FENDER JAPAN CRASH COURSE: MIJ vs CIJ Dating, Identification, and More!

[@twangman]

As a long term collector and advocate of Japanese Fenders, I can say this is by far the best summary around. I have seen countless incorrect internet posts over the years where people "tried one once" or made broad sweeping statements about the entire brand based on one model in the range.

[@danielstoddart]

Wow, this is one of those rare KZbin videos that has such high quality information that I bookmarked it for later reference. I thought I knew a lot about Fender Japan guitars, but this is on another level. It's very comprehensive and I appreciate the work you guys put into this one. I've been playing Japanese Fenders for a while now. Not to date myself, but when I started playing guitar you actually could not buy a new American made Fender because the California plant was shut down temporarily, so unless you could find one you wanted on the used market your only option was a Japanese Fender. Many of them turned out to be better than the US made guitars of the time, particularly with regard to the quality of the wood used. The Fujigen builders tended to be a lot more picky about wood selection.

[@WillyPDX94]

I've been buying Fender Japan guitars from you for several years. I love them but always wished I knew more about the history of Fender's Japanese production. I can't thank you enough for providing this illuminating and fascinating story. Mike (and Mike) rule! ✌ ❤

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Thank you, Will! Truly grateful for your business and for taking the time to watch what we've put together here.

[@alohamark3025]

M&M do a fantastic job of correctly describing and packing the guitars for shipment. MIJ is as good as MIA, and only surpassed by US Custom Shop.

[@sixstring4]

By far the most comprehensive review on Japanese Fenders! Wow I thought I knew alot about these..how wrong I was, Thank You!

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Very kind of you to say. We're trying our best! Our MIJ Supplemental series (and soon MIJ Fundamentals) continue this deep dive.

[@OzziePete1]

Here's a funny reversed logic story. I bought a 1982/3 Fender Stratocaster used from a shop in 1986. Got told it was a Japan made model that helped save Fender as they had closed down their factory in California when the new owners took over so they could re-tool. A '57 reissue' model I was told. I liked the way it played and sounded so I bought it for that alone. Years later, I did a serial number check and asked online in forums, and lo & behold, yes it was a guitar Fender produced to help pay their bills while they re-tooled, BUT, it was the US made (Fullerton) model... One step down from their initial Limited Edition '57 reissue' model. Obviously the guitar was priced because the store thought it was Japanese made, so I'm happy with that.... Anyways, I bought it as a player not a collectible....

[@thebreakfastmenu]

I wouldn't mind learning a bit about Squier Japan.

[@Asshat237]

Squier Japan only existed in the 80s. They are all high quality. They are not at all entry level like Squier has been ever since leaving Japan.

[@jeremycurrie1487]

Nope, Squier silver series in the early 90’s were made in Japan as well.

[@paulsworld7614]

I know my Squier Silver Series Strat was built at Fujigen in 1993. I think the Squier Silver Series ran from something like 1992 to 1995.

[@Dzamora612]

Me too! As well as Korean fender “Squier series” it’s all really confusing for me

[@randrews1806]

​@@paulsworld7614I have a P serial Silver Series from 94, that was made a FujiGen too

[@bizzierhythm]

This is one of the few perfect videos on the internet. Thanks for all the info! 1986 was such an interesting year for Fender

[@ADAP7IVE]

Love the video. Small point, but Fujigen, Sugimoto, etc. use a hard "g." Really love your work and content here!

[@CharmCityPaintball]

That’s a lot of Mosrites in the background! Nice! I just found your channel, I’m going to have to catch up on your videos!

[@RolandMartel-k5e]

I have two MIJ 60s Telecasters and they are my go to. I own many types and brands but what can I say? The Japan guitars have it all to me. Enjoy your playing and music.

[@archieguitarz4700]

I planned to purchase an American Vintage II Strat but decided to take a chance an ordered a used MIJ 68 Reissue (ST-68TX) from Ishibashi Music. I was so impressed with the '68 I bought a second, MIJ 1967 RI (ST-67-95). Both 3 CSB with American pickups. Fit and finish is excellent for almost half the price of a new AVII, it's an option.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

It's difficult to order a guitar from Japan to ship to the states.

