Or there are those of us who have owned both and really don't care for the MIAs.
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WAAAAAAATTTTTTT???!?!?!?!!?!? Isn't this why everyone subscribes to TB??!?!?!!?!??
MIJ is my fav, good price, excellent quality.
This. But with my '96 MIM P Bass. I've owned 3 AmStds (2011, 2012, 2014) since buying my MIM, but they're gone. And yes, I did replace the stock pickups, pots and pickguard with a custom shop 62 pickup, pots and TORT Pickguard. Sorry, I torted in the last sentence. Anyway, it's always the "ol' reliable" that just fits.
I must confess, however........ this stinkin thread makes me wanna buy j u s t o n e m o r e American Standard, just in case those other 3 were of unusual funky-ness........ Plus, TB ALWAYS gives me GAS.......
IMHO, MIA is for guys who want the complete package right out of the gate. Upgrading the pickups in a MIA is kind of funny, because part of that extra $1,000 paid for the American model is because of better pickups than what comes in the MIM.
If you're willing to put a little work (upgrades) into an axe w/o spending $1,000, then MIM is the way to go.
The factories are literally 180 miles apart with some of the same workers in both factories, or so I've heard.
If you're willing to put a little work (upgrades) into an axe w/o spending $1,000, then MIM is the way to go.
The factories are literally 180 miles apart with some of the same workers in both factories, or so I've heard.
In my experience - and I've spent so much on instruments to the point of having no cash left for alcohol and drugs - all 3 groups of instruments have such inconsistency in build quality that it excludes IMO generalizations. Squiers are great but to my ears they lack depth, MIMs can be cold and I owned brand new MIA that were sterile and soul-less... but I've owned old Squier that sounded as good as my AVRI, Roadworn that was one of the best Precisions I've ever played, and MIA P that sounded just perfect....... hit and miss with all 3 models.....
It's comparing apples and oranges. Here are my 3 cents:
- Any jazz will sound nasal after you've been playing a precision for some time. It just doesn't sound full like a precision, but it has other tonal qualities.
- 50's precision doesn't have pickups as hot as the modern precisions, and it has truss rod adjustment at the heel because that's the way necks were made in the 50's. It also has smaller frets, fatter neck and vintage bridge for the same reason
- If you're are not satisfied with pots or pickups they can be easily replaced
I mean cmon, at least pots are not expensive.
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I haven't owned an MIA, although I've played a few, but I have owned MIJs (80s), MIMs, and Squiers (80s JV, VM and Standard, so MIJ, MIJ and MII). The MIMs had poor QC (mid 90s) but the other basses were pretty good (and the other non-Fender/Squier MIJs I've had) but the more recent Squiers have had less impressive pickups than the MIJs or any MIA I've played. That's been the most significant factor, with the MIAs and MIJs having a warmth and fullness that is very appealing. If Wizard pickups in the UK was still going then pickup replacements would be an easier decision.
I've had MIA CIJ MIM and Korean, but I'm going to throw a spanner in the works and say the favourite Fender I've owned is The MIC MP Jag.
Well, comparing a Jazz to a Precision will usually result in the J sounding a lot more nasally, because they are more nasally. They're fine if you like that sound.
As for MIA vs. MIM, the value for money depends on where you live. Where I am a MIM goes for $770, while a MIA costs a whopping $1,900! MIA basses have some very nice upgrades - better neck, pups and that nice string-through body - BUT I just can't justify such a ridiculous hike in price. I'm all for American craftsmen being paid the proper rate for their skills, but not if it's me who's paying over 1,000 extra for something that only sounds marginally better in reality. Basses are pricey here.
As for MIA vs. MIM, the value for money depends on where you live. Where I am a MIM goes for $770, while a MIA costs a whopping $1,900! MIA basses have some very nice upgrades - better neck, pups and that nice string-through body - BUT I just can't justify such a ridiculous hike in price. I'm all for American craftsmen being paid the proper rate for their skills, but not if it's me who's paying over 1,000 extra for something that only sounds marginally better in reality. Basses are pricey here.
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Are you sure on your pricing? Link Removed says that they are only $1170 for a USA std jazz and that's roughly the price they are everywhere. Here in Australia the are $2200(not on sale) brand new which in US dollars is $1578 so normal price
Yeah, an American Standard goes for £1,250 in the UK which converts to $1,925. I'd want something more like an American Deluxe for that kind of money.
Import costs are the devil!
This- I have owned and played all of the them. Some Squier's suck (they have a REAL heavy body, with a neck that doesn't seem to feel like it should be on that body, some MIA's didn't do anytthing for me, not great action but others were sweet. Some MIM's were fantastic, others felt like they should have cost $300.
Right now, my Sterling ray 34 is outplaying ALL of my fenders. YMMV.
