Since Japanese labor and production costs were much lower than in the United States, Fender moved the lower-priced Fender guitar production to Japan and began negotiations with several Japanese musical instrument distributors.
When did Fender make Strats in Japan?
In 1983, the Made in Japan Squire/Fender guitars hit the market place, in the form of the Squire Strat, Squire Tele, and Squire Bullet bass.
What fenders are made in Japan?
The new instruments, which are available in Japan only, encompass Heritage '50s, '60s and '70s Stratocasters; the Heritage '50s Telecaster; the Heritage '60s Telecaster Custom; the Heritage '60s Telecaster Thinline and the Heritage '60s Jazzmaster, as well as Heritage '50s and '60s Precision Bass and Heritage '60s and
Are Japanese Made Fenders any good?
Japan is notorious for manufacturing high quality products and a reasonable price, which equates to a product that offers a lot of value. The materials used are not necessarily premium or fancy, but, the craftsmanship and quality control meets and exceeds what you'll find MIA and MIM Fender guitars from specific years.
What country makes the best fenders?
Indonesia and Mexico Mexican-based manufacturers produce around the same level of quality and are home to Fender's affordable models and their offshoot company Squier. You're sure to get a reliable, gig-worthy guitar by modern standards.Nov 4, 2019
Why Mexican fenders are better?
The Mexican Fender is made from a polyester finish, and the American ones are a polyurethane finish. However, the finish doesn't particularly mean that one finish is better than the other. The polyester finish has a harder finish and gives it a more polished and shiny look, than the polyurethane finish.
When did Fender make guitars in Japan?
Late 1981: While still under CBS ownership, Fender begins it's first ever guitar production in Japan; the manufacturing plant was the FujiGen Gakki Corp. These guitars were all labeled "MADE IN JAPAN".
Are Mexican Fenders better?
The Mexican Fender makes an excellent option for gigging and live performances. The sound isn't all the way there than an American, but with new pickups and other mods, you can get to about 80-90% there.
What years were Fender Stratocasters Made in Japan?
Fender Contemporary Stratocaster Japan
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What country makes Best Fender Guitars?
USA
Do Mexican Fenders hold their value?
The Mexican instrument is hands down, by far the better value for your money. It delivers 90% of the quality for less than half the money. You can carry that MIM Fender onto any stage anywhere and it will hold its own.
Which Fender is Made in Japan?
Fender Music KK has launched the Made in Japan Heritage Series, a new electric guitar and bass line developed under the guidance of Mark Kendrick, one of the Fender Custom Shop's founding master builders and the company's current Director of Global Build Standards.
Where are the best fenders made?
The Fender Mexican is manufactured specifically in the Fender factory of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The U.S. fenders are manufactured in the Fender's factory located in Corona, California. This is where the Fender standards are built to have incredible playability, tone, and quality.
What's the difference between crafted in Japan and made in Japan?
Timeline. 1982: Fender Japan starts production with FujiGen Gakki having the manufacturing contract. The "Made in Japan" (MIJ) logo is used. 1996/1997: "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) is used instead of "Made in Japan" (MIJ) because Tōkai Gakki and Dyna Gakki take over the manufacturing contract from FujiGen Gakki.
What country makes the best Fender?
American made strats are the flagship of the Fender line… they have the highest quality hardware and pick ups, and fit and finish of all Fender guitars.
When was my Japanese Fender Made?
Are American made Fenders better than Mexican?
And finally, both Fenders come in a Synchronized Tremolo style but the American fenders have stainless steel saddles not much of a difference as far as performance but again, a marked improvement over the Mexican Fender as far as quality in materials goes.
Are Japanese fenders better than American?
The difference is that it will very likely be better crafted than the US made equivalent, unless it is a Custom Shop model, but the pickups and electronics may be inferior to those made in the USA. These days the MIJ Strats are very much sought after and so tend to fetch high prices.
Are Fender Stratocasters Made in Japan good?
But, like the pre-CBS Fender (1965), Fender Japan was better in the 80's. They often used a dark tint like pre-CBS guitars, played beautifully and sounded fantastic. Sometimes had Microtilt and all the features of the top quality MIA Fenders. They are still excellent guitars.
What is the difference between an American and Mexican Stratocaster?
Normally Ash or alder is used in the making of American Strat. While American Strats are made of three wood pieces, the Mexican strats are made of five pieces. The American strat gives a modified tone called as delta tone. The American Strat has 22 frets whereas the Mexican model comes with 21 frets.
Are crafted in Japan fenders good?
now joined Dyna Gakki as the EXCLUSIVE manufacturers of Fenders made in Japan, and continued to be stamped Crafted In Japan. Anyone who know their facts will tell you that these early Tokai Fenders are truly excellent instruments.
Are any Fender Guitars Made in Japan?
The Japanese-made Fender guitars sold by Fender Music Corporation (Japan) have since been categorized as the "Japan Exclusive" series.
Why are Mexican fenders so expensive?
The main reason why a US-made Stratocaster is pricier is because of its superior tone and quality control. Mexican Stratocasters are of great quality as well and with enough time and patience, you'll be sure to find an excellent MIM Strat.