Fender Standard Jazz Bass (MIM) - opinions?

[Kaleidescapist]

So, I'm in the market for my first bass. I'm new at playing this instrument, but have many solid years of experience with other stringed instruments (classical cello & a bit of guitar).

I'm after a fretless, and, because I have very small hands, something with that nice thin Jazz-style neck.

I spent this morning hopping from shop to shop trying out basses, looking for something in the $300-400 range as a sensible entry-level choice. I did try both fretless and fretted, and verified that I despise frets. Sadly, I'm accustomed to playing a much higher caliber of instrument than, say, a Squier, and they were neither fun nor satisfying.

Then I was handed an American Standard J-bass, fretless, and it was - almost a transcendent experience. Now, I live in Canada, where everything costs more, and there's no way in the world I can afford the American Fenders.

However, I also tried one of the Mexican Standard models, and, though it wasn't quite as magnificent an experience, it looked good, felt good, and sounded good. I felt like I'd probably be pretty happy with something like that, for a good long time.

I don't know much about electric instruments yet, really, and I also don't know anything about the Mexican Fenders. Are they sound? Would it last for years? Would it need a lot of setup work? Would I need to replace much of the hardware?

I would love to hear about your experiences with these instruments, and opinions on their quality and qualities.

[Supertanker]

A Mexican Fender generally is a fine instrument.

The quality has greatly improved since 2008.
Prior to '08 they were hit and miss.
I've played some IMO that exceeded similar US models.

If it plays good and sounds good, it is good.

A quick search will reveal many pages of threads about Mexican Fenders...

[bassfunk329]

There good I have a mim from 2000 but mine was also beat up and treated like crap, before I got to it. I've had it for about three years now and since then its been heavily modded new neck, pups, bridge etc etc etc. But I'm just rambling I have played the newer ones and there fantastic. The right set up your golden. But I wouldn't doubt after the years oxidization(if I spelt it right?) will catch up with the hardwear. Fender is great even squier. The only pain is both those neck pickups so limiting.

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Supertanker

A Mexican Fender generally is a fine instrument.

The quality has greatly improved since 2008.
Prior to '08 they were hit and miss.
I've played some IMO that exceeded similar US models.

If it plays good and sounds good, it is good.

A quick search will reveal many pages of threads about Mexican Fenders...

Yep.. I agree. I have a 2004 MIM Fender (fretted) and the quality is very good. Always play one before buying if at all possible as the QC may/can vary from one bass to another.

[Kael]

MIM Fenders are fine. I toured and recorded a couple albums with one before I got my MIA fretless J. That being said, see if you can find a squier VM fretless. They're a lot nicer than I would have expected prior to picking one up for the first time. A good MIM is still probably a better instrument, but not by that much. On the other hand, if you don't want an ebanol board, seymour duncan pickups and you want a pickguard (Jazz basses look wrong to me without one), then the Squier is an automatic no go.

Look used whatever you do. That way if you decide to upgrade later on, you can sell your old instrument for pretty much whatever you bought it for.

PS: Much of the feel of an instrument comes from the neck. Finding a cheaper instrument then getting a higher quality neck to put on it can land you a nicer playing instrument for less $. My MIA fretless J has a warmoth neck on it.

[Kaleidescapist]

Originally Posted by Kael

MIM Fenders are fine. I toured and recorded a couple albums with one before I got my MIA fretless J. That being said, see if you can find a squier VM fretless. They're a lot nicer than I would have expected prior to picking one up for the first time. A good MIM is still probably a better instrument, but not by that much. On the other hand, if you don't want an ebanol board, seymour duncan pickups and you want a pickguard (Jazz basses look wrong to me without one), then the Squier is an automatic no go.

I actually played the fretless Squier VM today. It just felt - clunky. Especially compared to the MIM Standard, and the MIA Standard - but even on its own, it just felt less like an instrument and more like a toy. Maybe that was just a bad one, but it definitely failed to please... Nothing against Squier, or the VM - I tried a lot of other entry-level basses, and most of them felt similarly dissatisfying.

I'm definitely looking for used if I can find it, but I live in a province which has very few instrument shops and not that many musicians compared to other places. And I absolutely can't buy without trying first; that would be unthinkable. The likelihood of finding the exact instrument I want, secondhand, here, is almost nonexistent. So I'm probably going to go with new.

[tangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Kaleidescapist

I actually played the fretless Squier VM today. It just felt - clunky. Especially compared to the MIM Standard, and the MIA Standard - but even on its own, it just felt less like an instrument and more like a toy. Maybe that was just a bad one, but it definitely failed to please... Nothing against Squier, or the VM - I tried a lot of other entry-level basses, and most of them felt similarly dissatisfying.