[@archieguitarz4700]

@@kennyblackbird5674 Actually I’ve purchased four used Strats from Japan thru Reverb and it was not a problem. No customs fees and they arrived in about a week except for one that got stuck in Rochester NY because DHL was having problems. That one showed up about a week later.

[@triniep82]

Literally been searching for more specs on these then, 'BAM!' you guys drop this video. Thanks lads!

[@mtnpwr]

I bought a Fender MIJ Precision bass a few years ago. “E” prefix, medium scale, Olympic white. Absolutely love this bass!

[@mikebunch3443]

I have E prefix strat, very nice.

[@caseymickelson2662]

Again...the exhaustive research and dive you guys have taken into the history of these amazing instruments is greatly appreciated. You should publish a book on Fender Japan and Tokai

[@_Yep_Yep_]

Japanese Fender owners are people of culture.

[@lauripold5188]

I really do like MIJ/CIJ Fenders and worked on one STD-62 with E-prefix serial number, dating it to 84-87. However, hand written date is 3/13/89. Thanks for the video!

[@marcinj.8583]

E Goes until 89

[@0dollarman672]

Thanks for this great lecture. Am writing from Hongkong where the old and new Japanese-made Fenders are more widely available than in the US, feel absolutely satisfied with the build quality for sure.

[@jibx3439]

Wow what a well made, clear, detailed, yet concise overview! Thanks for that.

[@JB-xd1fo]

I live in Okinawa Japan. I plan on picking up several fenders before I head back to the USA. THis infomation has been useful.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Go get 'em, JB!

[@thefraish2660]

Great video. I love M&M Guitar Bar. I've bought a ton of T-shirts from you guys and a 70s Greco (Frampton) LP. I would love to see a video on the history of the lawsuit era Ibanez and Greco guitars.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Totally. We've been bouncing around the idea of a KZbin series with bite-sized content on various elements of vintage Japanese guitars. It's on the short list!

[@bulkmailbullseye70]

Insanely impressive walk-thru.

[@nedgiles7885]

Fantastic review! One controversy remsins though. When I visited Tokai Hamamatsu HQ in 2018 the top Management told me that they never had an arrangement with Fender, the reason why they had to make a slight modification to the headstocks of their Strat and Tele style Tokai models.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

It's important to make a distinction between Tokai's OEM manufacturing for Fender Japan (which began circa 1997 and lasted through roughly 2008) and Tokai-branded Springy Sound and Breezysound models. Tokai didn't license Fender's headstock shapes for thier own instruments, but they did also produce genuine Fender Japan guitars. Two separate arrangements.

[@Vecsen12]

This is so helpful as I’m currently looking to buy a MIJ Fender. Really great resource…Thank you!

[@Slaghill]

I've had several vintage Fender Precision Basses over the years, and my 1982 JV Squier is clearly the best of the bunch. I had the opportunity to buy the bass a couple of years earlier but had declined, without having played or seen it. After I had done my research, around 4 years ago, it's proven to be the best Precision I've ever played.

[@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!!

[@thecaveofthedead]

This is a really great resource. I saw the title and figured it'd likely be a superficial overview. But you went deep. I'm not super au-fait with the details of Fender Japan, but I know quite a bit about Tokai production so I was impressed with how this went. The reason the price model name thing used to make sense was because Japan had so little inflation for decades after the war. But of course, since their economy took a big hit in the late '80s, model numbers now change all the time and it's a nightmare to figure out whether your Tokai LS105 is the same as a Tokai LS 65 from the '80s. Weirdly, when I went looking to understand my CIJ Jazzmaster I came up with a 1996 date and also decided it was likely produced by Tokai rather than Dyna. But I need to recheck this if people are confident there are no CIJ stamped guitars from '96. BTW, the 2008 date for the end of Tokai making Fenders makes sense. I started learning about Tokais around 2009 and they were just reintroducing copies of Fenders for the first time in many years around then. So it makes sense that their contract with Fender had just ended.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Thanks for watching! The Tokai model numbers/prices are certainly their own can of worms, and we feel your pain. And CIJ branding did indeed begin in '97, although Dyna production began a few years earlier than that. Even the Fender Japan Wiki erroneously states that CIJ branding began in '92, and this incorrect data point has been proliferated across other online media. Re: 2008 & end of CIJ - we do have documentation of the last CIJ era serial prefix paired with a super uncommon date stamp (for CIJ) in the neck pocket. We catalog these things, and will be drilling down on more specific topics like this in future videos :)

