FGN is the own brand of Fujigen, the Japanese factory behind Fender Japan, Greco and high-end Ibanez. It puts decades of OEM know-how into guitars and basses that carry the builder’s own logo.
This guide explains what makes FGN different, how its series line up, and how to buy one, including from outside Japan.
FGN Quick Facts
- Maker: Fujigen, Matsumoto, Nagano
- Brand: FUJIGEN name from 1999, FGN from 2000
- Signature feature: the Circle Fretting System (C.F.S.)
- Flagships: Expert ODYSSEY (EOS) and Expert FLAME (EFL)
- Series: Expert, J-Standard, Neo Classic and Masterfield
- Logos: FGN on catalog models, the full Fujigen logo on one-off customs
Start here
- Fujigen: the factory and the brands it built
- Fujigen History: from three cows to 14,000 guitars a month
- Which FGN Should You Buy?: the quick finder
- Buying FGN Outside Japan: what to know before you order
Why FGN: Fujigen Quality at a Direct-Sale Price
My take
A legendary factory’s guitar, without the middleman
Fujigen has built some of the most respected guitars ever made in Japan. With FGN you can buy a guitar with that factory’s own logo at a reasonable price, because it sells direct. The catch: distribution outside Japan is limited, so check how you will buy and service it before you fall in love with one.
FGN makes strong use of Fujigen’s long OEM experience and accumulated know-how. Players often praise the finish, the playability and the overall consistency, and a lot of people feel the quality is higher than the price suggests.
What Makes FGN Different
Circle Fretting System: Frets Set in a Slight Curve
Normally, frets are installed straight across the fingerboard. With the Circle Fretting System, the frets are set in a very slight curve so that the strings cross them at a more exact right angle, which is meant to improve things like pitch accuracy.
To be fair, not everyone feels a dramatic difference. Some repair shops may also charge extra for a refret on this system, or prefer not to handle it at all. If you ever need a refret, ask first, or go directly through a Fujigen shop.
Practical Specs Other Brands Skip
FGN is not only about traditional specs. It also makes models with small but thoughtful changes that solve practical problems: guitars designed for down-tuning, basses with pickup layouts you do not often see, and everything from unique working instruments to luxurious custom-style models. Original body shapes such as the Odyssey blend traditional and modern design.
FGN or Fujigen Logo: Catalog vs One-Off
There is a difference in the logos. Catalog models use the FGN logo, while one-off custom instruments use the full Fujigen logo. In Japan, Fujigen also accepts semi-custom personal orders, and you can choose the specifications through its website.
The FGN Lineup
On the Japanese site, the lineup is organized into four series:
| Series | Position | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Expert | The flagship series | Players who want the best FGN builds |
| J-Standard | The modern core of the range | Most players: modern specs at a sensible price |
| Neo Classic | Traditional designs and feel | Fans of classic Strat, Tele and Les Paul-style guitars |
| Masterfield | Full-hollow and semi-hollow models | Jazz and clean players |
The international site groups the same guitars by model family instead, such as Odyssey, Neo Classic, Boundary and the Masterfield hollow bodies, plus the Mighty Jazz and Mighty Power basses.
Expert ODYSSEY (EOS): FGN’s Original Flagship Superstrat
The Odyssey was the first original model Fujigen developed, and the Expert version, the EOS, is the brand’s flagship today. It is an SSH superstrat that blends a traditional outline with modern playability, and it reached its third generation, the EOS3, in a 2025 renewal.
What the specs mean for you: a compound-radius fingerboard is rounder near the nut for comfortable chords and flatter higher up for low action and easy bends. A sculpted heel joint opens up the top frets, and luminescent side markers stay visible on a dark stage. With two single coils and a humbucker plus extra mini switches, one guitar covers clean funk to high-gain leads.
J-Standard ODYSSEY (JOS): The Odyssey for About 100,000 Yen
If the EOS is the dream, the JOS is the realistic way in. It brings the Odyssey’s traditional-looking, modern-spec design to the J-Standard grade, and at Fujigen’s own online store a model such as the JOS2-TD-M sells for just under 100,000 yen including tax, about US$650 at 150 yen to the dollar. That is a Fujigen-built guitar at a price many players would expect to pay for a mid-range import.
You still get the features that matter: the Circle Fretting System, a compound-radius fingerboard, smoothed fret edges and an SSH layout with a coil tap, so the rear humbucker can also give you a crisp single-coil sound. The pickups are newly developed FGN units, with single coils aiming for a traditional sound and a vintage-style humbucker with a little extra heat.
Expert FLAME (EFL): The Single-Cut Flagship
The EFL is FGN’s take on the classic single-cut solid body: a mahogany body with a carved flame maple top on the FM models, a set mahogany neck and a 24.75-inch scale with two humbuckers. It is the FGN to look at if you love the Les Paul-style sound and feel.
Where it differs from a traditional single-cut is playability: the Circle Fretting System, a 10-to-14-inch compound-radius fingerboard for low action and easy bending, and a smoothed heel joint for upper-fret access. Like the EOS, the EFL can also be specified through Fujigen’s semi-order system in Japan.
Which FGN Should You Buy?
| You want… | Look atSeries / model |
|---|---|
| Modern rock and metalSuperstrat | Expert ODYSSEY (EOS), or J-Standard JOS for about 100,000 yen |
| Les Paul, Strat or Tele styleVintage feel | Expert FLAME (EFL) or Neo Classic |
| Jazz and clean tonesHollow body | Masterfield |
| Bass4 and 5 strings | Mighty Jazz, Mighty Power, Neo Classic basses |
| Something made for youCustom | Semi-custom order (Japan) |
Buying FGN Outside Japan
This is the part to plan before you buy. FGN’s distribution outside Japan is limited, so the model you want may not be stocked near you.
- Check local dealers first: the FGN international site has a dealer directory by country.
- Japanese retailers: some ship internationally, but factor in shipping, import duty and the hassle of returns.
- Plan for service: because of the Circle Fretting System, ask a local tech about refrets before you buy.
- Custom orders: semi-custom personal orders are offered in Japan.
- Visit if you can: Fujigen Custom House Ikebukuro in Tokyo is the place to try them in person.
Related Brands
Final Thoughts
With FGN, you are buying from a factory that has built for some of the biggest guitar brands in the world, and that track record creates trust. Some people feel Fujigen guitars are almost too consistent, maybe a little too safe. If you want stable, well-made quality at a fair price, though, FGN is one of the best-kept secrets in Japanese guitars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FGN the same as Fujigen?
Yes. FGN is the own brand of Fujigen, the Japanese factory. Catalog models carry the FGN logo, while one-off custom instruments carry the full Fujigen logo.
Are FGN guitars made in Japan?
FGN is Fujigen’s brand, and Fujigen is based in Matsumoto, Nagano. Check the country of origin for the specific model you are buying.
What is the Circle Fretting System?
Frets set in a very slight curve so the strings cross them at a more exact right angle, meant to improve pitch accuracy. Some repair shops charge extra for a refret or prefer not to handle it.
Are FGN guitars good value?
Many players feel the quality is higher than the price suggests, helped by Fujigen selling direct.
Can I buy FGN guitars outside Japan?
Yes, but distribution is limited. Check the FGN dealer directory for your country, or buy from a Japanese retailer that ships internationally.
Which FGN series should I choose?
Expert is the flagship, J-Standard the modern core, Neo Classic the traditional line and Masterfield the hollow bodies.
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