The ShadowMusic Web Community

The biggest problem I had with both the MIJ and Jap Hank sig, was the fingerboard profile, I just don't get on with a 7.5 radius. I favour 9.5 which is available on both the MIM Classic Player strats and since they don't do FR, I bought a two tone sunburst and got Ian Harper to respray it, so if you were up to a little bit of cosmetic work, it could be beneficial checking them out.

Another vote for the Classic Player 50's Strat.

Considering the price it's excellent,and sounds fine with the
pickups that are on it.

Alan

Two years ago I got one rosewood fiestared Strat from MIJ. A great guitar, looking and sounding fantastic! The sound of this guitar made me change pickups on my HM Signature Strat.
Best regards
Even Trygve Hansen
http://www.themooncats.com

AlanMcKillop wrote:The biggest problem I had with both the MIJ and Jap Hank sig, was the fingerboard profile, I just don't get on with a 7.5 radius. I favour 9.5 which is available on both the MIM Classic Player strats and since they don't do FR, I bought a two tone sunburst and got Ian Harper to respray it, so if you were up to a little bit of cosmetic work, it could be beneficial checking them out.

If by FR you mean Fiesta Red then you haven't been to the right shop Alan.. Last week I was at my local musical instruments shop and
guess what I played on whilst there..??Ahaaa...you guessed it..lol...a MIM Fiesta Red 1957 reissue Strat!!By the way,i already mentioned this in a
former post.Good guitar for not too much money!

Regards,
Ernie

My understanding is that the MIM '57 Classic Series does come in FR (and other colours), but the MIM Classic Player strats are different models, with the '50's series available in Shoreline Gold and Sunburst and the '60's series available in Sonic (I think) Blue and Sunburst. They may have added additional colours, but part of the sales blurb from Fender was that the Custom Shop designers of the guitars, wanted the colours restricted to two for each model.

Hi
I have a "Crafted in Japan" Blue Flower Strat which I bought new some years ago. It plays and feels great but the pickups were not quite to my taste, (a little bit thin and shrill). When I came to change them for Custom Shop 57/62s' I was rather suprised to find that the original pickups were the ceramic bar type, the pots were mini ones and that the pickup selector switch was of the printed circuit type found in cheap Encore guitars. The wiring was very thin and one wire fell off the switch when I touched it so it must have been hanging on by a thread. Having re-wired the guitar, replaced the pickups, pots and switch I'm very happy with it. I've no idea what the current crop of Japanese Fenders are like but I'd hope that they've upgraded their electrics.
Henry

My experience of MIJ Strats is that they are really well made guitars. It's just the electrics inc. their own home-made pickups are not up to USA quality. Once upgraded, you have one of the most playable guitars you have ever touched.You can buy the models with Alder bodies & US made pickups for a few extra Yen, anyway, & they are then equal to any US made standard Strat. The Jap necks are particularly good.

Tony.

David Martin wrote:I'm pondering the purchase of a rosewood board MiJ Fender in glorious Fiesta Red...

What are members' experiences of these guitars, and, in particular, the pickups as supplied...

David. You seem to treat guitars with the same interest that my wife treats shoes

She cant go by a shoe shop without having the urge to purchase something

Only joking

What kind of price range are we talking here?

Dunno... didn't ring up yet...

C'mon Barry

he can play it upside down - Hendrix style!!

Phil B