Anyone ever deal with Guitargai in Japan?

vic108 · August 14th, 2006, 08:31 AM

This Ash Fender JAZZ BASS with Walnut Matching Head looks killer!

I wonder what shipping is from Japan?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Anyone ever deal with these guys?

Glen W · August 14th, 2006, 08:37 AM

I have. He's NOT in Japan - he's in R.I. All went well with my deal a couple years ago.

vic108 · August 14th, 2006, 09:06 AM

GW,

Thank you!

I read the ad and followed the links but missed the item location:
No Costly $hipping from Japan!, United States

This was all BEFORE morning coffee....

weelie · August 14th, 2006, 09:23 AM

I don't care for the high prices or any of it, but I love drooling at the great pics on his site! :D

Joe Harris · August 14th, 2006, 09:26 AM

Two deals with him and everything went like a charm.

sneakyjapan · August 14th, 2006, 09:30 AM

I`m with weelie...nice pics but his prices are very high. I own some of the same guitars and have an idea how much he should have paid but hey... if folks are willing to pay his prices it`s good for him. And I must say, some of his guitars look to be in excellent condition.

vic108 · August 14th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Well, it is an auction.
Maybe I can get a good deal.....

Mark Davis · August 14th, 2006, 11:56 AM

He doesnt sell the rare ones on Ebay. He usually sells the $550-650 priced ones anyone can order themselves.

The Strats he has on his site that are over $1000 are usually nitro and have all USA electronics and are specuial made Japan Fenders of the highest quality.

From all reports I have heard all his customers are happy campers.

Kingpin · August 14th, 2006, 01:47 PM

Never dealt with him but 620 transactions with 100% positive feedback speaks for itself.

stevieboy · August 14th, 2006, 02:25 PM

I bought an Orville by Gibson ES 335 from him--through his website, not ebay. An easy transaction with no surprises--other than shipping being held up by a big winter storm on the east coast!

The price certainly wasn't out of line with what I've seen on ebay for the same model from dealers in Japan, especially after factoring in what shipping would have cost from Japan. Also, it's the only guitar that I've ever bought without playing it first and I was a lot more comfortable about buying it from someone here in the US. Not that I wouldn't trust the Japanese dealers, but an international ebay deal adds a lot of potential complications versus a domestic direct one.

By the way, "gai" means foreign in Japanese, gaijin=foreign person

Cute bilingual pun.

BLACKCAT69 · August 14th, 2006, 03:06 PM

Have a look at Bluezy from Japan if you are interested in CIJ Fenders:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQ...uzeyQ5fguitars

Nothing for sale right now but likely again real soon. His shipping is $25 cheaper than guitargai too.

Mike H. · August 14th, 2006, 03:16 PM

I bought a '52 Reissue Tele from him. I thought it was a fair deal.
Some think his prices are too high, but when you consider that he has people working for him in Japan finding guitars, paying to have them shipped to him, then doing maintenance and setups, it evens out a bit.

Glen W · August 14th, 2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACKCAT69

Have a look at Bluezy from Japan if you are interested in CIJ Fenders:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQ...uzeyQ5fguitars

Nothing for sale right now but likely again real soon. His shipping is $25 cheaper than guitargai too.

Bluzey has a pretty good rep, and some real nice guitars when he has them. But I doubt his shipping is $25 cheaper than guitargai - that's what guitargai charges - $25.

After my last purchase from Ishibashi, if I am ever in the market for another CIJ guitar, that's where I'll most likely go. Total on my '62 Custom Tele including shppg was about $630. I've seen used ones in auctions like the above mentioned go for well over a hundred more.

BLACKCAT69 · August 14th, 2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen W

Bluzey has a pretty good rep, and some real nice guitars when he has them. But I doubt his shipping is $25 cheaper than guitargai - that's what guitargai charges - $25.

After my last purchase from Ishibashi, if I am ever in the market for another CIJ guitar, that's where I'll most likely go. Total on my '62 Custom Tele including shppg was about $630. I've seen used ones in auctions like the above mentioned go for well over a hundred more.

Right you are! I was thinking of this guy (another great selection):

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Japanese-Gu...Q3amesstQQtZkm

Sarge · August 15th, 2006, 06:17 AM

Nice picture's, nice guitars...way over priced.

sneakyjapan · August 15th, 2006, 07:31 AM

shipping varies according to exchange rate, I`ve never paid more than about $120.oo to Canada using insured postal service. Some of the guitars I own have almost doubled in price since I bought them a few years ago, and I own some of the highest quality FJs using all the same high quality parts Mark lists... and some are extremely rare.
and.....
gaijin is actually the less polite form...gaikokujin is the more polite way of saying dirty barbarian...`course it depends on how it`s used as well... we might sometimes say %$#)&#? foreigner!!! or...oh, he`s/she`s a foreigner...makes a huge difference. You know, just in case some of our distinguished members are planning a trip over here.

