Fender Japan non-export models, myth or legend?

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:17 pm

I have 2 Fender Japanese Jazzmasters that are supposedly non-export models. I've heard that the non-export Japanese Fenders are supposed to be better than the regular ones that they export for sale in other countries. Anyone know if this is a myth or is there any truth in it?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:19 pm

I'm like 98% sure this is the wrong forum for this question.

That said I have no idea what the correct answer is.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:20 pm

Good point, i'll delete and move. Thanks for pointing it out.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 7:24 pm

Actually, I can't work out how to do that - can a mod move for me? I guess 'All Other Guitars' would have been a better place for it. Please do it quickly, the longer it's here the more i'll look like an idiot.

SKC Willie · Post by **SKC Willie** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:10 pm

IDIOT!

Not really. But I don't buy the export/non-export. The build quality is going to be the same. Probably better quality control over there because it doesn't have to be shipped across seas but a "non-export model" would still have to be shipped overseas, so I'm saying no difference.

Post by **Doog** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:12 pm

BAM! Moved it.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:47 pm

Thanks Doog, and thanks Mike for the round of applause.

I was just wondering, that's all. Obviously I love my 2 JM's but I was just wondering if other Japanese guitars were just as lovely.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:50 pm

johnnyseven wrote:Thanks Doog, and thanks Mike for the round of applause.

I was just wondering, that's all. Obviously I love my 2 JM's but I was just wondering if other Japanese guitars were just as lovely.

I absolutely adore my 69 RI Mustang. So far it's pretty much my perfect guitar, of every other guitar I have it's the one I'm in most unison with when I strap it on.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:06 pm

well AFAIK, I think the models that are marketed by Fender USA (the HH Jag, etc.) that you can buy here in the US at any guitar center or wherever, are export models. and then all the Fender Japan guitars that are not marketed by Fender USA are in fact domestic models and Fender Japan technically does not have permission to sell them anywhere but in Japan. that's how it's supposed to work anyway. but.... I don't think it ends up really working that way. Fender USA can't really raise issue with what gets sold anywhere except in the USA.

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:19 pm

Ya, there are all sorts of Japanese Mustangs that didn't make it to the US.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Wed Nov 10, 2010 11:17 pm

johnnyseven wrote:Thanks Doog, and thanks Mike for the round of applause.

I was just wondering, that's all. Obviously I love my 2 JM's but I was just wondering if other Japanese guitars were just as lovely.

My three Fenders are all Japanese, and I adore them. I definitely trust the quality of Japanese Fenders much more readily than Mexican or even American Fenders... much better QC by my experience.

finboy · Post by **finboy** » Thu Nov 11, 2010 3:31 am

Doog wrote:BAM! Moved it.

this is awesome

JJLipton · Post by **JJLipton** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:21 pm

There are tons of domestic only japanese fenders, and guitar in general. I'm currently living in a big music city in japan so i can give you the low down on any models you might want to know about. I'm also just a short shinkansen trip away from tokyo.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 3:30 pm

JJLipton wrote:There are tons of domestic only japanese fenders, and guitar in general. I'm currently living in a big music city in japan so i can give you the low down on any models you might want to know about. I'm also just a short shinkansen trip away from tokyo.

I think everyone would love blog style updates of anything Japanese and unusual. Like, have a thread that you can post in every month or so with pics of unusual or domestic only Japanese guitars that you've bumped into. Kind of like Ultra's thread about South Korea or to a lesser extent Sloan's thread about Sloanin'.