Fenders changes in 08.

steveinohio · #1 07-18-2010, 12:54 PM

I know that 2008 marked the year Fender made several changes in their MIA line, but I was wondering if people think it was more marketing than actual change?

I say this because I recently picked up a 2005 MIA and it comperes pretty well to my 08 Jazz. Really the biggest difference seems to be the high mass bridge. The headstock on the 08 has more of a gloss to it but the other stuff seems about equal. The poly on my 05 seems to be as thin as my 08. I will say that I think the newer Fenders seems to have lower body weights as a whole.

Anyway I was wondering what people thought. I do love the recent Fenders but after compairing to my 05 they dont seem that far apart.

rhopper · #2 07-18-2010, 01:02 PM

I don't know if there was a huge difference before 08, but the MIA maple necks are really nice... so much so that I bought one for myself.

steveinohio · #3 07-18-2010, 01:09 PM

Yeah, the new maple ones are great!

Does anyone know when Fender went to the satin finish on the back of their necks instead of the poly?

cassius987 · #4 07-18-2010, 01:11 PM

All I remember is thinner finish and heavier bridge. And some people said the basses in 2009 had a problem with severe finish checking.

pasta4lnch · #5 07-18-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveinohio

Yeah, the new maple ones are great!

Does anyone know when Fender went to the satin finish on the back of their necks instead of the poly?

my guess would be sometime in the 90's but I'm not sure. . .

I don't see any real significant changes, other than the bridge. the whole debate w/ the "thinner undercoat" seems like marketing to me. just something for people to argue over sounding better. . .

cassius987 · #6 07-18-2010, 01:32 PM

Bass Player Magazine sure tried to make it sound like it was a complete reinvention of the Fender basses. The "new" designs got Editor's Choice awards.

edbass · #7 07-18-2010, 01:44 PM

I have an '04 MIA Jazz and an '07 MIA P. Both are very nice basses, but the P does seem a little nicer overall; fit and finish, paintwork, neck feel, etc. And of course the new bridge is more substantial.
I think the newer American Standards are a little step up overall, but not really a giant leap forward in quality.

Nedmundo · #8 07-18-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveinohio

I will say that I think the newer Fenders seems to have lower body weights as a whole.

Other than more consistent quality, I think the lower average weight is the biggest change. I believe this reflects more careful wood selection, which in turn makes a more resonant instrument. My 2008 Jazz V is amazingly resonant. Its fit and finish are outstanding too.

With the lower weight, better bridge, finish quality, etc., I think the 2008+ models are a worthwhile improvement. The hype is not unjutified, but with all the fuss you'd almost think the previous generation was junk, which of course is not true. The vast majority were very good to exellent. My 2003 Jazz is among the best basses I've played at any price, and gets lower action than my 2008 Jazz V.

warnergt · #9 07-18-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedmundo

...I think the lower average weight is the biggest change.

+1

Luckie · #10 07-18-2010, 08:58 PM

Better QC is the big thing IMO.

5string5fingers · #11 07-18-2010, 09:02 PM

I remember my 08 MIM Jazz deluxe had a super thin poly finish on it. That thing checked just looking at it...rather annoying.

Jim Carr · #12 07-18-2010, 09:07 PM

IMHO, the new in 2008-09 "American Standard P and Jazz Basses" marked a significant improvement in Fender bass fretwork.

I played and closely inspected over a dozen P's and Jazzes in early 2009, and was pretty amazed. I think I posted a fair amount at the time about it. These new MIA's were to me the best basses in terms of neck feel that Fender had fielded in a long while for the $$$$. All of that got realigned for me when the Road Worn instruments appeared in my area (Lexington, KY at that time).

In sum, I'd say Fender has improved bass quality IF we are discussing/comparing Road Worn MIM basses and new MIA Standards to MIA and MIM P's and Jazzes from earlier in the 21st century. Glory be!

Baird6869 · #13 07-18-2010, 09:19 PM

I have a 2007 MIA Jazz 5er and a 2008 P. The 2008+ bridge is cool, the tint of the neck and headstock is definately more of a retro look and I find the weight is almost always lighter than 1980-2007 MIA Fenders.

Playability and sound? About the same IMO. Thinner finish? We shall see if I EVER relic through the "thin" poly on my 2008 P.

In any case, I personally wouldn't buy a MIA Fender made between 1979 and 2007 unless it is an absolute steal. The 2008+ American Standards are killer basses and the QC is top notch on all of the ones I have played.

vinxbass · #14 07-18-2010, 10:05 PM

My 08' MIA Jazz V is an excellent bass in all senses of the word. The craftsmanship is top notch, as well as the fretwork and finish.

Joe Smithberger · #15 07-19-2010, 05:40 AM

I think the five strings (at least) saw a change in headstock geometry to increase the distance from the nut to the B string tuner. Can anyone else verify this? I know this measurement is very different between my 90's ADP four string and '08 PV.

edbass · #16 07-19-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baird6869

I have a 2007 MIA Jazz 5er and a 2008 P. The 2008+ bridge is cool, the tint of the neck and headstock is definately more of a retro look and I find the weight is almost always lighter than 1980-2007 MIA Fenders.

Playability and sound? About the same IMO. Thinner finish? We shall see if I EVER relic through the "thin" poly on my 2008 P.

In any case, I personally wouldn't buy a MIA Fender made between 1979 and 2007 unless it is an absolute steal. The 2008+ American Standards are killer basses and the QC is top notch on all of the ones I have played.

My 2007 P is an American Standard. As I posted I find them better overall, but don't think they are vastly superior to the older MIA's.
Let me know if you want to "dump" any of those inferior pre '08 MIA's...