Look what I got in the mail today!

[riolux]

It finally arrived. Well it arrived in one week, just like they told me.
I recently browsed the Ishibashi used section and came across a nice, cheap, '77RI MIJ natural ash Mustang. I started emailing them about it and they put it on hold for me. However, through a series of mysterious events I ended up ordering a used, american tele insted. Without playing it. From Japan!

For those who are interested: the way you do it is:
1. email them about what guitar you are interested in.
2. they'll get back to you with info (in english), if it's sold or not and what condition it's in.
3. you deciede if you wan't it or not, and if you do you enter your credit card details on their site and mail them your shipping adress.

I got quick and informative answers all the way, even during the weekend. The guitar arrived in a bubblewrapped cardboard box, stuffed with bubblewrap around the (hard)case, and with bubblewrap on the peghead and a sheet of bubblewrap over the pickups and bridge. A lot of bubblewrap!

They told me it was in excellent condition and it certainly is. I can't see any marks, scratches, dents or dings except from a few scratches on the pickguard. It's light and it sings like an angel. It's everything I could have hoped for. Take a look:





Now where is the proud smiley?

[Telemarkman]

Congrats on your Tele riolux !

It's a real looker - hope it sounds as good as it looks .

[outbreak]

that things beatiful

[boris bubbanov]

That certainly is an exceptional one.

Question: Do you calculate that the guitar, going from Corona to Japan to Sweden, was about the same cost as one imported directly to Stockholm, or do you think you saved some money?

Great choice; we all know that guitar will kill any Mustang.

Congrats,

[TheDoctor]

Really nice guitar, and sounds like good service as well.

[Mountaintwanger]

Very nice Tele!.........Can you post a link to the web site?

[riolux]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

Question: Do you calculate that the guitar, going from Corona to Japan to Sweden, was about the same cost as one imported directly to Stockholm, or do you think you saved some money?

*covering ears, going "LALALALALA"*

Seriously, the dollar is so cheap for us now so it's a really good time to buy a n american guitar from the US. However, I had trouble finding a dealer who 1. offered intl. shipping and 2. had reasonable shipping fees. *EDIT: some of them won't export brand new guitars, only used.* Also I had my mind set on a MIJ Fender (which of course aren't that pricey in Japan), that's why I started looking at japanese sites rather than american ones in the first place (although I'm a frequent visitor of gbase.com). This was just a lucky coincidence of a guitar in excellent condition to the right price with a look I fell in love with. I haven't seen any natural ash american series tele's on american sites lately (I can't afford the gamble of buying stuff from ebay or craiglist) but I paid around $850 for the guitar (shipping and customs fees excluded) and I think I made a pretty good deal. But I haven't yet fooled myself enough to believe that I made any money by buying it from Japan. Like I said, the right guitar, the right time and the right price.


Thanks for the kind words! So far I'm very happy with it, but it's getting a new set of strings tomorrow. The strings it came with were fine, but a bit too slinky for my taste.

[riolux]

Originally Posted by Mountaintwanger

Very nice Tele!.........Can you post a link to the web site?

Certainly.
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/
and the used section:
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/
some info for english speaking people
http://www.ishibashi-music.com/

EDIT: take a look at that $560 white tele with black binding and texas specials!

[Mountaintwanger]

Thank you riolux.............

[Colt W. Knight]

Is it cheaper for you to order USA guitars from Japan than the USA?

[sneakyjapan]

Originally Posted by riolux

*covering ears, going "LALALALALA"*

* Also I had my mind set on a MIJ Fender (which of course aren't that pricey in Japan),

not so.... A few years ago the Sting bass as well as the Antiguas that were exported to America were going for about half of what they sold for here. Just got the 2008 FJ catalog and so many models are at, close to, or over $1000.oo now...for that money I can get used Van Zandts which are in a completely different league. Then there are the older FJs...prices have gone sky high in recent years with no sign of them coming back to earth any time soon. Interestingly...used FJs can be had pretty cheap as they don`t get nearly as much respect here as they do overseas. Local shops are full of MIJ Fenders and they always seem to have the same ones every time I go in...they do however sell their $5000.oo MIA Fenders regularly.

[Wardpike]

Congrats, brother. She is a 'natural' beauty, in more ways than one!

[riolux]

Originally Posted by Colt W. Knight

Is it cheaper for you to order USA guitars from Japan than the USA?

No, not really. The price for american, used guitars is roughly the same.

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

not so.... A few years ago the Sting bass as well as the Antiguas that were exported to America were going for about half of what they sold for here. Just got the 2008 FJ catalog and so many models are at, close to, or over $1000.oo now...

Yeah, but due to exchange rates $1.000 is what we have to pay for a new MIM 50's/60's tele here in Sweden. Used MIJ often start at $1.100 and there aren't that many on the market. For that price I can get a used, fancy MIJ tele with ash body and texas specials or a brand new mustang. So it still works out for me!

[TELETAMER]

congrats man - it's a beauty!

[garytelecastor]

Yep, she's a beaut!!!!

[Ira7]

Ooooohhhhhh! Congrats!

And that new guitar SMELL!

[sneakyjapan]

Originally Posted by riolux

No, not really. The price for american, used guitars is roughly the same.



Yeah, but due to exchange rates $1.000 is what we have to pay for a new MIM 50's/60's tele here in Sweden. Used MIJ often start at $1.100 and there aren't that many on the market. For that price I can get a used, fancy MIJ tele with ash body and texas specials or a brand new mustang. So it still works out for me!

like I said , for about $1000.oo I`d get a used Van Zandt or the used Navigator tele in the Ishibashi U-Box right now...I`m not prepared to pay that much for a Japanese Fender...and I own my share. Didn`t even pay that for my ExTrad a few years ago. Not that I`m against paying for an MIJ, just not an MIJ production Fender...custom editions ar shop orders maybe, depends. The one you got is a beauty and I`m surprised nobody here got it before you considering the prices of MIAs over here...saw a custom shop Esquire for $5000.oo yesterday.

[riolux]

Too bad I don't live in Japan (¨_,)

I saw in your gallery that you've got a thinline special. I'm looking out for one of those in the "U-box". Do you know what they usually sell for? Are they rare in Japan? I've never seen one IRL.

[sneakyjapan]

not rare, listed in the 2008 catalog. Sold mine for around 50,ooo yen...and I made a bit of money on it so...
they used to have a couple of other colors...a kinda white burst and blackish/blue. Nice guitars and as usual with the FJs...a real nice neck.

[Doug Ferguson]

Very nice. She's a beauty!

[sneakyjapan]

those naturals are the only " matching " headstocks I like.