I have an 1985 Japanese Strat with the system one trem. I have always found them equal or better than the American equivalent. I’m basing this on 80s very early 90s guitars though as I think there’s little between modern variations.
Bought a Made in Japan Stratocaster in 1984 off white Cream color . I like it so much that I probably pick it up and play it more than my Les Paul, PRS, Ibanez, or Kramer
I have had a million strats, from American Deluxes to the custom shop Clapton for $4500, to standard American strats and more. I just went in to our local vintage shop here where I live and picked up a 2013 limited edition of 50 apparently, made in Japan ST 62 "Dragon" finish strat. I was absolutely blown away! By far the nicest stratocaster I have ever played. The intonation every where on the fret board was perfect and it just sounded amazing as it rang like a church bell! I am in the process right now of purchasing it.
The Greco Fender copies were made by Fujigen and were so good Fender went into partnership with Fujigen who produced the Japanese Fenders from 1982 to 1996, and these guitars have “Made in Japan” designations. From 1997 to 2008, Dyna produced the Japanese Fenders and these guitars have “Crafted in Japan” designations. From 2008 to 2011 Tokai produced Japanese Fenders with “U” serial numbers and many of these guitars have both “Made in Japan” and “Crafted in Japan” designations. From 2015 Fender USA now runs Fender Japan producing many guitars at the Tokai factory. Between 1982 to 1984 the Japanese Vintage Fenders came in 3 quality tiers ST57-65 (which later became ST57-78), ST57-85, and ST57-115. These designations were often only a small green sticker on the guitar. Between 1986 - 1995 there was a range of Fender Japan Custom shop guitars with the designation “Extrad Custom Edition” and these are top level quality. Fujigen helped Fender set up their Mexican factory, and also produce the top tier Ibanez Professional range in Japan. Top tip - Fujigen own brand FGN guitars are excellent instruments that are made in Japan and retail at less than 4 figures.
I just brought a Heritage Telecaster from the Fender flagship store in Tokyo to add to my collection. I currently have eight guitars, most of which are all American made (Martin, Gibson, PRS, and my American standard Strat). The biggest thing that I noticed about every single Japanese guitar that I played is that they are all built extremely well and the same quality as all of the MIA instruments. What I find is better with the Japanese guitars is the consistency between instrument and instrument. I had to play several instruments to find my Les Paul that played beautifully as well as with my Stratocaster. With the Japanese fenders, I could not find one that wasn't set a perfectly with perfect fret work and finishing. Definitely absolutely incredible instruments that are the exact same quality as their American counterparts.
@@abdulbarigashout7664 That's nothing new for Gibson (over the past 20 years IMO) but that being said, I absolutely adore my 2014 LP Traditional. Such a pleasure to play.
How much did it cost when you bought it? I found a used 2024 MIJ Traditional II for 560 bucks in a mint condition (a couple months old). Do you think it’s a good deal? Brand new one will cost me 1200 bucks tho. Edit: the used one I found online in Japan. I’ll be visiting my brother who lives in Tokyo next week so I’m planning to bring it back with me after my visit to him.
Yes they are really good. I bought a Telecaster MiJ to replace my vintage Gretsch on Stage, it was the cheapest Fender at that time and it is a fantastic guitar. I now have it for more than 30 years. It became my main guitar and I played it thousands of hours and still love and play it. I think the MiJ Fender, especially the ones built in the 80s, are the best guitars Fender ever sold.
I literally purchased a Fender JP Modern second hand from Epsom GG. I have been trying out Strats for months trying to find one that I could connect with. I stumbled on my one as previously I was considering Mex or US ones. Mine is the trad SSS pup config but has locking tuners, compound radius neck and the body is less curved than say a trad 60s Strat. Noiseless pups too. In all honestly I would have avoided a guitar of this spec, but once it was in my hands it was coming home with me. It's unique which I think is what Fender Japan brings to the market. Better made guitars than the US with unconventional styling and specs. I'm really excited about the purchase and the guys at GG Epsom were brilliant in terms of customer service. I will definitely visit again.
Are you just finding this out? Surprise! I have two MIJ Telecasters that are my go to guitars out of a stable of Fender that I have. They are without equal, just fantastic! Keep pickin’ and a grinnin’ my six stringed friends!
Great guitars..... I have an 86 Stratocaster MIJ.....one of my best sounding and playing guitars.....made as well as any US made Fender.....bought it new for $450.00 with the case back in 1986....still have it....played it so much I pancaked the frets.....
