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MIM vs MIA

#3
The Fender food chain goes MIM -> MIJ -> CIJ (crafted in Japan) -> MIA. The Japanese are VERY good instruments, but I just have a preference toward the Americans.

If you can afford an American, get an American. The MIM's are not bad, in fact, they're really quality, but the stock American bass is definately worth the money. Go down to a bigger music store around you, and look for a new, but older model American bass. I just recently picked up my American Jazz (it was never owned, but an 05) for $825. You can go that route, or go for the Highway One basses, which again, are very good (unfortunately, my Highway One Precision got stolen...)
 
#6
I am a guy that likes to get plenty of bang for my buck, so I go with MIM exlusively on Fenders (except for my Geddy).

To me, although you may notice a bit more craftsmanship with a MIA, as far as sound and playbility goes, personally I think they are close enough to not make much of a difference. And certainly no one in any audience will ever notice the difference. As an example, why not buy a "like-new" but used MIM Precision AND Jazz, for $300 - 350 each and only make upgrades if necessary. You may not even need to make any. I did this exact same thing recently, bought the P and J for about $300 each, same color, both like-new and really nice. I upgraded the P with a BadAss and a Seymour Duncan pup, I left the J alone. Upgrades did not make much of a difference afterall in the P. Both are great basses, I'd never pay a premium for MIA when the quality above MIM is marginal at best. And certainly not worth the difference in price.
 
#7
It really depends on your budget. The new MIM models are very good. I have recently played some MIM five strings (deluxe) that were put together very well. Played better than any of the Fenders on the wall at this particular GC. So I would say yes they have good playablity and are a good value.

The Japanese MIJ/CIJ modles are the most consistant in build quality of all of the Fenders. Very good build quality and playability.

The MIA models will offer the best electronics, and materials such as body wood and neck materials. They will also have a much better resale value than the other models. I can't say with any degree of confidense that the build quality is far superior than the new MIM modles. They are a little better but not $500.00 better. But you are getting a better sounding bass.
 
#8
Not only will MIA basses offer better materials but they will offer more choices in colors, they will offer translucent finishes, maple necks, hsc's and the ability to use thicker string gauges w/out adding stress to the neck. MIA basses are plug and play basses, they need no modification and sound fine as is. If you pick up a MIA bass and play it then pick up a MIM bass and can't tell the difference than your ear must be in your foot! MIM basses are great basses to start with and even go mod crazy (if that's your thing) but why spend hundreds of dollars on something you can only go so far with before you want to move onto something else? You see it day after day for sale: MIM Fender jazz, Dimarzio pups, BadassII bridge, Hipshot tuners, joe's pickguard, Dick's knob's with a hsc for $350 bucks :hmm:
 
#9
"Not only will MIA basses offer better materials but they will offer more choices in colors, they will offer translucent finishes, maple necks......, MIA basses are plug and play basses, they need no modification........ If you pick up a MIA bass and play it then pick up a MIM bass and can't tell the difference than your ear must be in your foot! .....why spend hundreds of dollars on something you can only go so far with before you want to move onto something else? You see it day after day for sale: MIM Fender jazz, Dimarzio pups, BadassII bridge, Hipshot tuners, joe's pickguard, Dick's knob's with a hsc for $350 bucks....."


Cue the hoards of MIM faithful who will no doubt line up to flame away.
 
#11
I would go for the used mia. It a better built instrument and if you decided to sell it you'll get your money back. I don't think its worth up grading a mim for the money you spend it will still feel cheap as far as the neck goes.
 
#13
purfektstranger said:
"Not only will MIA basses offer better materials but they will offer more choices in colors, they will offer translucent finishes, maple necks......, MIA basses are plug and play basses, they need no modification........ If you pick up a MIA bass and play it then pick up a MIM bass and can't tell the difference than your ear must be in your foot! .....why spend hundreds of dollars on something you can only go so far with before you want to move onto something else? You see it day after day for sale: MIM Fender jazz, Dimarzio pups, BadassII bridge, Hipshot tuners, joe's pickguard, Dick's knob's with a hsc for $350 bucks....."


