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I bought the same bass, same color same year from MF. I knew it had to be a 13 0r a 14 because of the Mystic Blue color. It was $999.99. $350 off. I love the color and love the bass. MF is a horrible retailer. I purchased a bass from them in February and they sent me a used bass that was the wrong model and it even had finger gunk on the board. They fixed the problem. I gave them another try with a Ray 35 in Ruby Red Burst to match my Ray 34. They sent me an open box bass with damage and it was obviously used. They said it was the last one. They fixed the problem and I ended up with a Lakland 55-01 at a considerable discount.
I then bought the MIA Precision Bass in Mystic Blue. They screwed up my Financing and didn't apply the no interest for two years when I put it on my MF card. They said they'd fix it and pay for any accrued interest if any was due and get me the correct financing.
Long story short. Three strikes and they're out. I paid off the MIA immediately and cut up their card and closed my account.
In your case keep the bass, they are awesome and for $999.99 it's a deal for a new bass. The case is awesome in Tolex. I had a few sprouted frets but that was easily fixed with the Fret Guru fret file. I'm a happy camper and I own an MIA.
Are MF deceptive? They never promised me anything with the MIA other than it would be new. It was. The Styrofoam inserts in the cardboard case had kind of melded to the Tolex case and took some Goo Gone to remove but the case was sealed by Fender and all of the parts were wrapped and plastic film was on the pickguard and pickups. The MIA sticker was intact and untouched.
This was a far cry from the two previous screw ups they sent me. I wish I was making this up but it's true. MF never responded back to my emails and voicemails when I said I wanted to end my relationship with them and wanted to hear from someone higher up in the company other than the team leader in Salt Lake City.
A bummer because I earned $80 off with their points club.
Keep the bass it's a winner. Some think the color is obnoxious on TB, but I love it. Beautiful bass and plays like buttah!
I then bought the MIA Precision Bass in Mystic Blue. They screwed up my Financing and didn't apply the no interest for two years when I put it on my MF card. They said they'd fix it and pay for any accrued interest if any was due and get me the correct financing.
Long story short. Three strikes and they're out. I paid off the MIA immediately and cut up their card and closed my account.
In your case keep the bass, they are awesome and for $999.99 it's a deal for a new bass. The case is awesome in Tolex. I had a few sprouted frets but that was easily fixed with the Fret Guru fret file. I'm a happy camper and I own an MIA.
Are MF deceptive? They never promised me anything with the MIA other than it would be new. It was. The Styrofoam inserts in the cardboard case had kind of melded to the Tolex case and took some Goo Gone to remove but the case was sealed by Fender and all of the parts were wrapped and plastic film was on the pickguard and pickups. The MIA sticker was intact and untouched.
This was a far cry from the two previous screw ups they sent me. I wish I was making this up but it's true. MF never responded back to my emails and voicemails when I said I wanted to end my relationship with them and wanted to hear from someone higher up in the company other than the team leader in Salt Lake City.
A bummer because I earned $80 off with their points club.
Keep the bass it's a winner. Some think the color is obnoxious on TB, but I love it. Beautiful bass and plays like buttah!
Not my experience at all, I have actually received quite a few discounts from Sweetwater and you always get what is promised...always.
You'll know if it's a return because the box will be resealed not stapled shut. The box will have multiple shipping labels and hand written shelf tags. Static film will not be on the pickguard or on the pickups. The tuning keys will not be wrapped in plastic and there will be noticeable damage. MF takes returns back with their all inclusive warranty they charge extra for. A "if you break it your covered" kind of deal. They restock them in their warehouse and morons mispick the inventory. I know because it happened to me twice this year, I ordered two new basses and received used crap.
Trust me you will know if this bass is a return. I bought the exact same one and it was brand spanking new out of the sealed stapled box.
Keep the 2013 and the tolex case. If it's going to hang on the wall to impress your buddies, get the 2016. If you are going to play it, it won't matter if it's a 2013 or a 2016. They both have the new upgraded necks and truss rod. The pickup should also be the same.
Yea I experienced the same thing with regards to it being new. Everything was still sealed in plastic and the bass was pristine not even a finger print. If it was a return, someone must gave opened the case looked at and sent it back. I agree it must be over stock that just never got sold. And you're right, you can't beat the price. I was looking at used MIA P's that were $900 plus. I guess we are in the minority here on the color. I think it looks great. I do find it a bit odd that the MIA P bass is one of Fender's flagship models and they only offer (on the current year model) such a bland color selection.
