Fender Showdown - Japanese VS American Strat!

Sure to be contentious, we thought we'd compare a 2021 Japanese Hybrid Strat to the American Professional II. Are they different.. Is one better than the other? Maybe.
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[@bumpyroad3251]

I remember some years ago I've read an interview with Yngwie Malmsteen and he surprisingly said that although he had a HUGE colection of American Strats the best one he has ever played was a Japanese one in a Tokyo guitar shop...

[@austinpoznoski3083]

comparison starts at 10:01

[@jaycollins9244]

I have had em all folks!!! Eric Clapton custom shop strats, American strats, Deluxe strats, standard strats, Mexican strats, you name it! I just picked up a few months ago a Japan made strat from 2013. It is the dragon finish that was made with another model that was the Geisha Girls version. There is NO comparison between these guitars and the American models. These guitars are absolutely exquisite! It is a 62 reissue and I can't stress enough the attention to fit and finish from the frets to intonation every where all the way up the neck. You can't slide a cigarette paper in between the neck and the joint to the body! And the sound is out of this world! This strat will never leave me!!

[@ashperks2608]

I recently picked up a Japanese strat (1999) 57 re-issue. It is, without a doubt, the nicest guitar I've ever played. I have no words to describe playing it, almost like it's just an extension of your body.

[@johnpandolfino8663]

I have a 1986 Japanese stratocaster I bought new back in 1986... Played it for 20 years still have it.....made as well as any USA stratocaster I have......great guitar

[@vyger6336]

I have a 1984 Japanese Strat I bought back in 1984 for $175.00... I agree totally... great guitar. I also have an Ibanez RG, Gibson Les Paul, PRS, Mexican Strat , Kramer, I play the Japanese Strat mostly

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

I understand that for comparison purposes the same riff should be played and the same amp setup used! From what I've seen, the riffs played on each guitar are different and the amp. with the red guitar it is adjusted with much more reverb!!!!!! That makes it difficult ...

[@helisoma]

ya agreed, 10 minutes talk then can't even compare the same sounds 🤔

[@jaycollins7288]

I just picked up a 2013 MIJ Fender ltd edition 1 of 25 apparently, 62 vintage "dragon" strat. Believe me when I say I have had them all from American standards to deluxe to the custom shop Eric Clapton strat for 4500 bucks as well as Mexican made ones galore! I have never played a better guitar ever and that includes all the Gibson vintage originals or reissues or custom shop versions I've had too. The fit and finish and the neck shape on this beautiful strat is stunning! And the sound of these pickups are the nicest I've heard on anything! I play fingerstyle guitar including all styles like jazz, Chet Atkins, Classical, fusion, blues and rock and whatever else is out there, and the clarity of each note on every string on any fret is indescribable! The separation of each note is so distinctive especially when I play complicated quick tunes like Classical Gas, for example...yes I know....ON A STRAT ...your asking? Yes, even on this strat the clarity of each note is just exceptional! I just can't say enough about these MIJ Fenders. This one will never leave me!!! If you are thinking about picking an MIJ up, don't hesitate! You will never regret it.

[@julianmclean3869]

Ummm, started off ok however the comparisons with what you guys were playing deviated and were different !!; very difficult to get an understanding of the differences !!!!

[@lucifirartwork6234]

Japan Fender FTW. Warm and sweet sound, less dry compared to US Fender IMO.

[@lukeGGlee]

Japan for me. less dry sounding, notes sound more connected and flowing, sweeter sounding. The American sounds like it would work well on a punk song like a Greenday

[@iganpparamarta8813]

Do you have the time?

[@riain8076]

I just picked up the MIJ hybrid ii. I went in to get the MIA Strat and left with the MIJ. The MIJ felt way better to play - incredible neck! It also sounded way better than the MIA Strat in my opinion. The MIJ Strat in this video also sounds way better than the MIA. Japanese Fenders over American any day.

[@tonoselectricos]

I've got an american and a japanese Strat. Japan kicks the @$$ of my American. Construction and sound-wise. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@redmuun519]

I have an early 80’s Contemporary Start MIJ, you really can’t beat them and sometimes they come around for great deals

[@goranarsov1715]

MIJ faster response and more balanced. For this particular Pro2 I can clearly notice that you need applying more force to get the tones out of it.

[@chico280]

What a terrible comparison. Could have at least played the same thing on both with the same effects..

