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Fender question...
- Thread starter JGBass06
- Start date
From what I understand the reason there's such a disparity in price between American and MIM is that Fender doesn't have strict EPA Guidelines in Mexico. They're free to dump any type of toxic sludge in to a river. It's more expensive to do business in the USA when dealing with toxic materials. So there's not as big a disparity in build quality as the difference in price might indicate.
I heard a rumor that the Highway One models are painted and finished in Mexico for this very reason. Then assembled "Made in USA" further north on Highway 1.
That said, the American models have better hardware, which may not be that big of a deal considering all the aftermarket options out there. The attention to detail is better too, if that's important to you.
Some of the MIMs are great, some dogs. Some of the MIA are great, some dogs. Fenders are an absolute crapshoot. You have to go find the right one.
I heard a rumor that the Highway One models are painted and finished in Mexico for this very reason. Then assembled "Made in USA" further north on Highway 1.
That said, the American models have better hardware, which may not be that big of a deal considering all the aftermarket options out there. The attention to detail is better too, if that's important to you.
Some of the MIMs are great, some dogs. Some of the MIA are great, some dogs. Fenders are an absolute crapshoot. You have to go find the right one.
Nice ... Let's make it more difficult. What is the best basses in the majority ? The Americans fender or Japanese fender ? What are the differences ?
Yes!
I read a story about Steve Vai looking for a Strat for a song on one of his CDs. He went to a music store and tried out some insane number of Fender Strats. He walked out with a Mexican Made Strat.
One reason I always buy American is resale value, although in this economy a less expensive instrument may sell faster.
I agree with the advice to try some out and make your own decision.
Nice ... Let's make it more difficult. What is the best basses in the majority ? The Americans fender or Japanese fender ? What are the differences ?
i play a p bass and i always thought that mex was as good as usa until i got a usa p , better pups, bridge,neck feels better, graphite rod, machines heads better, paint job, at high volume the fridge magnet pups of mex loose somthing, alnico pups in usa sound great at high volume ...usa is better imo...
... there is such a plethora of info available in the search archives that hashes and rehashes everything about the components, to the "what is best/better ... ?" inquiries ...
... there are so many different factors to be considered, that it is almost impossible to answer such a broad question as what country the best basses are built in, etc ... an American Standard, or an American Series, will generally have better components, fit and finish, and play and sound better than a MIM Standard Series instrument ... BUT, now lets compare maybe a 'California Series' MIA bass, or an early Hwy 1 MIA to a current Road Worn MIM bass ... etc, etc ... play them all (as John says) and decide what is best for you and your situation ... this question is like asking what is better, American or Japanese cars ... well, what year, what models are we comparing, and probably moreso, who is going to use it and how ... if you have ten kids a Honda Accord is no longer better than a Dodge mini-van, no matter what somebodies ratings will tell you ...
... ok, the old guys rant is over ...
... there are so many different factors to be considered, that it is almost impossible to answer such a broad question as what country the best basses are built in, etc ... an American Standard, or an American Series, will generally have better components, fit and finish, and play and sound better than a MIM Standard Series instrument ... BUT, now lets compare maybe a 'California Series' MIA bass, or an early Hwy 1 MIA to a current Road Worn MIM bass ... etc, etc ... play them all (as John says) and decide what is best for you and your situation ... this question is like asking what is better, American or Japanese cars ... well, what year, what models are we comparing, and probably moreso, who is going to use it and how ... if you have ten kids a Honda Accord is no longer better than a Dodge mini-van, no matter what somebodies ratings will tell you ...
... ok, the old guys rant is over ...
