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Fender MIA - Worth it?
- Thread starter CiaranQ
- Start date
That’s kind of what happened to me.
I’ve been a Fender/Squier guy since I bought my ‘82 Squier JV ‘57 Precision when it was brand new. It was my only bass for over 20 years. I was in the Army and moved a lot so that kept my GAS down.
After I retired I starting getting other basses:
‘05 Fender CIJ ‘51 RI
‘07 Squier VM 70’s Jazz
‘08 Squier VM Jazz Fretless
‘11 Fender Modern Player Telecaster
‘14 Squier VM PJ
‘18 Fender Player Jazz
Back in ‘14 I got a really good deal from GC on a Fender FSR American Special, one of the Honeyburst ones. Even though I still play all the others, the American Special became my #1.
Lately I have also bought two other MIA Fenders, a ‘19 Limited Edition Lightweight Ash American Professional Jazz and a ‘18 American Performer Precision PJ. I think the PJ is what the OP was looking at.
The Special and the Performer both have the Greasebucket circuit. I like it.
There is nothing wrong with any of my other basses. I do all of my own work and setups. All of them are setup virtually the same. I still play them all.
But my Americans are my top three and I absolutely think that they are worth it to me.
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I vote Warmoth. I was about to buy a MIA fender but wanted a few specific things like a quartersawn maple neck.
I built a precision with all American made parts (Nordstrand pickup) and came out at about $1300 after my Luthier, who I trust more than a Fender employee, set it up.
I built a precision with all American made parts (Nordstrand pickup) and came out at about $1300 after my Luthier, who I trust more than a Fender employee, set it up.
For whatever is worth, I recently had a little trouble with my MIM deluxe Jazz. We were playing several concerts, and the sound company had backline equipment. So while one of the guys took my bass back to the factory I played their Fender Elite Jazz bass. I went backstage and just re-set the bridge the way i like it.
They fixed my bass and brought it back so I had both for the concerts.
The feel of both basses was identical!!!!!
I ended up liking mine better because it has the new 4th generation noiseless as an upgrade, and their Elite had the N3 and it had a little less output and overall it felt a little dull.
I was very surprised how they felt like the same bass!
They fixed my bass and brought it back so I had both for the concerts.
The feel of both basses was identical!!!!!
I ended up liking mine better because it has the new 4th generation noiseless as an upgrade, and their Elite had the N3 and it had a little less output and overall it felt a little dull.
I was very surprised how they felt like the same bass!
Sure... when these kinds of statements are made, it's nice to see where they come from.
Back in the day the difference between MIM & MIA was a bit more than just where it was assembled. MIA would be 3 piece bodies or less. MIM you would get three to five piece bodies.
Nowadays I know MIMs are being made with 3 & even two piece bodies.
Necks.. the only difference back then was 22 or 21 frets. Nowadays MIM & MIA necks are made with 22 or 21 frets depending on model. Same with radius, same with big or small headstock... (that's a guitar thing).
So... yeah... now I don't know what the difference is. I can't imagine any company would allow less than the best assembly techniques regardless where the instrument is made.
Go to the biggest chain you can find. Spend a couple of hours trying to discern the difference. If you figure it out, decide if it's worth the extra money to you.
If you can't determine what the extra money is for, don't spend it.
In the real world, a Fender MIA is only worth it IF it's worth it to you. You can consider the cost of labor due to geography, the amount of time spent in the build, the quality of the hardware ad nauseum, but all anything is really worth to me or you is how much cash you're willing to pull out at the cash register.
As they say, 'you vote with your wallet'.
Now having said that, Fenders are everywhere, we're not talking one-off handbuilts. In new axes, FMIC makes deals with the Guitar Centers, Musician's Friends, etc., and once you settle on a new one (if you go that way) I would really, really shop around. Also, if there are good local stores where you live, give them a shot: They need support in this online world, and most are under the same MAP as the chains, generally. And heaven knows you could save from a little to a lot on a gently used one, often those deals include a case which generally isn't included with new ones.
Learn the market for what you want and buy smart. . . . . . once you're convinced it's worth it TO YOU.