[@Vashed555]

I bought a 1997 Jazzmaster new from Musician’s Friend in 97 - It was the very last of their import Jazzmaster, and was a CIJ with the prefix AO. The neck is absolutely identical to the brand new MIJ Jaguar y’all just sold me - same quality as well. From an original 90s CIJ owner, there should be no debate about the consistency of these great instruments, even the new ones.

[@turbozayas]

Thanks Mike, you guys have an amazing store!

[@spammailinbox6477]

Incredible video! Thanks for breaking this heavy information into something understandable and clearing the air around these highly debated topics as there is so much misinformation online!

[@j.d.lawrence1222]

I love this channel fellas!!!

[@monmixer]

I have one of those early Fender MIJ telecasters. I let my daughter use it for a few years and she used it in a punk rock band and put stickers all over it and certainly did not take good care of it. She was living in another city then so I had no clue until I got it back. It needs a little work but it's a good guitar. A few fret buzzes. I haven't worked on it yet but I will this winter. I understand Fender's thought process in doing this also. they were already copying the styles and making decent imports. I played an MIJ SG copy that looked and played just like a Gibson. It had the name Crown across the top and I have only found one picture of the same model in very extensive google searches several times. I wish I still had that guitar and the first step up I bought after it which was branded Cortez. It was a blonde les paul custom with 3 ply binding and it has a bit of an arch top on it. No F holes but I think it was chambered a bit and the sustain from that guitar was incredible. I used it live in several bands and it played well and stayed in tune.

[@pastedtomato]

At one point I got an 80s E Series MIJ P Bass as a "restoration project", amazing bass but sadly money got scarce and I had to sell it, still miss it

[@lightonthelandscape]

Thanks for this - it gave me a better understanding of what I have. I lived in Japan in the early 90's and bought a Strat in a small town in Kyoto Prefecture. It's an L + 6 digits, Made in Japan with the Special Edition logo on the back of the headstock. Lovely flame maple neck and super lightweight body (not sure what the body wood is made of - I have to dig deeper to find that out) a creamy white paint job with beautiful red pick guard. Personally I've never liked the thin vintage frets, so set this up as a slide guitar back in the day. However, it's a great sounding instrument. I guess it's worth more than I thought as it's a custom edition in very good condition. Thanks for making my day.

[@rodneykroetsch2924]

Very clear and concise video of Fender Japan history. I was hoping you would touch on the mid-90's FotoFlame models. Mainly because I own one...😂 Its a Nashville Tele and one of my favorite guitars.

[@patrickhd34]

The best video on the subject.

[@realtuffdude]

This is great. I've been a fan of Japanese guitars for a long time. I have a CIJ TL62-B, just bought a 3TS ST-62 70TX, and bought a Japanese Epiphone LQ Les Paul from you guys. Very informative video...thanks!!

[@davechapman7735]

an excellent doco, thanks for sharing a very informative clip and great Fender crisp sounds, cheers NZ

[@mcdjchandler]

I have a black Stratocaster I bought brand new in 1991 with a 7 digit serial number starting with “I” , so I guess it’s a ‘89 or ‘90. Has the 50s style single ply pick guard, but not the spaghetti logo like a reissue. It has the more modern logo in gold with black outline. The guitar doesn’t say made in Japan anywhere, but we were informed it was MIJ when my dad bought it for me brand new in 1991. (I was a kid). I cannot find another example anywhere. It was an authorized fender dealer, so not a fake, and I bought a strat plus USA from them with the lace sensors a couple years later. Still have that MIJ guitar. Fantastic neck on it.

