Japan Fender questions!!

[mogascreeta]

okay I have two questions:
1. what is the difference between CIJ and MIJ?
2. which is better? Japan or USA? (i have mexican)

[MulliganChebichev]

1) From Wikipedia

According to a Fender representative it was in the Fender Japan contract that if there was a change of manufacturer from FujiGen Gakki to another guitar factory then the logo would be changed from MIJ ("Made in Japan") to CIJ ("Crafted in Japan"). The first CIJ Fenders start around 1992 but most of the Japanese Fenders up till 1996/1997 are MIJ Fenders. In 1991/1992 FujiGen Gakki were expanding their factory operations by establishing FujiGen Hirooka Inc ((Japanese) フジゲン広丘（株）) to be able to take on additional set neck (Gibson like necks) contracts (such as the Orville by Gibson contract) and so Dyna Gakki (one of Kanda Shokai's main guitar makers) took over some of the making of the Japanese Fender models which resulted in a CIJ logo being used on some Japanese Fenders instead of an MIJ logo. CIJ is mostly used on Fenders from 1996/1997 until recently due to Tōkai and Dyna Gakki taking over the Fender Japan manufacturing contract from FujiGen Gakki in 1996/1997. The Fender Squiers were also brought into line to be in sync with the Japanese Fenders at around the same time (1996/1997) with 'Crafted' rather than 'Made' being used. "Made in Japan" is used on some current Fender Japan models (2007) instead of "Crafted in Japan".

2) The question of whats better or not is relative, and depends on who you ask.

[Mark Davis]

They were called MIJ made in japan until around 1996-1997 then they started calling then CIJ crafted in Japan.

Better USA or MIJ is hard to say you really have to judge each guitar on its own merit but I can say most of the MIJ/CIJ's Ive seen have excellent workmanship and I cant say the same thing for thre 4 USA Fenders Ive owned. Most of mine have been MIJ/CIJ and MIM's 15 MIM's to be exact.

[mogascreeta]

thanks guys for the help... also i get what you're saying about the usa ones being a little flakey. my bud has several japanese fenders from telecaster to jag stang and i like the way the neck feels, i'm not sure why but they just feel better.. thats the major thing i can tell between japanese and usa

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by mogascreeta

thanks guys for the help... also i get what you're saying about the usa ones being a little flakey. my bud has several japanese fenders from telecaster to jag stang and i like the way the neck feels, i'm not sure why but they just feel better.. thats the major thing i can tell between japanese and usa

The Japanese Fenders have the most comfortable necks for me too.

I think thats the best feature the necks feel perfect for my handsize.

[teleman55]

Here's all the Fenders I have or have had, all left handed but the thinline:
Early 60's Tele
Late 60's Thinline
72 Tele
Early 70's Strat
02 or so MIM Strat
05 MIM Tele.
06 CIJ Tele 72 Custom Reissue
I've loved 'em all. I think the Thinline was sweetest of all but had to sell it 'cause a right hand Tele is not a good guitar to flip around to left-handed. Outside of that, the CIJ is as good as any of them.

[Mark Davis]

Ive had 4 USA Fenders 5 MIJ/CIJ Fenders and 15 MIM Fenders so far.

[terminal3]

I currently have no USA Fenders!

Tried a few, but I've ended up with a few extra quid in my pocket and a better-playing CIJ or MIM instead. Someday I might spring for a USA 52RI "just because" but I'm not feeling that GAS badly enough yet..

My last two adoptions have been MIM, one I got via mail-order (72 tele deluxe RI) and thus admit to gambling on (it turned out to be absolutely excellent) and one I bought in the shop there & then BECAUSE it was amazing (50's P-bass).

I have a couple Korean-made special editions which are also very good.

The fact is, each country is going to produce good ones, and bad ones. You need to try a few anyway to find the one that's best for you. It's never so simple as 'this one's more expensive and therefore always better.'

[sneakyjapan]

another difference that gets mentioned a lot are the electronics...the CIJs, unless otherwise stated, have the tiny pots and plastic switches. I`m down to my last CIJ but I`ve still got quite a few MIJ Fenders, all of which have full size pots and steel switches but most are strats. Don`t own any MIMs simply because they are grossly overpriced in Japan, so are MIAs for that matter but the American mades I do own I got during sales...and haven`t bought a new guitar for some years, used only for me these days. I`m really happy with my MIJ Fenders and many are custom editions, with one ExTrad, which were not regular production models and are great guitars and probably shouldn`t be compared to productions. Funny, CIJ Fenders don`t get nearly as much love here as they do outside the country, and right now the used Edwards are the best deals I can get.

[TWANGNUT]

All USA at my house. Couldn't give me one of those others!

[skydawg]

I've only owned one MIJ. The neck profile was a slight v that felt perfect.

[jwells393]

Couldn't give me on of those others!

Oh really ............ that's sounds a bit elitist. I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to give away my Japanese Fenders.

[CatfishStudios]

Although I prefer American made guitars for reasons not having to do with quality...I must say that of the many MIJ/CIJ Fenders Ive played were of excellent quality, fit and finish....easily on par with the American products....Now the MIM just dont do it for me..Ive heard the quality is consistently improving, but the ones Ive played just did not feel right...Thats not to take away from the individual guitar..my advice would be to play the damn thing..Try them all out...see what fits you, what leaps out and grabs ya.

[TWANGNUT]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Oh really ............ that's sounds a bit elitist. I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to give away my Japanese Fenders.

Uh...what's elitist?

[superbadj]

I own two Fender Japan guitars (one MIJ, one CIJ), both are outstanding.

I own one MIM Fender. It's excellent

I own one korean-made Gretsch. It's awesome.

And I'm quite picky about what feels "right" to me.

The FJ necks are probably my favorite, mainly because of the amount/style of tint they used on them. But I've had one for nearly 20 years, so it's had the most time to grow on me. The MIM is brand new to me, but it still feels great. It's a '72 Custom, and playing some Stones stuff the other night with my drummer, it was flat-out-spot-on.

Ignore the country of origin. Either it's a good one or it's not. And you can find some of both types being made everywhere.

[FredDairy]

When it comes to Telecasters I've owned 3 MIM reissues 1 American Reissue and 1 CIJ Reissue.

The American Reissue although having the sloppiest neck pocket sounds the best. This guitar balances the best sound and feel wise

The CIJ is a close second. The setup from the Japanese factory was on par quality wise with that of the American factory. Frets are smooth on my CIJ. The only negative for me regarding the CIJ is that the bridge pickup isn't so hot.

My MIMs have all come needing nut, fret work, pickup replacements and one even a body replacement. That said my MIM 60s neck is probably my favorite feeling neck.

[TWANGNUT]

O.k. O.k. Jewlls, you got me I'll be glad to take a MIJ Paisley off of anyones hands....

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by TWANGNUT

Uh...what's elitist?

Errrm, isn't an elitist just a Japanese-made Epiphone?