Some say there's not that much difference between Hyundai and BMW.... True if all you care about is to get from point A to point B. I personally like smell and grip of quality leather steering wheels and responsive handling....
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Is Fender American worth it?
- Thread starter cliffburtono
- Start date
Saying that a MIM is better than a MIA is downright hilarious. They're not even close.
Fellow Brit Chris B had a valid point earlier this year. All Fenders are FMIC.
They decide the specs,materials,unit cost and place of build.
It's their factories where the products are build and their QC
They then take those instruments and sell them.
They are there at the start and finish of production
If MIM is inferior to MIA then it's a business decision. Why would a company knowingly turn out an inferior product ?
Can anyone gave a reason. Remember FMIC call the shots here,it's their brand after all.
They decide the specs,materials,unit cost and place of build.
It's their factories where the products are build and their QC
They then take those instruments and sell them.
They are there at the start and finish of production
If MIM is inferior to MIA then it's a business decision. Why would a company knowingly turn out an inferior product ?
Can anyone gave a reason. Remember FMIC call the shots here,it's their brand after all.
I think with upgrades a mim could sound as good or better than a stock American. Certain things on it might still be lacking, like the fretwork, weight, finish, electronics, etc. However, in my mind, the things that really effect sound are the pups, bridge, and nut. If you upgrade those and don't have any wiring troubles you have to fix, your bass should sound great.
It's been discussed here many times before, but there is a crossover point at which the bang for the buck begins to diminish. I think Fender is pretty aware of that point and have priced the American-made versions of their instruments right about at the eutectic of value and price. So yes, I think they're worth it.
There are some pretty badass Hyundais on the road these days, in a broad range of vehicle categories. They've come a long way.
+1 And that price point makes you less likely to mod and more likely to keep it intact, lest you wreck the market value of the instrument—something that is next to no concern with MIM and Squier products.
I
The very simple answer is that MANY MANY companies produce similar products at multiple price points. So, not a valid point at all...
The very simple answer is that MANY MANY companies produce similar products at multiple price points. So, not a valid point at all...
Economy bacon tastes like bacon but if money weren't an issue we would all be eating premium bacon. What's good enough for some is not going to cut it for others.
And I would take an American standard over any squier or MIM with or without mods.
And I would take an American standard over any squier or MIM with or without mods.
I feel compelled to chime in on this one even thought I don't really have much new to add.
I've had all of the following in the past three years:
- Fender Select Precision
- Fender 60th Anniversary Precision (blackguard blonde)
- Fender 2013 AMSTD Precision
- Fender 2012 AMSTD Jazz
- Fender Road Worn Precision
- Fender FSR Sea Foam PJ
The Select was a visually stunning instrument.
The quarter-sawn neck and flame maple top were beautiful.
The 60th Anniversary (while being a bit of a hodge-podge of decisions) was excellent.
The AMSTD's were rock-solid. There is something to be said for the post 2008 AMSTD's.
The FSF was very click, awesome colors and about as think of a neck as you could ever find.
All of that said, I still have the Road Worn.
That doesn't make it better (or worse) than any of the above.
I love the neck, the fit and finish is on par with the AMSTD's and it sounds amazing.
I would love to know how much time is invested producing an AMSTD vs. a Road Worn.
I bet more time and man hours are dedicated to the Road Worn's.
They may be MIM which is great, because if the EXACT same specs were MIA they would be charging $1,699 for them.
Ha ha ha ha.
I've had all of the following in the past three years:
- Fender Select Precision
- Fender 60th Anniversary Precision (blackguard blonde)
- Fender 2013 AMSTD Precision
- Fender 2012 AMSTD Jazz
- Fender Road Worn Precision
- Fender FSR Sea Foam PJ
The Select was a visually stunning instrument.
The quarter-sawn neck and flame maple top were beautiful.
The 60th Anniversary (while being a bit of a hodge-podge of decisions) was excellent.
The AMSTD's were rock-solid. There is something to be said for the post 2008 AMSTD's.
The FSF was very click, awesome colors and about as think of a neck as you could ever find.
All of that said, I still have the Road Worn.
That doesn't make it better (or worse) than any of the above.
I love the neck, the fit and finish is on par with the AMSTD's and it sounds amazing.
I would love to know how much time is invested producing an AMSTD vs. a Road Worn.
I bet more time and man hours are dedicated to the Road Worn's.
They may be MIM which is great, because if the EXACT same specs were MIA they would be charging $1,699 for them.
Ha ha ha ha.
As has been said you need to decide for yourself if its worth it TO YOU. I think the MIA Standards are absolutely excellent basses, and are in generally better made better sounding instruments than their MIM counterparts. Of course you will sometimes find a gem of a bass in a lesser line and a lemon in a more expensive. The MIA are a lot more consistant, play and sound great out of the box. I've owned probably 20 Fenders over the last 10 years playing professionally and this has been my experience.
just an update in case anyone cares: ive decided to go for USA, though I'm gonna wait for something 2nd hand and in good condition to come up to save some money. The most convincing argument I found (cant remember who mentioned it) was that if I went for USA I wouldn't have the problem of wondering if I could've gotten something better, or how/whether I should mod it to make it better. No offence to the MIMs I'm sure they're great instruments, but I'd just be pissed off by the constant thought that I could've gotten an American, and I'd spend the rest of my life on youtube and talkbass trying to justify it being better than a USA.
Thanks for the input everyone I appreciate you taking the time off your daily lives into feasting upon my open can of worms of doubt
Thanks for the input everyone I appreciate you taking the time off your daily lives into feasting upon my open can of worms of doubt
It is good you have a decision. Glad this thread didn't get out of hand.