Bought a used MIJ Strat in the late 80s to hot rod. Kahler spyder bridge with lockout, EMG pickups with a split humbucker in bridge position and some body routing to accommodate the bridge. Really heavy body for a Strat, but plays great and I still have it. Olympic white with rosewood fretboard, just like in this video. Pickup covers and knobs are black though.
From all of the strats I've owned or played, the Japanese were very good. I preferred the ones without the locking tuners on the headstock. The playability and sound MIJ was comparable to Fenders custom shop, and for alot less.
I had a strange one - locking head/nut floyd rose tailpiece in blu with rosewood fretboard. I couldn't get a reasonable sound out of it but my musician friend loved the feel. I bought two recently - ST57 which has ceramic pickups I think and is very nice - very well made - and an ST62 the latter with Texas Specials and it's wonderful. Both have lovely traditional thin frets. I think the 62 has a slighly slimmer neck and feels grand! My Clapton Strat's feel was a bit better - 9.5" with traditional frets - very silky but it was hard to set up really due to the two boosts. I had a custom shop reissue but it was no different from the Japanese ST62 except the neck wood was full grain maple. I also had a couple of Squier strats and they were a bit loose, sort of!
They make the best Fenders, in all aspects. And that's from personal experience after owning 4 American made Fenders - from American special back when they were still in the making ,to Standard, Professional and 70th Ann' Esquire (which I paid the most for and was a piece of junk)
I have a Japanese Fender Strat, made in 95/96 it's a really good guitar. Unfortunately someone sanded off the MIJ decal , so it is just marked as Fender stratocaster and it has the serial number on the reverse of the headstock, beginning U****** .
@@guitarguitaruk The Mexican factory has really stepped up their game, especially on stuff like the Chrissie Hinde, Brad Paisley and Jason Isbell sig Telecasters.
Are Fender Japan Guitars Any Good? Yes. As good as any US model I've played over the last 40 years. My first 'proper' guitar was in 1984 when I bought a Japanese Squier Strat. I spent a few quid upgrading it over the next decade. I then had the opportunity to have a 90's Blue Flower Telecaster MIJ which was so good I didn't need to do a thing to it other than play it :) Japanese guitars in general are excellent and Chinese ones are getting closer all the time. I recently got a 2010 Classic Vibe 50's Tele and it's amazing.
To show how much Japanese guitars influenced the 70s and 80s, George Benson began playing Ibanez and Calos Santana began playing a Yamaha Most of the Super Strat companies were competition for Fender that was losing it's reputation. Charvel Jackson, Sadowsky, just a long list that was stealing the market right out from under Fender in the late 70s thru mid 80s. I stumbled across an 84 Japanese "SQ" Squier Strat in 1986 and it's still on the team. I've modified a bit. Kahler whammy bar give a little more dive. added Wilkerson Roller Nut and Wilkerson Bridge seat. Seymour Duncan pickups.
Bad or good Fenders or any guitar for that matter can come out from any factory and location. In this day and age with precision CNC and tooling it is really hard to make a bad guitar. I think it all comes down to how a person bonds with the instrument and obviously budget plays a big part in it. But yes, the Japanese ones are pretty good and consistent since the 80s.
I have 42 basses and least half of which are MIJ and then again 4 which are MIJ Fenders and yes the Japanese never made a bad Fender they did however make and still make the best Fenders.
I have a Standard 1996 MIJ and a American 1997 and both are about the same quality, in fact my Japanese has big block tremolo compared to my American standard. The construction quality of 90’s standard and reissues from Japan were outstanding.
Japanese Fenders are great guitars. . . BUT. . . they are NOT perfect, like some might say. One the biggest problems with Japanese Fender guitars is the pickup switch. Basically every Fender Japan I've owned has needed an upgrade on the switches, because they're very weak, especially compared to MIA and MIM Fenders.
They're the same Korean Oak Grigsby switch that are ironically being used in Fender MIM and MIA lol. Oak Grigsby stuff are easy to fail, I broke one superswitch of theirs by normal soldering. If that's the only major complaint you have, that's just a 10 dollar setback you can adress in one afternoon.
