Was the move to a Japanese production ever explained?

[Chad]

Lynch was supposed to make a deal with some guy from Kramer at an airport or something, but the guy didn't show up or was late, Lynch took off and eventually went with ESP.

I believe that is Ed Roman's version of the story, so I'm not sure how legit it is.

[Chubtone]

aren't the fender era charvel san dimas and so cal necks, and post-2006 fender usa production models' necks (with the exception of fender custom shop) all made in mexico?

Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, when I toured the Fender factory and the C/J Custom Shop I saw the Fender guys making necks that are "shipped to Mexico" for installation on the MIM guitars.

[toejam]

I believe that is Ed Roman's version of the story, so I'm not sure how legit it is.

I thought I had read that in a magazine many years before I'd even heard of Ed Roman.

[shreddermon]

+1