Cue the hoards of MIM faithful who will no doubt line up to flame away.
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Let em flame away! I have been out there playing many years and have been all over the NYC area and don't remember one bassplayer I ever saw playing a gig with a MIM Fender bass! I'm not saying people don't do it but I have never seen it. I have seen people bring them to jam sessions. I own Three modded MIM basses and while they all sound very nice they don't get to gigs, more like practice and rehearsal basses for me with the exception of my MIM p-bass with Fralins in it, That i'll take as a second bass on any gig. My MIM basses are basically beater basses and go to those jams in questionable neighborhoods.
 
#15
pyrohr said:
Let em flame away! I have been out there playing many years and have been all over the NYC area and don't remember one bassplayer I ever saw playing a gig with a MIM Fender bass! I'm not saying people don't do it but I have never seen it. I have seen people bring them to jam sessions. I own Three modded MIM basses and while they all sound very nice they don't get to gigs, more like practice and rehearsal basses for me with the exception of my MIM p-bass with Fralins in it, That i'll take as a second bass on any gig. My MIM basses are basically beater basses and go to those jams in questionable neighborhoods.
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Why would I falme somebody for having different bass preferences than me? That's ridiculous.

I've been playing bass for 30 years and am still going strong at gigs. I use several Fender MIMs (among others). Only one has been modded, the others are stock. They look and sound great. I love 'em. Play great too. IMO spending the extra money on a MIA is a waste. MIAs may be a little better in some cases, but no way worth the extra cash.
 
#16
for me the reason to get the MIA is a very concrete one. it's the neck. i want the graphite rods and the 2 way adjustable truss rod. the japanese and mexi dont have that. as a matter of fact, only 2 of the US models have that, and those are the only 2 i would consider...otherwise i'd get a mexi and put some new electronics in it and a warmoth neck...
 
#17
I continue to be disappinted with the consistancy of build quality in the MIA Standard instruments. The electronics are good, but they aren't finished like a $1000 instrument should be. Also, I'm still not convinced that graphite rods in the neck are a necessary item. Sure, they're stronger, but is it necessary? Fender made thousands of basses for decades without them and did just fine.

You didn't give us a price range, but in the $500-$700 range, I'd look at the following:
CIJ (consistantly great build quality and finishing, good pups in the "US" models.)
MIA Hwy 1 (pre-'04 are my favorite in this series)
MIM Classic Series (the new Classic 50's P is VERY nice)
MIM Standard - and plan on upgrading the pups and pots. My Fralin loaded MIM J is better sounding than any MIA Standard I've played.

(IMHO, YMMV, etc.)
 
#19
santucci218 said:
would it be better to find a used american, OR find a used MIM and upgrade it with the extra money.
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Better in terms of an investment? Get a *used* MIA that suits you as-is.
  • As you'll see mentioned here 4 times a week, MIA Fenders hold their resale better than green-card Fenders.
  • New Fenders depreciate immediately while used Fenders appreciate or hold their value almost absolutely, assuming you paid a fair price to begin with.
  • You won't get your full money back on any bass upgrades, so putting $400 worth of upgrades on a $300 dollar bass is an expense rather than an investment.
  • Certain players in certain scenes find that it takes some grade-A extra-large eggs to show up for a gig with an MIM. If you'll feel a need to invest in a "proper" MIA , then a green-card Fender is an additional expense rather than an economy.
If resale isn't consideration, and you just want to get the bass you'll play for the rest of your life for under $1000?

It's perfectly possible for some folks to find their keeper without modding it. If you've been playing long enough to have settled yet informed tastes, country of origin shouldn't matter except for purchase and resale prices. Find a bass that you can speak through without fighting. After all, they're tools, not magic (well, not entirely magic, anyway).

If you are committed to modding and *if* you know what upgrades are the necessary ones for you, find a used Japanese or Mex Fender with good bones. Especially if you expect to swap out the pups, modding a solid J or M is likely to result in a better bass for the money.

OTOH, if you think you'll be just guessing about whether you want Fralins or Barts or GOTOH or a BadAss or..., then it's just as easy to toss away money by making endless blind "upgrades" as by paying premiums for the double cachets of new and MIA.
 

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