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Fender Basses

pica

pica

Nov 26, 2009
2,467
919
Michigan
#1
I'm sorry if this question has been asked before. I did a search and didn't find an answer.

Is there really much difference in sound between the MIM Fender Jazz and the American made Fender Jazz? I know the woods used are different and the electronics are different but does that really affect the sound to be noticeably different.
 
#4
pica said:
I'm sorry if this question has been asked before. I did a search and didn't find an answer.

Is there really much difference in sound between the MIM Fender Jazz and the American made Fender Jazz? I know the woods used are different and the electronics are different but does that really affect the sound to be noticeably different.
Click to expand...

All basses sound, look, feel, and play exactly the same, amps too - just ask anyone. :rolleyes:
 
#9
I have a MIM-P that out plays a MIA P-Bass in feel and out-put.
Hell, I have a 10 year old Squire-by-Fender Delux P (P bridge and a J bridge pups) that out plays a MIM.
Then again, Bass "A" will play differently then bass "B" or "C" and so on all from the same lot. Play many Basses and then pick the best one for you:
Trust your fingers and ears; forget labels......
 
#13
The sound diff between two basses who only diff is body woods who have recognized diff tonal char between them will result in two basses with small diff between them tone wise. When you also add in diff pups the tone diff becomes bigger between them esp if diff types of pups such as P and soapbar. Try a few and go for the one with nicest for you tone and playability. That may or may not be the more expensive one. Sometimes lower priced version can have pups whose tone one likes better, or one might prefer unfinished.not painted neck for playability which is often only found on lower price models.

Too answer your question spec about the two j basses. Tone diff will be there but not as big as if one was comparing basses with diff pup types in most cases.
 
#15
For me the biggest difference is in the quality of the necks. MIAs will tend to have nicer necks with a better finish. However, I own several MIM guitars that play and sound great. Swapped out the pickups of my MIM Jazz for SD's though. I have a MIM player's deluxe Strat that's 100% that sounds fantastic. So I would just go out there and get which ever sounds best to you.
 
#16
And keep in mind that, strictly sound-speaking, you can get a cheaper MIM (as long as you love the way it plays) and put any aftermarket pickup you want in it to change the sound. You can even put authentic MIA pickups in a MIM if you want.

And that's all assuming you find the MIM sound lacking. I wouldn't assume there's one unless you try them both and compare and come to that conclusion on their own. MIAs are great, don't get me wrong, but you don't have to assume that you're going to like them better.
 

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