[@stevensina128]

agree

[@DMSProduktions]

Looks like SOME1 isn't going to get their retail contract renewed next year! ;oP

[@Konnichiwa80]

I have a 1981 Hondo II Professional H 1100 B made in the Tokai factory and it is still the best playing strat I have owned.

[@Hammerman48]

Own and love Japanese Strats and teles…..easily as good as my USA vintage reissue Strat.

[@fender7695]

I bought a prs custom 22 and fender Strat mij in the same week. I never intended on buying astrat until I played this one. That’s all I gotta say. You can do whatever you want with the pickups but my god the hardware and playability is the best of any guitar I’ve ever played the only thing close is a prs custom I broke in and an American Tele from 1969. nothing even comes close

[@phindiggity]

I love that the guy on the left can't even let the other dude finish his sentence without having to say something

[@toliskoskinas]

Not nice, not helping AT ALL ! Guys, you present different licks with each model, how could this be helpful ? 😢 Come on, it is not that difficult to try and play some short licks the same way with each strat, so that the customer gets an idea.

[@DB-me3jt]

Engineering wise you can’t go wrong with made in Japan, or Germany. Design will be a complete other story.

[@Bobby_Digital37]

I like the Japan one better 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@cmkilcullen8176]

MIJ sounds a bit more focused. I have the vintage 60s modified Olympic White Strat. 16 or 17 for the AM pro 2. 12 for the JM. The AM 2 feels heavier. Rides like a Crown Victoria type of comfort, a kind of big ness and smoothness. JM is like a form fitting comfortable anytime anywhere sweet tonal sounding Strat ; fast and nimble mover that is an extension of your body. If you own one of each, it is hard to justify needing another strat, unless you want a strictly vintage strat. Contrary to MIM strats I've purchased, the craftsmanship of the MIJ beats most Mexican Standard Strats. I have no experience with the Player series though I didn't care for the Pups in the ones I've tried in shops. Fret work and neck construction of the MIJ was a homerun, the first time I tried one and then brought. Different from the AM pro 2, but just as smooth and solid. Amazing. P&L

[@davidchaparro2517]

Nice write up. What would you say the tonal differences are in pickups between the MIMs you've tried, and your JV? I'm reallly considering getting the 60s JV modified, but there are a couple MIMs that are also calling my name for a few different reasons. For instance, the Vintera Modified is 30 percent off right now, and knowing that I can get over 300 bucks off makes me wonder. What could be so good on the Vintera modified that has had it at that price for most of its life?

[@ashperks2608]

Also, Colemans is my local music store, and I can't recommend them enough!

[@SekelJeet]

American has good amount of High end also sounds very controlled. MIJ sounds great too. Thanks for the video ❤

[@gitarbangsatchanel8036]

Funny.. the japan so many efx too wet.. the usa too dry.. wht the point LOL .. just straight to the amp please

[@FIAT836]

I have a Made in USA 1957 Reisue Fiesta Red Fender Strotocaster and a MIJ vintage 50s Tobacco Sunbursts the MIJ I thought was inferior but you got use in playing it and it sounded like a real vintage twangy sound and its a workhorse plug it to a JTM Marshall Or Roland chorus it sounds so loud but sweet plug it to a Fender Twin reverb and it's a dream classic vintage sound

[@Clive007]

Didn't check the specs, don't know the String Gauge, don't know how to find the spec? I just went onto Fender's website and checked. What is the point of posting a half-arsed, review? (BTW,The MIJ is a bone Nut, took me 30 seconds to find it.)

[@ryanlorenzo4921]

Japan made❤️

[@Merglet]

Buy the MIJ hybrid, if you like the sound of the Pro II more, buy a set of VMod II pickups, put in some higher end electronics if you feel it's required, use the money you saved to buy a 50 watt Mustang GTX ;)

[@LoneWolf-cv6pl]

Japanese is better! I've had both

[@bencarpenter3785]

I dig my two Fernandes guitar's.1982 function..And 1989 rgz MIJ..So stable 🤟

[@pdcband22]

The Japanese strats on the fender website are over 1K here california

[@castrosacasa]

I prefer the sound of the American!