[@markpickardlife]

Very useful info. Excellent video. Thanks!

[@emmettmarrujo5075]

Very informative. I went looking for a Japanese Telecaster and my research kept bringing me to Mike and Mikes Guitar Bar! You guys are it for Japanese Fenders! Purchased a 2002 TL 52 80 TX and I’m very pleased with it.

[@warrenstemphly5756]

I have a MIJ Contemporary Telecaster made in 86, I’ve had it since ‘89. It was my first “good” guitar.

[@sel7832]

Thanks guys. Very informative. Loved that you covered the ORDER MADE MIJ’s I still haven’t seen many of them, but would love to get more information on them especially in comparison to the extrads

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Totally! We have a deep interest in the Order Made instruments and any non-catalog/short-run Fender Japan models. More videos focused on the Order Made instruments are upcoming in our MIJ Supplemental series, both on the ways they were marked from the factory, and just general geekiness over their wild features.

[@pedroroggla8129]

i have a few fender japan instruments made in fujigen, they are great, and some models are really unique

[@tonyevans9999]

Now you're talking, all my fender guitars are mij or cij since the 80's. I love them

[@sunnohh]

Thanks for the great video alternate reality Josh Homme

[@RobertJSedky]

Excellent video!

[@jordan2833]

I love Fender Japan!! I have a 2021 black Jaguar Traditional 60’s model, and a black 1997 Jazz bass 62 reissue. Love them!!!!!!!

[@ckturvey]

Thanks for the detailed video delving into the confusing world of MIJ/CIJ Fender guitars. I got my Fender Contemporary MIJ Stratocaster new in 1986. Its HSS with 1 volume and 1 TBX tone pot. Fender System I Tremolo. Its monochrome black with body pickguard, bridge, neck, headstock and tuners all black. The only chrome is the tremolo bar and fine tuners. Its a great playing guitar and I still gig with it. I am not sure the model number it is since like the serial numbers, there were many variations of these guitars.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

I have a 1983 Japanese Squier CBS style Strat and the neck profile is paper thin! I would prefer the more chunky neck of an American made late 70's Strat.

[@doonilevitin]

i JUST GOT MY st 62 - 65 LAST WEEK. WHAT A GUITAR.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

Fender HSS H&M strat MIJ Is worth a mention.

[@Freudenfreude1]

Yeah this video is fantastic! So useful

[@mcfontaine]

I still have my MIJ 86/87 72 Thinline Tele. Had it for more than 30 years now … but it’s a little neglected since discovering Jazzmaster’s.

[@aureliusandthespiral]

I have 2 Japanese made Fender's, they are fantastic.

[@evgenipoptoshev4112]

Other letters in the serial numbers overlap too. I have MIJ Fender Jazz bass with a G-serial, which would date it 97-88, but there is a date inscription, made with a pencil on the neck heel, dating it January 1990.

[@guyplay]

I got a MIJ 60’s JM from these guys. They are awesome

[@vyger6336]

The Stratocaster I bought in 1984 Ser # E918444 says 'Made in Japan' on the headstock and it's not a Squire, I have brought it to many Music stores where I live in Long Island and everyone is amazed at the quality of this Guitar.

[@UCS0608]

Great video!!!!

[@Mr.T711]

I have an A serial number Squier Bullet 1 MIJ. The Telecaster style neck is dated 5-11-84. The serial is in the low three thousands

[@mistople]

That Vibrolux though!

[@benallmark9671]

Epic tone , isn’t it.

[@mrmet5]

Great video. It's a hard g for Fujigen, by the way; the word 'gen (弦)' means 'string' in Japanese.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Indeed. We make the adjustment in later videos.

[@markcunningham6347]

Very informative! Do you have any info on the 6 numbered serial numbers from the mid-80’s “E” series Boxer Jazz Bass Specials? Thanks!

