I would take ANY Classic Series bass over the Classic Vibe. I'd also take it over an American Standard and most AVRI. They are exceptionally well made!
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I think Fender is seriously crazy!
- Thread starter FishDub
- Start date
I would take ANY Classic Series bass over the Classic Vibe. I'd also take it over an American Standard and most AVRI. They are exceptionally well made!
I was recently in the market for a new P bass so i figured i would try my hand at an Fender American Special P-Bass. I figured ok here is a MIA that i can afford. I figure lemme' see if I can find a used one. I can..... a ton of them priced from $750 and up. Cool, I can do this. I went and tried a couple and was disappointed with everyone. Did not live up to the supposed MIA's are better quality than MIM's hoopla. I COULD NOT see spending $750 on any of them. Honestly, I couldn't see spending $500.
My only real comparisons at that point where my MIM Jazz and Special P. The MIA did sound better than my special P but my P's fit and finish surpass that of the MIA. My MIM Jazz bass is also a lot nicer (that's not opinion, thats fact). I have been gigging with that bass for the past 18 years.
So what did I end up getting as far as a new P goes. Well, I do have a rule when purchasing a new bass. $800 is the max. I was looking hard at the MIM 70's reissue basses and finally found a used one which happened to Have a CIJ Geddy neck on it. Needless to say it is awesome.
So the Classic MIM in my opinion is a much nicer bass bass than my MIM Standards. The MIM Classic is not even comparable to the MIA Special. The MIA is such a joke in comparison. I don't get it.
People say Fender is crazy? Why are they crazy? There cheapest MIA piece of garbage cost $999 and people buy it. Who's crazy?
My only real comparisons at that point where my MIM Jazz and Special P. The MIA did sound better than my special P but my P's fit and finish surpass that of the MIA. My MIM Jazz bass is also a lot nicer (that's not opinion, thats fact). I have been gigging with that bass for the past 18 years.
So what did I end up getting as far as a new P goes. Well, I do have a rule when purchasing a new bass. $800 is the max. I was looking hard at the MIM 70's reissue basses and finally found a used one which happened to Have a CIJ Geddy neck on it. Needless to say it is awesome.
So the Classic MIM in my opinion is a much nicer bass bass than my MIM Standards. The MIM Classic is not even comparable to the MIA Special. The MIA is such a joke in comparison. I don't get it.
People say Fender is crazy? Why are they crazy? There cheapest MIA piece of garbage cost $999 and people buy it. Who's crazy?
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
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- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Just Wow! :scowl: :scowl: :scowl:
The amount of emotion and hyperbole, not to mention offensive sexist and racist zombie jive in this thread is overwhelming to me.
Guys!!! They are just electric basses. Consumer goods. Mass produced musical instruments, quickly built using all sorts of internaional parts, materials and labor sources. So What?
Why not focus on making music and less on the disappointments of shopping for a new instrument. Find one that works, buy it, practice, and go kill some grooves! Stand down on the anger about bad set-ups, a touch of fret sprout, too much relief in the neck, or a neck not aligned in a pocket. It is pointless. This is our world.
And get over this weird MIM vs MIA jive. Get a bass you can afford and like playing and forget about who made it. THEN GO PLAY. PUH-LEEZ!
Buying a bass is not a political act in any significant way.
The amount of emotion and hyperbole, not to mention offensive sexist and racist zombie jive in this thread is overwhelming to me.
Guys!!! They are just electric basses. Consumer goods. Mass produced musical instruments, quickly built using all sorts of internaional parts, materials and labor sources. So What?
Why not focus on making music and less on the disappointments of shopping for a new instrument. Find one that works, buy it, practice, and go kill some grooves! Stand down on the anger about bad set-ups, a touch of fret sprout, too much relief in the neck, or a neck not aligned in a pocket. It is pointless. This is our world.
And get over this weird MIM vs MIA jive. Get a bass you can afford and like playing and forget about who made it. THEN GO PLAY. PUH-LEEZ!
Buying a bass is not a political act in any significant way.
If my experience with a company was half as bad as yours was, I'd move on. Fortunately, I have realistic expectations.
Excellent point. The OP is clearly someone who has a problem with Fender - perhaps he's not aware that there's only *about two zillion* other companies out there that make basses!
You don't HAVE to be a Fender fanboy! Don't y'all get it? You like one- but not the other? Well, shoot- THAT'S ALLOWED!
For instance- I LOVE me some Fender jazzes - I've owned 5(I think) different MIM jazzes, had a Reggie Hamilton MIM, and now a Hand Stained MIA. LOVE em, they feel like home. (For whatever reason)
I really dig the P sound - especially lately I've been on a bit of a Jamerson kick. I've have a Squier p bass and two MIMs - and have never been able to bond with them - for some reason unexplained.
So I did something naughty- thought outside the Fender box. I got an old headstock SX P bass. And I LOVE it. - it's certainly not replacing my jazz love - but it serves a specific purpose.
In short - play what you like! There's something out there for everyone - within Fender and outside of it.