[@luigivaccariellos9379]

Wuao, amazing demos, both sounds great, but yeah, Usa strat are perfect clean and brightness

[@bencarpenter3785]

My mind after 21 yrs of love n noddling on guitar's lads....Put 3 against three in a shop..1 USA is absolutely brilliant!!. All 3 MIJ are all equally good..🍻🤔🇦🇺🎸

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

Idsay go for the Japanese for the value. Amps are really what brings out that Strat tone.

[@richardq16]

what is the color of red guitar? dakota red? hot rod red? fiesta red? modena red?

[@williamh3845]

Modena

[@gioguitar23]

Some Clean Solo and/with finger picking Please! Dire Straits style maybe, thank you!

[@evenaicantfigurethisout]

Prices on the MIJ are 2.5x now. And the MIA it's 5 times more. What is the world coming to

[@liamparker928]

Great video

[@joeblowporkhead864]

Need to learn about what your comparing if you want to compare?

[@nicolim6656]

Which one of these would be lighter?

[@davidchaparro2517]

MIJ from what I can tell but I haven't played either. But in the video I think he says the MIJ is lighter.

[@BlindTom61]

FJ guitar is night and day better sounding than the American mushy sounding axe.

[@fenderstratocaster620]

I have 1978 yamaha super R n' roller700 ❤️❤️❤️

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

very confusing the comparative, very long and non-sequential sections

[@Clive007]

Agreed, awful "review" Thumbs down for this one.

[@alman1973]

US by far

[@jackeren]

Guy on the left keep knocking brand new guitar with his ring 😬

[@DB-me3jt]

He’s from the Relic department.

[@jackeren]

@@DB-me3jt lol 😂

[@sjazzp]

That red guitar is now on sale with scratches 😂

[@leofromthe9159]

He funny af tho ngl 0:41

[@retam1418]

It's called lean manufacturing. Toyota invented it. That's why fit and finish is always better out of Japan.

[@Merglet]

A more logical fight would be the Vintera Modified vs the Hybrid II, but if we're going by price and it has to be American made, the Performer series vs the Hybrid II.

[@АлександрИ-п6р]

Мой япончик 1994 звучит ОООчень круто! Играл я и на мучачасах и на америкосах. Мой красавчик звучит даже лучше!

[@fu8713]

Didn’t actually want to hear the whole song just same riff’s on each guitar 🎸 lol

[@matthurstbridge9180]

I'm so sick and tired of the Japan Vs American debate. Qu: Would you buy a Samurai sword made in America or Japan? (...ask yourself why you'll end up deciding to buy a Made In Japan Samurai sword) The ONLY reason why America keeps on pushing the Made in America is because of the MASSIVE debt America has. Japan is FAR superior Japan has a tradition of respect and shame The Japanese would rather die than produce a sub-par quality product. END.

[@rgarcia4412]

Can someone shut up the guy from the left? He doesn't let the other guy talk 😡

[@donw.k.6877]

Didn't like either of them in the clip, but so much of the tone is dictated by the rig which is set in a tonally specific way; that this is not really a reflection on the guitars. Out of the two of them, the American clearly had more attack.

[@danielmoraes2781]

Japoneses is better!!!! ❤❤❤

[@elvispressley702]

American sound more fresh

[@dozluktv8085]

japanese strat made by japanese in japan.. US Strat made by mexican in the US.. thats it..

[@donw.k.6877]

​@Daniel Laurence please show where in the video the Armenian Vs Turkish Strat showdown starts?

[@MrPinkStrat]

SO you pick a Not top of the range Japanese Strat & Put it against a Top of the Range USA Strat ? Well done Guys ?

[@cranbournemusiconline]

Neither of these are top of the range. Cool use of grammar. 👍🏻

[@MrPinkStrat]

@@cranbournemusiconline There's Me thinking your a Guitarist ..when in fact your a Head Mistress at a Grammar School !

[@cyberpunk409]

YOU'RE... as in "you are". Not YOUR, that means something completely different. It's not that difficult

[@MrPinkStrat]

I did not realise I was dealing with a head mistress @@cyberpunk409

[@geraldchan7395]

MrPinkStrat learn some English before trolling, it's embarassing. 2ndly, get yourself schooled properly on strat ranges before commenting.

[@philipmonaghan8267]

Don't really understand the hype about Jap guitars. I have 3 Stratocasters ( admittedly one is a Tokai) the other 2 are "re-issue types, ( 50's and 60's) Both Fenders. Quite honestly, they are only "OK" , nothing special at all. My Mexican and American Strats are FAR better.