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1982: Fender Japan starts production with FujiGen Gakki having the manufacturing contract. The "Made in Japan" (MIJ) logo is used.
1984: CBS sells Fender to its current owners and while waiting for a new US factory to begin production, Fender Japan models and leftover US stock were mostly sold in the US for a few years.
1993: The first "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) models start appearing due to Dyna Gakki taking over some of the manufacturing while FujiGen Gakki were expanding their operations.
1996/1997: "Crafted in Japan" (CIJ) is used instead of "Made in Japan" (MIJ) because Tōkai Gakki and Dyna Gakki take over the manufacturing contract from FujiGen Gakki.
2015: Fender, Yamano and Kanda Shokai end the Fender Japan joint-venture on March 31, 2015. Fender took over the Japanese business effective April 1, 2015.
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Comments
I haven’t played a Japanese 72 thinline, but had a Mexican and it was very nicely put together and a generally great guitar for the money, I’d recommend getting pickups rewound so they sound more like the originals (see Creamery or catswhiskers) but that’s about it. Only sold mine because of vintage radius and frets. Probably should have just got it refretted
And sounds awesome!
Had USA, Japanese, and Custom Shop models. Mex strat was lovingly upgraded by previous owner, he did all the things I would have considered doing. End result is my perfect strat, plays beautifully, sounds mega, feels even better! Love that neck!
Probably not representative of what the op was asking as it's a set neck, but nonetheless testament to the quality they produced at that factory.
Fender Esprit Elite 1984 https://imgur.com/gallery/saphegI
However, the Mexi just felt better to hold abs after a while, I’d never go to pick up the ‘nicer’ guitar. So I sold it and kept the battered old dog.
Bandcamp
I used to have a 62 Reissue Jap Strat (I want to say it was CIJ but can't remember) which never felt right to me, but that's probably more to do with the 62 feel of the neck. It suffered from crackly pots as most guitars do, and a loose jack slot at times. Could never quite get it to stay perfectly in tune even with the trem blocked off but I think it needed a proper setup with the action raising etc.
Although to be fair I had a squier standard strat which I upgraded the wiring and tuners and it was brilliant. Had it not had an unfinished neck that I didn't like I would have kept that.
Fender could build USA-quality guitars in China if they wanted to, most brands have tried various hierarchies where country of manufacture ends up as shorthand for quality level, but it does not have to work like that.
For instance, I have a classical guitar made in China that is better and more expensive than Pro ones from Spain
I've had Korean-made Schecters as good as USA strats, Japanese Ibanez semis that are better than Gibsons
Fender and Gibson are probably locked into making their top-level stuff in the USA for branding reasons
Therefore you need to know what market segment and manufacturing spec each run of guitars was built for.
I bought some pawn-shop fenders a few years ago, the Japanese ones were much better than the Mexican, but the new RRP was higher too
I think the introduction of the Classic Player series was a turning point for MIM, the Baja and the 50s/60s Strats in particular. Now they offer some great stuff, like the TVL Jazzmaster, Road worns etc.
Build quality on both is great and both play superbly.
The switch and pots on the tele have been replaced (along with the pickups, but only because of personal preference - nowt wrong with the original pickups. They are currently in another guitar that my mate loves).
The switch has been changed on the strat, but only because I wanted a super switch to give me neck/bridge in position 3.
Play lots, find one you love and then play the strings off it.
I can honestly say that I don't need another guitar. It does everything I need.