[@whssy]

I have an OM CIJ Jaguar from about 2003 (Q prefix) in Seafoam Green with matching headstock. It's one of those guitars you can't put down when you pick it up. Fender site thinks it's "white". Also got a MIJ JM with Cunifes from last year. Intermission 3 - Raveonettes "Beat City". Nice.

[@PedrSion]

I’ve got a MIJ 57 Strat in Candy Apple Red. The Serial number starts E9. According to Fender, it’s a 84-87. On the neck heel it says 4 14 89. E for Eighties and 9 for 89 makes sense to me.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

For USA serials, there is a loose correlation to E being for the 1980s, but for Fender Japan, the E is unrelated to the decade (just a coincidence, in your case). But as you pointed out, the 4-14-89 neck heel pencil date tells you everything you need to know (and yet it's completely coincidental that you have an E9 serial)

[@arthurbarillasdethe1222]

Thanks a lot for this video ! I find the Orange Jazzmaster absolutely stunning. How is this color called in Fender's books?

[@gclaytony]

I would love to see some history/information on the MIJ Aerodyne Limited Edition Strats. I have one and there is very little that I’ve been able to find out about them. I think it is the best Strat I’ve ever played, even including an Ultra.

[@johndoyle325]

Thank you for doing this! The origins of my MIJ Fender Telecaster have long been a mystery. A number of years ago, I found the Fender SN chart, which dates my A-prefixed instrument as being manufactured 1985-86. Yet that would mean it sat around for 6 years before I bought it new in 1991. So your point that some A-prefixed instruments were made in years other than those listed makes sense and finally clears up the mystery. In fact, the 1990 MIJ Telecaster Custom you show at 14:42 of the video is identical to mine, other than mine being left handed. The only other curious feature of my instrument is the lack of anything other than the Fender logo on the headstock. The word "Telecaster" does not appear. Does this correspond to the instrument in your video? Thanks again!

[@DOMINATOR3211]

All the left handed instruments of any year only said "fender" as the right handed logo wouldn't fit on the headstock. I have 5 left handed Crafted in Japan guitars and all only say fender

[@HektorBandimar]

That is a very interesting video, I am curious to know where the first Squier series guitars made by Fender were produced? These days people can buy a Squier guitar made by Fender, but there was a time when guitars were produced with the Fender Logo + Stratocaster Made in Japan, with a round decal at the end of the headstock which had the words "Squier series" in the decal. I have one, it has a 1996 serial number on the back of the headstock. U+six digits.

[@edwinmoreton2136]

The Fender Japan Telecaster headstock is more rounded next to the top tuning key. Same with the 'Made in USA'. The original Fenders, Custom Shop, and Made In Mexico have a slight nub here. Also, the 'Made in Japan', and 'Made in USA' Stratocasters have a less deep belly curve at the top edge.

[@Jerrylumdegaard]

Sitting here with an MIJ E series Squire Tele. It’s a killer guitar.

[@TooLooze]

The MIJ Fender E series is considered the best. The squier probably only has a different decal on the headstock.

[@vaughan7835]

I just bought a well used MIJ Squier Strat yesterday in Australia, cheap. ID must be in the neck pocket. Only has "made in Japan" on the headstock. I don't care at all cos it's the absolute best guitar I've ever played! & I own a Mint / brand new 09 USA STD 3 coloured sunburst / maple Strat, which cost me $1,500 Aussie. I'm a happy man 👌

[@julianmclean3869]

Great history lesson and many thanks for posting; just a comment; couldn't see any reference to the "Squire" Strat manufactured at Fuji Gen; my serial No is: E689 764; purchased way back in the day!; there is also another "stamp" under the tuning pegs : V3019423 (or last no 8?) any information would be greatly appreciated !

[@thetanman2233]

I have a 1997 Crafted in Japan Ritchie Blackmore model, but I understand there was 2 variations, an export model that used basswood and a domestic model that used alder. is there a way to know whether or not the guitar is an export model or domestic? could that info be found in the neck pocket perhaps? Awesome video

[@NicoNoech]

Hey thank you a lot for all this valuable info. I do have a question that you might know. I have a Blue Flower Strat MIJ. The body says ST-362 03.2.26 (2003), but the neck has the MIJ T+6 digits and the ST-57 written and small headstock. It's kinda crazy. I'm not sure if it's simply a neck that was not originally from the guitar, or it's just some mistake. Hope you can enlighten me on this topic. BTW, the neck fits amazingly on the body neck pocket. Thank you very much in advance! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@matheusgomes3605]

I owned a 57 reissue candy apple red CIJ. Lovelly guitar!

