Differences between Fender MIA, MIM and Squier bass

[slobake]

Nice why are you on a fender thread?

It must be the Fender stool.

 

[slobake]

Oh bass gods, why must we go through this every week? Where, oh, where have we sinned in our lives? Forgive us!

Because we never get tired of it. Or maybe some of us don't. We are bass players we can be cool with this conversation.

 

[brendanbassix]

Why don't we all go and practice?

+1

 

[slobake]

Hee hee! These threads are such a kick. Why don't we all go and practice? .

Yes sir and on whatever darn bass strikes our fancy at the moment.

 

[brendanbassix]

I think the moment people who play squier/MIM stop telling people who play amstd or above that they have wasted their money on their basses while simultaneously people who play amstds stop looking down on people who play squiers these threads will stop.

Both are good basses that nobody other then us on talkbass really care that much about. They both sound good and are good in a band setting and once the stage lights are on it's your playing that counts not your decal.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

It must be the Fender stool.

That stool is made in America!

 

[Deleted member 269102]

I think the moment people who play squier/MIM stop telling people who play amstd or above that they have wasted their money on their basses while simultaneously people who play amstds stop looking down on people who play squiers these threads will stop.

Both are good basses that nobody other then us on talkbass really care that much about. They both sound good and are good in a band setting and once the stage lights are on it's your playing that counts not your decal.

Yup. Basses are tools that we use to create music. Individually they can be expensive works of supreme craftsmanship, or inexpensive and utilitarian. Regardless of where an instrument falls on that spectrum, there will be someone who feels that it's just right for *them*.

In the end, it's about making music, and past a certain point that has so much more to do with the bass player than the bass.

I've been playing for 25ish years, and I'll never be a Carol Kaye or Stu Hamm, so it makes no sense to me to have anything beyond MIJs and modded Squiers. Others approach that very differently and *that's ok too*. I'm just happy there are so many options out there.

So play your arse off and have a ball doing it, no matter what bass suits you.

 

[Muddslide]

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.

"Better" is completely subjective. There is absolutely nothing about the year of make, country of origin, price tag, or headstock logo that makes one instrument objectively, arbitrarily "better" than another. Some player might prefer a Steinberger over a Ric, or prefer a cheaper Squier over an MIA Fender for all kinds of legitimate reasons based on their own tastes, experiences and needs.

Yup. Bases are tools that we use to create music. Individually they can be expensive works of supreme craftsmanship, or inexpensive and utilitarian. Regardless if where an instrument falls on that spectrum, there will be someone who feels that it's just right for *them*.

In the end, it's about making music, and past a certain point that has so much more to do with the bass player than the bass.

So play your arse off and have a ball doing it, no matter what bass suits you.

Well and truly spoken.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I think the moment people who play squier/MIM stop telling people who play amstd or above that they have wasted their money on their basses while simultaneously people who play amstds stop looking down on people who play squiers these threads will stop.

Both are good basses that nobody other then us on talkbass really care that much about. They both sound good and are good in a band setting and once the stage lights are on it's your playing that counts not your decal.

Honestly, i dont look down on anyone. My first bass was $85! I gigged this weekend and one of the opening bands had a bassist playing a SUB through a Peavy combo amp. I was impressed with the sound and that kid could PLAY (Lacerate is the band btw). I like nice basses because i feel like it is easier to get beautiful music out of them and as an artist, I just crave the best. I dont want to be held back by a bass that doesnt sound as good or play as well. Im not knocking anyone. I gotta admit though, I take it with a grain of salt when someone says a MIM or Squier is just as good. But play what you like and what works for you. Maybe your journey will eventually lead to a MIA Fender maybe it won't. If I see you rockin that Squier I will tell you "nice bass playing."

 

[Bassa Nova]

It really comes down to price doesn't it or at least relative value to a person?

If I am going to spend $300-$400 I would get a Squier Classic Vibe.

If I am going to spend $500-$600, I would probably get a used Fender Classic Series (or even a very special MIM FSR)

If I am going to spend any more, I would buy a used Fender MIA.

I would feel fine with all of those scenarios.

For the record I own one from each the two former categories, and have yet to buy one from the latter...although I am sure that I will someday!

To each his own...

 

[brendanbassix]

Honestly, i dont look down on anyone. My first bass was $85! I gigged this weekend and one of the opening bands had a bassist playing a SUB through a Peavy combo amp. I was impressed with the sound and that kid could PLAY (Lacerate is the band btw). I like nice basses because i feel like it is easier to get beautiful music out of them and as an artist, I just crave the best. I dont want to be held back by a bass that doesnt sound as good or play as well. Im not knocking anyone. I gotta admit though, I take it with a grain of salt when someone says a MIM or Squier is just as good. But play what you like and what works for you. Maybe your journey will eventually lead to a MIA Fender maybe it won't. If I see you rockin that Squier I will tell you "nice bass playing."

yeah i absolutely agree and i wasn't saying anyone in particular looks down on people who use squier.

I am on the other had sick of defending my choice of American Fender over a squier by people who tell me its just writing on the headstock and that their squier smokes all American standards. If you want to say that I'll quite happily point out the differences between the two but if your happy with your squier im happy with your choice and as i said they are perfectly useable.

