MIK P vs MIM MIA MIJ

Pokerdweebz · #1 02-18-2013, 08:37 AM

I know everyone batch has great basses and bad basses, but what is the average quality on a MIK Fender P. I would guess between MIM and MIJ, but I don't know. I am left handed so it is hard to find a good selection and the only one I know of in my price range is a MIK. Thanks!

JoeVictim · #2 02-18-2013, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

I know everyone batch has great basses and bad basses, but what is the average quality on a MIK Fender P. I would guess between MIM and MIJ, but I don't know. I am left handed so it is hard to find a good selection and the only one I know of in my price range is a MIK. Thanks!

Yes, there is inconsistencies. But, the budget line is intended to be for beginers. Not to say you couldn't score a good one, but the extra money for the other lines, goes to better materials and paying the workers for quality control.

In other words, unless you are stealing one (figuratively, $50 and under), try before you buy.

The only other reason to buy sight unseen is if it's from a respected TB seller. Then you know you are getting something that has atleast a setup and new strings and sometimes upgrades.

Good luck.

GreaserMatt · #3 02-18-2013, 09:47 AM

I've always liked the build quality & playability of MIK basses (& guitars)...

**awilkie84** · #4 02-18-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeVictim

Yes, there is inconsistencies. But, the budget line is intended to be for beginers. Not to say you couldn't score a good one, but the extra money for the other lines, goes to better materials and paying the workers for quality control.

In other words, unless you are stealing one (figuratively, $50 and under), try before you buy.

The only other reason to buy sight unseen is if it's from a respected TB seller. Then you know you are getting something that has atleast a setup and new strings and sometimes upgrades.

Good luck.

Intentions and actuality are 2 different things. The Squier CV line almost always smokes the MIM Fenders in tone & playability. The VM, too a lesser extent, is on par with the MIMs. I've played & own MIMs that played & sounded better than their MIA counterparts. And, it's almost a consensus that the finishes on the CVs & MIMs are better than most MIAs lately. Better color options, too.

bassbully · #5 02-18-2013, 12:07 PM

I guess you talking about some of the older late 80's MIK P basses?
I found one a few weeks ago in a shop, back with maple fretboard beat up but nice enough for $65.00. It had neck bow and the shop did not want to put anytime into it. I took it home and got he neck straight with some work and repaced did all the pots and wiring. It is a great bass and I love the neck and the no pickguard body look.

This weekend a guy had one on CL for 100.00 that is all I would pay and it was in better shape..paint etc, than the black one I bought.
I looked at the neck and it to had bow but not as bad as the first MIK P I bought. The issue was I had allot of problem getting the bow out this time and it is good as it is going to get, not real bad and it is plenty playable.

I like the MIK but they are not as good as my SQ 80's MIJ Squiers.They are a good bass for the buck thou. I'm a sucker for maple necks but can't understand why the two I found were both bowed. This might be a MIK thing to watch out for.

JoeVictim · #6 02-18-2013, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbully

I guess you talking about some of the older late 80's MIK P basses?
I found one a few weeks ago in a shop, back with maple fretboard beat up but nice enough for $65.00. It had neck bow and the shop did not want to put anytime into it. I took it home and got he neck straight with some work and repaced did all the pots and wiring. It is a great bass and I love the neck and the no pickguard body look.

This weekend a guy had one on CL for 100.00 that is all I would pay and it was in better shape..paint etc, than the black one I bought.
I looked at the neck and it to had bow but not as bad as the first MIK P I bought. The issue was I had allot of problem getting the bow out this time and it is good as it is going to get, not real bad and it is plenty playable.

I like the MIK but they are not as good as my SQ 80's MIJ Squiers.They are a good bass for the buck thou. I'm a sucker for maple necks but can't understand why the two I found were both bowed. This might be a MIK thing to watch out for.

Yep. I just got trolled on my mim squier. Apparently, it doesn't exist. It's an American neck and body finished with Mexico paints and Chinese electronics/bits. There can be some real squier diamonds. Just have to play them.