As they say, 'you vote with your wallet'.
Now having said that, Fenders are everywhere, we're not talking one-off handbuilts. In new axes, FMIC makes deals with the Guitar Centers, Musician's Friends, etc., and once you settle on a new one (if you go that way) I would really, really shop around. Also, if there are good local stores where you live, give them a shot: They need support in this online world, and most are under the same MAP as the chains, generally. And heaven knows you could save from a little to a lot on a gently used one, often those deals include a case which generally isn't included with new ones.
Learn the market for what you want and buy smart. . . . . . once you're convinced it's worth it TO YOU.
In my experience the MIJ & CIJ basses are some of the best to carry the Fender logo. When it came time to thin my collection, I kept my MIM Steve Harris P-bass and sold my 2018 MIA P. As mentioned earlier in the thread, these things often come down to each individual instrument; each country of manufacture is capable of creating exquisite pieces, while at the same time each have created their share of turds.
Additionally, some folks will buy American made products simply to support the economy-- it just depends on what aspects are important to you.
Looks like you already have some fine Fender-type instruments... why not look into something a little different, such as Rickenbacker?
Better fit and finish on most the USA models, and the electronics/bridge/tuners seem to be of higher quality, but you are the only one that will notice.
Good luck
Good luck
The fact that MIA Fenders are lovely and generally worth the money (esp. via the used market) does not mean that Squiers, MIMs, MIJs, and MICs aren't worth owning and playing. I have an MIJ FSR Traditional 60s Midnight Telecaster that is superb as well as a 2009 Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass that is just about perfect for my needs. The MIC Fender stuff represents stunningly good value. I once owned an MIM 60s reissue Jazz Bass from the 90s that was fantastic and I have been searching for a similar bass ever since I stupidly sold it. Whatever you find in the Fender family of instruments that speaks to you and looks good is probably worth investing in. The fact that the used Fender/Squier market is so robust is also a benefit to you as the consumer.
Electronics, I'll grant you. Hardware, maybe, but bent-steel bridges and modern tuners are hardly Apollo command modules. How big of a quality differential is there, really?
Poly is poly. Lacquer? The MIMs are often closer to vintage specs on finish because of California's environmental regs.
Fit? Maybe better on MIAs, but why would it be? It's a bolt-neck instrument, machine-cut and -carved. How much difference is there, really? I've seen as much fret sprout on MIAs as MIMs.
Again, better overall? Perhaps. But so much better that it justifies a near-100% markup?
I didn't pay near retail price for my 09 AmStd P. And it had a hi-mass bridge. Sure, I replaced it with a bent steel bridge and the pickup with a Geezer, but I'm still way under retail cost for it
I didn't pay near retail price for my 09 AmStd P. And it had a hi-mass bridge. Sure, I replaced it with a bent steel bridge and the pickup with a Geezer, but I'm still way under retail cost for it
I meant new.
I did forget, some MIAs are string-through where MIMs usually aren't. That's either important or not, depending on your preference.
Me, I've got two MIA basses (just one a Fender), a MIM, and a MIJ. Every one of them needed tiny tweaks, but I'd gig any of them.
I own an MIJ Precision, a MIM Precision, and a MIM Mustang. I’ve gigged with a CIJ Mustang. Of the American models I’ve played, I love the feel of the American Pro Ps and Js. For some reason, the Elites have a totally different feel to me that I don’t like as much.
I have not been impressed with the American Specials or American Performers that I’ve tried, but its hard to form an opinion on a bass that’s right off the wall at GC.
I have not been impressed with the American Specials or American Performers that I’ve tried, but its hard to form an opinion on a bass that’s right off the wall at GC.
I think the point, as many have pointed out on many forums involving many types of instruments, cars, pocketknives, watches, etc, is that country of origin is only one of MANY variables at play in a finished product.
When a JMJ or a Road Worn (both MIM) reportedly blow the doors off a MIM standard, then that quality differential has nothing to do with country of origin. When the American Pro and the Elite feel different, that difference has nothing to do with country of origin.
