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Despite the fact that I’ve owned several MIM Fenders over the years, and the 3 Fenders I have now are all MIM and are outstanding in many ways, comparing them to the MIA I had about a decade ago and it was no contest: the MIA all the way. Other than a set up, I never had to do anything with that bass, and the tone was superb.
Of all the MIM’s I’ve had, only 2 were fantastic right out of the box (well, after a set up, of course). All the rest needed some help: new pickups, new tuners, new bridge.
I can’t really comment too much on the Squier, I’ve played a few at local music stores, specifically the one that looks like Jaco’s bass and one of the vintage vibe basses, and while they did play nice, I wasn’t sold on them.
Of all the MIM’s I’ve had, only 2 were fantastic right out of the box (well, after a set up, of course). All the rest needed some help: new pickups, new tuners, new bridge.
I can’t really comment too much on the Squier, I’ve played a few at local music stores, specifically the one that looks like Jaco’s bass and one of the vintage vibe basses, and while they did play nice, I wasn’t sold on them.
American Standard is better than Squier and MIM. I think people sometimes can't afford the American so they try to argue that theirs is better or just as good but it isn't.
While I totally agree that's the kind of comment that will get you in a lot of trouble around here.
Sorry, nevermind. They are all good. Each bass guitar is a unique and special snowflake.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
A good P will make a J sound nasal and awful. That's why I have a P, among other things, but no J.
I think that if money wasn't a factor all these people who claim that they have squiers/MIM that are "as good as ......" would actually have American std or custom shop basses
I love these threads!
I don't have an MIA or really played one, but this I do know about the 3 Fender Jazz basses that I own. I bought all these basses new so they're stock and only played by me.
The Squier VM 70's Jazz is good, for the money. It has a few good tones on it, like the A on the 5th fret E string. Other notes are ok, some are dead. The input jack started to go in May and it's completely dead now. Rehearsed with it and did several gigs in 2014/2015 with it. Definitely feels less sturdy then the others. Frets are good, not a lot of overhang but still, not like the Classic Series 60's.
Fender FSR Jazz GC special. Not a bad bass, pick ups sound better than the Squier, needs a decent setup badly though, and I keep saying I'm going to bring it down somewhere. Once I get the setup done, I think it's a pretty decent bass. Did a couple gigs with it before getting wrapped up in the bling bling of the Squier 70's VM. The heaviest of the 3. Frets are good, a little rough here and there but nothing bad.
Fender Classic Series 60's Jazz bass. This bass is a GAS killer. I love this thing. Vintage frets are like butter, reverse tuners (yes, I like them-there I said it), vintage Alnico PUs, it has some American parts, the lightest of the 3 jazz basses, NITRO! I get nothing but compliments on it, both from the cover band and R&B band, and the tone is solid across the board, no big dead spots or anything like that. I'd like to try an MIA just to compare the two, but the Classic Series is awesome for a MIM.
I don't have an MIA or really played one, but this I do know about the 3 Fender Jazz basses that I own. I bought all these basses new so they're stock and only played by me.
The Squier VM 70's Jazz is good, for the money. It has a few good tones on it, like the A on the 5th fret E string. Other notes are ok, some are dead. The input jack started to go in May and it's completely dead now. Rehearsed with it and did several gigs in 2014/2015 with it. Definitely feels less sturdy then the others. Frets are good, not a lot of overhang but still, not like the Classic Series 60's.
Fender FSR Jazz GC special. Not a bad bass, pick ups sound better than the Squier, needs a decent setup badly though, and I keep saying I'm going to bring it down somewhere. Once I get the setup done, I think it's a pretty decent bass. Did a couple gigs with it before getting wrapped up in the bling bling of the Squier 70's VM. The heaviest of the 3. Frets are good, a little rough here and there but nothing bad.
Fender Classic Series 60's Jazz bass. This bass is a GAS killer. I love this thing. Vintage frets are like butter, reverse tuners (yes, I like them-there I said it), vintage Alnico PUs, it has some American parts, the lightest of the 3 jazz basses, NITRO! I get nothing but compliments on it, both from the cover band and R&B band, and the tone is solid across the board, no big dead spots or anything like that. I'd like to try an MIA just to compare the two, but the Classic Series is awesome for a MIM.
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
It wouldn't be TB without this. Get relics into the mix. A pinch of tonewood. Eye of bat, tongue of frog... Voila! The perfect TB thread, even without trucks, trains, mama, rain, prison, or getting drunk!
I throw away money in the name of maximum playability and tone.
Hee hee! These threads are such a kick. Why don't we all go and practice? 
I do agree with the OP that our tastes naturally evolve over time. And may I remind us all (as some have opined above) that strings, pickups, minor setup adjustments, fretwork, signal chain, amplifier, cabinet, room acoustics, musical genre, bandmates' opinions and blood alcohol levels have all been known to affect a bassist's perception of "the one." Bridges? Not so much IMHO.
My current "the one" is an MIJ Precision. Sold my MIM Classic '50s due to excessive nut width, but that was indeed a finely made hunk of bass and I imagine the new owner is digging the heck out of it. BTW the Fender Pure vintage '58 pickup is a huge upgrade for those. Not gonna sell my remaining MIA Standard P unless the War Department makes me. And Jazzers? Love 'em! So darn much fun to play, yet so quick to disappear in the mix unless you employ some form of audio magic.
I do agree with the OP that our tastes naturally evolve over time. And may I remind us all (as some have opined above) that strings, pickups, minor setup adjustments, fretwork, signal chain, amplifier, cabinet, room acoustics, musical genre, bandmates' opinions and blood alcohol levels have all been known to affect a bassist's perception of "the one." Bridges? Not so much IMHO.
My current "the one" is an MIJ Precision. Sold my MIM Classic '50s due to excessive nut width, but that was indeed a finely made hunk of bass and I imagine the new owner is digging the heck out of it. BTW the Fender Pure vintage '58 pickup is a huge upgrade for those. Not gonna sell my remaining MIA Standard P unless the War Department makes me. And Jazzers? Love 'em! So darn much fun to play, yet so quick to disappear in the mix unless you employ some form of audio magic.
