The streamlined six-strings trim down the scale but retain a 42mm nut width, and come equipped with Japan Junior Modified single-coils and wealth of satin colorways
(Image credit: Fender Japan)
You won’t be surprised to hear that Fender Japan – the Big F branch behind some of the company’s most eye-catching electric guitars – has delivered the goods once again. In fact, it’s delivered them in absolute spades.
Enter the Fender Japan Junior Collection – an all-new range that introduces streamlined, shorter-scale Stratocasters, Telecasters, Jazzmasters and Jazz Basses in a huge array of gorgeous satin colorways.
What make these six- and four-strings particularly special, though, are the dimensions. Sporting body sizes that are scaled down to around 94 percent of their larger siblings, each electric boasts a 24” scale length – a pretty substantial shrinkage from the usual 25.5” – while the bass has been shortened from 34” to 30”.
In an effort to differentiate them from “mini guitars” that may lack playability, Fender Japan has kept hold of the 42mm nut width for all electrics, meaning they shouldn’t feel too different from standard Strats or Teles.
There’s also a new body cavity design that strips away some weight, a palate of sleek finishes and specially designed Japan Junior Collection Modified pickups.
Read on to find out more about Fender Japan’s latest home run.
Fender Japan Junior Collection Stratocaster in Black(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Stratocaster Three-Color Sunburst(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Stratocaster in Satin Shell Pink(Image credit: Fender Japan)
As previously mentioned, the Japan Junior Stratocaster has a 24” scale length and a downsized, cavity-design body that is made from basswood. This is paired with a maple neck and a choice of either a rosewood or maple fretboard, dependent on finish.
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Some of the colors on tap include Satin Daphne Blue, Satin Vintage White and Satin Surf Green, as well as the more conventional Arctic White and Black.
Other appointments include 22 narrow tall frets, a 9.5” fingerboard radius and a two-point synchronized tremolo bridge system with steel saddles.
As for pickups, the smaller Strat debuts the Japan Junior Collection Modified single-coils, which, aside from their new design, otherwise subscribe to the Strat’s usual control layout of a five-way selector switch, master volume knob and two tone controls.
Fender Japan Junior Collection Telecaster
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Fender Japan Junior Collection Telecaster in Arctic White(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Telecaster in Black(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Telecaster in Satin Surf Green(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde(Image credit: Fender Japan)
The Japan Junior Telecaster features all the standout specs from the Strat, including the 94 percent-sized body, 24” scale length and new cavity design, as well as the basswood body and maple neck. The same wealth of vintage and contemporary colorways is also on display.
Specific specs to note with the Tele include the hardware – comprising a string-through-body vintage-style bridge plate with steel saddles – as well as the pickups, which are Telecaster-specific Japan Junior Modified single-coils.
The usual Tele control layout makes the cut, too, meaning the new pickups are at the mercy of a three-way selector switch and master volume and tone controls.
Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazzmaster
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Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazzmaster in Satin Daphne Blue(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazzmaster in Three-Color Sunburst(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazzmaster in Satin Vintage White(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Last in the electric department is the Japan Junior Jazzmaster, which might just be a surf rocker’s dream instrument, what with the satin surf colorways and downsized offset dimensions.
Unsurprisingly, the same specs have been applied to the Jazzmaster and, aside from the instrument-specific appointments – such as the Japan Junior Modified Jazzmaster pickups and floating tremolo tailpiece – it’s very much a standard Japan Junior six-string.
That means it has a 94 percent-sized basswood body, maple neck, 24” scale length and a choice of either rosewood or maple fingerboards. It’s also worth noting the control layout, which features a three-way selector switch on the upper bout and sole volume and tone controls.
Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazz Bass
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Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazz Bass in Satin Shell Pink(Image credit: Fender Japan)
Fender Japan Junior Collection Jazz Bass in Satin Daphne Blue(Image credit: Fender Japan)
The three electrics are joined by the Japan Junior Jazz Bass, which, again, features a basswood body size that is 94 percent of the original’s dimension, treated to a weight-relieving body cavity design.
Available in the same colors that can be found on the six-strings, the Jazz Bass features a 30” scale length and a 1.5”-wide nut, as well as a pair of Japan Junior Modified Jazz Bass single-coils.
Prices for the models start at ¥119,900 (approx $980), but unfortunately, as is the case with most Fender Japan offerings, the entire Japan Junior Collection is exclusive to the Japanese guitar market.
You can check out the whole range over at Fender Japan.
Matt is a Senior Staff Writer, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
