Ishibashi FSR Jazzmaster (Sunburst + Gold Guard)

[forestgreen]

Looks cool with some 'modern friendly' appointments

9.5 Radius
AV 65 Pickups
Mustang Bridge

https://www.ishibashi.co.jp/fender/madeinjapan/fsr/

Really keen for the maple fretboard white blonde Jazzmaster coming soon

[pom]

These Fender traditional FSR have also an alder body instead of basswood.

[BDB303]

First time poster, long time lurker...
I just got my hands on one of these. I really wanted this Ishibashi FSR model for several reasons: the AV65 pick-ups (so no need to upgrade for now), alder body, mustang bridge and slightly tinted maple headstock and neck. I actually have a traditional 60s MIJ mustang with a quite pale maple neck/headstock which I'm not that keen on. I'm finding most MIJ models have that these days, even the FSR models. Also the rosewood on this one is way darker than my mustang.

Frustratingly, Ishibashi refuses to ship new Fender guitars abroad - I have asked many times. They also seem to be the exception among all the Japanese dealers I have bought from (Kurosawa, Miki Gakki).

So I was looking at using one of the middle man services, when I spotted this used 2022 model on Yahoo Auctions in Japan. I then used Buyee to purchase the guitar (this was before I read some horror stories about Buyee on guitar forums). In the end it wasn't too bad... Buyee gave a 10% discount on the auction price which more or less covered their shipping costs. They did use a ridiculously oversized box to ship, but I guess that's how they make their money.

In total, I got this guitar for $850 to Hong Kong (luckily there are no customs/duties etc in HK). In the end, I would say it was a good deal, even when taking into account a few minor dings. It compares favourably to the new Vintera ii models, which do not seem worth it in terms of the price/specs. It plays well, feels nice (the neck is actually chunkier than I anticipated - certainly fuller than the traditional 60s Mustang), sounds great and I have no complaints at all about the QC.

[MattK]

Gee, that is a nice looking thing.

[BoringPostcards]

Yeah, Gold guard and burst is dead sexy. Good score!

[forestgreen]

Yeah looks even better in person and the stock mustang bridge is a nice bonus