K-On! has proved a big hit for Kyoto Animation, but it also seems to be turning into a hit for Fender, who make the prominently featured bass guitar Mio Akiyama wields.
In fact, even the Fender staff are watching with approval…
Their informal blog post runs along these lines:
Wow! “K-ON!” is awesome.
Sakurakou Keionbu looks like hot stuff.
What’s more, the bass player Mio-chan is using quite a vintage jazz bass (the 62 JAZZ BASS), and she’s a lefty as well… it’s so moe.
I predict a break [?].
Adios!
Could this presage a Mio-Fender tie-in at some point? This would be sure to have a crushing impact on the finances of those otaku obsessively hankering after the show’s instruments for use as trophies or display pieces…
Via the Fender Staff Blog.
If they make a signature Mio Jbass, it will be the first ever fender signature model for a fictional character!
Crazy.
62 Jazz Bass…
Man I would kill for that fine Lady!
Mio’s bass goes for $622 on amazon.co.jp Of course the fun part is Fender Japan cannot export their models to the US.
And I guess no one is otaku enough to plunk down $2500 for Yui’s Gibson LP.
I’ve also caught comments by some musicians who can’t even touch a Gibson after playing guitar for 20 years,see Yui get one as a “starter.”
Mio!!! XD
I smell limited products coming, or at least K-On related “official” instruments.
Even if Fender releases a Limited “Mio Edition” Jazz Bass, it’ll probably be from Fender Japan and as such for the most part confined to the Japanese market.