American or Japanese reissue

[muzicmaken]

Hey gang I'm wanting to get a RI. Are the Japanese Ri as good as an American Ri?

Thanks

[jjpish68]

I have not had any experience wit the newer MIJ re-issues but I had a 72 thinline Telecaster, a 50's reissue Telecaster and a 68 reissue Stratocater all MIJ's in the 90's and I wish I had kept all of them. They were all great guitars.

[TaylorPlayer]

From what I read, the MIJ/CIJ guitars are NOT re-issues. But they sure look like the originals!

I have had both a CIJ ST57 and a MIJ ST62 over the years and both were very high quality Strats.

[Sooper8]

I have a '52 RI crafted in Japan... I haven't got a US to compare with so not sure if this is a realistic comparison in the true sense of the word?

It's just a great guitar. Great build quality and sound through a valve amp and a modelling amp. Everyone comments on the tone and asks about it.
(the Japanese switch was plastic and suspect but changed that for the US one)

I had a '72 thinline RI crafted in Japan, and while I didn't get on with the hum bucker sound, the build quality was superior to the Mexican one.

I also have a Japanese Strat and it's a good one!

[dstuart]

Japanese are probably cheaper than the American I guess though it depends. But really you can't go wrong with either. Similar parts and build quality. Personally though the mijs are less true reissues, I quite like their ideas.

[Arbiter]

Are the Japanese Ri as good as an American Ri?

Build quality is indisputably better. My only issue is that they are so consistent, you're not going to find a "good" one because they're all at the same level of quality!

A Custom Shop model would be a different story, but that's not what we're discussing here.

[evilpompie]

I have a Japanese 52 tele, have put some rio grande tallboy pups in. The pickup switch is crap and needs replacement, but its a great guitar with a fat v-neck. Can't compare against a US but have a 50 classic mim as well. Biggest difference is the neck I would say (lovely C neck on the 50's classic which is not as chunky as the japanese v neck). And great action but that's probably due to the set up?

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by evilpompie

I have a Japanese 52 reissue, have put some rio grande tallboy pups in. The pickup switch is crap and needs replacement, but its a great guitar with a fat v-neck.

I've heard the same thing from several people - the hardware (especially the switch) and the pickups get replaced a lot. And the Japan models are not truly reissues, but that's probably not the most important aspect.

I think the finish is superior to the MIA's though.

[muzicmaken]

well I pulled the trigger on a 2000 52 American reissue
Butterscotch blonde...they put on a modern saddle/bridge and modern wiring
but they included the original saddle/bridge and wiring in the deal..I hope I got a great deal on it....

It also has all the case candy with it as well:)

I've been wanting a RI for a long time and finally saved up enough for one...

[Robert H.]

Japanese fit and finish is excellent--nicer than American comparable guitars imho. the electronics are not as good and can be swapped out...

[Mark Davis]

Fender Japan has never called their guitars reissues.

If you are comparing a normal MIJ/CIJ to a USA 52ri the USA model will have better electronics and wont need any mods alot of people that buy the less expensive Japan models end up replacing all the electronics pots switch jack pickups.

However there are more expensive Japan models that come stock with all the USA parts inside. If its one of those Id say they are about the same with the Japan models usually having real good finish and build quality.

[Stubee]

well I pulled the trigger on a 2000 52 American reissue

Good for you. Those are great guitars and betting you will love it. Your deal was fine, don't look back.

[ayetee]

From left to right: CIJ 52 Reissue with Texas Special Pickups from factory, 52 AVRI Hotrod, and MIJ 52 Reissue. They're comparable in quality even though the costs were quite different.

CIJ 52 Reissue: Great chunky neck. American electronics from factory.

52AVRI: Thinskin finish, two-piece center joined body, light, 6.8 lbs.

MIJ 52 Reissue: best neck finish.

All three are excellent but with different pickups, they sound different. I can't rank anyone over any other. My favorite is the HR because I like the 9.5 radius neck profile. I prefer the skinnier vintage frets but the world is not perfect.

[sneakyjapan]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Fender Japan has never called their guitars reissues.

If you are comparing a normal MIJ/CIJ to a USA 52ri the USA model will have better electronics and wont need any mods alot of people that buy the less expensive Japan models end up replacing all the electronics pots switch jack pickups.

However there are more expensive Japan models that come stock with all the USA parts inside. If its one of those Id say they are about the same with the Japan models usually having real good finish and build quality.

Was going to say that!... but it`s been said so many times before that I`ve just lost interest in repeating it. Personally I find it difficult lumping all MIJ Fenders into one or two categories as they`ve made so many models over the decades from very low end to very high end.

[Twang Tone]

Originally Posted by muzicmaken

Hey gang I'm wanting to get a RI. Are the Japanese Ri as good as an American Ri?

Thanks

In general, no. However, the Japanese TL52s are extremely well built (i.e. no neck pocket gaps or finish flaws, etc) and are good value for money, but the pots and switch are cheap and best replaced. Plus the screws used on the bridge saddles are A LOT smaller! Plus you get a poly finish where the US RI is nitro.

Having owned both, I'd rather settle for a used AV52RI than pay a premium for a Japanese TL52.

Thanks,

[Howi]

I used to buy a lot of MIJ guitars because I believe them to be great value, which they are! But after going through a few I came to the realization that sometimes, it just makes more sense to buy the American. This is a great example of why I decided to go AVRI.

When I was looking for a '62 RI, I naturally wanted to get the less expensive, but just as well made MIJ version. But from experience I know that most MIJ's require electronic upgrades; after all the pickup and pot changes, the price difference becomes insignificant, if not costing more.

Not to mention the AVRI comes with a sweet case and candies. I ended up with the AVRI and believe I made the right move.

It's not the cheapest toy, but wow, what a luxury it is to bring her home, plug her in, and be 100% content with it. With an MIJ I feel like I'm constantly modding/soldering something, more than playing!

Howi

[sprucetop]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Fender Japan has never called their guitars reissues.

I have a MIJ TL52-110 and all I can say is the fit and finish is unsurpassed. Mine came with US pups, pots and switches.

You cannot go wrong with MIJs....

[Telemarkman]

Originally Posted by sprucetop

I have a MIJ TL52-110 and all I can say is the fit and finish is unsurpassed. Mine came with US pups, pots and switches.

But most have cheaper electronics and hardwear though ...

[PoiDog]

Originally Posted by Twang Tone

... Plus you get a poly finish where the US RI is nitro. ....

Well, I guess if we're reviving this thread, I might as well chime in.

The above statement isn't true. My MIJ '62 reissue is in nitro and nothing needed to be swapped out. Took it to Desperadoville last year for a set-up, and Tony was really impressed with the craftsmanship -- including the nitro finish -- and the electronics.

As Mark D and Sneaky mentioned, the Japanese make guitars at different price ranges and quality levels. Simply asking American or Japanese won't necessarily get you a simple answer.

Glad you bought American, but you would've been just as happy with a comparable MIJ....

[muronero]

also... you have a limited choice of colors for the american version.... the color selection for the japanese one is much wider and they are all very nice....

i recently acquired a mij 62 tele in ice blue... it's stunning...fit & finish is so nice...
I've no idea if the finish is nitro or poly... whatever is.. it's killer...

pots and switcher seem ok to me... i dont' feel the need to change them...

pickups... i didn't like the sound at first (kinda sterile)... the impulse was to change them immediately... after i did play a bit with the height (and shaping more the sound with the tone and the eq) i've found them not bad at all... I've decided to keep them there for a while and see how it goes....