distressing Ishibashi news

[romiso]

Originally Posted by jwells393

The title under your name is related to your number of postings. I also joined in 2003. It may be that romiso has a life ......... unlike myself.

I can attest that is certainly not the case. I'm just really, really quiet...

[garytelecastor]

Welcome Aboard there Romiso!!!!

[romiso]

Through stringnet (thanks, Jellecaster! I found an old post where you recommended them.)

I hope to get it in a week, at which time I'll give a full report, with pictures.

[unzari]

Could you provide us with the contact info for stringnet, romiso?

Nvm, I found it: Stringnet

[wooderson]

Hisashi (Ebay seller under that name) might be able to help you if Ishibashi's out. I've just e-mailed him about a Bacchus Albert Collins Telecaster, he has a great reputation on the Tokai forum.

guitarjapan.com just added a Fender Japan link to their sidebar, but no page yet.

And Katana Guitars can get almost anything from what I've heard.

[TDPRI]

Originally Posted by milkshape

ok I'm a bit confused here, not the first or last time I'm sure. But it seems like people think it is impossible to get CIJ fenders anymore. They still sell them here through you friendly neighborhood Fender dealer, right?

NO not quite. Here's how it works.

In the 80's Fender USA (CBS Fender) made a deal with a Japanese guitar maker to create Fender Japan. Really it's a licensing deal for this maker to make Fender's trademarked guitars legally. Fender USA (FMIC) does not own Fender Japan. It's a partnership.

Fender USA has used Fender Japan to build guitars for the Japanese and other Asian markets. And, they have used Fender Japan to make less expensive models for the US and European markets too. For 9 months of 1985 Fender Japan manufactured ALL Fender instruments made.

Then Fender got smart and opened a Factory of their own in Mexico. As soon as Mexico was up to speed Fender stopped bringing in almost all CIJ guitars from Fender Japan. See the difference? Fender's Mexico plant is part of FMIC. Where Fender Japan is not.

In general, Fender's Mexican factory replaced Fender Japan for all US and European markets.

However, over the past few years, Fender USA has brought in limited quantities of limited models from Japan as needed. But not on any kind of regular basis by any means.

So, can you buy a new Fender at your dealer that is made in Japan? Yes. But not like it used to be. Look at all the models that are today made in Mexico and at one time in the 90's all those models (that existed at the time) were made by Fender Japan.

Because the supply of CIJ guitars was curtailed by Fender a gray market of self-imported guitars from Fender Japan opened up. And now that too many people are making a business model of self-importing guitars not made by FMIC but made by Fender Japan the corporation has stepped in to try to stop it.

[sneakyjapan]

right, and those FJ models that were imported sold for about half of what they go for in Japan and, as Archie Bunker used to say...ipso fatso...MIAs sell for a lot more in Japan than they do Stateside...which is why I only buy used now.

[Tony474]

Why not sidestep the whole issue and take a look at ESP/Edwards instead? Thus winding up with a better product altogether, IMNPHO.

However, to be fair I'm not sure whether they do a version of the precise model you're after.

[J-man]

I remember it being mentioned a while ago, when Ishibashi introduced this policy, that they would still ship to Europe. Can anyone tell me if this is true or just hopeful rumour mongering?

[neocaster]

I got the same form letter in response to my request:

Dear Marc,
Thank you for your inquiry!
This is Rachel from Ishibashi WEB SHOP.
I am terribly sorry to inform you that we are no longer able to supply
new Fender Japan products to customers outside of Japan. This is being
strictly prohibited by both Fender Japan and Fender USA. Many apologies
for any inconvenience this may cause you!
If you are interested in any second-hand Fender Japan instruments,
though, I'd be happy to help you with a purchase! You can browse/search
out entire used inventory here:
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/
If you have any further questions, concerns or inquiries, please don't
hesitate to ask. Thank you for contacting Ishibashi WEB SHOP! :)
Regards,
Rachel Maurer / International Sales Agent
Ishibashi WEB SHOP
Ishibashi Music Corporation
http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/

Based on their language, it sounds like they mean not to export, period. Of course, things are not always what they seem. I hope this blows over. If not, well, my wife has always wanted to go to Japan

[sneakyjapan]

Nice thing about Fender...the necks come off and fit nicely into a hardshell suitcase...I`ve done it a few times. Just hope the airlines don`t " lose " your suitcase.

