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What are the pros and cons of buying and importing guitars from the JDM?

I'mma be on the market for a P-Bass and mayhaps an Offset or a Mustang at some point thereafter.

I'm perusing Fleabay; and wondering if there would be some some sharing of ebay sellers that are reputable. One seller in particular seems legit; Tokyowax,...but I'm wondering if there are other storefronts; maybe Ishibashi related, or at least an easier way to search out JDM purveyors of fine Japanese Instruments.

Perhaps there are other ways of importing Japanese Guitars?

So Pros would be MIJ quality > anything not MIA that is available in the states? Greater Selection (Offsets etc etc)?

So the cons would be;....Shipping. The price I typically see is $115 for shipping. Would this be in addition to customs/import tariffs/whatevers?

What else?

I have own a couple of Japanese Fenders and really, they are the only fenders I would buy.
1. The build quality is arguably better than American models at a lesser price.
2. Some of the stuff Fender Japan puts out is freaking awesome! Can't get anything like it elsewhere.
3. One thing I would note is that sometimes the pickups are a bit meh and if you're buying a Jag or Jazzy sometimes the vibrato units don't have the claw that locks the arm in (stupid, stupid, stupid).

If you are going shopping for that stuff my suggestion (and I guess a lot of other peoples) is Ishibashi.
In regards to the shipping yes, whatever extra costs your country decides to put on this stuff will apply. I'm in Australia and I have to eat a 15% increase in price for anything over $1000 including shipping. Really limits my options.

Twangasaurus wrote:I have own a couple of Japanese Fenders and really, they are the only fenders I would buy.
1. The build quality is arguably better than American models at a lesser price.
2. Some of the stuff Fender Japan puts out is freaking awesome! Can't get anything like it elsewhere.
3. One thing I would note is that sometimes the pickups are a bit meh and if you're buying a Jag or Jazzy sometimes the vibrato units don't have the claw that locks the arm in (stupid, stupid, stupid).

If you are going shopping for that stuff my suggestion (and I guess a lot of other peoples) is Ishibashi.
In regards to the shipping yes, whatever extra costs your country decides to put on this stuff will apply. I'm in Australia and I have to eat a 15% increase in price for anything over $1000 including shipping. Really limits my options.

Do you really mean that CIJ are better than Americans, besides the pickups and vibratos??
For real??
I read that opinion on every forums I spend some time... so I can't imagine why some folks continue to buy US if CIJ are better.
I may have to kill that cliché and considering having another CIJaguar then instead of a US.
That's a good news.

raphaël wrote:

Twangasaurus wrote:I have own a couple of Japanese Fenders and really, they are the only fenders I would buy.
1. The build quality is arguably better than American models at a lesser price.
2. Some of the stuff Fender Japan puts out is freaking awesome! Can't get anything like it elsewhere.
3. One thing I would note is that sometimes the pickups are a bit meh and if you're buying a Jag or Jazzy sometimes the vibrato units don't have the claw that locks the arm in (stupid, stupid, stupid).

If you are going shopping for that stuff my suggestion (and I guess a lot of other peoples) is Ishibashi.
In regards to the shipping yes, whatever extra costs your country decides to put on this stuff will apply. I'm in Australia and I have to eat a 15% increase in price for anything over $1000 including shipping. Really limits my options.

Do you really mean that CIJ are better than Americans, besides the pickups and vibratos??
For real??
I read that opinion on every forums I spend some time... so I can't imagine why some folks continue to buy US if CIJ are better.
I may have to kill that cliché and considering having another CIJaguar then instead of a US.
That's a good news.

Because there are people who will buy an one instrument over another solely because it is made in the US.

raphaël wrote:Do you really mean that CIJ are better than Americans, besides the pickups and vibratos??
For real??
I read that opinion on every forums I spend some time... so I can't imagine why some folks continue to buy US if CIJ are better.
I may have to kill that cliché and considering having another CIJaguar then instead of a US.
That's a good news.

Yeah, they are great instruments. Of course other than what I mentioned expect a poly finish (my personal preference anyway). I will also say that the offsets are more often than not vintage spec so you're going to get a 7.5' radius and massive ol' neck which, of course, can be a good or a bad thing depending on your preferences. Not that it's much different on the AVRI models. I will say this though, the MIJ models are slightly better then the newer CIJ ones in my experience but I'm no expert.

As to the American made thing there is an old(-ish) saying. American Fenders are made by Mexicans in America while MIM is made in Mexico often by the same Mexicans just down the road. I mean, the hardwares a bit nicer so take it with a grain of salt but it's food for thought all the same.

What are the differences between MIJ's & CIJ's??
Will you say that Jap offsets are better than vintage american offsets??

MIJ and CIJ is just an era difference, so you'll read most places that whichever one came first is better. They're pretty comparable though.
I will say that the Japanese off-sets are better than the Americans because they're a pickup swap away from greatness, way more options are available, and their not $2300. Not to mention, aside from the Overpriced-Bullshit American Vintage serise, they're all made in Japan anyway. The only exceptions I can think of are the Marr Jag, which is experiencing some problems with quality control, and the 50th aniv. Jag that has a spec sheet curiously similar to the classic player.

Ok many thanks for your reply, I get a lot of usefull informations right there.
But I meant vintage as Vintage, as pre 80's ...because they are american!!!

I have tried both cij and American vintage 65 reissue jazzmasters in the past week.
And I think the way the sound resonated and the way it played was far superior on the american one. But thats just my opinion.

Oh 20 pages of deliciousness. Just wish I could filter out the MIA/MIM stuff.

EDIT:

OH MOTHER FUCK

http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/sele ... -315813607

Japanese Fender's are my favourite things in the world.

if you ever manage to get over there, go to ochanomizou in tokyo. The guitar district. Wear a diaper.

raphaël wrote:Ok many thanks for your reply, I get a lot of usefull informations right there.
But I meant vintage as Vintage, as pre 80's ...because they are american!!!

Well personally I would never buy a vintage jazzy or jag. There are just way too many things that I would change on ANY one of those guitars that if I wanted to resell it I would be bleeding money. Sorry I didn't answer you earlier but bob did a better job than I could anyways and I was busy being all asleep and such.

dase wrote:if you ever manage to get over there, go to ochanomizou in tokyo. The guitar district. Wear a diaper.

im saving my pennies for when i go to japanda in september

ive already scoped out some for serious guitar shops in ochanomizu and shibuya
SO CHEAP AND BOUND EVERYTHING!

I could sell half of a kidney to get that one:
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/sele ... -315966807

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!!