Fender Japan

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“There have been many requests for it to be re-released”: Fender Japan answers players’ calls and revives its cult 12-string Stratocasters and Telecasters for the first time in over a decade

By Matt Owen published 30 August 24

Fender first put out a 12-string electric in the 1960s, and it's been over 10 years since we last saw the firm produce expanded Strat and Tele models

Fender Japan continues its adventures in flamed-top guitars with new never-before-seen Hybrid Series II finishes

By Phil Weller published 26 June 24

The firm continues to push the aesthetic boundaries of some of its most iconic guitar templates with Twilight and Sunset Orange Metallic colorways

Fender Japan Made in Japan Art Canvas Esquire Hokusai models

“A special guitar that features art by world-renowned artists”: Fender Japan’s latest Art Canvas creations bring an iconic Japanese art landscape print series from the 1800s to the Esquire

By Matt Owen published 14 June 24

The three models celebrate the first anniversary of Fender's flagship Tokyo store, and each boasts a piece from legendary Japanese artist Hokusai's famed Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji series

“Combines the skills of the finest craftsmen and the traditions cultivated by Fender”: Fender celebrates the first anniversary of its flagship Tokyo store with an unprecedented Strat – and it’s made using an ancient Japanese coating

By Matt Owen published 13 June 24

No, it's not your standard black Strat – this was created using an ancient Japanese finishing technique, which has lead to a never-before-seen Strat aesthetic

“A unique look and function”: Fender Japan has revived the cult classic Cyclone – and it might be the most desirable Fender offset of the year

By Matt Owen published 24 May 24

The Mustang-esque model has been brought back to life with a few choice upgrades

“People have always gravitated to guitars by Fender Japan because you get so much more choice… The build quality is the best Fender makes outside the Custom Shop”: How the Japanese Fender offset conquered the world

By Jamie Dickson published 24 April 24

Fender Japan showed the world how radically offsets could be modified. We visited specialist Japanese guitar retailer Gas Station Guitars to chart the evolution of the MIJ offset

“A solid and luxurious look”: Fender Japan’s new Sandblast range is the firm’s tamest release in ages – but, thanks to a quirky finishing technique, also one of its most desirable

By Matt Owen published 18 April 24

Limited-edition Stratocaster, Telecaster and Jazz Bass models have been unveiled, each of which are treated to a nifty sandblast finish

“A series that is worthy of being called a ‘hybrid’”: Fender Japan’s latest Hybrid II models bring modernistic quilted tops and never-before-seen finishes to the Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Jazz Bass

By Matt Parker published 28 March 24

If you’ve ever wanted one of electric guitar’s classic outlines with a fresh quilted maple look, well, Fender Japan has answered your prayers...

Fender Japan Wasted Youth Telecaster and Fender Japan Wasted Youth Mustang Bass

Budweiser bodies and a new kind of competition stripe? Feast your eyes on Fender Japan’s early Christmas present: the Wasted Youth Telecaster and Mustang Bass collection

By Matt Owen published 22 December 23

Renowned graphic designer and Budweiser creative director Verdy has lent his keen eye for eye-catching aesthetics to FJ's 2023 end-of-year releases

Fender Made In Japan Limited Sparkle Telecaster

Fender Japan does its best Gretsch impression with uber-sparkly, Filter’Tron-loaded limited-edition Telecaster

By Matt Owen published 23 November 23

As the hype builds, surely it's only a matter of time before FJ instruments are made available outside of Asia?

Fender Japan Elemental Jazzmaster electric guitar

Fender Japan has developed a rabid cult following, but do its crazy-limited electric guitars live up to the hype? I finally gave in and bought one to find out

By Michael Astley-Brown published 20 November 23

The achingly chic Elemental Series is one of Fender Japan’s most lusted-after recent launches. I snapped up the Jazzmaster to discover if MIJ guitars are worthy of their obsessive fandom

Fender Japan Souichiro Yamauchi Stratocaster Custom

Meet the Stratocaster Custom, a Fender Japan signature model that combines the Strat and Tele into a unique new form – and it’s absolutely full of surprises

By Matt Parker published 25 October 23

Fujifabric frontman Souichiro Yamauchi takes a bold step on his third Fender Japan signature model, which marries features from his favorite Strat and Tele

Fender Japan Limited Edition Adjusto-Matic Jazzmaster HH

Fender Japan has unveiled another knockout limited-edition Jazzmaster – in the face of Fender’s offset boom, will it be made available overseas?

By Matt Owen published 15 September 23

The popularity for offsets has grown “exponentially” over the past few years, and introducing Fender Japan models to wider markets would go a long way to satisfy the demand

Fender ushers in a new chapter of its history by opening flagship Tokyo store – and celebrates the milestone with three custom Acoustasonic Telecasters

By Matt Owen published 26 July 23

A handful of other premium edition Telecasters and Stratocasters have also been introduced to mark the Big F's first-ever physical store

Fender Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster Limited Run Sakuraburst

Fender debuts limited-run Sakuraburst MIJ Hybrid II Stratocaster – and this one’s actually available outside of Japan

By Michael Astley-Brown published 30 May 23

Previously a Japan-only exclusive, could the arrival of this fresh ’burst herald a change in tack from Fender?

Fender Japan's Traditional Series Competition Stripe models

Fender Japan doubles down on its vintage hot streak with racing stripe-equipped Traditional ‘60s Competition Stripe collection

By Matt Owen published 28 March 23

Olympic White Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters, Mustangs and Precision Basses make up the drop, which pairs 1960s aesthetics with modern Japanese craftsmanship – and a neat Competition-style body stripe

Fender Japan Traditional Stratocaster Limited Run Reverse Headstock

Fender Japan trades wild builds for classy vibes with stylish reverse headstock-equipped Traditional Stratocaster

By Matt Owen published 20 March 23

The latest limited-edition run from the Big F's Japanese factory will be available in the flagship Fender store in Japan, and features a narrower nut which “makes it easy for Japanese players to play”

Fender Japan launches the Elemental Series – high-spec, mid-priced models that will drive modern players wild

By Michael Astley-Brown published 16 December 22

With striking satin finishes, new pickguard shapes and high-performance spec sheets, these stunning guitars and basses are arguably 2022’s most exciting Fender guitars – so why are they only available in Japan?

Fender Japan Telecaster, Stratocaster and Jazzmaster

Fender Japan revives 3 of its top-selling – and best-looking – models of recent times in new limited-edition run

By Matt Owen published 2 December 22

A Hybrid II Telecaster and Stratocaster, as well as arguably the tastiest Traditional Jazzmaster of the year, headline Fender Japan's latest sensational drop

Fender Japan Michiya Haruhata signature Stratocaster

Fender Japan takes “heavy relic” to new heights with Michiya Haruhata’s new Masterbuilt signature Stratocaster

By Matt Owen published 9 November 22

The pop-rock guitar star takes a traditional turn with his latest signature model, which was Masterbuilt by Fender's Jason Smith

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