I'm definitely looking for used if I can find it, but I live in a province which has very few instrument shops and not that many musicians compared to other places. And I absolutely can't buy without trying first; that would be unthinkable. The likelihood of finding the exact instrument I want, secondhand, here, is almost nonexistent. So I'm probably going to go with new.

2 Words... Road Trip!

[selowitch]

My 2009 Fender Standard Jazz Bass (Upgrade) is perfect for me. I paid about $550.00 for it, ordering it from Fender via my local Guitar Center. Got it with a maple fingerboard in Lake Placid Blue. Looks great, sounds great, plays great. The only issue was a bit of fret sprout during that first dry winter. The repair guy at GC filed them down for me and now I just keep a couple of Zorb-It packs in my case and that minimizes the issue.

I have heard from some folks that the necks and bodies of MIM Fenders are the same as the MIAs; the hardware and labor is where the differences lie (and the selection of particular models).

You might say it's like trying to figure out if a bass assembled by Mexicans in California is better than one assembled by Mexicans in Ensenada. I don't fully subscribe to that point-of-view, but it does make me chuckle when someone says that.

[Russell L]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Standard Fender. Better than ANY Squier, IMO. The plant in Ensenada, Mexico has quality control agents that travel weekly back and forth from there to Corona, CA where the American Fenders are made, just to control quality. I have a Standard Strat that is excellent, and blows away my Squier.

Another good Fender line is the Japanese models from the mid-to-late '80s. They rival the American Series. I know, I have one ('87 Jazz Bass Special). That's not just MY opinion either.

Squier? Not bad, but the hardware is not as good as the Standard Fender, on the ones I've seen. Try one and see if you like the tuners. The pots on my Squier Strat are not good, and the fret ends are rough. But, they cost less.

[selowitch]

Among the Squiers, I would dare say that the Classic Vibe series, made in China, compares favorably to the MIM Standard Fenders.

[St Drogo]

Originally Posted by selowitch

You might say it's like trying to figure out if a bass assembled by Mexicans in California is better than one assembled by Mexicans in Ensenada. I don't fully subscribe to that point-of-view, but it does make me chuckle when someone says that.

Even if what you say about the parts being the same is true (which it might well be), this is still a ridiculous statement and I'm glad you disagree with it. the craftmanship of mexicans versus americans as a whole is not the only factor.

Judging by the pricedifference in american vs mexican models, I'd say the mexican employees probably get less time per unit to complete their work, and might not be able to put the same attention into it as their american counterparts.

I'm sure there are numerous more of these kind of top-down conditions that explains the price and/or quality difference. It does not necessarily say anything about the skill of the workers.

[5string5fingers]

Originally Posted by selowitch

Among the Squiers, I would dare say that the Classic Vibe series, made in China, compares favorably to the MIM Standard Fenders.

I fully agree

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by St Drogo

Even if what you say about the parts being the same is true (which it might well be), this is still a ridiculous statement and I'm glad you disagree with it. the craftmanship of mexicans versus americans as a whole is not the only factor.

Right. I mentioned that only in jest.

Originally Posted by St Drogo

Judging by the price difference in american vs mexican models, I'd say the mexican employees probably get less time per unit to complete their work, and might not be able to put the same attention into it as their american counterparts.

An equally reasonable (and more likely) explanation is that they are simply paid less per hour.

Personally, I'm *proud* of the fact that my Fender is made in Mexico. Rather than thinking of it as a lesser instrument, I prefer to think of it as a greater bargain.

[BigOldHarry]

buy it used. Save $$$

[DeivoxCarnal]

I'm currently playing a mexican fender from the early nineties, and the neck is still in excellent condition. I wouldn't worry about them standing up over time, you can barely tell mine is 20 years old!
I know that the previous owner(s) had put quite a bit of use into it, as there was a decent sized gouge in the back of the body, and there was quite a bit of grime on the fretboard.

Since the gouge bothered me and black doesn't really excite me, I bought a Squier body from a fellow TB'er. Only cost me 60 bucks, and I couldn't be happier with the bass for the money I paid, it plays as well as most of the MIM's I've played in my day.
It only cost me 260 total (not counting the strap locks) from craigslist and talkbass classified ads.

So even though there may not be musicians in your area there are many sellers on this site that have good taste and great knowlege, (as well as good seller feedback)

So take a closer look at the used market, sometimes all it takes is a little patience to snag a killer deal.