No different from Squier. Not built in either of the two Fender factories. Made to Fenders specifications by Fujijen i beleive. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Not Fujigens specs, but Fender's. Fender from Japan are a different ballgame, since they make offerings not available to MIM and MIA. Experimental strat pickup configurations, colors and bodies. I swear I've seen a Red Strat with a squared body, that sh** wouldn't fly in MIA and MIM. Plus, Japanese folks don't play around with QC.
Nope not a chance. I just sold my 70's classic vibe strat because it was rubbish. would not stay in tune, the pic ups were muddy, and the nut was not cut right. So no way are they better than MIJ.@@Mark_Provan
Trying to be clear here. I think Japanese guitars are higher quality than Fender made guitars. What they have in common with Squier is that they are both NOT made by Fender. I.e Fender factory and employees@@stewartwallace711
Jesus! I think you might want to pick one up and try it first before you utter a comment like that!! Just sayin!! lol I have had them all and these Japanese strats blow them all away.
Have you ever played a Fender Made In Japan? Let us know!
Oh yes, i have a 1991 white japanese squire, it sounnds amazing, also a 1989 japanese 57 re issue strat. they are wonderful guitars.
I have an 1985 Japanese Strat with the system one trem. I have always found them equal or better than the American equivalent.
I’m basing this on 80s very early 90s guitars though as I think there’s little between modern variations.
Bought a Made in Japan Stratocaster in 1984 off white Cream color . I like it so much that I probably pick it up and play it more than my Les Paul, PRS, Ibanez, or Kramer
I have had a million strats, from American Deluxes to the custom shop Clapton for $4500, to standard American strats and more. I just went in to our local vintage shop here where I live and picked up a 2013 limited edition of 50 apparently, made in Japan ST 62 "Dragon" finish strat. I was absolutely blown away! By far the nicest stratocaster I have ever played. The intonation every where on the fret board was perfect and it just sounded amazing as it rang like a church bell! I am in the process right now of purchasing it.
@jaycollins7288...no one cares what you have, had or are doing...
I doubt very much that you have had a MILLION strats dude!!
@jaycollins7288. My experiences are similar to yours. My MIJ Hybrid ii Telecaster should be here in about 7 days!
The Greco Fender copies were made by Fujigen and were so good Fender went into partnership with Fujigen who produced the Japanese Fenders from 1982 to 1996, and these guitars have “Made in Japan” designations. From 1997 to 2008, Dyna produced the Japanese Fenders and these guitars have “Crafted in Japan” designations. From 2008 to 2011 Tokai produced Japanese Fenders with “U” serial numbers and many of these guitars have both “Made in Japan” and “Crafted in Japan” designations. From 2015 Fender USA now runs Fender Japan producing many guitars at the Tokai factory. Between 1982 to 1984 the Japanese Vintage Fenders came in 3 quality tiers ST57-65 (which later became ST57-78), ST57-85, and ST57-115. These designations were often only a small green sticker on the guitar. Between 1986 - 1995 there was a range of Fender Japan Custom shop guitars with the designation “Extrad Custom Edition” and these are top level quality. Fujigen helped Fender set up their Mexican factory, and also produce the top tier Ibanez Professional range in Japan. Top tip - Fujigen own brand FGN guitars are excellent instruments that are made in Japan and retail at less than 4 figures.
I just brought a Heritage Telecaster from the Fender flagship store in Tokyo to add to my collection. I currently have eight guitars, most of which are all American made (Martin, Gibson, PRS, and my American standard Strat). The biggest thing that I noticed about every single Japanese guitar that I played is that they are all built extremely well and the same quality as all of the MIA instruments. What I find is better with the Japanese guitars is the consistency between instrument and instrument. I had to play several instruments to find my Les Paul that played beautifully as well as with my Stratocaster. With the Japanese fenders, I could not find one that wasn't set a perfectly with perfect fret work and finishing. Definitely absolutely incredible instruments that are the exact same quality as their American counterparts.
The quality of Gibsons is going down the hill + ridiculously expensive for nothing
@@abdulbarigashout7664 That's nothing new for Gibson (over the past 20 years IMO) but that being said, I absolutely adore my 2014 LP Traditional. Such a pleasure to play.
Love my traditional late 60s strat Mij. Got it for all the reasons you mentioned and it has lived up to my expectations.
How much did it cost when you bought it? I found a used 2024 MIJ Traditional II for 560 bucks in a mint condition (a couple months old). Do you think it’s a good deal? Brand new one will cost me 1200 bucks tho.
