I've heard pretty things, though I haven't actually played one myself. I gather there is somewhat of a cult following to them. Would you describe them as between a MIM and American? More to the Mexican? More to the American? Give me your input.

I'll describe them as "japanese". They work differently than americans. Very careful in detail and aestethic...tried a japanese Blackmore signature, beautiful guitar.

Their 70's reissue are better than the real americans of the 70s, nuff said.

I have playe a few of the Japanese guitars from the early to mid nineties and I can honestly say that the quality of some of the japenese guitars were equal to and in some cases surpassed their american counter parts in quality and playabilty. I would say this is most evident in vintage reissues that were made in Japan. On the other hand i wasnt that big a fan of the shred oriented contemporary japanese strats from the late eighties which play more like an ibanez. All in all, the japanese guitars are exc. quality if you can find one in decent shape without a rediculous price tag. Most notable are the 62 vintage re-issue strat, 54 re-issue strat, Jaguars, and mid nineties standard teles and strats.

I have a 70 re issue Pink Pasley Strat from late 80’s to early 90’s model..I have had it for 18 plus years and absolutely love the thing.. the quality and playability match that of my new American standard.. I have 9 guitars but mostly only play the Japanese model every day. Only two things about it I don’t really care for…1 I wish it had the fatter frets on it..2 I am not a big fan of the stock pickup in the thing. There not terrible, just not to my taste . If you can find one at a good price, pick it up I think you will not be disappointed….

The mid 80's MIJ's are often said to be better than their American counterparts.

I own a 1986 MIJ '72RI Strat and it is a fabulous guitar.

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Chet Feathers

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

Most MIJ's that I have look at have been high quality.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

think of it this way. a japanese SQUIER is almost as good as a fender. fender japanese are top quality

I never owned one japanese strat but all I hear are good reviews about them

I have a 85 MIJ and I love the neck on that guitar. The neck is as fine as my MIAs but the electronics are lacking!! I'm not planning on ever selling it though and will keep it original!!

As CAFeathers, wtcumm00 and myself can attest, the serial # Exxxxxx made in Japan(1984-87) Strats are some of the best that Japan has to offer. My '72 RI Paisley Strat holds up to any Strat I have played. We tend to be snobs about Strats made anywhere but USA, but to be real, Fender makes guitars all over the world now. I own Fenders and Squires made in USA, Japan, Mexico, Korea, Indonesia and China. With all the high tech machinery producing Strats, high quality guitars are not just reserved for Corona.

I have owned a MIJ (Ser# E######) Squier Strat for about 18+ years. I bought it from a friend at my work for $250.00, (he felt a bit sorry for me when I had my '75 Strat stolen). It sported a Schaller made Fender locking tremolo system. The locking mechanism is located in an odd spot, not at the nut but, rather further up the headstock between the nut and the first tuner. The trem eventually wore out, (some of the fine adjustment screws became stipped and such), and I ended up replacing it with a licensed Floyd Rose. There was nothing wrong with how the original picups sounded but I decided to upgrade anyway to two Texas Specials in the neck & mid positions and a DiMarzio Vintage Blues Humbucker in the bridge.

Even though I am currently petitioning my better half to allow me to purchase a new American Deluxe Ash Strat, I will likely never get rid of the Squier. It has served me very well over the years.

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Calling an illegal alien an undocumented immigrant is like calling a drug dealer an undocumented pharmicist.

My input is that, like the MIM line up of guitars, there is a range of quality.

The MIJ (and MIM for that matter) are constructed very well. They will vary in terms of the quality of the woods and components that are used. The higher the price, the higher the quality of parts.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

There seems to be a lot of talk and interest lately about MIJ guitars it would be nice to see more of these available here in the U.S. Most have a MIM and a American or want and American so it would be nice to have more choices of a Made In Japan model to add to group.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I agree.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Quite honestly, the CIJ's ( Crafted in Japan) or MIJ's ( Made in Japan) guitars are nearly always stellar. Better on average than USA production guitars. Not as good as Custom Shop.

These are not to ever be confused with MIM's.