About Made in Japan Collection Bass Guitars

Welcome to Made in Japan Collection, a space dedicated to the finest basses and guitars Japan has to offer. The level of craftsmanship coming out of Japanese workshops represents a standard of perfection that stands entirely on its own. For players and collectors ready to look beyond the mainstream and explore the ultra-premium world of elite Eastern lutherie, consider this your direct gateway.

It all started with a simple search for a great bass guitar. You look at the usual options from Mexico or the US, but then you catch wind of what’s coming out of Japan that simply cannot be ignored. For me, the turning point was an original MIJ Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass. It was stunning, incredibly unique, and the craftsmanship was an absolute wake-up call. The wood selection, the fretwork, and the sheer attention to detail offered a level of playability that punches way above its weight class. It was a professional instrument for a street price.

That encounter sparked a fascination that quickly became a mission. I moved past the standard catalog, diving deep into non-export rarities and domestic-market gems.

But the deeper you go, the more you realize that the mainstream brands are just the gateway. The real magic is happening in Japan’s smaller boutique shops, names like Atelier Z, Moon, Vanzandt, Bacchus, Momose, and Xotic. These builders operate with an uncompromising commitment to perfection that commands respect.

Most players only ever dip their toes into the world of Japanese instruments. I built this platform to take you into the deep end, bringing the absolute pinnacle of unseen Japanese lutherie directly to the West. Each instruments in my collection are hand selected personally by me, inspected, tested, professionally set, before giving the final approval. Inspired by the Japanese luthiers, I take pride in delivering perfection out of the box.

- Akira K