Members lowndown Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 So, what's the difference between a standard MIM Fender P and a MIJ Fender P? Is the sound very different, and is it worth spending the extra $ on a MIJ rather than a MIM?
Members lowndown Posted September 13, 2007 Author Members Posted September 13, 2007 what models? Just the standard MIM and MIJ! i'm interested if it's worth paying more for the sound difference, if there is any? Construction doesn't matter too much to me as I can make it feel good for me, nor is hardware too much an issue as I can always upgrade.
Members King Kashue Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 In terms of workmanship, most folks (myself included) consider the MIJs on par with MIAs, and depending on the period, more consistent in terms of quality control. In terms of materials, the MIJ use of Basswood for bodies on the standard models is the big difference. The reissues generally have alder/ash bodies. In particular, the MIJ necks are sought after. They routinely go for $250ish on Ebay. As far as they compare to MIM, they're superior, hands down. The electronics are better, and the construction is way better. Unless the MIJ is significantly more expensive, I would go with the Japanese instrument over the Mexican.
Members seraphim7s Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 The best to get are the reissues with the E serial number (like mine). I got mine for
Members Jateca Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 The best to get are the reissues with the E serial number (like mine). I got mine for
Members lowndown Posted September 13, 2007 Author Members Posted September 13, 2007 +1Love all the MIJ instruments I've come across, definitely superior to MIM.It's partly the stigma with non US made instruments that makes them less popular than they could be. I know the MIJ is superior, I'm just interested if soundwise it's worth spending near
Members GRANKOR Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 Brand new delivered to your door MIJ Standard Precision Bass. http://craftedinjapan.co.uk/photo_995617.html
Members seraphim7s Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 I know the MIJ is superior, I'm just interested if soundwise it's worth spending near
Members Westsailor Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 "What Models" What models???? To me a Fender P(recision) should be a Fender P(recision). Pick a color. Period. Sure, different vintages would certainly come into play if shopping for a Fender bass but otherwise. Not whether it's actually a Precision vs a 'P' (??), MIJ or MIA (or MIM) or whether it's this or that. I mean, they now have so many levels of quality for what should be the same bass it's just too confusing to even want to have to do the research to figure out if you're getting a decent one or not. /rant
Members Mytola Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 New Japanese Fenders are CIJ (Crafted in Japan), not MIJ (Made in Japan). It might be confusing if you mix the terms, as the older MIJ's usually are more sought after and higher valued than the CIJ's. That said, Fender Japan are known for better consistency in quality than Fender Mexico, and I have tried a lot of Japanese fenders. All of them were good, on par with the US ones. You can still get lucky with a MIM too, as I have been. My MIM Fretless Jazz is one of the best fretless jazzes I've ever played. Better than a lot of US made ones too. I guess that's just luck though. I would buy any MIJ or CIJ without trying it first. Not sure I would easily do that with a MIM one.
Members lowndown Posted September 13, 2007 Author Members Posted September 13, 2007 Try ishibashi's used stuff - you could get MIJ for
Members Mytola Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 Is there a link for ishibashi's used stuff? Here you go. It's in Japanese, but you can make out the make and models, and then send Ishibashi a mail to get details in English.
Members Roguetitan Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 one is made in Mexico the other is Made in Japan:poke:
Members Ender_rpm Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 Do the CIJ models have the graphite reinforced necks? I think they are over all closer to vintage spec than the newer US Fenders, but you can get more "modern" features on the US ones. I love my 75 RI, but it was a mid 80's model, not a new one.
Members PrestiaRules Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 I think the low model Japanese Fenders are still labelled as Made in Japan, the reissues and nicer models get CIJ... MIJ/CIJ necks = great!! yeah here is the nicer CIJ at the heel on a higher end model: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-62-RI-Fender-P-BASS-NECK-Precision-Guitar-1962_W0QQitemZ200148934192QQihZ010QQcategoryZ41423QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem and here is a 2007 low end MIJ Fender headstock with the Made in Japan label and just a serial # on the heel http://cgi.ebay.com/2007-Fender-JAZZ-BASS-NECK-TUNERS-J-Bass-Guitar-MIJ_W0QQitemZ200147621827QQihZ010QQcategoryZ41423QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Members lowndown Posted September 13, 2007 Author Members Posted September 13, 2007 Here you go. It's in Japanese, but you can make out the make and models, and then send Ishibashi a mail to get details in English. Has any one here ordered a bass from ishbashi.co.jp? Any good/bad experiences?
