[quote="thejedipunk"]Japanese Fenders that are sold for the Japanese market come stock with American pickups.[/quote]

Oh, that's right. The pickups aren't that bad, the pots and stuff are what suck. I would still opt for Lollars or Stuarts instead, but the American Fender pups are okay. Just pop a Callaham control plate assembly on that bad boy, and you're ready to go.

I'd say the Japanese guitars are about equal to American ones, and sometimes are better. They're cheaper mostly because they're made overseas.

I would take an upgraded Japanese '52 Tele reissue over an American Vintage guitar anyday. Possibly because the finish on a AV 52 reissue is utterly horrible, and has been for a few years now. It's really thick and goopy, and the awful pumpkin color looks nothing like a 1952 Tele would. Every AV 52 Tele I've played has been like this.