Fender Japan - Any Issues I should Know About??

sjfoote · June 6th, 2003, 12:24 PM

Hey folks, I just got back from my local shop and they have taken a Japanese Tele in trade for a Strat. Serial number is F+6 digits, which I think dates this one to 1986/1987. This Tele has pearl pickguard, top-load bridge, laquered maple neck & fretboard, and looks to have vintage 7.25 radius and vintage frets. It also has old style truss rod adjustment at the neck heel and that scares me a little (too hard to adjust??).

Anyway, are there any known quality issues with these Japanese guitars from that time period?? What is the general feeling about these compared to new MIM which is my price range....

Thanks for the help.

Joel Terry · June 6th, 2003, 12:48 PM

but I can honestly say that you now have as fine a Telecaster as can be had anywhere or anytime--including the originals from the '50s. (Yes, this might seem like hyperbole, but it is my honest opinion.) No quality issues come to mind; the MIJ Fenders of the '80s are amazingly good instruments in every aspect.

The truss rod adjustment nut at the body end of the neck shouldn't pose few, if any, problems, adjustment-wise. Just loosen your neck bolts a bit and lift the neck out of its recess to turn the nut, or take your pickguard off. Maybe others think this is a hassle, but I don't. Since the Tele is a mid-80s MIJ, it'll either have a hex nut or the standard, classic Phillips nut. I prefer either of these over the small truss rod adjustment nut recessed up at the headstock, found on the Fender MIM Standard offerings, which has a tendency to strip much too easily.

The new Fenders coming out of Mexico are top-notch; to that end, I'd say the mid-80s Japanese Fenders are definitely just as good, if not better, than these new MIMs. Both certainly offer great value for the money, but, like I said, I'm a bit biased toward the MIJs/CIJs, because I've owned several of them throughout the years, and have yet to find anything consistently better in sound, looks, feel, and craftsmanship.

I hope you enjoy your new Tele for many, many years to come in good health and happiness, Stephen.

Joel :)

fearofnormalcy · June 7th, 2003, 10:53 AM

You know, I've heard arguments that "American is always better" and such, but just like people, each instrument is unique and should be approached as such. I've played American Strats that were dogs, and yet I own a MIJ that plays like a dream. On the other hand, my new Tele is an American Standard, and I haven't played a MIM or MIJ that rivals it yet. Go figure.....
Anyway, if you love your guitar, that's what matters most, right?

dean · June 7th, 2003, 12:29 PM

Mid-80s MIJ Fenders are among the best Fenders out there, IMHO. I have had two MIA Teles ('52 RI and a James Burton Tele) and a few MIM Teles. My two favorites have been a MIJ 1986 '69 Thinline RI and a MIJ Standard Tele (with the toploader). Both of these felt great and the construction was flawless. The pickups were very good, but I did change the pots and switch as recommended by TDPRI members. I also changed the top-loader and did the string-through mod. I really liked the necks on these.

Given the same price, I would select the MIJ over the MIM strictly on the basis of age - there's always the chance that MIJs will appreciate in value.

Have fun deciding!

Dean

sjfoote · June 9th, 2003, 06:44 AM

After reading your comments, I went ahead and purchased the MIJ - will pick it up today after work. I had it checked out by Mike Marshall at Southeast Guitar Repair and he found nothing wrong. I got to play it a little through my amp and the thing sounded great, but the setup was all wrong. I'll post a follow up after I've had a chance to spend some time with it....

Thanks everyone!!

sneakyjapan · June 9th, 2003, 08:55 AM

I have `82 and `83 FJ strats. If the teles are on par with the strats I own you should be happy. These two don`t have the crappy pots and switches associated with FJ`s these days... but I also have an `87 strat that does have those parts and a swimming pool rout... so I took the neck off of it, it`s heavy too, and put it on the 82 necause the neck on that one needs work but I don`t know any good techs in this city so It`ll have to wait till I get back to Canada for good. O fall the MIJ`s I own, mostly not Fender Japan, the `82 FJ is the only one with neck issues.
Keep us posted on how you like yourn after you bond for a few days.