Members King Kashue Posted September 13, 2007 Members Posted September 13, 2007 I think the low model Japanese Fenders are still labelled as Made in Japan, the reissues and nicer models get CIJ... That's not correct. Mytola is correct, though only partially at this point. The MIJ/CIJ distinction used to be purely one of chronology. If an instrument was made in the Fuji Gen Gakki factory (which every instrument was until 1992, and almost every one still was until 1996-ish) it bore the marking "Made in Japan". If it was made at Dyna Gakki, it was labeled "Crafted in Japan". When Dyna Gakki an Tokai took over all the production (1996/97) they stopped using "Made in Japan" and began using "Crafted in Japan" on all instruments (regardless of whether they were made by Tokai or Dyna). This change also corresponded with the stoppage of exports and the gearing to solely the Japanese domestic market. Not only is the division not "High end = CIJ, Low End = MIJ", the MIJ era reissues are superior to the CIJ era reissues due to their greater historical accuracy (as I mentioned above), and because the Fuji factory is generally considered the better factory (though marginally). The way the standard and the reissues are actually distinguished is whether the "Made in Japan" label is on the headstock or the heel of the neck. On the lower end standard models, it's on the headstock, and on the reissues, it was on the base of the neck (to allow the headstock to be historically accurate). Very recently (as in, this year), Fender Japan started using "Made in Japan" again, which will likely cause a lovely amount of confusion in the MIJ/CIJ collecting community yeah here is the nicer CIJ at the heel on a higher end model: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-62-RI-Fender-P-BASS-NECK-Precision-Guitar-1962_W0QQitemZ200148934192QQihZ010QQcategoryZ41423QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem I'm surprised Stratosphere made that dating mistake, they part out tons of MIJ stuff. (which is annoying to me on one level). That serial number + "Made in Japan" makes it a 1993-1994 model year neck. What really gets me is that they say it's "2002", period, when that serial number + "Crafted in Japan" would only narrow it down to 2002-2004, not to a single year.
Members PrestiaRules Posted September 14, 2007 Members Posted September 14, 2007 The CIJ reissues are less true to the originals, but still very good. The Older, MIJ reissues are as exact as they could make them. That means three-bolt necks on the 70s models, etc. That's not correct. Mytola is correct, though only partially at this point. The MIJ/CIJ distinction used to be purely one of chronology. If an instrument was made in the Fuji Gen Gakki factory (which every instrument was until 1992, and almost every one still was until 1996-ish) it bore the marking "Made in Japan". If it was made at Dyna Gakki, it was labeled "Crafted in Japan". When Dyna Gakki an Tokai took over all the production (1996/97) they stopped using "Made in Japan" and began using "Crafted in Japan" on all instruments (regardless of whether they were made by Tokai or Dyna). This change also corresponded with the stoppage of exports and the gearing to solely the Japanese domestic market. Not only is the division not "High end = CIJ, Low End = MIJ", the MIJ era reissues are superior to the CIJ era reissues due to their greater historical accuracy (as I mentioned above), and because the Fuji factory is generally considered the better factory (though marginally). The way the standard and the reissues are actually distinguished is whether the "Made in Japan" label is on the headstock or the heel of the neck. On the lower end standard models, it's on the headstock, and on the reissues, it was on the base of the neck (to allow the headstock to be historically accurate). Very recently (as in, this year), Fender Japan started using "Made in Japan" again, which will likely cause a lovely amount of confusion in the MIJ/CIJ collecting community I'm surprised Stratosphere made that dating mistake, they part out tons of MIJ stuff. (which is annoying to me on one level). That serial number + "Made in Japan" makes it a 1993-1994 model year neck. What really gets me is that they say it's "2002", period, when that serial number + "Crafted in Japan" would only narrow it down to 2002-2004, not to a single year. sorry I meant to clarify that I was just commenting on the current new product (MIJ on the headstock vs CIJ on the heel) since he was talking about buying a new bass. There are wonderful MIJs of course. I personally would not buy the new MIJ (on the headstock) as I prefer the CIJ (at the heel)
Members Jateca Posted September 14, 2007 Members Posted September 14, 2007 Has any one here ordered a bass from ishbashi.co.jp? Any good/bad experiences? Great service, fast shipping, zero communication problems. All correspondance was polite, friendly and informative... and in better English than a lot of western companies I've dealt with Also, I was lucky. Didn't have to pay any customs duty, just the local delivery charge.
Members GreaserMatt Posted October 18, 2007 Members Posted October 18, 2007 I would buy any MIJ or CIJ without trying it first. Not sure I would easily do that with a MIM one. +1
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