Just go play them all. Pick what you like. I've had a deluxe American jazz, and it was ok. Just didn't feel right. There was nothing wrong with it, just not for me. I currently have a Toby Franklin p bass and it's just awesome. I've played good and bad Americans, same with the Mexican stuff. Personally, all my basses and guitars are American made. That's just my preference. They sell better and retain value, IMO. I've never had any German stuff, but that also seems to be well made. My general rule of thumb is, if it doesn't come with a case I don't buy it. If the manufacturer doesn't care enough to protect it, why should I buy it? Again, my personal rule of thumb. Just mine. But it has served me well.
"Doubt" can be like acid in your veins, that's for sure.
("Irony" would be if you found an MIM or other offshore-made instrument that makes you wonder why you spent so much in the first place! 
) Seriously though, it was my own self-doubt as to whether or not I would stick with bass or not that made me start looking at a lower-cost instrument for my first-ever. So, I can understand where you're coming from, even if it's on the opposite side of the price-point-factor.It sounds like you've given this a lot of thought and came to your decision from the position of an open mind. Whatever you get, I hope you love the Hell out of it. I, for one, am looking forward to your New Bass Day post and pics.
Outside a smokin' hot deal here on the TB Classifieds, and assuming you're in the U.S., I'd keep a weather eye on Guitar Center's used listings. Every now and then they get something at a ludicrously low price despite the inherent quality. They have a 45-day return policy and you can return something ordered from one store to a location nearer you. The most you might lose out on is the shipping cost, which I, personally, just chalk up as the equivalent of a "rental fee". Good luck and happy hunting!
slobake
resident ... something
When I first started playing I had a beater MIM. Went out looking for amps one day and the wife convinced me to buy a new bass too. Played a lot of basses side by side. It came down to a MIM 50's Precision and an American Standard Precision. Price was not an issue and I picked the MIM 50's because I liked the tone better.
I loved that bass and gigged with it every week for five or six years.
One day I was hanging out at G.C. and I picked up a used Am Std. The hardware and general feel just felt so much better than my MIM, but I disliked the pickups. I heard that the pickups on the newer Am Std's were a big improvement so I started saving my money.
When I had enough cash I began my search. I played a number of new Am Std's at Gelb music and they were not all the same. Maybe it was the setup or something else I don't know.
Guitar Center told me that had an Am Std and they put one aside for me. When I got there they had it behind the counter and it still had plastic covering the tuning pegs. I'm guessing it was right out of the box and never set up. As soon as I picked it up I knew it was the one. Plugged it in and fell in love. G.C. gave me a better deal too. Got the bass plus a new set of stings for $1,100.
That has been my go to bass ever since. I named that bass Max because it can do it all.
Picked up a couple Jazz basses along the way and never really liked either one. I sold the last Jazz last night.
Kept my 50's MIM as a backup plus it has a different tone that is still like. That bass is named Fudge for it's sweet dark tone.
I learned several things over the years. I learned that my taste and my ears change as I progress as a bass player so I should go with whatever bass I like the most. I also learned that no two basses are alike and that is it is better tp a bass before I but it. I always know right away when I have found "my" bass."
Get either bass just pick the one that speaks to you. Don't listen to what others say is a good or bad bass I made that mistake once. Mostly, have fun and rock hard on whatever bass you pick.
I loved that bass and gigged with it every week for five or six years.
One day I was hanging out at G.C. and I picked up a used Am Std. The hardware and general feel just felt so much better than my MIM, but I disliked the pickups. I heard that the pickups on the newer Am Std's were a big improvement so I started saving my money.
When I had enough cash I began my search. I played a number of new Am Std's at Gelb music and they were not all the same. Maybe it was the setup or something else I don't know.
Guitar Center told me that had an Am Std and they put one aside for me. When I got there they had it behind the counter and it still had plastic covering the tuning pegs. I'm guessing it was right out of the box and never set up. As soon as I picked it up I knew it was the one. Plugged it in and fell in love. G.C. gave me a better deal too. Got the bass plus a new set of stings for $1,100.
That has been my go to bass ever since. I named that bass Max because it can do it all.
Picked up a couple Jazz basses along the way and never really liked either one. I sold the last Jazz last night.
Kept my 50's MIM as a backup plus it has a different tone that is still like. That bass is named Fudge for it's sweet dark tone.
I learned several things over the years. I learned that my taste and my ears change as I progress as a bass player so I should go with whatever bass I like the most. I also learned that no two basses are alike and that is it is better tp a bass before I but it. I always know right away when I have found "my" bass."
Get either bass just pick the one that speaks to you. Don't listen to what others say is a good or bad bass I made that mistake once. Mostly, have fun and rock hard on whatever bass you pick.
I disagree, although I only own one mexican Fender (a Pawnshop Fender Bass VI): I would much rather buy a higher end mexican made Fender like the vintage reissues with nitro finish than a US made "special", which is kind of a cheap "mexican" Fender that is cheaper than other US Fenders but much more expensive than comparable mexican Fenders just for having this "made in the USA" logo.
If Fender wanted to, they could make custom shop quality instruments in Mexico that would be cheaper than a US standard bass, but it wouldn't make sense for Fender from a marketing perspective. During the last 10 years or so, Fender has surrendered much of their marketing driven decisions regarding the quality of made in Mexico Fenders and their Squier line that was always kind of artificial. Today you can buy mexican Fenders and even some Squiers that are comparable in quality to some US made Fenders and sometimes you get much much more for your money. Made in the US is a bit of nostalgia. Like you couldn't sell much Harley Davidsons if they would be made in China, I guess. Nothing to do with quality. But Fender is kind of one of those american figureheads. And esp. people who are kind of nostalgic about the country the US once was or might have been are willing to pay the extra bucks.
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