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Cheap model Fender P Basses

M

monroe55

Mar 17, 2009
421
4
#1
I have my Fender MIA 75 Jazz(RI) that I love and play all the time. Its what I always wanted. It cost me a relative fortune though so I dont see owning another new instrument until I hit the Powerball Lotto.:(
However, I've been lurking around Fender P basses for a few months now and I think I'd like to have one to see what sounds I can get from it.... (or maybe just have it to stand next to my Jazz for aesthetic pleasure). Ive been reading a lot of J vs. P threads and stuff and Ive come to the conclusion that one must own both to experience the full spectrum of Fenderness.:bassist:
My question is about the MIJapan Pbasses or any other less expensive Fender Ps. Are they worth looking into or are they so different from MIAs that its not worth it. Basically, how much do the MIAs and MIJs differ? And by the way, what is a Squire bass?
 
#2
The MIJs are well regarded and probably as good as most MIA models.

The "less expensive" P models are probably the Made in Mexico (MIM) models. Do a search here on TB and you will find them mentioned hundreds of times, along with a lot of discussion about their merits relative to the MIA models.

Personally, I think that a good MIA, MIJ and MIM are all perfectly playable. My opinion is based on a MIM Jazz that I bought on Ebay and is a wonderful bass.

One thing you have to remember is that all Fenders are mass-produced, and therefore there is some possible variation from bass to bass. When all the variations on one instrument are not so good, that instrument ends up being less playable. When all the variations are neutral to good, even the less expensive models can be great basses. There are some differences in the electronics, but I personally don't consider that worth paying another $500 for.
 
#3
A lot of the MIJ basses are up there in quality with the MIA basses. They are definitely worth checking out.

And Squire is a lower-cost branch of Fender, in a nutshell. The Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified series could be something to look into. I had a good experience with an early Vintage Modified P-bass, but I haven't been as impressed with the rest of the models. Lots of people rave about them, though.

With ANY Fender or Squire, PLAY IT FIRST! There are a lot of good ones, and a lot of bad ones. Hard to tell until you get your hands on it.
 
#5
Look at The various Fender P models on their website. Then go to Musicians Friend's site and / or Guitar centers to compare pricing. Mostly what you will find are MIA's & MIM's. The price differences are obvious. There can be quite a difference between quality on both, but sometimes you come across a real good Mexican or Japanese that can rival the quality of an American made P.
Squier is a division of Fender that produces entry level instruments. Some of them are excellent values for the money. The Vintage Modified & Classic Vibe series get a lot of love here on TB, and are also worth looking into
 
#8
All I know is that you can get a beautiful Fender for under $1500. This might seem like a lot of money but the year is almost 2011 and not 1975. Back then I bought a Fender Jazz at Manny's Music for maybe $600 or less...long time ago.
Currently my P Bass V Amer. was $1499
P Bass Deluxe Amer. $1150
and my Road Worn (Mexico) was under $999 or so. Also + 1 on the Ibanez and I'll add Washburn which I've seen for under $700.......
 
#10
Fender only please.
Price Range? Im definately looking for a used one. 300-500??
I like the 60s era model P basses but I want a P bass that sounds like a P bass first.
Im aware of MIMs. Forgot to mention 'em.
So Squire is like a real cheap Fender and probably too cheap to have the sound Id want a P bass for.
Im hoping for a TB/craigslist/ebay P Bass i guess.

Lol. I just saw a "show me your Squire" thread
 
#11
Rockmusician said:
If you are looking for an inexpensive Fender you should look at MIJ and stay away from MIM. If you want a good bass for not a lot of money, look at Ibanez.
Click to expand...

If you can play before you buy, MIM basses are really not bad.
Last time i checked, Ibanez doesn't produce a P bass.

monroe55 said:
Fender only please.
Price Range? Im definately looking for a used one. 300-500??
I like the 60s era model P basses but I want a P bass that sounds like a P bass first.
Im aware of MIMs. Forgot to mention 'em.
So Squire is like a real cheap Fender and probably too cheap to have the sound Id want a P bass for.
Im hoping for a TB/craigslist/ebay P Bass i guess.

Lol. I just saw a "show me your Squire" thread
Click to expand...

Squiers are quite well regarded here, at least the newer ones. I don't think at your budget you have the luxury of being a brand snob. My advice is to go and try as many P basses as you can, Squier/MIM/MIJ/MIA and buy what appeals to you and your wallet.
 
#15
I like my MIA P-bass Plus just fine. I like my MIM P-bass Deluxe even better. My MIM P-bass Special (Cowpoke) is prett good, too. My MIJ P-bass Lyte is the weakest of the bunch.

In short, Fender (P's, J's, or PJ's) come in all kinds of varieties, and you shouldn't have to spend a fortune to find one that suits you.
 
#16
monroe55 said:
Fender only please.
Price Range? Im definately looking for a used one. 300-500??
I like the 60s era model P basses but I want a P bass that sounds like a P bass first.
Im aware of MIMs. Forgot to mention 'em.
So Squire is like a real cheap Fender and probably too cheap to have the sound Id want a P bass for.Im hoping for a TB/craigslist/ebay P Bass i guess.

Lol. I just saw a "show me your Squire" thread
Click to expand...

Not true at all. And it's SQUIER.
 
#18
MIM's don't get much love around here, and there are some dogs out there. But you can usually spot them right away if you get the chance to try them before you buy.

I have two used MIM P's. These were both in the $250-$300 range. Both are great players, and I've got them set up perfectly for me. Maybe I got lucky, but I honestly would be hard-pressed to trade them for a higher level Precision, that's how highly I think of the quality of mine.
 
#20
dwm74 said:
MIM's don't get much love around here, and there are some dogs out there. But you can usually spot them right away if you get the chance to try them before you buy.

I have two used MIM P's. These were both in the $250-$300 range. Both are great players, and I've got them set up perfectly for me. Maybe I got lucky, but I honestly would be hard-pressed to trade them for a higher level Precision, that's how highly I think of the quality of mine.
Click to expand...

Agreed! I bought a used MIM P dropped in a set of Fender 62 RI pups a Fender vintage bridge, rewired it and it plays and sounds as good as any MIA P bass I own or have ever played. All for under 300.00, I will never sell that P bass.
 

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