Fender Precision MIM Vs. MIA Comparison

kstearmer · #1 09-19-2010, 07:57 AM

I am thinking about getting a Precision to round out achieving the sounds that I like. Before I actually go somewhere to check them out, I wanted to see what are the actual physical characteristics that differ between the MIM and MIA other than where they are built. Thanks.

LotusCarsLtd52 · #2 09-20-2010, 08:57 PM

/Bump. Although I think the MIA has a 3-piece alder body and the MIM a 5-piece with a veneer. Not that that is a bad thing of course :-D

EagleMoon · #3 09-20-2010, 09:27 PM

Quality of body wood. MIA has better hardware and pickups as well.

okcrum · #4 09-20-2010, 10:26 PM

Factory tour at this link. They go to both the CA and Mexico plants. A little dated but still reasonably accurate.

http://www.guitarstop.com/tour/indexT.htm

zachoff · #5 09-20-2010, 10:34 PM

Just play 'em... They're like night and day. Honestly, I've thought the last 6 or 8 MIMs I've played have been worse than the Squier VMs. The new USAs blow both of them away in every way.

**nostatic** · #6 09-20-2010, 10:50 PM

Interesting. I just played a MIM that was better playing and sounding than any of the MIA examples on the wall. As always with Fender, there is variability in the production. Good and bad examples exist no matter where they are built.

recreate.me · #7 09-20-2010, 11:15 PM

I think the sound you are looking for changes your opinion on the MIM or MIAs. The MIAs have more of a vintage sound, with better pickups. The MIM i find have a bit of a harsh modern sound. I think the bodies are normally not THAT big of a difference but a good MIA against a bad MIM is like night and day.

The necks are a difference, and if your buying the whole bass get the MIA even if its just for a more comfortable bass, the necks and the way they are assembled can really be worth it (unless your using your own neck, or assembling it yourself, or if you happen to try a bunch and get a great MIM)

Personally i opted for a slightly used MIM precision, and Seymour Duncan antiquity, and refinished the neck myself, and swapped out the bridge for a Gotoh.

Saved about 75% the cost of a MIA, and love it.

mr.mow · #8 09-20-2010, 11:21 PM

I have a RW PBass (Mexi) and a Custom Shop 59 PBass.

Differences? In playing, the US feels a little more 'refined' and finished, in sound.. Not much to be honest.

Cost wise.. the RW is 1/3 the price of the custom shop.

xray · #9 09-20-2010, 11:38 PM

I have a MIM '50s Pbass and it's ok compared to others. It's definitely a lot heavier, at least to me. I didn't like the pickups at all so I replaced them. Tuners are cheap as well. So let see: Bart pickups - 118, vintage hipshots 75. 193 + 575 = MIA Precision. It never pays to go cheap - go with your heart by the real thang and you won't have any regrets.

bass-flyer · #10 09-21-2010, 12:01 AM

Speaking of the MIM '50s Classic P, I have two and to many, they are considered the "best bang for the buck".
Compared to a '01 MIM Standard P I had (Which played and sounded great) ..... the '50s P is built much better IMHO.
Better tuners, pups, finish.
I can't say about the new MIM Standard.

I myself, don't have a problem with the '50s pups OR the tuners.
I bought my two '50s off eBay .... both were sweet deals!

Jeff K · #11 09-21-2010, 09:15 AM

Yeah, BassFlyer, I love my Classic '50s P also. Like you said, excellent bang for the buck, and killer sound. They have U.S. pups in them. Lots of folks complain about the tuners, but I've had no problem at all with mine ('06). Pretty smooth, and hold tune extremely well. This is the only MIM Fender I've ever owned (have/had a bunch of MIAs), and it holds it's own against all of them. So I can't really speak to the quality of other MIMs, but this one is great. And I've never heard anybody say a bad word about the RoadWorn MIMs either.

efe_gallagher · #12 08-12-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Interesting. I just played a MIM that was better playing and sounding than any of the MIA examples on the wall. As always with Fender, there is variability in the production. Good and bad examples exist no matter where they are built.

I've played some MIM's and a few MIA's. To be honest the only differences I've found is the Pickups on the MIMs lack definition and the bass feels more light on the MIA's. I think (Given the fat, growling sound I look for) a MIM with new pickups would suit me better. But the keyword is "suit ME better"

39-Bassist · #13 08-12-2011, 08:36 PM

#1-MIA
#2-MIJ
#3-Squier CV
#4-MIM
Just my personal feelings......

bassbenj · #14 08-12-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

Just play 'em... They're like night and day. Honestly, I've thought the last 6 or 8 MIMs I've played have been worse than the Squier VMs. The new USAs blow both of them away in every way.

Honestly, Doesn't anyone here get it? You just go to the store and arrange the Fender basses on the wall in order of price! The best bass will be at the high price end of the rack, the worst bass at the low price end! YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!!

Which makes me wonder why I'm playing a MIM jazz instead of all the MIA jazz basses I looked at?

One thing though. Recent Fender basses (especially 5s) have been improved and are on average better than mine (2002). Mine plays like a dream and is stable as a rock but pickup tone leaves a bit to be desired.

madmatt · #15 08-12-2011, 10:54 PM

As far as differences go, I think one is made in Mexico and the other is made in America.
But I could be wrong...

ljazz · #16 08-13-2011, 03:17 AM

I posted in a previous thread about a trip to a local shop and the differences I found in the basses, and how the overall quality of the MIA's was visibly better. However, the store recently received in a new MIA P.... American Special. I was amazed, as was the store, at how horrible the fret work was. The thing was pretty much unplayable above the 12th fret. A quick check with a straight edge showed several frets that were much lower than the rest. Drag, because I've been on a Fender MIA kick recently.

Johntheson · #17 08-13-2011, 06:14 AM

It's always been a "dogs and diamonds" market. I've been playng for 49 years now, and during that time, I've played some 50's-present dogs, and I've played the same time span, and played some jewels. When people tell you to "go play as many as you can"; they are giving you the best advice available. I recently bought one of the classic 60's jazz basses, and I happened to get a real winner. My cousin has a 64 jazz bass that is in mint condition; he has used it to play all the bass parts on three records they did in Nashville. We don't get to see each other as much now as we've gotten older, but this past week he came over, and played my classic 60's bass, and he raved on and on about how much better of a bass it was than his vintage one. I've got guitars all the way from the early 50's on up, and unfortunately there are a couple in the pack, that just are very average guitars. I've got a vintage Martin D28 that is just a disapointing guitar. I have an D41 that is like an angelic harp from heaven. It's just the way it is. I have always bought the MIA made guitars when I bought one, and this classic 60's jazz is my first MIM instrument. I can say, without fear of successful contradiction, that the MIM I got is running very close to the MIA models. You have to play them first. "That's good advice".
John Sr.

Lync · #18 08-13-2011, 08:12 AM

I always wonder how many "I've played this and it was a dog" or "I tried this and it was better than any MI* etc" statements are attributed to fresh strings and a set up instrument?

Just saying...

Johntheson · #19 08-13-2011, 02:00 PM

That's a very valid point Lync. The strings/setup, ect., does make a difference. I also agree with an often made point that, a good instrument, even an electric instrument; will sound good acoustically/unplugged.

P. Aaron · #20 08-13-2011, 04:40 PM

I was thinking of an MIM Precision because at the time, I just didn't want to spend the money. I ran the rack of MIM P's at GC and asked the helpful sales guy why 'those Fenders were so much more expensive?' He said; "better wood & electronics". I asked to try one...he said 'sure'.

6 notes or so into the MIA Precision and I was putting a deposit down on it.