OffsetGuitars.com

This popped up over at the old forum:

No shipping of Fender Japan Jags to the US?

that is totally lame. what is the point of that?

They say this from time to time when the Japan models get "too popular". It's like how the Jazzmaster and Jaguar have been limited runs.... since 1987!!!! They will always be available one way or another I'm sure.

It's probably indicative that the Mexican Classic range is not considered as desirable as the Japanese vintage range and they are tryong to protect the domestic market.

Wow, this sucks.

Yeah, it's all about protecting the domestic market. Like... ordering Fender Japan stuff from Ishibashi to Australia is way cheaper than getting anything from a store. A Japan Jazzmaster w/ shipping etc. is about the same price as a Mexican Standard $trat in a store here.

I think they should be still selling U-Box (used) stuff to overseas though, there's no reason why they shouldn't.

This really sucks when you are left handed and don't have the option to buy a US offset.

glad I got mine on time, Japanese Fenders are ridiculously expensive over here (Europe). Buying a new one from Ishibashi was actually cheaper than buying one second-hand! (in most cases)

better start buying them up on ebay before people catch on


L@@K CIJ Fender Jazzmaster Japan R@RE

Fender stopped their dealers from importing them around 2000. The Japan vendors have been selling them under a loophole, and Fender either didn't get around to enforcing it or looked the other way until now.

However, Fender can't limit private sales. There's a number of non-commercial guys selling these directly from Japan on ebay. Once they are bought over there, they are technically "used" guitars....  over which Fender can't restrict.

The price may go up, but I doubt if sales will stop. If the price goes up, it will approach AV territory (which is all part of the plan, I'm sure).   


Edited to add:  You guys in Europe should be OK to buy them from a Japanese dealer, such as Ishibashi, etc.  I think this only applies to the US.

fullerplast wrote: Edited to add:  You guys in Europe should be OK to buy them from a Japanese dealer, such as Ishibashi, etc.  I think this only applies to the US.

At least the GuitarJapan site mentions that they don't export them at all anymore. Haven't found the thing on the Ishibashi site.

Orang Goreng wrote:

fullerplast wrote: Edited to add:  You guys in Europe should be OK to buy them from a Japanese dealer, such as Ishibashi, etc.   I think this only applies to the US.

At least the GuitarJapan site mentions that they don't export them at all anymore. Haven't found the thing on the Ishibashi site.

I sit corrected, sir. 

If you follow the translated english pages on ishibashi to the fender japan page, they write this message under the fender logo:

"- I will limit sales of the fender Japan commodity only to Japan."

not sure if this link will work:
http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/w ... N&wb_dis=2

fullerplast wrote: However, Fender can't limit private sales. There's a number of non-commercial guys selling these directly from Japan on ebay. Once they are bought over there, they are technically "used" guitars....  over which Fender can't restrict.

I know someone how does something similar in Belgium, he's presumably got a contact in the US and they somehow manage to get around customs (he doesn't trade Japanese Fenders though), I didn't ask him exactly how they do it. I got my Tele from him, brand new but officially second-hand; condition 98% (which means it's mint but second-hand).

http://www.topguitars.biz/guitare_basse ... casion.htm

Looks like the only way to find one is a used one or break the bank and get a AVRI Jag . This let's hope this means Fender USA is going to start importing another line of them. It seems like Fender these days only cares about the money and in the process their customers suffer.

It would be useful to find a person in Japan maybe on this forum who would be willing to buy the guitar and maybe ship it out to us people outside Japan and maybe he could earn himself $40 for his trouble on top of shipping etc.

CORPORATE SCUM!

Man, i really wish it meant an official import, but i doubt it.  I bet the J mascis Jazzmaster will be it next year.  and it'll probably be $2000. and i will cry cry cyr cry crycry!