What guitar gear have you bought/are you buying/will you buy?

[Chris Hawkins]

I am a HUGE junkie for Made in Japan guitars, especially guitars from the late 70's to early 80's. All my guitars (10) are Made in Japan. I spend a lot of time hunting the thrift stores of rural Japan looking for gems.

My favourite guitar is my 1984 Fernandes RST-50

[Uncle E]

A local store has a Made in Japan Fender ST57-115. It’s better than any American made in the last 40 years that I’ve played.

[Chris Hawkins]

A local store has a Made in Japan Fender ST57-115. It’s better than any American made in the last 40 years that I’ve played.

I wonder what year it is. The early 80's ones were AMAZING.

The most collectable ones are the JV serials - which ran from 82 (when Fender Japan was created) till 1984. Before Fender Japan was created, Greco had their strats also built at the Fujigen factory. Kanda Shokkai (owners of the Greco brand) became partners in Fender Japan (in 82') and they stopped producing Fender copies. It is long believed that the first JV guitars were relabeled Grecos.

I have a Greco SE500 (50's style strat) from Mar. 1980 - that is my #2

[Uncle E]

N serial number with the Made in Japan label (as opposed to Crafted in Japan that started in the mid-90's). Mainly it's because it's a 115, which was the top-of-the-line model in those years. It's expensive!

I've had quite a few Orville's, Epiphone LQ's, and Epiphone LPS's. They're quite good but they're not much cheaper than Gibson Traditional's, and I personally think the Traditional's are on a higher level. Epiphone Elitists are closer in quality to Traditional's but they have skinny necks, lack the open book headstock, and are even more expensive than the other MIJ's.

[Chris Hawkins]

N serial should put it early 90's. I have an L serial Squire that was made at the Fujigen factory from 91.

I have an Epiphone SG70 that I bought new here in Japan back in 1999 (it was a domestic model). Has the open book stock and is in another league compared to the Epiphones of today.

After the Orville contract ended in 1998, the remaining stock was sold under other Japanese brands (Ephiphone Japan being one). Some of them ended up as Burny's as well.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Talking of Made in Japan guitars, got an Aerodyne like this one arriving tomorrow.
Andertons has them at £799 and I’ve always wanted a Tele.

IMG_0889.jpeg

[The Noodlist]

Talking of Made in Japan guitars, got an Aerodyne like this one arriving tomorrow.
Andertons has them at £799 and I’ve always wanted a Tele.
IMG_0889.jpeg

That's a pretty guitar with a nice saving.
Just surprised the body is basswood and not ash or alder.

[Uncle E]

Most Japanese Fenders are basswood.

[The Noodlist]

Thought about a single cut P90 £76 - £81 https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/electric-gui ... ric-guitar

While it's a tempting offer, I've had mixed feelings about the 2 previous Fazely Guitars that passed through my hands, one was returned due to QC issues. Can't expect too much at these prices but this might be another worthy project guitar I don't need.

I might have already pulled the trigger on this guitar but for my curiosity about the distance between the pickup and the bridge being larger than the Harley Benton and Vintage equivalents. All 3 are at different priced on different tiers.
Could be a bargain for someone?

[Uncle E]

Here's how far the Gibson is:

[WatchTheGuitar]

That's a pretty guitar with a nice saving.
Just surprised the body is basswood and not ash or alder.

Aerodyne’s are generally lightweight guitars so I am not surprised.
My favourite guitar I own is a J Mascis Sig JazzMaster and that’s the same.

[chalaby]

Nice topic. I just bought a Grestch that was made in Japan. It’s beautifuly built and the setup is perfect. I’m super happy.

[Uncle E]

Wonderful. I’ve had 2 MIJ Gretsch’s and they were both top notch. Super lively.

[Chris Hawkins]

Most Japanese Fenders are basswood.

Not entirely true, most entry to mid tier models are - but then again nothing wrong with Basswood. When I go to the stores here in Japan, the higher tier Fender Japan guitars are mostly Alder.

Of all my 10 guitars (all Made in Japan), only 2 have Basswood bodies, my 1990 Mid tier Fernandes 'The Function' and my 1991 Squier SST-33 (both made by Fujigen).

My 1991 Fender Japan TL51 Telecaster (also Fujigen) is Sen (Japanese Ash).

My 1980 Greco (which would later be relabeled 'Fender') SE500 is Sen as well. My 1984 Fernandes RST-50 is Alder, as is my 1984 Yamaha STX01R (Matsumoku made). I used to have a couple Cool Z strats (a discontinued house brand for Shimamura music, also made by Fujigen) were also Alder.

[Chris Hawkins]

Nice topic. I just bought a Grestch that was made in Japan. It’s beautifuly built and the setup is perfect. I’m super happy.

I think Terada was making most MIJ Grestch guitars. I have driving by the factory several times. I think next time I will stop in an ask for a factory tour