So being snowed in, I thought I would do some guitar surfing and pulled up the japanese fender site:
http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/mg69.html

They got some cool stuff over there, like mustangs, teles with bigsbys, etc.

My question is, why does fender not allow a Fender Japan line, like they do a mexi line? Does it go back when the japanese fenders were being produced, that were up-to-par with American made ones, if not better?

I don't know if this is Fender forum taboo but I got to ask: Is there any companies that sell Fender Japan in the US? I would love the Mustang MG73/CO... ¥99,750 is probably like a thousand dollars in American bills right?

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Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

Fender Japan makes some great guitars but I don't believe that they can be sold in the USA. I think you can order them online though. Might be wrong about that, but forum member Ceri in the UK ordered one from Japan and loves it. I bought one in 1985 from a local store but that was during a transition time when Fender USA was being revamped.

Cos no one would be buying Fender USA, atleast for a while till the novelty wore off.

I'd like to see some of them guitars available through local retailers too.

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No no and no

Hi Smokey: when Fender Japan was set up in the early 1980s was as a 50/50 partnership with the Japanese producer. And that is the deal that remains to this day: Fender only own half the company.

The Mexican plant on the other hand is wholly owned by the parent company. So all of the profit flows into Fender's pocket. Therefore, they'd rather you bought instruments made in Mexico than Japan.

Till recently many of the guitars in the American catalog were made in Japan, and I believe a couple still are. However, in the last handful of years Fender have worked very hard to raise quality from the Mexican factory and have been gradually switching models sold in American and Europe from Japanese manufacture to Ensenada.

Nowadays the Japanese product is supposed to be exclusively for the Japanese and Asian market. However, it is possible to buy CIJ instruments in the West - I did it myself 18 months ago. It is perfectly legal to bring Japanese instruments Westward even though Fender would prefer you didn't. It can be done through a number of individual importers not affiliated with Fender. This is called a "grey market". No problems under the law provided you pay appropriate taxes and duties.

In Europe and I believe in America there are people who import CIJ guitars and sell them on Ebay and other places. You can also buy direct from Japan from big sellers such as Ishibashi:

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/

I haven't used them myself but others on this Forum have done so and reported reliable, safe and good experiences.

Cheers - C

PS: Just seen Hop's post, above. He's exactly right: I love my CIJ Fiesta Red '57RI!

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The Jaguar is one Japanese Fender guitar available in the states. I recently aquired one at G.C. and it is a very nice guitar.

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Don't worry, Be happy.

their strats are pretty sweet too...




...ok I really want one now... gotta find names to any online retailers.

They still do Aerodyne models (which I think is called "mideiamusukeru") and really don't mind changing up the standard tele, strat, etc.

the search continues!

This is some great stuff guys I never knew all of this about Fender Japan. I always thought they were under the parent company like the mexi plant. I'm going to check out that ishibashi website too (who knows, maybe my next guitar purchase in the distant future could be a japanese fender). I just hope that doesn't put me on fender's bad list...

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Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

Well, I worked hard to import my Red '57 and did it all over this Forum - and Fender seem to be still speaking to me. I've bought enough of their American product as well, after all!



BTW: Forum user Orvilleowner gave us a nice tip on navigating Japanese websites. If you can't read the script just place your cursor over hyperlinks and the page being linked to comes up in English on the bottom left of the browser window. Often as not the page title is the name of the guitar model - which can be very useful!

Good luck - C

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Thats a beautiful guitar Ceri
I've been having a lot of time to contemplate what my next major musical purchase might be (maybe like for a college graduation present to myself, or if I just save up the money) and some of these guitars are really catching my eye.

I love American Fenders too, but I feel like I need something different... Where I can be jamming with my fellow musicians and have something totally unique to myself

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Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

they still have competition mustangs....

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Favorite bands:

Melvins
The Jesus Lizard
Cows
Big Business
R***man
Minutemen
Flight
Minor Threat
Big Black
Shellac
Karp
Scratch Acid
Wipers
Pixies

Rakuten is another site that sells Japanese Fenders, I bought a Competition Orange Koyuki Tanaka Edition Mustang from there last year before the yen to dollar rate got crazy out of hand.

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This is a Crafted In Japan Stratocaster from Fender-Japan's "premium vintage" re-issue line......



It's a '65 limited edition re-issue with bound rosewood fretboard and gold bling in "Old Lake Placid Blue". Very fine craftsmanship thoughout and rock-solid construction. This was purchased from a private seller on Ebay.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Also helpful is installing Google Chrome browser, which will prompt you to translate the websites.

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Fender Japan makes incredibly good instruments, and last year the head of Fender Japan was put in the Hall of Fame for just about saving the company after the buy back.

Straycat, where you been? We need answers!

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No no and no

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jg_ho.html

This semi-hollowbody Jaguar looks very interesting.


http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/st57ash.html

The ash 57 reissue is only available in flourescent transparent pink?