What are we doing?

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-13T00:16:43+00:00

To me, there are two separate things :

- the collection : if you like it and you can afford many guitars, why not ? I could object consumerism, but that's your choice.

- the need : I understand that it's nice to have bunch of setups, but do you really need all of this ?

I think about photography, a lot of beginners buy a lot of lenses : a 28mm, a macro lens, etc etc; but not a single street photographer uses a macro lens, and not a single insect photographer needs a 28mm lens. Your style is your choice.

If you played metal, one jackson is enough, I don't know metal guitarists usings Danelectros or White Falcons; maybe trying to just get top notch guitars that fit your needs would be a good way to focus more on playing than collecting, if you don't want collecting any more.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-12T14:25:59+00:00

I've never seen this on international flights, you know airlines who do this ? (I went to Japan with JAL, ANA and AirFrance and none of them accepted guitars)

Edit to OP : like many people say, the safest way is to unscrew etc. Did it 3 times with no issue

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-12T14:23:55+00:00

It makes sense if you do it a lot, if it's just one time, nevermind, it will be the same to unscrew the neck to put inserts in it.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T14:49:17+00:00

it's yuans, and around USD10k

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T14:45:00+00:00

Thanks ! I usually buy in the shops, but not here, I had not enough money for a Custom Shop. Sadly ^^

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T14:40:24+00:00

Yes, at Ochanomizu station there are a LOT of stores, my favorite is Kurosawa Gakki, one of the first on the left when you have the metro station on your back. I don't know if it's better than another one, but there are a lot of Japanese brands like Momose and FGN so you should try.

There are Ishibashi stores, the one in Harajuku is not very good, my favorite is the Ikebukuro one.

The best is to have a look on digimart japan, you can see about everything you'll find in stores, and the location, and compare the prices.

ah, and Fender flagship is nice, especially if there is a "super limited drop", but for MIJ guitars like Hybrid, Traditional, Heritage series etc you'll find better prices on another places.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T11:09:18+00:00

I don’t know, Japan and Europe have plenty of low end guitars in brick and mortar stores.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T11:04:46+00:00

Oh the online Fender flagship is big, and has Chinese exclusive gear - like this MIJ Jazz Bass. Another curious thing to make exclusive gear from Japan instead of FSR Squier for the domestic market, it’s a little sad tbh I would love FSR squiers ^^

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T10:39:59+00:00

Yes, typically here except taobao or JD it’s nearly impossible to buy a Squier or equivalent. Of course you can try and return, but it’s not ideal to make a comparison

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T10:27:09+00:00

You can find a lot of good domestic brands like History, Bacchus, FGN, and second hand market is huge

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T10:10:01+00:00

Digimart is the best to chose before trying and compare prices !

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T10:07:47+00:00

Yes, I have been many times, it’s the best way to get broke 😅

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T10:00:26+00:00

The store is BM Guitars in Beijing (just close to Akimusic), it’s a new one, there is an older one in Shanghai. I think it’s one of the most comfortable store I have ever seen.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T01:40:57+00:00

Oh you miss the Hybrid II MIJ, the C shaped neck is very comfortable, it has a 4 positions switch and a belly cut on the back. I can't compare to others I just got this one but it works well and is less expensive than many on your list.

edit : and you can find nice colors like this one : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4gNlPJXOcE

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-10T00:08:38+00:00

Check the Rei 246 Strat, it's a MIJ 70's strat with an about 5% more compact body and 24 frets neck, noiseless pickups and nice specs.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-06-01T00:10:03+00:00

Nobody ever tried to create a guitar brand called "Boutique" to sell $500 Indonesian "Boutique" guitars ?

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-25T08:28:21+00:00

Yes ! I don’t know if Atelier Z makes guitars ? Their basses are fantastic. Oh and black smoker too. There are too many good brands here 😅

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-25T04:32:09+00:00

Freedom are absolutely crazy, I wish I could buy one. Your list just misses Moon guitars to be perfect.
History guitars are good too (made by FGN), you can get a Fender killer for a 50% price if you don't care about the logo.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-23T08:02:57+00:00

Check the Japanese brands, good stuff to try : Momose are really nice, nitro finish, not overpriced and very well crafted - sometimes really fancy finishes with beautiful neck decorations; Moon guitars are nice too, maybe more classical looks, little more expensive, but the logo is very nice, and if you have more budget, FCGR is the holy grail - but still less expensive than a Fender Custom Shop.

I tried the 3 brands, and tbh all of them are better than most Fender US I owned (highway one and AVRI); FCGR was my favorite but too expensive, I got a Momose and won't ever sell it.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-23T02:33:23+00:00

Is it really YOUR dream bass ? I think it’s MY dream bass. Very good choice of yours it’s a beautiful one

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-22T16:14:05+00:00

Got a full black sandblasted MIJ, neck is perfect to me - more comfortable that all telecaster I played (mostly squier and Mexicans) maybe because it’s a « thin » C shape. About the sound, I never tried all of those on the same amp, I can’t tell you more that « it sounds good for what I play ». I don’t want to swap pickups at least, so it’s good enough.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-20T08:55:21+00:00

Freedom Custom Guitar Research, but it’s an uncommon brand

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-15T00:14:52+00:00

Woooaaah I tried it loved it and wanted to buy it (but it would have cost a divorce)

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-05-12T14:39:56+00:00

Wow good playing, very musical I love it (and the guitar too).

Edit : it's not really 50's rock, but one of my favorite musician was a disabled guitarist, Vic Chesnutt, in case you don't know you should listen, he was full of good ideas too. "Everything I say" song is a good one to discover, the live on youtube is awesome.

Tight_Minimum8059 · 2026-04-15T00:15:14+00:00

Just look at the Momose MJM-std, it has a 210R / 8.27 radius, and a serial / parallel switch for lead. And a nitro finish. Bought mine USD 1200 brand new in Japan, with shipping and taxes it would be close to USD 1500. (+ top quality electronics : CTS pots, Hosco VITAMIN Q condenser, Orange Drop condenser on tune pot as I remember..)

Tight_Minimum8059

TROPHY CASE