Tonight I did an in depth set up on it and played it for a few hours straight. Man this thing is amazing. It plays and sounds like butter. They offered to let me return it and get a 2016 but I'm thinking why take the chance, and end up with a current model that could have issues, dead spots etc. The bird in the hand, right?
Still not sold on the Tolex case. I had one before with an old Fender Telecaster bass. The case got beat up badly with just normal wear and tear. I have a few plastic case that are bullet proof. Plus I love the fact that when I'm packing my suv for a gig (I own the PA as well) I can shove my case in tight spaces without worrying about the case getting torn etc.
I was pretty ticked when I felt like I was lied to as well. But in the end, year aside it is a new MIA P bass with a unique color, for a great price. So maybe it is worth it.
Everything was wrapped and sealed in plastic the tuners, pickups, sticker all tags attached. Not a finger print on it. You can see it was in new pristine condition. The box was sealed. Only one shipping label on the box, to my address. I'm confident this bass is brand new.
My issue with them was that I specifically asked them to make sure it is current model if not 2016 then at least a 2015. I even mentioned that I didn't see the blue color offered anymore. I gut some explanation that it was just discontinued by Fender. Etc. if they told me it yes it's new but it's a 2013 model up front, I would have had a choice. Just don't lie and say it's the current model and the color just got discontinued.
I agree with you 100% IMHO they are not a reputable company since they went mega. The people who answer the phones are over a thousand miles from the warehouse. They know nothing. The people in the warehouse are obviously idoits in my experiences.
I really wouldn't sweat it. You could exchange it and get a white or black or 3TSB. We both got a new bass for $999.99. That's the only good thing that company has done for me since February. Well and the huge discount on my Lakland. But, the headaches and anger I went through dealing with them are something they don't care about.
Was the Styrofoam surrounding your case stuck to the case? That was a p.I.a. to get off the Tolex. That was the only substantial thing that was actually wrong with the bass other than three or four slightly sprouted frets. I used fret doctor oil on the board and it sucked up quite a bit so you k ow this thing had sat for three years!
No luckily there wasn't any Styrofoam stuck to the case. I do notice the fret edges somewhat as well. The neck wood must gave shrunk from sitting in a warehouse for a few years. I'm actually curious as to what the story is on the mystery of the blue P bass. Were they sitting in a Fender warehouse somewhere and they made a deal with GC/MF to move them? Or have they been sitting in a GC/MF warehouse? And if so, how come they weren't always at the $999.00 price to move them quicker? I did notice they did offer the blue ones on sale a few times a year. But if they are back logged 2013's you would have thought they would have kept them at the sale price and blew them out. Right after I bought mine the price went back up to $1,349. So if you buy the blue one now you get a 2013 at the same price as a 2016. Makes no sense.
Well...I have been playing this bass for awhile now and I have to say it is excellent! Great tone no dead spots, awesome sustain. I am very happy with my purchase after all. The Mystic Blue may not be popular, but I like it. Now to try it with flats......
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Don't swap the tolex for a plastic case. I went through 1-2 of them every year with handles or latches breaking. I finally switched to gig bags but I do have a couple tolex cases that have never had any issues.
Yea I have come around to appreciate the Tolex case. It does have a bit more vintage class, but I don't think it will hold up in the long run. I had a Tolex case in the past and it was to subject rips and tears. Seams get frayed etc. But for now it's a keeper.
I have had the complete opposite experience with Sweetwater. They have been professional, priced competitively, offer great financing, and I have my own personal sales rep....
cosmetic wear and tear doesn't bother me. It's when the actual case fails and it is no longer useable when it can't shut or cracks in half.
"Metallic blue flake"? PICS PLEASE!!! AFAIAC, since it plays well, that's a keeper!
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IF your bass is a stay at home-occasional night out player, use the tolex. If the bass is going in the gear trailer for 30-40 shows a year, get the road type TSA case as the tolex (my Dimension Deluxe 5) case is already scraped/wounded whereas my 2010 Precision V TSA case looks about the same.
Other than that, IF you love the 2013 bass and are going to gig it, you'll have paid it off soon enough anyway. Don't worry about depreciation if you're gigging it, it's making you money.
It sounds like you had the exact same experience with Sweetwater then.
You had the exact opposite of my experience though.
