Hi all, I'd like you to look at the following link for Fender Japan (you may need to translate this using google), and perhaps give some insight as to why Fender Japan only caters mainly to the domestic market, and not in the full product line-up on this site.

I'd love to get my hands on the '65 strat re-issue with the bound finger board. I wish they made these at the mexico plant

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/200 ... 2m_frm.htm


'65 re-issue with bound finger board:


'66 re-issue with gold hardware:


'62 re-issue in burgandy mist with matching headstock:

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Hi Blertles: lots of other unusual models available in Japan that the rest of us seldom see too. Like this semi-transparent flame top white burst Richie Kotzen Sig:



Tarty of me but that does something for me...

I presume the bottom line is that Fender make more money from the MIM models than the CIJ ones, which after all are made in a factory Fender don't own. I think I read in Tony Bacon's book that the ownership of Fender Japan is split roughly (but not precisely) in half between Fender and the Japanese maker.

So more profitable to sell us a MIM '50s Strat (say) than a CIJ one.

CIJs are still available in the West on the grey market. Though recently it took me ten months of trying to get my hands on the Fiesta '57RI I was chasing...

Cheers - C

Awww man I see why you like that strat- note the tuner buttons that is a georgous strat. There seems to be a 'grey market' over in Australia too- One retailer in Sydney and another in Melbourne bringing them in. They must have contacts over in Japan. In NZ, you either have to order through a major japanese retailers site, travel to Australia and buy one or go straight to Japan and get one. Allways dubious about shipping a guitar that far- especially I presume they come with Gig-bags- I'd buy a hard case.


Note that a standard MIJ re-issue is about $1200 when you convert Yen to NZ$$. A MIM classic sits around RRP$2200 NZ.

I would still pay less if I flew to Sydney, got a cab from the airport to the music shop- paid for it and flew back to Auckland. I think maybe Id do a little sight seeing... still I'd save money... im not exagerating either

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Abalone dots too. To me the whole thing looks like it's made of white chocolate...



CIJ cheaper than MIM? Man, well that's a no brainer then. Buy buy buy!

They do some snazzy finishes on the Aerodyne Strat that are not available in the US catalog too. They also seem to serve left-handers much better - good, but I wonder why? Are more Japanese people left-handed...?

Cheers - C

Check this one out mate- what a beauty!!! bummer it sold...

This would be an absolute ultimate
colour/year combo!!

http://d1058730.i105.quadrahosting.com. ... eatfir96e5

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Couldn't make that link work at first. Is this better?

http://d1058730.i105.quadrahosting.com. ... eatfir96e5

Anyhow - NICE! Over there at Fender Japan there is someone who's brain is hooked up the right way, me thinks...

Cheers - C

Yeah sorry bout that mate- I think my next will be MIJ if this is anything to go by-

Deciding to go MIM floyd or an MIJ in the next 6-9 months. I think im going to look into the MIJ thing...

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Yes, there have been a couple of those '65 RIs through that store (I didn't see the one with the bound neck, though)... I always have my nose pressed up against the window when I'm passing by as it's just down the road from me. There's not much to choose between those CIJ guitars and my Custom Shop '66 model. It's a nice store to poke around in... I can't think of any other Sydney places where you'd be likely to come across an Aloha Strat or a Roland Bee Baa still in its original box. The proprietor is moderately friendly, too, which is about the most you can expect these days

It doesn't really make a lot of sense for Fender to allow Fender Japan to sell in the US. The US market is already covered.

Fender Japan makes good guitars. My son came home with a 1980's MIJ James Burton Pink Paisley reissue and it is a darn good guitar. He got it to satisfy a $75 debt somebody owed him. It had a bent tuner which I fixed. Sounds and plays great.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

I think maybe they could draw a little inspiration from these models, adding to AVRI or classic line. It just seems a shame that they are not selling them... I bet they would sell like hot-cakes

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I want to see more japan guitars worldwide. I think fender need the japanese makers to keep them on their toes. Blertes please if the MIJ is cheaper than a MIM buy it.

I want a Mickeymouse strat.


I need some mouse ears.

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No no and no

That strat is the craziest thing Ive ever seen-

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These Japan reissues are great ! I like the 65' with his logo on the head but my favorite is the 66' ...

I have a lovely MIK Strat which I personally hold to be considerably better than any comparable MIM I've ever tried. How come nobody ever talks about those? Here's my MIK.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

I like the wood choices on MIK- they allways do nicely figured guitars. I remember the strat with the birdseye neck was a beutiful strat.

Nice guitar mate

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