 

[Bassist4]

after reading this thread i saw this and laughed so hard i choked...thanks!

 

[morgansterne]

I started on bass with a used MIA fender jazz (Geddy influence). I miss the tone, it was amazing even with my ham fisted overly aggressive technique at the time. Sounded nice even through my wimpy combo amps -- I think that's the power of good pickups.

I now have a Squier classic vibe P bass in a five string and I'm thrilled with it. The previous owner installed another P pickup at the bridge, and it's very versatile that way.

Finding the right bass is more a matter of experimentation than spending once you get above $200 or so. Below that, the manufacturer is really skimping somewhere.

 

[Binary1]

after reading this thread i saw this and laughed so hard i choked...thanks!

It's really all you can do when threads like this come up every week.

Sit back and watch the show.

 

[twinjet]

@slobake I recently bought an Am Std myself and that is an excellent bass! I sold an MIM Jazz and a Schecter six string bass to afford one. Best choice I had ever made.

I had considered myself an extended range guy for many years, but I have recently gravitated to just... Four.

Listen to Miles Davis' song Four. Oddly enough I feel that song describes my American P.

 

[GregT]

I actually enjoy these threads. I'm sure that most of those who don't, simply skim over them and don't waste their time posting in a thread they have no interest in. Sometimes, it might make sense if these threads got moved to the bass humor section when they take a turn for the worse though.

One of the things I always tell a beginner asking for advice it to buy the best equipment you can afford. And, of course, practice. Everything available today is better than what I could afford when I was young. I would never understand looking down on anyone for the instrument they bought and played.... That would be just silly.

 

[slobake]

I like talking about basses and what people like about them. I may be an incurable optimist (others have used other words to describe that) but I still believe we can have a good conversation about this.
If some people are looking forward to being entertained by a flame fest then so be it. It is up to us to avoid that. Many here have played imexpensive basses and higher end basses as well. I have no reason to give anyone a hard time about the bass or basses that they prefer.
Sometimes our comments on threads like this say a lot more about us than what bass we play.

 

[JoeWPgh]

The main difference between the different levels of "Fender" basses is the quality of the hardware, and tighter QC standards. There will be some fine instruments coming out of the budget brands, and a few dogs coming from the mothership. It's about the odds. And the odds are that a USA Fender will be higher quality, right out of the box. But that's if that's what you want. If you have some lutherie skill and a hardware plan, there's nothing wrong with modding a 'budget' model, as you can turn out a pretty decent bass. In such a case, you are handling the QC yourself. This potentially eliminates the main downsides of a 'budget' model.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Yup, I know this has been talked about many times here but I am going to add my 2 cents.
I have been playing bass seriously with a band for about four years now. The first bass I liked was a 50's MIM. After that I added a Squier James Johnson Jazz as a back up. I bought a new American Standard Precision about two months ago. Since then I have been playing my weekly gig with the Am Std. It seems to fit better in the mix with the band.
On Friday I decided to change things up and use my Squier Jazz. Plugged it in and in changed my mind. Then I plugged in my MIM 50's and decided against gigging with that one as well. Here are the reasons why:
The Squier Jazz now sounds like it has a cold to me. The tone sounds very nasal. A subjective thing for sure but that is what I hear. The set up is pretty good on that bass but I like the tone on my Am Std P a lot better.
I still like the tone on my MIM 50's and the nice fat neck and small frets are great. The tuners are tight and funky and the pots are noisy. I have no doubt someone will advise me again that I need to clean the pots. I have cleaned them with enough times that I am sure that is not the problem. Also the quality of the build is pretty good but not as good as the MIA. The frets aren't as smooth at the edges and the bridge is slightly more difficult to work with on the MIM. I also have to loosen the neck on the MIM to adjust the truss rod.
I still like both my old basses but the Am Std is hands down my go to bass. My ears and and skills improved over the years to the point where I can hear and feel a real difference between the three basses. I like the sweet tone on the 50's MIM but the Am Std pickups are hotter and more versatile.
I will probably get rid of the Squier and I need to make some decisions about the MIM. If I keep it I will be upgrading the tuners and replacing the pots. I also like the Am Std bridge better than the MIM, but that is a minor thing.
My first two basses served me well for several years but now I prefer the Am Std. Just my two cents.

I'm a big fan of MIAs but playing devils advocate here, maybe you just prefer p basses to jazz basses?

 

[Inconnu]

Personally, I prefer my MIM Fender Jazz fretless to any other fretless J-bass I tried, ever (MIA, MIM, Squier, other brand, whatever). Why? I owned it for many years, loved it the second I tried it (even compared to other MIM fretless J's), something's special about it and I can't explain. DO I like it better then an MIA, yes! Does it make me think that MIM is better then MIA, absolutely not. My particular bass works for me, that's all.

Same goes with a Squier Bass VI I chose over an MIM Pawnshop Bass VI. I just preferred the Squier so I bought it and have no regrets.

I can afford more expensive instruments. I own way more expensive basses (including an MIA G&L L-2500), but the price tag doesn't matter, even when it's the cheapest option the seems to work!