For instance- I LOVE me some Fender jazzes - I've owned 5(I think) different MIM jazzes, had a Reggie Hamilton MIM, and now a Hand Stained MIA. LOVE em, they feel like home. (For whatever reason)
I really dig the P sound - especially lately I've been on a bit of a Jamerson kick. I've have a Squier p bass and two MIMs - and have never been able to bond with them - for some reason unexplained.
So I did something naughty- thought outside the Fender box. I got an old headstock SX P bass. And I LOVE it. - it's certainly not replacing my jazz love - but it serves a specific purpose.
In short - play what you like! There's something out there for everyone - within Fender and outside of it.
I'll tell you what, I bought a used rogue bass, put dimarzios in it, painted it flat black and it is absolutely perfect. The action is low no buzzing, it is loud, powerful and never goes out of tune. The neck is thin and flat, well balanced and has 24 frets. This folks is a $120 bass new with $100 pickups. Using the p pup gets a great p bass sound w my gk 1001 with contour off, turn up the contour add the j and its modern. I have a Spector and I enjoy playing this more sad to say. To $1000 for a slab of wood called fender, hahaha. I have 3 p basses all squires that I redid all costing under $200 used.
Another super awesome story. Was on the edge of my seat. I bought a 5 dollar footlong from subway. Put some new pickups and flats in it. Now it's better than any bass any of you have for a total of 25 dollars. Anyone spending over 25 dollars for a bass is crazy Hahaha. I'm laughing because I think people who but fender are dumb and I'm smarter because I didn't. I'm l33t and anyone who buys fender isn't....or something.
OK, the only place I've seen more bitching about prices than talkbass, is on body rub/ escort forums! Because, you know, sex CAN be had for free, or something....oh, wait I retract my former statement: There's more bitching on talkbass. 
and 
and 
BassHappy
Supporting Member
I am as guilty as anyone else, but it is so hard and patently unfair to generalize. One person's holy grail is another one's yawn.
If we all agree that there are dogs and ultimates from every year and era, how can we then say - "But the ones being made now are generally better?" Or - "The ones made in the 50s-60s-70s-80s-90s and up (pick one) are generally better?" Neither argument makes any sense and as far as I can see - neither is generally accepted fact.
Knowing that both the dogs and ultimates are an individual preference and come from any and every era - well, doesn't it all come down to personal choice in the end? Only YOU know what feels right - only YOU know what sounds right and fits your internal yardstick. Maybe that is truly where the beauty, the excitement and the magic lies - trying to find what best represents YOU and your musical aptitude.
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
If we all agree that there are dogs and ultimates from every year and era, how can we then say - "But the ones being made now are generally better?" Or - "The ones made in the 50s-60s-70s-80s-90s and up (pick one) are generally better?" Neither argument makes any sense and as far as I can see - neither is generally accepted fact.
Knowing that both the dogs and ultimates are an individual preference and come from any and every era - well, doesn't it all come down to personal choice in the end? Only YOU know what feels right - only YOU know what sounds right and fits your internal yardstick. Maybe that is truly where the beauty, the excitement and the magic lies - trying to find what best represents YOU and your musical aptitude.
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
I just go try some basses...then I find one I like...then if its in my price range I buy it...then I play it.
I *might* pop out the phone to check some reviews first, though usually not.
I didn't know things were so complicated.
I *might* pop out the phone to check some reviews first, though usually not.
I didn't know things were so complicated.
Bassbully said:
Having tried a number of Fender Jazzes in the last couple of years in a search for a new instrument, I have come to the same conclusion. Be it 2002, 2008 or 2013 models, they still are not as good sounding and well built as older japanese instruments.
The issue is neither electronics nor hardware. It is simply wood quality, where the newer ones are simply not as resonant, rich and even sounding as the older. Even with Posiflex technology, today's basses also exhibit MORE, not less dead spots issues than old Squiers.
I have no "dog in this fight" here, as I just want to find a good Jazz bass, at least on par with my 1983-ish Squier Precision. Ironically, Sandberg and Lakland are the ones making such (Fender-priced) instruments today.
Having tried a number of Fender Jazzes in the last couple of years in a search for a new instrument, I have come to the same conclusion. Be it 2002, 2008 or 2013 models, they still are not as good sounding and well built as older japanese instruments.
The issue is neither electronics nor hardware. It is simply wood quality, where the newer ones are simply not as resonant, rich and even sounding as the older. Even with Posiflex technology, today's basses also exhibit MORE, not less dead spots issues than old Squiers.
I have no "dog in this fight" here, as I just want to find a good Jazz bass, at least on par with my 1983-ish Squier Precision. Ironically, Sandberg and Lakland are the ones making such (Fender-priced) instruments today.
OK, the only place I've seen more bitching about prices than talkbass, is on body rub/ escort forums! Because, you know, sex CAN be had for free, or something....oh, wait I retract my former statement: There's more bitching on talkbass.
There is such a thing as an "Escort Forum"?? I guess I shouldn't be shocked...
