I have a 2002 CIJ Jazzmaster. The original owner hated this guitar for 1 reason only, the horribly shrill strat pups that are fitted to all Japanese jazzmasters. It was basically a stratocaster with a jazzmaster tremelo system. After doing much research, I fitted Curtis Novak pickups (vintage neck, p90 bridge). Now ive got a Jazzmaster that rivals any. Tone to die for. So imo, the Japs are worth buying if you prepared to swap pickups. There are loads of different ones to choose from but i’d highly recommend the Novaks…