[@aviyashurp]

I own jv62 and a jvsquier 62ri....both amazing guitars..the best i ever played...and i had suhr chechter and more

[@TooLooze]

My E series MIJ was originally yellow or olympic white, but has faded into a beautiful puke green. I believe it's a ST-57-62 model.

[@Dave73nl]

I liked this allot…. Would love to see a item about the ‘Squier series’ Fender MIJ…

[@psychosliver]

I have MIJ Jazz Bass with J+6digit(1989-1990 Fujigen prod) serial. But its "Fender Custom Made" logo has 4 digit instead of "EXTRAD" wording. Wondering what that means or if there's a way to trace it as well.

[@erdosimi3]

I just found this video, great content! Do you have information about the red "N" and "S" stamps in the neck pocket? What do they mean?

[@strmopizdin]

I've had two Japanese Fender strats in the mid 80s, one was candy apple red with rosewood, and the other was black with maple board, "blackie" lookalike. I believe they were 57 and 62 variants. What model and year is that custom sunburst tele that is on the left from you? Thx!

[@benallmark9671]

Very interesting stuff.

[@sandvarch2789]

Enjoying the vid. Just a side note, FujiGen is pronounced with a hard G on the Gen. Not like a J. Just like Gakki. And Gakki would be Gak Ki. Aikido would be Ah Ee Kee Doe…

[@ありちゃん-t5k]

No. Gakki would be Ga-Ki

[@andrewfuss2762]

I just bought a Japanese vintage modified 60s Stratocaster. I know it’s made in Japan. It’s probably one of the best strats I’ve ever played. The only thing is that it’s basswood body and it’s very light. Other players told me that makes it not sound as good as American made of alder. Is this true? Because I feel like this guitar sounds great and the quality of the build is definitely better than any MIM I owned.

[@geoffreyalder7275]

Tokai did the same thing....50 sticker on back of neck near the body joint meant 50,000 yen, not 1950 model....

[@matiasdvoskin3985]

I’m looking at a 1984 Japanese strat with the s1 tremolo system what kind of pickups would be in that guitar? Would you say they’re any good? Overall thought on this guitar?

[@samdill36]

what about e-series hard tail strats from the 1980's....i have one i bought in the late 1980's, very hard to find info on hard tails. mine is candy apple red, rosewood board, very sleek and beautiful, which is one of the reasons i bought it all those years ago.

[@Nik-8it5p]

I have a mij 94 jaguar I have had from new, it has the brass plates under the switch and pickup cavities, I hear the later cij have painted cavities instead?

[@eamon5468]

I have an 87 contemporary strat with the system one trem. Nicest player in my collection.

[@streety301]

literally traded my mosrite avenger for a 1984-87 e series tele im reinforcing my excitement by watching content on Japanese fenders lol

[@michaelclemmons8114]

So I have a ST-57 serial G Made In Japan . However the PG is 11 screw not 8. Never been changed. No holes underneath other than the 11 screw pick guard . Two string trees . Regular bridge . Not locking . Can I assume by serial it’s an 85/86? Oh it’s Torino Red or Dakota red .

[@bobkerr8887]

I have an E series MIJ Strat with a black neck. I can't find anything about those but I can say I sure don't see very many of those.

[@plutoniclabchannel]

I have a "Made In Japan" Fender Precision Bass, serial number prefix "S" on back of neck, but only says "Made In Japan" on the head stock, not above or bellow the SN. any ideas??

[@thefirstdude]

One more correction, you’re pronouncing FujiGen incorrectly. In layman’s terms, the G is a hard G, not like a J as in Jenny. If you read the sign outside the factory, it says フジゲン. Google maps documents the correct pronunciation.

