XoSo Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 (edited) Hi Looking to upgrade from my cheap learner bass and wondered what collective thoughts on this would be. It's in Spain so can't easily go to look at it. I don't know a lot about Japanese Fenders although I have a MIJ Tele which is drop dead gorgeous. Everything I've heard makes me think quality control on Japanese Fenders is a lot tighter than on Mexican/USA guitars, but does anyone know if they were generally OK in the mid nineties? Also pricewise - cheap, average or over-priced? I'm seriously considering this or a new Fender Flea bass and can't decide between the two https://reverb.com/item/6946987-fender-jazz-bass-ri-62-1995-1996-vintage-white Edited October 30, 2017 by XoSo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I had a Japanese Fender Jazz in the 90s and it was stunning, as indeed is every CIJ / MIJ Fender I have ever owned. I wouldn't say that is a bargain but it isn't priced out of the market either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 It isn’t what I would call a bargain price but jap Fenders are my go to jazz bass. I’ve owned 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I’ve had exactly that one and it was great. You can get them cheaper than that though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 You can't really go wrong with a Japanese Fender. They go from about £350 to £700. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 The best thing about the MIJ/CIJ Fenders are the necks, they are superb, really really comfortable to play. The only possible downside I find to the MIJ/CIJs is some are made of basswood, and I`ve found when I`ve had basswood bodied basses that at higher volumes the grunt doesn`t seem to be there in comparison to alder bodied basses. Difficult to describe really, but when you dig in there doesn`t seem to be much more that is given from the bass - which thinking about it, given my heavy handed way of playing should actually be a bonus, a kind of on-board compression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted November 1, 2017 Share Posted November 1, 2017 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1509397218' post='3398648'] You can't really go wrong with a Japanese Fender. They go from about £350 to £700. [/quote]This is what I thought until I bought a 95 62 RI. It was god awful. It was the pickups. They were out of a starter pack bass. Then I bought a non export 75 Jazz from Simon. So different. Get in touch with Dan from BassJapan. He will source you the best MIJ/CIJ Jazz bass. Japan basses is what he does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XoSo Posted November 2, 2017 Author Share Posted November 2, 2017 Still looking around guys and have just come across this little beauty. I would appreciate any thoughts on this. The website doesn't give a lot of info but would I be correct in thinking this guitar is new rather than second hand and a MIJ rather than MIM? Also would I be correct in thinking that the equivalent 60s MIM version is no longer available - I've done a quick search and can't find any available in the UK. Not sure what it would cost once shipping and tax is added on but at just over £500 this seems pretty reasonable.....or is it? https://www.j-guitar.com/eng/product_id29297.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon. Posted November 2, 2017 Share Posted November 2, 2017 I can't remember the figures off the top of my head, but I reckon shipping from Japan and import taxes/handling fees would add about £250 to the cost. Like others have said, I would heartily recommend getting a Japanese Fender. My 75 RI (which went to Bubinga5) was lush. Still regret selling it. I have a bog-standard MIJ Jazz just now, and it's still a great bass. There are usually a few in the For Sale section on here - it's worth hanging on and seeing what comes up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XoSo Posted November 2, 2017 Author Share Posted November 2, 2017 just did a quick calculation, guessing the shipping at about £100 plus import duty, vat and customs clearance it would probably come in at about £815. Probably a bit expensive for what it is. shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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