What do you think about fender made in mexico P-bass

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

IME, Fender quality is all over the map, and you generally have to hunt for one that feels really good unplugged.

You ain't just whistling Dixie. I'm been wanting to add a P bass to the arsenal for a while now but I'm in no rush to get one so I'm holding out until I find one that really speaks to me. I've played at least 50 or more in the last six months and the best feeling one so far has been a used MIM. I haven't been too impressed with the new US made Fenders in the shops. Setups are inconsistent and rosewood fretboards often dried out and really low quality wood.

[awilkie84]

Originally Posted by OrderingEntropy

yup i own one. 9 months and its falling apart. my suggestion: sell it, buy something else...

You either got a dud, or are REALLY picky. I've had an MIM for 14 years and it's rock solid.

[deste]

No trouble with mine: an early J (1991, judging by by serial number), very thin neck, light-weighted, everything ok. The previous owner told me the pups were bad, so he put some Quarter Pounders on it.
I tested many of them: some were bed, but I fell in love with a 5-strings J, and still I plan to buy it...

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

i miss japanese fenders

they dont come up in guitar shops anymore

I hear you...the cream of the crop IMO.

[Biggbass]

There is a video on youtube of a tour of the Fender facility back in the fifties.
While watching that video I found it very interesting that almost all of the employees who made the Fenders back then, the guitars that have become so praised today, were Mexican factory workers. What some people do not take into consideration is that in many cases Mexican workers take much more pride in their work than American workers. And quite often the end result of their labor is a better product, despite the lower wages. Same goes for current Indonesian, Korean, and some Chinese made instruments. The detail in the woodwork and craftsmanship is superb.

I'm not discounting the fact that in some of the Fender facilities some the parts are of lesser quality to accomplish a lower price point product, but that is a production decision made at the corporate level.

That old Pre CBS Fender? It was made by Mexican workers.
That old vintage P bass? Yep...made by Mexican workers.

I have two Roadworn Ps. Both MIM of course. They both play and sound just fine and don't show any signs of coming apart or failing in any way.

[Dbassmon]

Judge each instrument on its own merits, not the country of origin. There are plenty of very nice Fender basses made in Mexico. When play a bunch, you find a really good one.... buy that one.

[msact]

I have two MIM fenders. My precision, which I got from zzounds during the holidays, came perfectly set up straight out of the box. It sounds and plays great. It was the best $476 I spent this past xmas.


My other MIM fender is a 60s Jazz Bass. This one did need a setup as the action was too high and set neck wasn't quite straight enough. With a good setup, it's a great instrument.


For my next bass later this year, I am strongly considering getting a MIM 50s precision bass. I think the MIA basses are great and there are some very worthwhile upgrades. It all depends on your situation. I don't play in a band anymore as my profession and family don't leave me much free time. If I was playing, I would be very happy using either of these.

[bassbully]

I love the stories of Basses and guitars just falling apart right after they are bought. I have owned allot of guitars and Basses over my almost 51 years on this rock and have never had 1 just fall apart. Have I had a few issues? Yes but what doesnt have issues form time to time.

All of these issues are minor BTW..allot has to do with how you handle issues and take care of them.

[boristhespider9]

Who felt it necessary to revive this zombie thread?

[Greevus]

My guitar-playing bro just got a MIM Strat from his tech/luthier. He is a Les Paul guy and open noticing it was "MIM", my bro asked the tech "What's the difference in MIM and MIA?".
His answer: "One is built by Mexicans BELOW the border, the other is built by Mexicans ABOVE the border".
I have a Squier MIM '96 and a Fender MIM '95, both P's, and I can't tell much difference at all, except the neck finish is a little better on the MIA. My Squier has been beaten live and recorded, and it hangs with about any bass I own. It shows some wear in the rosewood, but that's about it. I got one new for $200 and one used for $250.

My bottom line is they are GREAT VALUE. Well worth it. These are just workhorses if that is what you want.

[klejst]

Sure like anything you can get some duds, however I have owned numerous MIM P's in my past and they all were pretty solid basses. Perhaps I was just lucky, sure, however I am convinced they are great basses overall.

[BlistryFingas]

It's a cheap bass. Belongs in a pawn shop. I love mine.

[Fair Warning]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

There is a video on youtube of a tour of the Fender facility back in the fifties.
While watching that video I found it very interesting that almost all of the employees who made the Fenders back then, the guitars that have become so praised today, were Mexican factory workers. What some people do not take into consideration is that in many cases Mexican workers take much more pride in their work than American workers. And quite often the end result of their labor is a better product, despite the lower wages. Same goes for current Indonesian, Korean, and some Chinese made instruments. The detail in the woodwork and craftsmanship is superb.

I'm not discounting the fact that in some of the Fender facilities some the parts are of lesser quality to accomplish a lower price point product, but that is a production decision made at the corporate level.

That old Pre CBS Fender? It was made by Mexican workers.
That old vintage P bass? Yep...made by Mexican workers.

I have two Roadworn Ps. Both MIM of course. They both play and sound just fine and don't show any signs of coming apart or failing in any way.

Screw that.....I want my bass crafted and assembled by white guys with short hair cuts and suits and tie

[9mmMike]

It lives! Nice thread resurrection.

I have one MIM that is a '50's Classic. It is simply perfect. No issues. Fit & finish is good. Sounds like a P. I have a lovey MIM parts Jazz in the wine color. That is also an excellent bass but it has an Audere and Nordy's so it is far from stock.
The only CIJ that I have is my Sting and that is also a fine bass.
I do not own any "regular" US basses that are not "vintage" ('64, '72, '78). The '78 is probably the worst bass I own from the fit/finish and quality of parts point of view. Still, it is a really neat bass.
My AV RI's are all really nice. The "ONE" (built 2001) has a neck pocket that is not as tight as I like but it is still a fine bass and sprayed in yummy Dakota Red.
I have a gaggle of parts basses that use US bodies, US AV RI/JAP "E" series/MEX '50's necks and US pups. These are all nice basses as well.
In general, and I have not "seen it all", I find that the era of the bass to more of an issue than the origin. Pre CBS and post 2008 basses seem to be pretty good bets. The Japan basses seem to be a best kept secret. Their repros are not very accurate but the quality seems good. That's my opinion added to this vintage thread anyway.

[atomicdog]

Never owned one. Played a few great sounding and great feeling ones in shops. Picked up a used one yesterday at a GC, great neck, no output. Wha!? Turns out the pickups were shot. This is a 2011-2012 bass. The reason I was thinking bout it in the first place is that my one-year-old Am Std P is in the shop for the same reason. Time for some quality control? Pickup recall? ***, Fender?

[JoeWPgh]

This is one of those questions that is most misunderstood (like woodtones). There is no hard and fast rule, but there is probability. The probability is that a new MIM Fender will be decent enough. Some will be fantastic and some will just plain suck. The same is true of American Fenders. But the probabilities are the American Fender will be a much better instrument. But again, it's just a probability. There are always outliers. Are there MIMs out there that are superior to their American cousins? You betcha. Would I count on it? Not so much.