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Best Electric Guitars Made In Japan in 2023
Here are the top electric guitars made in Japan . You should expect a high-quality guitar with excellent quality control. It can be compared to guitars made in the US, which is why they're also expensive.
After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.
There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.
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From ESP E-II's 2021 Horizon-III series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Flamed Maple top Mahogany body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom-5 (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
From ESP E-II's 2021 Horizon-III series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Flamed Maple top Mahogany body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom-5 (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesESP E-II Horizon-III FR
Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Coil Split Pickups Tremolo Retainer Bar Strap Lock Cheap Fret Wire (NS) No Weight Relief No Luminescent Inlay No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
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From Ibanez's 2022 LM series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius Alder body Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs 5-way Switch Gotoh T1702B bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads tuners Compare Specs >
From Ibanez's 2022 LM series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius Alder body Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs 5-way Switch Gotoh T1702B bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesIbanez LM1
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Bone Nut Top Brand Pickups Coil Split Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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From Charvel's 2021 Artist Signature series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Ash top Basswood body Caramelized Maple neck
Caramelized Maple fretboard Bridge pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: Charvel Custom Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 5-way Switch Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge bridge Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
From Charvel's 2021 Artist Signature series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Ash top Basswood body Caramelized Maple neck
Caramelized Maple fretboard Bridge pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: Charvel Custom Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 5-way Switch Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge bridge Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesCharvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Made in Japan Ivory Tusq Nut Top Brand Pickups Coil Tap Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard No Expensive Woods No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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From ESP's 2017 Horizon-III series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Alder body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
From ESP's 2017 Horizon-III series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Alder body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesESP Horizon-III
Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Tremolo Retainer Bar Cheap Fret Wire (NS) No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option No Weight Relief No Luminescent Inlay No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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From Schecter's 2023 California Classic series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius Solid Maple Cap/Quilted Maple Veneer top Swamp Ash Semi-Hollow body Flamed Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena Plus (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: (/)
Neck pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 5-way Switch Schecter Nouveau 2-Point Tremolo bridge Custom C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Nouveau Locking Tuners tuners Compare Specs >
From Schecter's 2023 California Classic series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius Solid Maple Cap/Quilted Maple Veneer top Swamp Ash Semi-Hollow body Flamed Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena Plus (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: (/)
Neck pickup: Schecter USA MonsterTone Stack (Single Coil/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 5-way Switch Schecter Nouveau 2-Point Tremolo bridge Custom C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Nouveau Locking Tuners tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter California Classic
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Black Tusq XL Nut Top Brand Pickups Coil Split Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo No Neck-Through Build No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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From ESP E-II's 2021 Horizon series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Quilted Maple top Mahogany body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
From ESP E-II's 2021 Horizon series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Quilted Maple top Mahogany body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesESP E-II Horizon FR-II
Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Coil Split Pickups Tremolo Retainer Bar Strap Lock Cheap Fret Wire (NS) No Weight Relief No Luminescent Inlay No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
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From Ibanez's 2022 TQM series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius Maple(4mm) top Alder body 1pc Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners Compare Specs >
From Ibanez's 2022 TQM series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius Maple(4mm) top Alder body 1pc Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesIbanez TQMS1
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Bone Nut Top Brand Pickups Parallel Split Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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From Ibanez's 2022 AZ series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius Alder body Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs 5-way Switch Gotoh T1702B bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners Compare Specs >
From Ibanez's 2022 AZ series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius Alder body Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive) Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Single Coil (Single Coil/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs 5-way Switch Gotoh T1702B bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesIbanez AZ2204NW Prestige
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Bone Nut Top Brand Pickups Series Split Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Alder body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Alder body 3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original bridge Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesESP E-II Arrow
Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Tremolo Retainer Bar Strap Lock Cheap Fret Wire (NS) No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option No Weight Relief No Luminescent Inlay No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
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From Ibanez's 2018 MM series Made in Japan
7 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Flamed Maple top African Mahogany body Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 5-way Switch Gotoh T1872S tremolo bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads tuners Compare Specs >
From Ibanez's 2018 MM series Made in Japan
7 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Flamed Maple top African Mahogany body Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 5-way Switch Gotoh T1872S tremolo bridge AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads tuners Compare Specs >
Strengths & WeaknessesIbanez MM7
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Made in Japan Expensive Wood Black Tusq XL Nut Top Brand Pickups Coil Tap Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
All Prices