Pokerdweebz · #7 02-18-2013, 12:19 PM

It seems like I'm getting mixed responses. I do not know the year the bass was made. If you search for "left handed" under basses on the guitar center used section it is the first item. It is a white MIK P bass for 350.

Kentucky Ryan · #8 02-18-2013, 12:21 PM

my CV jazz that i just bought sounded and played better (imo) than all of the MIM's that i tried and better than a few MIA's that i tried. i was looking to spend way more money than i did. i almost didnt even pick it up off the rack, glad i did.

Pokerdweebz · #9 02-18-2013, 12:21 PM

Also keep in mind that I am left handed and they aren't even making MIM CV or VM P's leftys right now. The only new option I have is an MIA and they used market is limited (if they even used to make those models in lefty).

bassbully · #10 02-18-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

Also keep in mind that I am left handed and they aren't even making MIM CV or VM P's leftys right now. The only new option I have is an MIA and they used market is limited (if they even used to make those models in lefty).

Really? Have you checked? IMO $350 for a MIK is too high...is it a Squier MIK or MIM?

Pokerdweebz · #11 02-18-2013, 12:57 PM

Yes. The only left handed models currently are MIM Jazz MIA Jazz MIA P (all standard) and VM Jazz. The listing just says "Used Fender MIK Precision Bass LH". If they only made squiers in Korea and no actual Fenders, I guess it has to be a squier. I have no contacted guitar center about it and the picture is hard to see.

bassbully · #12 02-18-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

Yes. The only left handed models currently are MIM Jazz MIA Jazz MIA P (all standard) and VM Jazz. The listing just says "Used Fender MIK Precision Bass LH". If they only made squiers in Korea and no actual Fenders, I guess it has to be a squier. I have no contacted guitar center about it and the picture is hard to see.

They also made some Standards but that and squiers are it...I think. I would go with the VM jazz if I was you.

Pokerdweebz · #13 02-18-2013, 01:13 PM

The problem with that is I am looking for a P bass....I have a MIM that I love (but is heavy as hell) and a Yamaha Jazz that more than does the job also. I don't know as much about P's as I would like, but I do know besides MIA's it is hard to get a hold of one.

**awilkie84** · #14 02-18-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

Also keep in mind that I am left handed and they aren't even making MIM CV or VM P's leftys right now. The only new option I have is an MIA and they used market is limited (if they even used to make those models in lefty).

Flip a right-handed one & relocate the strap buttons. Redo the nut & put your strings on lefty!

Hendrix-style!

bassbully · #15 02-18-2013, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

The problem with that is I am looking for a P bass....I have a MIM that I love (but is heavy as hell) and a Yamaha Jazz that more than does the job also. I don't know as much about P's as I would like, but I do know besides MIA's it is hard to get a hold of one.

Oh sorry. When it comes to MIM and MIA go out and play allot to them. IMO there is not enough in a MIA to pay the price over most MIMs but that's me.

Pokerdweebz · #16 02-18-2013, 01:25 PM

I would prefer to not flip a righty. That's my problem though. They don't make new MIM P's and the only new left handed basses stores stock are entry level Ibanez. I couldn't test them out if I wanted to.

bassbully · #17 02-18-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

I would prefer to not flip a righty. That's my problem though. They don't make new MIM P's and the only new left handed basses stores stock are entry level Ibanez. I couldn't test them out if I wanted to.

Check online, more ideas there? I guess?

**awilkie84** · #18 02-18-2013, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pokerdweebz

I would prefer to not flip a righty. That's my problem though. They don't make new MIM P's and the only new left handed basses stores stock are entry level Ibanez. I couldn't test them out if I wanted to.

Well now...that sucks! Check out some of the Squiers, then. There's some good quality lefties in that line-up.
Another option would be to get a lefty jazz & swap the pickup for a P and the pickguard for a P-routed jazz guard.