[unzari]

Post #48 suggested taking the Edwards route. I'd do that in a heartbeat. The Edwards 60's custome-type I played was a very nice guitar.

But I got this reply to an email I sent yesterday to another large Japanese dealer. In my email I asked if they sold FJ and Edwards goods to Canada and the USA.

Here's part of the reply:

"Thank you for your reply.
We can sell to the guitar to overseas.
However, We became to be unable to sell the Fender Japan and ESP/Edwards guitars and basses now.
Please understand our situation."

Just to clarify, I sent another email asking if this meant they cannot sell FJ and ESP/Edwards guitars outside Japan, but I never got another reply.

Still waiting to hear back from Ishibashi on the matter...

[telemu]

Hi, i was wondering how different are the guitars between the USA ones and Japanese ones. Is the Japanese one better made than the USA ones?

[thepassivevoice]

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

Nice thing about Fender...the necks come off and fit nicely into a hardshell suitcase...I`ve done it a few times. Just hope the airlines don`t " lose " your suitcase.

...and hope the Customs inspector hasn't read this thread

[postjob62]

Originally Posted by neocaster

I got the same form letter in response to my request:

Based on their language, it sounds like they mean not to export, period. Of course, things are not always what they seem. I hope this blows over. If not, well, my wife has always wanted to go to Japan

I'll bet it blows over. This came up a year or so back, and the disclaimer has been on their website a long time. I'll bet after a while they'll start shipping here again.

[unzari]

Originally Posted by telemu

Hi, i was wondering how different are the guitars between the USA ones and Japanese ones. Is the Japanese one better made than the USA ones?

It's a very subjective issue, telemu. Let's just say that a lot of tele players (and strat players) like FJ products, usually citing fit, finish and neck. They also like the variety of models FJ provides, and appreciate the idea that they ought to be able to acquire any product with the Fender name on it, whether made in Corona, Enseneda (sp?) or elsewhere.

Of course, many of those same people love MIA and MIM Fenders (and prolly MIC ones, too).

I'm really not the best person to speak to the matter, experience-wise, as I've only ever owned 3 Fender guitars, but I'd like to think you'll find great ones and duds regardless of where they're made. It's just that with FJ, there's a perception that, in general, the attention to fit and finish is very consistent, though I have to say that I've seen and played a few FJ duds in my time, both new and used, in Japan and elsewhere.

[Mark Davis]

Originally Posted by telemu

Hi, i was wondering how different are the guitars between the USA ones and Japanese ones. Is the Japanese one better made than the USA ones?

The Japanese Fenders are more true to vintage specs than the USA production Fenders. You have to buy a Custom Shop Fender time machine to get the same accurate specs and all of those cost well over 2k.

For some reason which escapes me Fender MIM and regular USA models do not have the same body contours as the originals. The Japanese models nailed it perfect.

The top of the line Japanese Fenders which arent made anymore were called the Extrad models. They were made in the early 90's all nitro and they are exact copies of Old Fenders. I havent seen one for sale in along time.

[straightface]

Originally Posted by unzari

Post #48 suggested taking the Edwards route. I'd do that in a heartbeat. The Edwards 60's custome-type I played was a very nice guitar.

But I got this reply to an email I sent yesterday to another large Japanese dealer. In my email I asked if they sold FJ and Edwards goods to Canada and the USA.

Here's part of the reply:

"Thank you for your reply.
We can sell to the guitar to overseas.
However, We became to be unable to sell the Fender Japan and ESP/Edwards guitars and basses now.
Please understand our situation."

Just to clarify, I sent another email asking if this meant they cannot sell FJ and ESP/Edwards guitars outside Japan, but I never got another reply.

