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Fender MIM Precision 4 or US Deluxe Dimension 5?

MIM Precision 4 or MIA Deluxe Dimension 5?

  • MIM Precision 4

    Votes: 8 23.5%

  • MIA Deluxe Dimension 5

    Votes: 26 76.5%
  • Total voters
    34
Big Ginger Bass

Big Ginger Bass

Jul 8, 2009
28
4
Swindon
#1
Hi guys,

I'm having a craving for a 2nd Fender to compliment my MIM Jazz.

I'm debating between a MIM Standard Precision at £594/$725

And a USA Deluxe Dimension 5 (single H) which is on sale from £1,440/$1,760 reduced to £799/$976

Number of strings isn't any issue - I've played/owned 4/5/6 string basses

More than anything I'm curious what thoughts are on the dimension - Do I jump on a US Fender for that price point?

I've heard Dimensions compared to a Fender interpretation of a Stingray... wile a P Bass is well.. a P Bass!

I've never played a Dimension.. though I am very tempted to jump at that price point!

I play quite a wide array of music - Pop Punk and Progressive Rock/Metal being my 2 main ones but I touch on everything in between - Jazz, Funk, Classic Rock.

So I'd be quite interested to hear people's opinions!

Many thanks!

B.G.B
 
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#2
I went from a roadworn P to a Dimension HH without having played one first. No regrets.

The American Dimensions are excellent basses. I would highly reccommend one over a MIM p. Every P bass regardless of brand sounds like a P bass, IMHO. Not many basses cop the Musicman vibe, but the Dimension H does. It doesn't have a huge, hyped-up active tone like a Musicman but the preamp is quite good. They basically still sound like a Fender. The construction and fit and finish are easily on par with Ernie Ball basses. The body feels like a Musicman Sterling meets a jazz bass. On a strap it will hang more parallel to the ground. I like this but some folks don't. If you're lucky it will come with a killer molded case. B string will be huge sounding.

An MIM p is an MIM p. They will be around forever should you want to grab one and they can be found way cheaper. The price difference isn't that much. Get the Dimension!
 
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#7
garp said:
+1. Not to slight the Dimension as an instrument, but if you're really seeking a StingRay-like tone, there are cheaper ways to approximate it than buying an MIA Fender.
Click to expand...

Indeed there are, but they will all feel and play cheaper. The American Deluxe Dimension is a VERY high quality instrument, not just a clone. The oil and wax finish that Fender did on these necks feels better than the finish (lack of?) on the Stingray. The Dimension also has a compound radius neck, 18 mm string spacing, and a G string that's not going to slip off of the edge of the fretboard. The Dimension has a full fledged Musicman 5 beat in all of these aspects, of course IMHO.

On the other hand there are sub $100 basses that will cop the P tone all day.
 
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#9
garp said:
+1. Not to slight the Dimension as an instrument, but if you're really seeking a StingRay-like tone, there are cheaper ways to approximate it than buying an MIA Fender.
Click to expand...

Yes. Actually, have 2 MIM Dimensions and they are great. But the P is a basic "food group" that you must have along with a J!

And MM is third and also important. But a P goes better with a J to have the power duo. .
 
#10
rogerbmiller said:
Yes. Actually, have 2 MIM Dimensions and they are great. But the P is a basic "food group" that you must have along with a J!

And MM is third and also important. But a P goes better with a J to have the power duo. .
Click to expand...

American Deluxe Dimensions have a better preamp and different neck and tuners than the MIM varieties. Something to consider.

Also a J bass can kinda do a P bass tone with the neck pickup. A MM with the right EQ and right hand placement and technique can come close to a P bass. A P bass alone can do neither a J or MM, but excels at being a P bass.

I'm a big fan of all of the basses that have been mentioned! In this fight the $950 5 string American Dimension with a hard case is a far better deal than a $750 MIM P bass with a gig bag.
 
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#12
Sid the Kid said:
American Deluxe Dimensions have a better preamp and different neck and tuners than the MIM varieties. Something to consider.

Also a J bass can kinda do a P bass tone with the neck pickup. A MM with the right EQ and right hand placement and technique can come close to a P bass. A P bass alone can do neither a J or MM, but excels at being a P bass.

I'm a big fan of all of the basses that have been mentioned! In this fight the $950 5 string American Dimension with a hard case is a far better deal than a $750 MIM P bass with a gig bag.
Click to expand...

Agreed. So let me elaborate on a few things.

I tried the USA Dimensions before buying a Mexi. The premap in the USA is definitely a bit more refined. Some have said the MIM Dimensions have a harsh treble in the preamp. It think that is fair. It doesn't get in my way as I typically flatten it and get plenty of snap from the mids which I dime long with the bass. Some have even said the Squier Dimensions have a less harsh treble in the preamp and I agree. But I typically play my MM style basses (Dimensions, ATKs, etc) to get an "impolite" sound. Actual MMs not so much, but I find other MM style basses have a gnarly sound that I like fore certain applications.

The reason I bought the MIM Dimension though was because of feel. When I tried the MIA dimensions, I was unimpressed with the asymetrical neck- I have owned other multi-radiused necks and can take them or leave them. It was Fender's execution of the MM style gun oil finish that put me off. The neck felt desiccated and rough, like a piece of balsa wood. I flat out found it uncomfortable to play.

When I researched the MIM dimensions, I learned they have a neck that approximates the MIM J DLX necks and DLX Js are my go to basses these days. So when a MIM Deluxe Dimension V came up at a good price I pounced and I loved it out of the box. In fact I bought a second one! It is a hybrid between an MM SR and a J bass. BIG tone. And it feels good.

Now I agree with you regarding the $950 USA Dimension vs the $750 MIM P bass. Is the P new and the Dimension used? If so make it apples to apples and compare both used!

Anyway, I guess I look at certain basses as necessities which I tend to categorize into "food groups." The main food groups for me are in order, J, P, MM, Semi-hollow, and fretless. I am personally not a huge fan of HH basses because they veer into "neither fish nor fowl" territory. That's a personal opinion.

But more to the point here, OP has a J. And yes, the neck PU gets you close to a P but it isn't a P. Nor is the neck radius and simplistic appeal of the instrument. And in my book it ranks slightly higher than the MM food group so there you go.

Usual disclaimers apply (i.e. IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, IBTL, etc.)

Rock on.
 
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#15
Sid the Kid said:
On the other hand there are sub $100 basses that will cop the P tone all day.
Click to expand...
Excellent point there. One needn't spend the coin on a Fender in order to get the P tone. In fact, my very first bass was an early '80s Cort P copy – sold many moons ago to finance a new acquisition – but it certainly did the job. When I decided to return to the P fold a few years ago, I opted for a Fender, but probably could've saved a few bucks by going with a different brand.
 

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