Edit: the used one I found online in Japan. I’ll be visiting my brother who lives in Tokyo next week so I’m planning to bring it back with me after my visit to him.
Yes they are really good. I bought a Telecaster MiJ to replace my vintage Gretsch on Stage, it was the cheapest Fender at that time and it is a fantastic guitar. I now have it for more than 30 years. It became my main guitar and I played it thousands of hours and still love and play it. I think the MiJ Fender, especially the ones built in the 80s, are the best guitars Fender ever sold.
I literally purchased a Fender JP Modern second hand from Epsom GG. I have been trying out Strats for months trying to find one that I could connect with. I stumbled on my one as previously I was considering Mex or US ones. Mine is the trad SSS pup config but has locking tuners, compound radius neck and the body is less curved than say a trad 60s Strat. Noiseless pups too. In all honestly I would have avoided a guitar of this spec, but once it was in my hands it was coming home with me. It's unique which I think is what Fender Japan brings to the market. Better made guitars than the US with unconventional styling and specs. I'm really excited about the purchase and the guys at GG Epsom were brilliant in terms of customer service. I will definitely visit again.
Are you just finding this out? Surprise! I have two MIJ Telecasters that are my go to guitars out of a stable of Fender that I have. They are without equal, just fantastic! Keep pickin’ and a grinnin’ my six stringed friends!
Early to mid 80's made in japan Strats are one of the best in the business !
You know it, Japanese Fenders are superb!
Great guitars..... I have an 86 Stratocaster MIJ.....one of my best sounding and playing guitars.....made as well as any US made Fender.....bought it new for $450.00 with the case back in 1986....still have it....played it so much I pancaked the frets.....
I just ordered and received MIJ Jazz Bass. Amazing instrument. Love it!
Bought a used MIJ Strat in the late 80s to hot rod. Kahler spyder bridge with lockout, EMG pickups with a split humbucker in bridge position and some body routing to accommodate the bridge. Really heavy body for a Strat, but plays great and I still have it. Olympic white with rosewood fretboard, just like in this video. Pickup covers and knobs are black though.
From all of the strats I've owned or played, the Japanese were very good. I preferred the ones without the locking tuners on the headstock. The playability and sound MIJ was comparable to Fenders custom shop, and for alot less.
I own Jappanese strat that i bought 2nd hand in 1996 i love it
I had a strange one - locking head/nut floyd rose tailpiece in blu with rosewood fretboard. I couldn't get a reasonable sound out of it but my musician friend loved the feel. I bought two recently - ST57 which has ceramic pickups I think and is very nice - very well made - and an ST62 the latter with Texas Specials and it's wonderful. Both have lovely traditional thin frets. I think the 62 has a slighly slimmer neck and feels grand!
My Clapton Strat's feel was a bit better - 9.5" with traditional frets - very silky but it was hard to set up really due to the two boosts.
I had a custom shop reissue but it was no different from the Japanese ST62 except the neck wood was full grain maple.
I also had a couple of Squier strats and they were a bit loose, sort of!
Forgot to mention Foto Flame Strats - MIJ - were great - with flamed maple Fuji film over the bodies. Why do we sell these objects? All the time!!??
They make the best Fenders, in all aspects.
And that's from personal experience after owning 4 American made Fenders - from American special back when they were still in the making ,to Standard, Professional and 70th Ann' Esquire (which I paid the most for and was a piece of junk)
Japanese thing is total BS they are no better than a mia or mim fenders period
I have a Japanese Fender Strat, made in 95/96 it's a really good guitar. Unfortunately someone sanded off the MIJ decal , so it is just marked as Fender stratocaster and it has the serial number on the reverse of the headstock, beginning U****** .
Definitely better QA and finish quality than MIM and most of the MIA
MIJ are definitely on top of their game, although we gotta say there are MIM and MIA Fenders that have blown us away just the same 😍
@@guitarguitaruk
The Mexican factory has really stepped up their game, especially on stuff like the Chrissie Hinde, Brad Paisley and Jason Isbell sig Telecasters.
I purchased one recently, its a Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster Modena Red with a Maple neck. I cant fault it.
Are Fender Japan Guitars Any Good? Yes. As good as any US model I've played over the last 40 years. My first 'proper' guitar was in 1984 when I bought a Japanese Squier Strat. I spent a few quid upgrading it over the next decade. I then had the opportunity to have a 90's Blue Flower Telecaster MIJ which was so good I didn't need to do a thing to it other than play it :) Japanese guitars in general are excellent and Chinese ones are getting closer all the time. I recently got a 2010 Classic Vibe 50's Tele and it's amazing.
