Hey guys I know there not going to be hugely popular due to them no longer being made but wheres the Love for Japanese Strats?
I've looked around at all three (MIM,MIA.MIJ) And everyone likes the Mexicans and Americans but the $@!'s are always over looked despite superb build quality and at one point the System one trem, Anyone own one by chance if so let me know im pretty much a fan boy to the things.

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A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski~

I'm not one of the experts here... but I've read nothing but good things about the Japanese Strats on these forums. Most folks "in the know" seem to prefer them over the MIM for better fit/finish/over-all quality. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I were in the market.

Still love my black MIM Powerhouse though.

No longer being made???!!! Lawks a mercy!

Surprised to hear about that - because I bought a brand new CIJ '57RI just a few months ago:



Fear not: Fender Japan is still going strong. They're just not exported into your part of the world much anymore. Fender US only owns 50% of Fender Japan, so they make more profit out of the Mexican product and would rather you bought guitars made there.

Anyhow: there's a LOT of MIJ/CIJ lovers here on the Forum...

Cheers - C

I've had a few MIJ/CIJ strats and teles over the years and the quality of the bodies and necks are top notch... just like the MIM models though, they use cheaper hardware, pots, switches, and pickups. However, a lot of the RI models feature Texas Specials so no complaints there. All in all, I think the overall quality to cost ratio of the MIJ/CIJ instruments in amazing.

I'm a big fan of mij strats I have 3 of them and i plan on picking up an early 80s jv mij strat in the future.
My 93 foto flame 62ri

my 85 E series contmp.

and my 80s squire paint/relic by me

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i have never owned or played one;but, everything i have heard about them has been good.

I've played a couple of MIJ/CIJ guitars and found them to be really nice, high quality instruments. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one given the chance.

Ceri I live in devon! you and i had a chat about that a while back and really? but CIJ is crafted in japan not MADE in japan :S and the model im most interested in is no longer made. I dont know what it was called but it has the System one trem on it if your not familiar it would be worth researching they're very very good. and forgive me im only 18 so im not the wisest!(yet!)
and thankyou thats actually shed some light on the subject for me i'll be buying a newer model in the next 18 months after my 80's strat

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A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~Leopold Stokowski~

It could explain why my local Guitar Center has a few up for sale for more then any other MIM strat and the same as a like new Highway 1... They look like great guitars, I just can't seem to justify buying one... Most likely none of them suite my taste in color/features...

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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I recently played a Japanese Jazzmaster at my local guitar boutique, and I was very impressed. Truly a beautiful instrument.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

own one and love it!

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

Well I dont know how they make them these days but back in the 80s the quality was on par and perhaps even better than US models which is a known fact. In fact the head of Fender Japan was put into the Fender Hall of Fame this year and credited with just about saving the company during that shaky period.

I have 3 MIJ Teles that are as good as any American models I have.

i've owned my 89 strat std mij for 15 years or so and i can't knock it , i put a set of 9s on it the other day for a change (been using 10's for 15 years ) it's a wee bit lighter for bends but the tone has suffered so it'll be 10's again at the next string change in the future i might upgrade the electrics and stick new pups into it , but i might wait till something breaks

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My 1998 Japanese Strat is absolutely the best strat I have ever played. And I include my original 1962 Strat in that too. Mind you, I ripped out all the electrics and pups and replaced them with US switchgear, vintage wiring and Lindy Fralin pups. I then took paint stripper and a blow torch to the body to remove the paint and that AWFUL undercoat/filler substance to reveal a resonant lightwood tone that rings out like a bell with the tightest bottom. Mmmm mm.

Indeed - I noticed! Remind me, are you the gentleman from Tavistock? Did you work in Hartnoll Guitars in Plymouth? (I notice Hartnoll have just opened a new shop in Torquay - the world of West Country guitar shops has improved SO MUCH in the last 40 years!) Do I recall recommending Manson's in Exeter to you, and it turned out you knew them from earlier days?

I do hope I'm remembering some of that right. Forum user Twelvebar says I have an eidetic memory. I don't, but I'd love him to think it's true!

Anyhow, I spend half my time just north of Totnes, south of Dartmoor. So greetings from a half-Devonian!


Ah - right. I overlooked that crucial nuance in your first post. Then of course you are right: MIJs are not made anymore under that epithet.

So, I don't own a MIJ, but I have a healthy of respect for them. Love? Oh, all right...

Cheers - C

PS Only a matter of time before Mr Chet Feathers arrives on this thread. He's one of the leading MIJ fanciers round here. Nice pics to show...