Fender Folks: Are MIM Basses improving?

[plankspanker13]

Does anyone foresee the day that only Custom Shop instruments will be MIA, and everything else will be made elsewhere? The only remaining step for the MIM's would be reinforced necks, and Am. Std. pickups.

 

[Mark4]

MIM Standards? Maybe, but they weren't bad then, and they're not bad now. Some have always been better than others. The Classic series instruments and other special runs, on the other hand, may be made in Mexico but I don't put those in the same category as the Standards. They're different instrument lines built to different specs.

 

[One Drop]

MIM Standards? Maybe, but they weren't bad then, and they're not bad now. Some have always been better than others. The Classic series instruments and other special runs, on the other hand, may be made in Mexico but I don't put those in the same category as the Standards. They're different instrument lines built to different specs.

My thoughts exactly. Roadworns being another example of high specced well built MIM instruments. I do think the Standards' general quality and consistency improved somewhat a few years ago, though (e.g. J pickups that hum.cancel, solid wood everywhere, etc).

 

[pica]

I've played several MIM Jazz basses at various music stores over the last 6-7 months. I wouldn't really say their any better or any worse. They are what they are. I've always liked the MIM basses. Like any other wood instrument they can vary from bass to bass. Overall I think they are wonderful alternatives for someone who can't afford a $1000 bass.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Overall I think they are wonderful alternatives for someone who can't afford a $1000 bass.

????

I feel like a broken record, and I'm not going to post all my Fender experience again, but I just picked up an Antigua jazz bass that on every level blows away 4 other Fenders I had that were American made. I also own about 10 basses that cost well over $1000 and don't consider the jazz an alternative to those.

Didn't jump into this thread for my regular Fender bashing though. I'm really, REALLY loving my antigua jazz, so much so that it has me considering a mexican P. Don't really want another antigua though, and wondering if there really is a difference in the new MIMs. I had a MIM P deluxe a couple of years ago and really disliked it. Was increidbly thin sounding, and had a weird twang to it that I couldn't get rid of. Even swapped out the pickups, and couldn't get the bass to hold up to my other basses. Would like to throw a P into my stable, but still on the fence.

If the antigua jazz was the only Fender I ever owned, I'd be a crazy Fender fan singing praises with the rest of everyone here. Since it's the only one of about 10 Fenders I've owned that I didn't have issues with I'm still wondering if I finally just lucked out and got one of the "gems", or if Fender really has upped their game.