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A few thoughts: MIJ vs. CIJ may involve may more wiggle room with regards to
taking advantage of the International Division of Labor. Any lawers out there?
The US Jags & Jazzmasters have superior metal parts. The collit that holds the
trem bar is brass on the imports, and hardened steel on the US models. The
materials and engineering involved with the US Fender Jag and Jazzmaster are
more costly. The magnets are a "High HC" material that was used by Fender for
only a couple of years in the early 60s. For Bill Turner {Fender pickup
designer} to be able to figure out the reason why he heard a difference in
sound in those old pickups would require Fender to spend some ca$h.
The paint used on the imports is polyester {plastic} The US guitars are
eurathane, or Nitro laquer, depending on the model. Shooting lacquer in
California required Fender to build a 5.5 million dollar paint facility.
Old guitars can sound better because of superior woods like Brazilian Rosewood
fret boards that are not legally available now. Neck shapes in the old days, in
my opinion, had to satisfy a professional player, not so much the less critical,
casual owners of today. That might be the reason why trying to copy those old
shapes for a small minority, is such a passion.
My white MIJ Jag with it's polyester paint, and basswood body has a great neck,
which is why I like all the Japan Fenders so much. The basswood on the Japan
guitars is a different variety than we get in the states, as I was told by the
head of Fender R&D. US guitars are a little too wide for my thumb-over big
stretches. Too bad for me because everything else is so right. Of course there
is always the Custom Shop, which has been making some great Jag and JMaster
one-offs, which, a few I've tried.
I guess that's enough rambling!
-dave
Gavin Ehringer <> wrote:This is not an attack on
Richard, just my own musings!
------
I am always amused about the US versus Japanese versus Mexican versus
vintage controversies and opinions regarding Fenders. I think there is
a certain amount of nationalistic pride and xenophobia when people
assert that the standard-production U.S. guitars are better and the
vintage guitars are best. And a certain amount of nostalgia too.
Isn't it a bit simplistic to think that Americans made better guitars
in the 1950s & 60s than they do today, and also believe they make
better guitars now than do the workers in Mexico, Japan and Korea?
I've owned a Mexican '50s Strat, a '96 Jap Jag, and an American Fat
Strat. I loved the tone and feel of the imports much better (granted,
the Fat Strat didn't really suit surf/rockabilly roots music). But as
far as set-up, finish, hardware, and overall quality, it would be
impossible to say that one was better than another.
Most of the cost differences among imports versus US made are simply
labor and I don't think US workers are any more conscientious than
the Japanese. That's why I drive a Honda.
Certainly, these low-budget Jags and Jazzmasters won't be of the same
quality as the American '62 Reissues (nor were they intended to be),
but I am confident they aren't much worse than or different from the
original Fender Jags and Jazzes, which were made at a time when quality
control and manufacturing technology weren't at the high standards of
today. I know Leo ran a tight ship, but I also know he and his floor
workers cut corners when need-be and it shows up in a lot of vintage
guitars. (Ever seen a sunburst pattern bleeding through under a custom
color? That's 'cause rather than strip a botched sunburst paint job,
they'd just shoot a custom color over it and add $5 to the price!
Which, to me, made perfect sense).
The only mods I made to my Jap Jaguar to get "that sound" were some SD
pickups that were more to my liking, plus new bridge saddle barrels and
heavier gage strings to solve a mild buzzing. Total cost for guitar +
$425 used, plus $50 for pups, $25 for saddles = $500). To me, it seems
these inexpensive Jags and Jazzmasters might just be worth it. Besides,
they'll always hold a resale close to these bargain-basement prices.
Too much time on my hands,
Gavin
> At $399.99 the Japanese JM seems like a killer deal,
> hands-down, but whenever you a buy a cheaper guitar
> there is always going to be a question of value...
.
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