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It looks like Ishibashi has stopped selling Fender Japan on their eBay store. Bummer.

foomanfat wrote:It looks like Ishibashi has stopped selling Fender Japan on their eBay store. Bummer.

I noticed that too. You can only purchase used items.

From the looks of it; Fender clamped down on Ishibashi selling to North America 3 or 4 years ago. I'm guessing to encourage Americans to purchase US made Fenders. But it looks like you can still pick stuff up off of their main store.

Also worth pointing out that Ishibashi won't sell internationally unless you spend 50,000 yen (roughly $530). I'm not seeing any shipping rates from Ishibashi. Shipping as laid out on the ebay store seems to be Free. If that's the case and all I have to worry about is an import tariff? FUCKING HELL!!!

I do want to go to Japan.

Just so I don't go spending a bunch of money,....are there MIJ Offsets available in the States? Here is what I've seen available from Japan; over here.

Mustang Bass.
The Aerodyne Series (discontinued perhaps?).
That HH Black Jaguar.
EDIT:(Oh I see a Jaguar Classic Player as well EDITx2 except some of them look like they may be MIM)
That HH Flamed Maple Cap Telecaster.

Used stuff; JV/SQ Squier, E Series, P Bass Lyte, Etc Etc

Beyond that the only Offset I've seen that wasn't an arm and a leg was the Chinese Squier Jaguar (VM?).

raphaël wrote:It's hard to change my mind on the US vs Japs thing.
Because in my country "we" think US guitars are the best, and not the Japs...
If you, citizens of the great country of the allmighty guitars told Japs seem to be better, I guess I have to trust you!!

On a different subject; I would never buy an American Car; Japanese (or German) cars all day long.

That said; I don't really feel like the Quality of MIA Fender is bad; or not as good as MIJ; just that MIA is way too overpriced. If I can get a comparable to better quality Japanese guitar for a 3rd of the price plus a little shipping and an import tarrif;.....why would I buy MIA? It's surprising to me that more people don't import Fender Japan.

So...an upgraded Jap really worth a MIA??

I like my upgraded jap jag more than any MIA Fender I've ever played, and I was even able to get in blonde and gold for <$1,000 (including upgrade costs)

I've owned a JV Squier Jazz Bass and a 75RI Jazz Bass (MIJ). Both stock. Never owned MIA Fender. The quality of MIJ is sufficient enough for me to not be able to justify the cost of MIA Fenders.

I also own an MIM Tele Deluxe and with some work it is on par with anything MIA. Also owned a mexi strat. It was meh.

Generally in my experience MIM has been more hit and miss with things I've had whereas Japan has always been fantastic.

I found that CIJ Jaguar Bottom Master on Craigslist here in New York. So that stuff is out there. (Granted I'm spoiled rotten by NY Craigslist...) I've never played any of the MIA Fender stuff, but the Bottom Master wrecks any MIM stuff I've ever played. That thing kills. A really really well-made instrument.

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Fucking Hawt.

Unfortunately for me; Spokane CL sucks. If anything cool pops up; the seller usually wants WAY too much for it. Beyond that it's usually just entry level garbage and DJ gear.

I scored a P-bass from tokyowax a couple of days ago. Shipped via DHL so I can track the international shipment which is wiggy whack, but shipping was something like $115? I'll report back when she comes in safely to confirm a positive transaction with that particular seller. The feedback seemed totally legit so I'm not worried. I JUST WANT MY PBASS NOW. NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW

Whenever there is something cool on the local classifieds I'm the one who put it up there

I'm not kidding when I say the only interesting thing I ever found on gumtree was an Egnater Tweaker and the occasional overpriced G&L.

The pussy version of Kosta's Bottom Master.
http://store.ishibashi.co.jp/ec/pro/disp/1/06-311922300-591230000

Sweet looking though. (I got so unbelievably lucky with that Bottom Master...)

Uhhhh, just to input my experience from the eBay seller Tokyowax:

He/ they let me have a 3 day grace period for payment (won auction on the 26th), made the payment the next day (on the 27th). Okay, so, from Japan, I received the bass today. The 29th. FROM JAPAN. In excellent condition. Slight truss rod adjustment, tune her up, and freaking BAM. Just seriously outstanding. I got that faster from Tokyo than many things in the continental US. Freaking nuts!

Nice!! If I may; what sort of customs did you have to pay on it?