Now I'm in way in the market for getting a new guitar. I was just wondering what you guys thought about ordering a Japanese Fender online, from a store like: [url]http://guitarjapan.com/fenderjapan/index.html[/url]

It looks like you can get some more varied color/pickup combinations from more rare models, like the Mustang and Jaguar...but...online? How would you even know if this place is credible?

Is ordering online just not a good idea, unless its from a well-known place like Musicians Friend?

how credible the store is doesnt matter, i would never trust a guitar i couldnt pick up and play before plunking down $400+

[quote="AWPJudy"]how credible the store is doesnt matter, i would never trust a guitar i couldnt pick up and play before plunking down $400+[/quote]

Noted.

Guitar Japan is too expensive.

http://www.ishibashi-music.com/fenderjp/index.htm

Never, ever, EVER, buy a guitar without playing it first, especially if you're gonna spend that much. You could get it and find out its a complete POS, or maybe it just isn't what you wanted at all. It's easy to get excited over guitars you see online (I do it all the time ), but remember, that's not the only place to get them. Plus, if you're serious about playing (and I know you are), the appearance of a guitar shouldn't matter. I know it's cool to have a guitar that you like, and that's visually attractive, but it's the same old concept "function over fashion".

Believe it or not, guitars all do have their own unique sound and feel, even if it's a very minor difference from others. And it'd be a good idea to go to a guitar store and just sit down and play as many guitars as you can. Seriously, it'll open up your eyes to the huge variety of sound and feel that come from different guitars. Some jackasses go to the guitar store and shred on a guitar all day long, trying to show off. Don't worry about your skill, and don't worry about your volume (don't worry about everyone else, it's a guitar store after all, not a library). If you're testing out a guitar for real, you're already 100 steps ahead of those guys who just go there to try and impress people.

Sometimes shops like Guitar Center will order a guitar for you, and let you return it for a full refund if you don't like it. Basically, they will only do this if they know they can turn around and sell it anyways, so ask them first. Sometimes, you CAN order a guitar online and do this as well, but make sure it's from a reputable place, or else you might end up with the short end of the stick.

I really believe that guitars are important purchases, and they should really suit the owner perfectly. Good guitarists know all of their scales and modes, they can play all of their favorite songs, or maybe they can play blazing fast solos. Great guitarists have an understanding as well as a connection with the guitar, they play what feels best to them, not always what sounds best to others, but they ALWAYS have fun while doing it. So, in my opinion, a guitar is a serious purchase, and you should really "get to know" the guitar first (take it into the bathroom at the guitar store and get in there and really feel how tight it is, don't be afraid to blow a load all over it, because the gloss finish wipes clean pretty easily).

PS: The cherry red ones are always the tightest.

[img]http://guitarjapan.com/image/Fender/lefthand/mg6977l_ywh_ll.jpg[/img]

next christmas, eh?

*grumble*hatebeinglefthanded*grumble*

No way! You're left handed too!? It sure is a pain in the ass eh? I'm after a Cyclone myself (I know, total pillows geek), but I'd "settle" for a Mustang.

Mustang>Cyclone... but I got one for christmas anyhow

[quote="BDMonster"]No way! You're left handed too!? It sure is a pain in the ass eh? I'm after a Cyclone myself (I know, total pillows geek), but I'd "settle" for a Mustang.[/quote]

im pretty sure they never made a single lefty cyclone, thats what i wanted too.. im gonna have to settle for ripping off manabe :O

[quote="AWPJudy"][quote="BDMonster"], but I'd "settle" for a Mustang.[/quote]
gonna have to settle for ripping off manabe :O[/quote]
Why would you want to rip off Sawao more than Manabe anyhow?

Nah man, they've made lefty Cyclones, they're just really really uncommon. I saw one on ebay long ago (still kicking myself for not getting it), and there's apparently some little kid band in Sweden that has a lefty Cyclone, and they don't play it because they aren't even left handed, unfortunately, they have no contact information or anything. Anyways, just so you know, there's hope for us!

I'd want to rip off Sawao cause he's the coolest guy ever (of course).

Weird little side-note:

Noodles' Yoko used to use a Mustang, but has recently switched to a Cyclone...and she has a BD-2 in her set up. Kweeeeeepy!

[quote="GoldenRhino"]Weird little side-note:

Noodles' Yoko used to use a Mustang, but has recently switched to a Cyclone...and she has a BD-2 in her set up. Kweeeeeepy! [/quote]

Old news.

[quote="thejedipunk"][quote="GoldenRhino"]Weird little side-note:

Noodles' Yoko used to use a Mustang, but has recently switched to a Cyclone...and she has a BD-2 in her set up. Kweeeeeepy! [/quote]

Old news.[/quote]

Not creepy; further proof that Sawao penetrates her on a regular basis. As do I.

[quote="Jomei"]Jun penetrates her on a regular basis.[/quote]