August 14th, 2006, 08:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
vic108 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mudwogweap, VA Age: 52 Posts: 947 9 Photos	Anyone ever deal with Guitargai in Japan? This Ash Fender JAZZ BASS with Walnut Matching Head looks killer! I wonder what shipping is from Japan? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1 Anyone ever deal with these guys? __________________ Guitars will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guitars

August 14th, 2006, 09:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
vic108 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mudwogweap, VA Age: 52 Posts: 947 9 Photos	GW, Thank you! I read the ad and followed the links but missed the item location: No Costly $hipping from Japan!, United States This was all BEFORE morning coffee.... __________________ Guitars will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guitars

August 14th, 2006, 09:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
weelie Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Helsinki, Finland, Yer-up Age: 34 Posts: 1,936 12 Photos	I don't care for the high prices or any of it, but I love drooling at the great pics on his site! :D __________________ <- I don't need smileys, I'm smiling already.

August 14th, 2006, 09:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Joe Harris Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 330	Two deals with him and everything went like a charm. __________________

August 14th, 2006, 09:30 AM	#6 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,408 3 Photos	I`m with weelie...nice pics but his prices are very high. I own some of the same guitars and have an idea how much he should have paid but hey... if folks are willing to pay his prices it`s good for him. And I must say, some of his guitars look to be in excellent condition. __________________ quasi mojo Last edited by sneakyjapan; August 15th, 2006 at 07:22 AM.

August 14th, 2006, 08:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Glen W Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: CT Age: 59 Posts: 807 12 Photos	I have. He's NOT in Japan - he's in R.I. All went well with my deal a couple years ago.

August 14th, 2006, 10:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
vic108 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mudwogweap, VA Age: 52 Posts: 947 9 Photos	Well, it is an auction. Maybe I can get a good deal..... __________________ Guitars will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guitars

August 14th, 2006, 11:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,476	He doesnt sell the rare ones on Ebay. He usually sells the $550-650 priced ones anyone can order themselves. The Strats he has on his site that are over $1000 are usually nitro and have all USA electronics and are specuial made Japan Fenders of the highest quality. From all reports I have heard all his customers are happy campers. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

August 14th, 2006, 01:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kingpin Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Here Posts: 1,208	Never dealt with him but 620 transactions with 100% positive feedback speaks for itself. __________________ Bring on da Twang

August 14th, 2006, 02:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
stevieboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the valley Posts: 2,283 6 Photos	I bought an Orville by Gibson ES 335 from him--through his website, not ebay. An easy transaction with no surprises--other than shipping being held up by a big winter storm on the east coast! The price certainly wasn't out of line with what I've seen on ebay for the same model from dealers in Japan, especially after factoring in what shipping would have cost from Japan. Also, it's the only guitar that I've ever bought without playing it first and I was a lot more comfortable about buying it from someone here in the US. Not that I wouldn't trust the Japanese dealers, but an international ebay deal adds a lot of potential complications versus a domestic direct one. By the way, "gai" means foreign in Japanese, gaijin=foreign person Cute bilingual pun. __________________ "One of the best bands ever. These guys were such perfectionist"--Youtube user comment

August 14th, 2006, 03:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
BLACKCAT69 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canada-Windsor-Ont. Age: 37 Posts: 2,633 5 Photos	Have a look at Bluezy from Japan if you are interested in CIJ Fenders: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQ...uzeyQ5fguitars Nothing for sale right now but likely again real soon. His shipping is $25 cheaper than guitargai too. __________________ http://www.lukefisher.com/blame.wav

August 14th, 2006, 03:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mike H. TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Age: 53 Posts: 92	I bought a '52 Reissue Tele from him. I thought it was a fair deal. Some think his prices are too high, but when you consider that he has people working for him in Japan finding guitars, paying to have them shipped to him, then doing maintenance and setups, it evens out a bit.

August 15th, 2006, 06:17 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sarge Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pgh,Pa Age: 53 Posts: 3,549	Nice picture's, nice guitars...way over priced.

August 15th, 2006, 07:31 AM	#16 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,408 3 Photos	shipping varies according to exchange rate, I`ve never paid more than about $120.oo to Canada using insured postal service. Some of the guitars I own have almost doubled in price since I bought them a few years ago, and I own some of the highest quality FJs using all the same high quality parts Mark lists... and some are extremely rare. and..... gaijin is actually the less polite form...gaikokujin is the more polite way of saying dirty barbarian...`course it depends on how it`s used as well... we might sometimes say %$#)&#? foreigner!!! or...oh, he`s/she`s a foreigner...makes a huge difference. You know, just in case some of our distinguished members are planning a trip over here. __________________ quasi mojo