[@Combine_Harvester_of_Truth]

I have a Fender Japan blonde / black pickguard, 50s style Telecaster. I can see the wood grain easily through the nitro finish. Heal trusrod adjustment. Spaghetti Fender logo. Nitro finish. I think the neck plate has the F logo and under the neck plate is a black material plate. No serial numbers…. I bought it used in the early 2000s and it was looking used then with the nitro finish already crazed with cracking.. Can anyone tell me what it might be model and year wise? Thanks.

[@MyFirstGen]

Is there anyway to date code the pickups? I picked up a Strat E- prefix making it between 84-87 STD- 62 match both neck pocket and neck. ( if I remember correctly from the last time I looked it was Date coded to yr. 87 in pencil on the neck). I’m going to open her up again and check the dates on the pots. But I always wondered about the pickups, if they are the originals? Is there any pictures to cross reference to? Also just for curiosity purposes, what to you guys think of the pickup sound from the Original 62 or any other year to its Japanese counterpart? Meaning the Strat STD-62 MIJ to a USA 1962 Strat. Thanks for this video and sharing you knowledge.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Unfortunately, there aren't date codes on the bobbins of Fender Japan pickups. In the majority of cases, we include "under the hood" photos of pickups/pots in our Fender Japan listings, and hundreds of those listings can be found on our website and Reverb page. Solder joints and reference images are your best bet in confirming pickup originality, and pickups can be further ID'd by their bobbin material, leads (plastic vs cloth-covered), and output measured on a multimeter. There will be upcoming videos on our "MIJ Supplemental" series specifically about pickup ID and pot code dating too!

[@alexstrums]

I was looking at getting an older mij strat. There seem to be a few on the used market but some sellers are shady and there is absolutely no way to know what model I’d be getting without taking off the neck and looking at the neck pocket - something a lot of sellers are not willing to do 🤷. Decided to get a new Vintera ii 60s strat instead. Great vintage specs, pickups and looks.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

The Vinteras are quite nice. Certainly a different animal than Fender Japan ;) If you're looking for the most thorough disclosure and deepest selection of Fender Japan guitars in the States, shop with us!

[@alexstrums]

@@MMGUITARBAR I’ve had a look on your site and the level of detail you go into is unreal. Only issue is I’m in the UK 😣

[@MMGUITARBAR]

@@alexstrums We ship worldwide!

[@alexstrums]

@@MMGUITARBAR 🥰

[@baselinesweb]

Hi thank you for all the hard work putting this together. I'm trying to verify that my baby (strat) ain't fake. Based on serial number, Crafted in Japan A031735, I estimate it was made in 1998. However, it has two string trees. The Logos all look good, if they are decals, they were probably lacquered over, very smooth. The bridge has all the Fender stamps. Can you tell me whether the two string trees were used on the real CIJ product? It's a natural finish, the 12 fret dots look close together, and there is no indication of a truss rod opening at the top.

[@wilfredmcgillicuddy7902]

All guitars made in Japan from the late 70's on can be confusing. Toaki, Greco..ect all had anomolies that are hard to date with a wide variety of specs. As for Fender, I dearly love both my Fender ST54-110 and 120 DMC collection strats.

[@kellyswoodyard]

I have, apparently, a Yamano made Strat. Yet I hear no mention of Yamano. It's a great guitar. The serial number begins with a V, and 6 digits.

[@MMGUITARBAR]

Ah, I think we can clear this up for you! Yamano was Fender's Japanese distributor, so they weren't the producer, but there are Fender USA models special ordered by Yamano for the Japanese domestic market. If your V-prefix serial is embossed on the neck plate, it's an American Vintage series instrument (again, made in the USA) special ordered for sale in Japan. We see this with custom color examples and matching headstock models of the American Vintage line that weren't available for distribution in the States.

[@ricardoluistomasone4663]

Nike fue muy interesante tu vídeo sobre las fender japonesas ,yo tengo una strato floyd rose hss japonesa y no sé mucho sobre ella me interesaría saber tu opinion gracias!