Fender Japan Part #13
Made in Japan Traditional Series
MODERN FEEL, CLASSIC SOUL
First Series
Blending Fender’s traditional approach to instrument making with Japan’s exceptional craftsmanship, the Made in Japan Traditional Series, launched on September 13, 2017, to celebrate thirty-five years of Fender Japan, replaced the Japan Exclusive Series and struck a rare balance between quality and affordability.
In 2017, Master Builder Chris Fleming was invited to Japan to oversee its production. According to Chris, the team made several minor refinements in how the guitars were built: “I personally own a Japanese-made Fender from the 1980s, and I really like it. At the same time, I recognize that there was room for improvement. For this project, I focused primarily on refining the truss rod installation inside the neck, the precise gluing of the fingerboard, fret installation, and the final setup. These adjustments not only enhance the guitar’s functionality but also its overall feel.”
However, other improvements were made. The headstock decal was updated from a printed logo to a water-applied decal over the finish, appealing to vintage enthusiasts. It is even possible to notice the faint cloud-like shape around the edge of the logo in the photo.
Comparing the aged plastic parts from the old Japan Exclusive Series with those of the new Fender Made in Japan Traditional Series revealed not only a new color but also a new knob shape and font.
At the same time, the serial number was moved from the base of the neck to the back of the headstock.
An important detail not to overlook was the redesigned Telecaster body shape. The edge bevel was reduced from 5 mm to 3 mm, giving the guitar a slightly sharper, more defined profile.
This series showcased a diverse palette of colors, including new shades like Torino Red, Candy Blue, and Flamingo Pink.
“We also supported the supply of higher-quality parts and fully oversaw every aspect of the manufacturing process using modern indicators and analysis, ensuring that high-quality products can be delivered efficiently to customers. Personally, I find this new product announcement very exciting, and I am extremely proud to have been involved in its development. I sincerely hope that everyone in Japan will come to love the Made in Japan Traditional Series.”
Chris Fleming
Second Series
In early 2020, the Made in Japan Traditional Series was updated with a stronger focus on playability rather than vintage accuracy. The nut width was changed from 1.650” to 1.615”, and the fingerboard radius was modified from 7.25” to 9.5”.
Unlike previous models, the headstock logo decal used original data to reproduce the nuances and hues of the typeface accurately. Additionally, a topcoat was applied to the headstock decal, increasing the logo’s durability.
Another characteristic is the use of environmentally friendly and easier-to-manufacture components. For example, the pickup-coil wire insulation has been changed from the traditional formvar to polysol. Formvar isn’t environmentally friendly, and it’s not entirely harmless to people either.
Similar to the Heritage Series, developed under the supervision of the Master Builder Mark Kendrick, Director of Global Build Standards at Fender, the new Traditional Series was based on U.S. design data for the body, neck, and headstock shapes. This change also allowed for the use of U.S.-made replacement parts.
“I’m not personally involved in every detail, but the Japanese team I worked with on the Made in Japan Heritage series took what they learned from me and built the MIJ Traditional series from that foundation. The Japanese team inherited Fender’s original DNA to create the Heritage series, and many of the ideas and concepts developed there have been applied to the Traditional series as well. They’ve done an absolutely great job.”
Mark Kendrick
