Hi have a fender jazz bass mim fretless upgraded with dimarzio ultra j of 1998. I asked a luthier his opinion if this bass could compete with a new fender fretless mia and he told me there would be no difference in quality between both basses. And that perhaps my bass is better. Also that dimarzio and seymore duncan mics are not worst mics than the ones of the fender jazz bass mia. I tried both basses and they are quite similar but the fender mia has a more typical fender tone, both great basses.
There are differences but depending on your taste the MIM can sound as good or better.Once you start throwing aftermarket pup's in the mix there are far to many variables coming into play.
I dont really get why people care so much where their stuff is made.Go through your house and actually chech how much stuff that you use that is reliable and well made is actually made in america.Ill bet good money that the majority of stuff is made in china or somewhere similar. If people are payed to make something well they will, no matter where it is. The difference in quality between MIA and MIM,s usually comes from the hardwear put on it and MIA will have a more expensive finish put on them.The woods used and construction are usually very similar.
I have a hypothesis. People who have MIMs.......... prefer MIMs. People who have MIAs.............. Prefer MIAs.
This question has been asked a lot. I've personally played many, many Fenders and have yet to find a pattern that would help me to predict whether any particular one would suit me until I've actually played it. Some Fender basses are just what I enjoy, others don't seem to fit what I want quite so well. This applies to MIA, MIM and MIJ basses pretty much equally. I currently own three Fenders - one MIA, one MIM and one MIJ. I like all of them (well, of course; that's why I bought them). The fact that there's one of each wasn't something I deliberately aimed for, it was just the way things turned out based on what I liked at the time. I've played plenty that I didn't care for, too. Just play what seems to be right for you.
It depends on what the competition is. Quality and soundwise, I doubt it, but in a track and field event, the MIM would probably whoop the MIA.