June 6th, 2003, 12:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
sjfoote Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Age: 54 Posts: 362 4 Photos	Fender Japan - Any Issues I should Know About?? Hey folks, I just got back from my local shop and they have taken a Japanese Tele in trade for a Strat. Serial number is F+6 digits, which I think dates this one to 1986/1987. This Tele has pearl pickguard, top-load bridge, laquered maple neck & fretboard, and looks to have vintage 7.25 radius and vintage frets. It also has old style truss rod adjustment at the neck heel and that scares me a little (too hard to adjust??). Anyway, are there any known quality issues with these Japanese guitars from that time period?? What is the general feeling about these compared to new MIM which is my price range.... Thanks for the help.

June 6th, 2003, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Joel Terry Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Old Hickory (Nashville), Tennessee, USA Age: 40 Posts: 4,405 17 Photos	Stephen, bear in mind that I'm partial to MIJ/CIJ Fenders... but I can honestly say that you now have as fine a Telecaster as can be had anywhere or anytime--including the originals from the '50s. (Yes, this might seem like hyperbole, but it is my honest opinion.) No quality issues come to mind; the MIJ Fenders of the '80s are amazingly good instruments in every aspect. The truss rod adjustment nut at the body end of the neck shouldn't pose few, if any, problems, adjustment-wise. Just loosen your neck bolts a bit and lift the neck out of its recess to turn the nut, or take your pickguard off. Maybe others think this is a hassle, but I don't. Since the Tele is a mid-80s MIJ, it'll either have a hex nut or the standard, classic Phillips nut. I prefer either of these over the small truss rod adjustment nut recessed up at the headstock, found on the Fender MIM Standard offerings, which has a tendency to strip much too easily. The new Fenders coming out of Mexico are top-notch; to that end, I'd say the mid-80s Japanese Fenders are definitely just as good, if not better, than these new MIMs. Both certainly offer great value for the money, but, like I said, I'm a bit biased toward the MIJs/CIJs, because I've owned several of them throughout the years, and have yet to find anything consistently better in sound, looks, feel, and craftsmanship. I hope you enjoy your new Tele for many, many years to come in good health and happiness, Stephen. Joel :) __________________ Jesus saves--and He passes the savings on to YOU! ASPCA "Well...."

June 7th, 2003, 10:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
fearofnormalcy Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida Posts: 197	just like people.... You know, I've heard arguments that "American is always better" and such, but just like people, each instrument is unique and should be approached as such. I've played American Strats that were dogs, and yet I own a MIJ that plays like a dream. On the other hand, my new Tele is an American Standard, and I haven't played a MIM or MIJ that rivals it yet. Go figure..... Anyway, if you love your guitar, that's what matters most, right? __________________ "i don't want to be defeated" -fugazi

June 7th, 2003, 12:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
dean Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 60 Posts: 1,985	excellent guitars! Mid-80s MIJ Fenders are among the best Fenders out there, IMHO. I have had two MIA Teles ('52 RI and a James Burton Tele) and a few MIM Teles. My two favorites have been a MIJ 1986 '69 Thinline RI and a MIJ Standard Tele (with the toploader). Both of these felt great and the construction was flawless. The pickups were very good, but I did change the pots and switch as recommended by TDPRI members. I also changed the top-loader and did the string-through mod. I really liked the necks on these. Given the same price, I would select the MIJ over the MIM strictly on the basis of age - there's always the chance that MIJs will appreciate in value. Have fun deciding! Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

June 9th, 2003, 06:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
sjfoote Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Age: 54 Posts: 362 4 Photos	Thanks Guys!! After reading your comments, I went ahead and purchased the MIJ - will pick it up today after work. I had it checked out by Mike Marshall at Southeast Guitar Repair and he found nothing wrong. I got to play it a little through my amp and the thing sounded great, but the setup was all wrong. I'll post a follow up after I've had a chance to spend some time with it.... Thanks everyone!!

June 9th, 2003, 08:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,410 3 Photos	I have `82 and `83 FJ strats. If the teles are on par with the strats I own you should be happy. These two don`t have the crappy pots and switches associated with FJ`s these days... but I also have an `87 strat that does have those parts and a swimming pool rout... so I took the neck off of it, it`s heavy too, and put it on the 82 necause the neck on that one needs work but I don`t know any good techs in this city so It`ll have to wait till I get back to Canada for good. O fall the MIJ`s I own, mostly not Fender Japan, the `82 FJ is the only one with neck issues. Keep us posted on how you like yourn after you bond for a few days. __________________ quasi mojo