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I would have to agree with supertwangreverb on this one. I've read
all the info back and forth on these "limited run" CIJ jags and
jazzmasters. It would be cheaper to use standard CIJ hardware and
pickups, and build them in the regular factory, then it would be to
retool and make "cheaper' hardware, or use a cheaper factory.
Especially if there are only 350 of each made.
Although I am not in the music retail business, I do own a retail
bicycle business, and I know how the wholesale / retail part of it
works. I would say that $399 is about the "landed" cost of the
Jazzmasters after MF had them shipped. The $699 they were selling
for is about a 42 point margin, which I am sure is a little more than
their standard markup, but thats why they brought them in. The whole
idea of these guitars for them was to make a bunch of quick
money,justify the whole thing by calling them "limited", then when
sales start to slide, mark em down till they sell out. Pretty
standard marketing, I would say. You see an opportunity, you take
it.
US dealers saw an oportunity to sell a cheaper model jag and
jazzmaster, and Fender obliged them by bringing in some. Fender
makes money, dealers make money. Thats what this is all about. As
to why these guitars are cheaper than ordering from Ishibashi direct,
it all about the wholesale vs. retail aspect. Ishibashi isn't
closing them out. If they were, the price would be close to the
same. When you buy a guitar direct from Ishibashi, you are paying
full retail. no deals. It's not a wholesale price, or a "factory
direct" price. It's full retail. Ishibashi has huge retail stores
in Japan.
People tend to forget that everyone has a cut in the final price
of that product. It doesn't cost Ishibashi $700 to produce that
guitar, probably more like $150 -$175. then they sell it to fender
for $275 - Fender sells it to MF for $399. MF sells it ( or tries to)
for $699. Everyone has their hand in it. I think a lot of
people are thinking about this too much, and making a bigger deal out
of it than it is. These have to be standard issue CIJ Jags and
Jazzmasters.
Personally, I think you can hardly go wrong for $400 bucks for a
jazzmaster, or $500 for a jag. I have owned both MIJ and CIJ
jazzmasters and jags, and they are great deals. I've played
American reissue as well, and it is hard to justify the difference
in price ( esp. right now with the deals) It almost three times the
price for the American guitar.
Anyway thats my angle on it, I could be all wet. Of course this
is a surf forum..... Thanks for the space to rant.
Chris ( kahunatikiman)
--- In , "supertwangreverb"
<supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> "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."
>
> I agree...however I think the Jazzmaster is bigger in Japan than
here
> just because of the Ventures fame.
>
>
>
>
> --- In , "Jerry" <jerry.soetewey@b...>
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > "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.
