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"The Ishibashi ones are MIJ while the limited ones are CIJ."
Hi,
I'm not sure this is correct (but it could be). I think that MIJ guitars
are no longer produced.
MIJ is pre "97 Japanese production and stands for "Made In Japan"
In "97 The Japanse changed from MIJ to CIJ "Crafted In Japan" and is
using CIJ ever since.
It seams "Crafted In..." is considered a beter sounding name then "Made
In...."
Although I heard that MIJ and CIJ are still used by different factories,
but I'm not sure it really is.
Squier also went from "MIJ" to "CIJ" (Vista series also have "Crafted In
Japan" on the back of their necks.)
Fender doesn't have a factory in Japan, a well known guitar factory
produces guitars for Fender there. (Sorry forget the name of the actual
factory) Unlike Fanders Mexico factory, which is an actual Fender
factory.
But it is possible Fender has contracted several Japanes guitar
factories. (so MIJ and CIJ could be used by different factories)
On the other hand, both the Jaguar and the Jazzmaster are not top
sellers like the strat and the Tele, so I'm not sure if it would be of
Fender's economical intrest to have two contract Japanese guitar
factories building these models.
Perhaps it is really a matter of "overstock" or "stock clearance"
All the above are mere observations and do not rely on actual knowledge.
Perhaps a "educated guess"
-Jerry S.