To show how much Japanese guitars influenced the 70s and 80s, George Benson began playing Ibanez and Calos Santana began playing a Yamaha
Most of the Super Strat companies were competition for Fender that was losing it's reputation. Charvel Jackson, Sadowsky, just a long list that was stealing the market right out from under Fender in the late 70s thru mid 80s.
I stumbled across an 84 Japanese "SQ" Squier Strat in 1986 and it's still on the team. I've modified a bit. Kahler whammy bar give a little more dive. added Wilkerson Roller Nut and Wilkerson Bridge seat. Seymour Duncan pickups.
I have a Fender Hank Marvin guitar, Japan, And l have had no trouble with it at all.Lovely.
Bad or good Fenders or any guitar for that matter can come out from any factory and location. In this day and age with precision CNC and tooling it is really hard to make a bad guitar. I think it all comes down to how a person bonds with the instrument and obviously budget plays a big part in it. But yes, the Japanese ones are pretty good and consistent since the 80s.
traditional 60s Japan Strat or vintera II Strat? same price on my search dont know what's better
I have 42 basses and least half of which are MIJ and then again 4 which are MIJ Fenders and yes the Japanese never made a bad Fender they did however make and still make the best Fenders.
What kind of wood is the fretboard? Rosewood or something else? Looks kind of bright like Pau Ferro but idk
I have st62 from 1992 mb and this guitar is better than American strats I have before
I have a Standard 1996 MIJ and a American 1997 and both are about the same quality, in fact my Japanese has big block tremolo compared to my American standard. The construction quality of 90’s standard and reissues from Japan were outstanding.
that's a massive price for a japanese 132000 yen domestic market guitar... rather find a japanese shop that ships worldwide and import it myself
yes those go for less than vinteras in Japan
If they used nitro I would own a bunch.
Made in Japan heritage
Japanese Fenders are great guitars. . . BUT. . . they are NOT perfect, like some might say. One the biggest problems with Japanese Fender guitars is the pickup switch. Basically every Fender Japan I've owned has needed an upgrade on the switches, because they're very weak, especially compared to MIA and MIM Fenders.
They're the same Korean Oak Grigsby switch that are ironically being used in Fender MIM and MIA lol. Oak Grigsby stuff are easy to fail, I broke one superswitch of theirs by normal soldering. If that's the only major complaint you have, that's just a 10 dollar setback you can adress in one afternoon.
@@crigonalgaming1258 I already upgraded the switch
Rubbish! I have a 2004 MIJ strat never had a problem with it, nor do any of my friends. perhaps take your ameican rose tinted glasses off.
All Japanese guitar is close to American guitar...
Haha way better than American
Harry Potter?
No different from Squier. Not built in either of the two Fender factories. Made to Fenders specifications by Fujijen i beleive. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Not Fujigens specs, but Fender's. Fender from Japan are a different ballgame, since they make offerings not available to MIM and MIA. Experimental strat pickup configurations, colors and bodies. I swear I've seen a Red Strat with a squared body, that sh** wouldn't fly in MIA and MIM. Plus, Japanese folks don't play around with QC.
No different from Squier? HAHAHAHAHA yeah right.
No different from Squier in the fact that they are not made by Fender. However the level of quality probably exceeds Fender made guitars.
Nope not a chance. I just sold my 70's classic vibe strat because it was rubbish. would not stay in tune, the pic ups were muddy, and the nut was not cut right. So no way are they
better than MIJ.@@Mark_Provan
Trying to be clear here. I think Japanese guitars are higher quality than Fender made guitars. What they have in common with Squier is that they are both NOT made by Fender. I.e Fender factory and employees@@stewartwallace711
They are no better than the mim and mia fenders period so stop making them out to be it's sickening
Each to their own 🤷♂MIM and MIA Fenders each have their models that are equally excellent! 🔥
Sickening? Lmao
If you didn’t own Japanese instrument I recommend you not to comment
Jesus! I think you might want to pick one up and try it first before you utter a comment like that!! Just sayin!! lol I have had them all and these Japanese strats blow them all away.
HAHAHA! Sound a bit butt hurt pal, they are better.
"Are Fender Japan guitars any good"?....9 minutes in and the answer is (wait for it) "yes".