Still waiting to hear back from Ishibashi on the matter...

Guess I bought my Edwards just in time. I just paid the bill last week! Is Fender Japan associated with ESP/Edwards somehow?

[unzari]

I couldn't tell you, straightface. I was surprised to get that reply, myself. I kinda figured they'd tell me they couldnt sell FJ, but Edwards, too?

Actually, what they wrote was pretty ambiguous, so I wrote back asking if wha he meant was that they can't sell FJ/ESP/Edwards to Canada/USA. they guy never wrote back, unfortunately.

I think if u look around though, you'll find people who'll still sell. I wouldnt be surprised if the whole thing blows over, too, assuming ppl are still in a buying mood in light of the shape of the US economy.

[sneakyjapan]

no connection between the two...Edwards is part of ESP. Sounds to me like they can`t sell the Edwards overseas from that reply...there have been rumors that that would happen, sounds like it has. Edwards have become incredibly popular on many sites I visit over the past couple of years, well made for a fraction of what a Gibson or Fender costs, and if you get em used like I do you can get a real nice guitar for about $400.oo...`course youse `ll have to add shipping but still. The Edwards artist models will cost more though, I`m talkin` regular models and honestly, I`d choose any of the Edwards I see here over a F/USA standard strat, and have. Could be F/USA is putting pressure on sellers of those as well because they do make strats and teles along with Gibson clones. Shops who sell abroad from here were telling buyers there was a back order on Edwards...might just be they were told to stop selling them...one really has to read between the lines a lot over here. Not sure if theres a relation or not but I`m seeing used Gibson LP standards and classics for around $1000.oo...never saw them that low before and not sure it applies to the entire country but up here, yes.
Gee...the US big two must really be worried about how good the MIJ clones are, and guess what...the Japanese have been making excellent guitars for decades and a lot of players outside the country have been catching on...good thing I started buying 11 years ago when they were still cheap.

[sneakyjapan]

Originally Posted by thepassivevoice

...and hope the Customs inspector hasn't read this thread

I`m sure they x-ray my suitcases and the guitars I bring back are mine. Of all the guitars I`ve sent back as Christmas gifts, the only time my family paid $30.oo duty was the one time I shipped surface mail. Sent guitars to America too and never heard of additional costs.

[straightface]

Originally Posted by sneakyjapan

Shops who sell abroad from here were telling buyers there was a back order on Edwards...might just be they were told to stop selling them...one really has to read between the lines a lot over here.

Funny you should say that. When I first ordered my Edwards, that was exactly what they said, that it would be backordered til February or March. Then less than a week later they had one for me, supposedly ordered by someone who decided not to buy. Hmmm...too bad, it was great service and its a fantastic guitar.

[Robbie W]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

The Japanese Fenders are more true to vintage specs than the USA production Fenders.

Several years ago I had a mid to late 80's MIJ 50's reissue Telecaster, and that is one guitar I have always regretted selling. That was one of the best Telecaster I have ever owned.

take care,
Robbie Wallace

[Tele-evangelist]

Originally Posted by Fatmanstratman

Apologies, Jellecaster - I should have said "some of the USA offerings". My first Tele was an American Standard (or "American Series", as it was then known in 2000), and I LOVE it! Despite a couple of finish flaws, it is still a superb guitar. I can leave it in it's case for months on end, but every time I open the case again, the guitar is ALWAYS in perfect tune.

I don't actually subscribe to the point of view that the MIJ/CIJs are superior to all MIAs. I HAVE found the quality of fit and finish of the MIJ/CIJs to be generally much better, but all of my Japanese Teles AND my MIA are wonderful guitars. To quote from my own website regarding my MIA:

As for your 2000 American Standard, I couldn't agree more about it staying in tune and being a superb guitar and unlike yours, the finish on mine is empeccable. I tried out several other Tele's and this one just blew me away. After reading what so many here think about the AS, it's nice to hear someone say something nice about it. Thanks.

Tim