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Post subject: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 6:03 am
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Posted in this in another Strat forum but wondering if there's any love for these Limited run of Fender Japan STR-VC BTP Strat http://www.d-plus.me/otolife/electric_guitar/16194/ & http://www.musik-produktiv.com/fender-s ... strat.html


Colour / Finish: Blue to Purple
Technology: Solid Body
Body Shape: Strat Shape
Strings: 6 string
Frets: 22
Scale Length: 25,5" (64,77 cm)
Body Material: Alder
Fretboard: Maple
Fretboard Inlays: Dot inlays
Pickup Configuration: H-S-S (1x Humbucker, 2x Single Coil)
Neck Pickup: Fender Japan Single Coil
Middle Pickup: Fender Japan Single Coil
Bridge Pickup: Fender Dragster WW (Japan)
Pickup Selector Switch: 5-way switch
Controls: 1x volume, 2x tone
Bridge / Tremolo: Vintage Tremolo
Special Features: Limited special model
Country of Origin: Made in Japan

Really wanted to purchase this thing since the neck and sound is really awesome. I always love the humbuckers and having a split-coil is perfect for clean sounds and of course the quality is perfect being a Japanese made! Only thing that makes me think twice is the price tag of $1K! :x :shock:

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what do you think folks?

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 8:59 am
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As you say, Japanese quality is usually beyond reproach! And if it sounds good, it certainly looks good! If that's 1000 US$, and you're not in the US (and I don't think you are?), that doesn't sound totally unreasonable, although I think I'd be looking for a few bob off!

In the UK I'd expect to pay a maximum of £700 for the best example (not Squier) at a dealer - who obviously needs to make more money than a private seller. Before the £ dropped a bit recently, £700 would equate to somewhere around US$1k. But that really would be top price; £500 would be more like it really. Interestingly, we can get a used MIA for £700 on eBay, which says something for the quality of the MIJ's...

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:14 am
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Peter brings up some good points. It certainly looks nice and if you like it....? Is it being sold as new (plastic wrap) or used?

I have a mint condition 2014 MIA Standard with hard case that I bought new for $1,250 US. I honestly would not expect to get much more than $800 US if I tried to sell it. The market is flooded with these things which is good for buyers, but not so good for sellers. Are the Japanese guitars as desirable as MIA's? I don't know. Not for me anyway, but that's just a personal thing.


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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 1:36 pm
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Money aside, if you really like this guitar and have the $1K go for it. You're not buying an investment.

T2

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 3:14 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
You're not buying an investment.


Correct.

Think of it as "consumer goods" just as with a set of socket wrenches, a toaster oven, or a jumbo pack of Charmin Ultra.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2016 9:17 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
Peter brings up some good points. It certainly looks nice and if you like it....? Is it being sold as new (plastic wrap) or used?


This is the only piece in the store and it is still new with the case and certificates. :D I really love it... perfect for my taste...

So not much interest in MIJ lately I suppose?

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 1:16 am
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valvestate wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Peter brings up some good points. It certainly looks nice and if you like it....? Is it being sold as new (plastic wrap) or used?


This is the only piece in the store and it is still new with the case and certificates. :D I really love it... perfect for my taste...

So not much interest in MIJ lately I suppose?
That's not it at all. I personally wanted an MIA for nostalgia reasons to replace my first 1966 USA Strat. I've never seen or played an MIJ as you don't see them here in Oklahoma very much. I know they're great and some say better than many USA models. The Japanese guitars have an exceptional reputation for quality build, fit & finish and attention to detail. I really like the dark rosewood fretboard, the color and Deluxe neck heel on that one. Most definitely grab it up.


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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 2:35 am
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I agree that the MiJ guitars have a great reputation.

If your intention is to buy the guitar and play it, with no thought of swapping bits over, you could do little better for the money. Should, in the future, you decide you want to interchange parts (other than pickups) you might have a few more problems getting parts that fit exactly first off. Not that you generally buy a guitar with the thought "I'm going to change this, that, this, that and that" ;-)

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 2:49 am
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valvestate wrote:

This is the only piece in the store ...


In my case I might have reservations about this. Approved dealers don't generally only have one guitar as, my understanding is, they need to demonstrate they will sell a certain number in order to get the guitars in the first place.

If they aren't an approved dealer where did they get a new guitar from?

Also, does the store have a guitar tech available to set up the guitar properly or reset it once it has settled in at your home. You can do this yourself of course.

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:38 am
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John Sims wrote:
valvestate wrote:

This is the only piece in the store ...


In my case I might have reservations about this. Approved dealers don't generally only have one guitar as, my understanding is, they need to demonstrate they will sell a certain number in order to get the guitars in the first place.

