Fender Standard Vs American Standard

You're going to get nay sayers and yea sayers on this one.

But I've owned MIA '08 jazz and it was the best jazz I've ever had. The wood they use on the MIA's is very resonant. It just feels like a bass that will last you a lifetime. They also have string-through bodies, a heavy thicker bridge and ultra-light tuners. The MIM Standard Fenders however, don't.

 

try lots of each. one of them will jump out at you.

also, depends on how much money you have/want to spend.

 

I am gigging a 2003 Made In Mexico Fender Standard Precision Bass and I am loving the bass. I have quite a few Fender P-Basses,Vintage,American Standard and a Mexican Classic Series 50's Precision. For some reason my Mexican Standard with D'addario XL Nickelwound Roundwounds just feels and sounds so right. If you look around good Mex. Fenders are out there...I love mine !

 

Yes, I do. Definitely. I wouldn't have said that before the '08 models came out. With the graphite reinforcement rods in the neck as well, it really cuts down on dead spots as well. Best basses they've put out since the 60's, IMO. Better, actually.

 

Honestly, I love my two MIM's but I'd trade them both for an MIA. Well, not a black one...

 

I've got an MIA pbass. I'll tell you, it's one HELL of a bass. There are some major things(as well as minor things) that make the MIA better. Probably the biggest advantage the U.S. has is just about every component is every higher quality, and so is the crafsmanship. Also, if you look closely, you'll see many small details that will make you love it.

I personally would fork out the extra dough every time for the MIA(if i actually had the extra dough.lol). That's my preference though. You should try out both(extensively). You may hate the MIA and fall in love with the MIM. Your preference is the most important thing.

 

fwiw I've played a few mim's and just liked the mia's more. . .I have 2 that are irreplaceable. i'd say play a bunch - you'll see (or not and go w/ a mim)

 

Is it worth the extra money ? You really need to hit the stores and try out as many as you can, and make up your mind. I was in a shop about a week ago, and played one of the new American Standards and really didn't think much of it. I may have got very lucky with my MIM P-Bass ? It's lite,it's Alder (so they say),and the neck feels alot like a '62 reissue my friend plays. I have made no mods to the bass. I thought when I bought it (for dirt cheep), I would change the pickup...but I think it sounds OK...but you never know ? I may change it one day.

 

check out the Highway 1 Fender Precision Bass. its MIA. has badass II bridge. pickups are american standard vintage (although i put 1/4 lbs. on mine). cost around 750-800. considerably less than american standard. i think its cheaper because of the finish. very very thin nitro(somthing) finish. you'll either love it or not. it gets beat up easily, but thats my favorite part about it. i've had it about 3 years and i coudnt be happier

 

American Fenders from 2008 and on are simply amazing.

 

The bare minimum Fender bass that I personally would go for is the MIM Deluxe Active Jazz V.

The action's a little bit high on some but I know from experience these basses can be set up to play like buttah. They also have a tone that's much like its American Deluxe counterparts. IMO, its what the 55-02 is to the 55-94.

 

MIM Fenders have come a long way in the last ten years. Find one you like, regardless of the words on the headstock.