Taniguchi-Gakki for lefties

[BatUtilityBelt]

I get a little anxiety when I buy a guitar sight-unseen from another country, but it usually works out when I have. Everyone told me my Bach Explorer from the Czech Republic was a scam, but it arrived in perfect condition and is gorgeous. My Revelation 12 string RJT-60/12 arrived with shipping damage to the neck, and the shop in the UK replaced the neck with another at no cost to me, so it was great. Others from the UK have arrived without any issues. One really bad German return experience aside, it has been higher shipping costs that keep me from buying overseas very much.

So when I finally heard I could order a brand new lefty Fender Japan Jaguar from Taniguchi-Gakki for less than they sell for here used, the anxiety started. I hadn't even tried to shop there before, but they are a well-established lefty specializing guitar store in Tokyo. Their website has very little information per guitar, but shows their inventory reasonably, and their regular local pricing. That pricing includes sales tax, so if you want a quote for an international grab without sales tax, you have to email a request to them. And so I did.

I anticipated a quote back with shipping exceeding the removed tax, but was surprised to receive a quote including shipping and insurance lower than their posted price. Seeing the dollar is doing well against the yen these days, I closed the deal in minutes. So I have a new MIJ Jaguar on its way. For lefties here, I'll document any hiccups or successes with this purchase after the guitar's 6,058 mile voyage.

[tobijohn]

I bought a high-quality Rick 620 copy from them a few years back. I had no problems and the communication was excellent. When it arrived, it had sustained some very minor aesthetic damage to it courtesy of the USPS and they did everything they could from their end to help me submit a claim.:

[BatUtilityBelt]

I bought a high-quality Rick 620 copy from them a few years back. I had no problems and the communication was excellent. When it arrived, it had sustained some very minor aesthetic damage to it courtesy of the USPS and they did everything they could from their end to help me submit a claim.:

That 620 copy looks fun too. I have a feeling I'll be keeping an eye on Taniguchi-Gakki's inventory after this.

[tobijohn]

That 620 copy looks fun too. I have a feeling I'll be keeping an eye on Taniguchi-Gakki's inventory after this.

I take a look at their site every so often. They used to have other brands that were made for the Japanese market like the Monogram with great pricing, but I haven't really seen many of those in a long time.

Just out of curiosity, I did a little digging through my records, and I bought it in October 2018 for just under $485 shipped. I planned on replacing the stock pickups with a set of real Rickenbackers but there was no need. As far as build quality, there is very little difference between the Monogram copy and my Rick 330, and the current 620s are priced at around $1700. The only thing I plan on doing to it is replace the R tailpiece with one that doesn't have an R because it isn't a Rickenbacker...

[BatUtilityBelt]

Ah, nice. This morning I had an email from Taniguchi Gakki with tracking, and they included photos of the guitar and packing.

[tobijohn]

FWIW, I was made aware of the shop by @Brendan, he would be a great reference for more info about them...