If they aren't an approved dealer where did they get a new guitar from?

Also, does the store have a guitar tech available to set up the guitar properly or reset it once it has settled in at your home. You can do this yourself of course.
Missed that. That would definitely be a warranty issue and probably drop it to the "used" category. If it has a good initial setup (which seems to), future minor maintenance should not be a problem (Youtube, Google, etc)


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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:54 am
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John Sims wrote:
valvestate wrote:

This is the only piece in the store ...


In my case I might have reservations about this. Approved dealers don't generally only have one guitar as, my understanding is, they need to demonstrate they will sell a certain number in order to get the guitars in the first place.

If they aren't an approved dealer where did they get a new guitar from?

Also, does the store have a guitar tech available to set up the guitar properly or reset it once it has settled in at your home. You can do this yourself of course.


Its a bit different from where I am (Singapore) .. most of the shops here only have 1 guitar from each store (I know.. it is sad). Whichever guitar you're testing.. most of the time, it is the last piece.

Im unsure with the delearship but smaller shops here have always been like that.. they only carry 1 guitar model .. then you will just have to wait if you want to order..

My Blacktop Strat though from another bigger store when I purchased several years ago, they had mine delivered in box.. but unfortunately, this store does not care any Made In Japan stuffs..

This axe is fairly good action.. i prolly just need to change the strings... and thats it. I know some very basic setup ..

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:57 am
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John Sims wrote:
Should, in the future, you decide you want to interchange parts (other than pickups) you might have a few more problems getting parts that fit exactly first off. Not that you generally buy a guitar with the thought "I'm going to change this, that, this, that and that" ;-)


Thanks for all your inputs but may I know what could possible be an issue for parts replacement for an MIJ guitar? Maybe in the future... just some pickguard replacement to change it to parchment old look. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:47 am
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valvestate wrote:
John Sims wrote:
Should, in the future, you decide you want to interchange parts (other than pickups) you might have a few more problems getting parts that fit exactly first off. Not that you generally buy a guitar with the thought "I'm going to change this, that, this, that and that" ;-)


Thanks for all your inputs but may I know what could possible be an issue for parts replacement for an MIJ guitar? Maybe in the future... just some pickguard replacement to change it to parchment old look. :wink:
I like that guitar. The more I look at the pics, the more I want it. It's not like it's sight unseen. You've said you love it! I can attest, If you are happy with the sound, feel, looks and all that, these Fender guitars are pretty much idiot proof. You really can't break them and electronics can be replaced. Now, don't get me started on the new amps. I would have to have my warranty ducks in a row with those. Love mine though. Pull the trigger, don't look back.


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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 9:44 am
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valvestate wrote:
John Sims wrote:
Should, in the future, you decide you want to interchange parts (other than pickups) you might have a few more problems getting parts that fit exactly first off. Not that you generally buy a guitar with the thought "I'm going to change this, that, this, that and that" ;-)


Thanks for all your inputs but may I know what could possible be an issue for parts replacement for an MIJ guitar? Maybe in the future... just some pickguard replacement to change it to parchment old look. :wink:


Most of the upscale MIJ Strats are fully simpatico with their MIA and MIM brethren when it comes to interchangeability of parts. And while the fit and finish of the Japanese furniture is usually top-shelf, the electronics and hardware do not measure up with Strats made in America or Mexico. Their pots and switches are cheap and flimsy, and the hardware is often cast or forged from lesser grades of alloy. Hence the need to replace if you're seeking a professional-grade guitar. But such an upgrade can be performed in stages as time and finances permit. That's the road I took with my Premium Vintage Re-issue '65 Strat.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: What do you think about this Fender Japan Strat?
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 10:10 am
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Just 'me tuppence' (My kingdom for a tuppence...)...

In general, all MIJ's I've owned/played have been great Fenders - in par or often above the 'made in anywhere' of the same price class.
And I don't fully agree with Arjay's "cheap and flimsy" regarding electronics or other hardware. Maybe not always CTS and CRL and DuncanDesigned and so on, but if they do the job, who cares? Besides, nowadays Ping is everywhere...
And: I get goose bumps from that "simpatico"..?!? - sure sounds somewhat condescending. :wink:

On this specific guitar, it's a Limited Edition model (because of that color, I believe), so no wonder there isn't a herd of those - in any store. And, AFAIK, it's not in production at the moment, so it's out of stock in most shops.

At ~1000 (that musicproductive link price) it's IMHO a bit on the high side, but valveside; if that color, HSS and contoured heel is what you must have then just squeeze your purse and go for it - even the tuners look like Gotoh, not PING. :mrgreen:
BTW, there was a model with painted headstock & neck, which would be my choice - if a used one could be found.


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