Japanese Fender Guitars: Do YOU Own One and Are YOU Happy With it ?

There are so MANY of these MIJ/CIJ Fender Strats and Tele's listed on Ebay, or for sale directly from Japanese distributors.

My question is: Are the BETTER of these newer MIJ/CIJ guitars really worth the $500-800 asking price (given current exchange rate and higher shipping costs)?

My MIJ Strat is from the mid '90s and it's a really good guitar. I can't comment on the new MIJ/CIJ production instruments, but if the older ones are any indication, they're really good too.

~Rich See my gear at the link!

I've got a mid 1980's Japanese Strat from the period when the *only* Strats made came from Japan. It is an excellent playing and sounding guitar.

OTOH, I had one of the late 1990's Japanese Jaguars, and while it was a decent guitar, it wasn't a great instrument. It was just noticeably cheaper in build. Also the feel and tone were lacking when compared to my original 1964 Jaguar.

But then again, my 1990's Vista series CIJ Squier Jagmaster is a slick little player, feels great in the hands, but the pickups are only 'ok'. So... It looks like a case by case deal to me. I've heard (rumor) that their recent domestic market guitars are not that great.

I've been pretty happy so far with the two MIM Fender and Squier I've picked up, and I'd probably as soon have them for the money, if the new Japanese stuff isn't any better than that Jaguar I had.

My 2¢ YMMV,

John King Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles. -Frank Lloyd Wright

Well, mine isn't a guitar, it's a Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, but it is really nice. I'm happy with it.

Ed Cregger

One of my Mexican 'Fenders' Is a Jazz Bass Squier. My first Jazz Bass... I'm liking it.

John King

'Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.' - Will Rogers

I have had a thing about owning a Jazz Bass with a walnut stained body. Squier makes one. With all of the basses I own, I can't justify buying another. But that Squier keeps chipping away at my resistance.

I really like the Squier Classic and Classic II Teles that I own. I'll bet the Squier Jazz Bass is just as good.

Ed Cregger