they are making better models at this time then the U.S outside of getting a custom shop guitar.So I paid $585 for it and took her home.A few years later I saw that Fender stopped Fender japan from exporting to America as feed back was coming in that people thought Japan was making superior guitars for less money.So Fender turned over all the reissue work to Mexico and started to turn out some new and improved stuff here.Maybe this was all for the best as Fender has had numerous ups and downs in there history.I would just like to let those who dont know you can still get a Fender from Japan or swipe one off ebay as since MiM now does most of the reissues the price on the Mij has somewhat dropped while a few years ago it was high.But just look on the web at the craftsmanship,the colors they offered, in the U.S you could not get that at the time.The bottom line is my 62 reissue is now 25 years old it is broken in beautiful has the scratches and dings in the right places to give it that broken in vintage vibe.I have 10 electric guitars and whenever someone comes over and plays that guitar they want to buy it.I even had my friend want to trade me his silver burst les paul straight up for it.It just has the mojo that only happens very rarely.Well as the whole point of this post I have not played in 16 months I need surgery on my thumb that I hope will work out well with the help of God ,I am 47 have 2 sons the 11 year old is now playing so I am happy teaching him and have been on the web a lot especialy this forum which is great for us Fenderholics.But I just never hear much about the Fender MIJ GUITARS and was just wondering if all the young cats out there know what fine guitars they were /KEEP ON ROCKIN

There are a couple of excellent threads on MIJ's.

I own 2 Left Handed 1986 MIJ ('72RI and '68RI) Strats and love them dearly. I'm always on the look out for a good deal on a Left Handed Fender MIJ Strat.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I agree -- I have a CIJ Tele Thinline, MIJ fretless Jazz Bass Special ('83 model) and an 84-85 MIJ Squire P-bass. All very high quality and I use the two basses all the time. I use the Thinline less frequently, but not an issue of quality or sound.

I'm with you all! I've got a 85 MIJ that's a great quality guitar!

Right on! my MIJ 67'RI is my fave! Best stick i've ever owned!

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"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"