Is Fender American worth it?

[woodyng2]

I don't know about "minimal improvements". The 2 basses i pictured above were made within a year of each other. The AM STD J is just a much better instrument. I can see where the MIM P bass can be upmodded,frets filed,etc to ba a more than decent player,but it doesn't approach the J in terms of feel,quality,or sound.

 

[The Chuck]

Yes, it is worth it.

 

[FlaCharlie]

I know I'm opening up a can of worms here, but I'm just looking for your honest opinions if you were lucky enough to play or own an American and MIM/MIJ.

I'm opting to buy a fretless Fender JB and I'm willing to save up the necessary funds for the American made, the only problem is I don't want the price tag to fool me into thinking I'm getting a much better fender jazz bass compared to their Mexican and Japanese ones. Especially since it's twice the price of a Mexican/Japanese, which seems really high considering I can get a Mexican JB and a P too for that money.

Obviously I want to be playing an awesome bass but it just seems like a lot of money is going into an 'American' label. Although I have no say in this and can't judge between Am and MIM/MIJ because the only fender product I have and played is a squire jb. I'm not too keen on buying 'used' either for a fretless.

Could you give me your honest, unbiased opinion on whether it was worth it to you to pay the extra dollar for any of their American basses?

Thought it would be a good idea to quote the original post because, even though I haven't read all of this thread, I've read enough of it to notice that it has devolved to the point where people are talking about P basses (the OP wants a J) and various models that are only available as fretted (the OP wants a fretless). Totally predictable, of course.

Well, that said, I'm going to go off course too!

If you're concerned about being "fooled by price tags", I'd suggest the OP check into the Sire Marcus Miller line. Their V7 model is a jazz style and is available in fretless. A big reason these are so reasonably priced is that they sell direct to the consumer, not through a retail dealer network. So it's priced even lower than a MIM Fender and is available in Europe from Thomann, a distributor in Germany. I recently bought one of the fretted models and love it.

While I have no direct experience with Fender basses, many other Sire buyers own, or have owned, Fenders and the consensus seems to be that they are every bit as good as MIA Fenders. The preamp is outstanding and very versatile, an important consideration (depending on the fretless sound you're after) and it also can be played passive. They do have to be ordered and there is a wait, but they are in demand and can be resold easily if you don't end up liking it. The few that have been resold here on TB seem to get snapped up within a day or two. So mimimal risk.

Obviously, if the name on the headstock is of primary importance, this is not for you. But if you're looking for a great traditional jazz style fretless, you should at least check it out.

As for the original question . . . Can of worms? Of course. Value is always subjective and really only a decision you can make for yourself.

 

[cliffburtono]

Thought it would be a good idea to quote the original post because, even though I haven't read all of this thread, I've read enough of it to notice that it has devolved to the point where people are talking about P basses (the OP wants a J) and various models that are only available as fretted (the OP wants a fretless). Totally predictable, of course.

Well, that said, I'm going to go off course too!

If you're concerned about being "fooled by price tags", I'd suggest the OP check into the Sire Marcus Miller line. Their V7 model is a jazz style and is available in fretless. A big reason these are so reasonably priced is that they sell direct to the consumer, not through a retail dealer network. So it's priced even lower than a MIM Fender and is available in Europe from Thomann, a distributor in Germany. I recently bought one of the fretted models and love it.

While I have no direct experience with Fender basses, many other Sire buyers own, or have owned, Fenders and the consensus seems to be that they are every bit as good as MIA Fenders. The preamp is outstanding and very versatile, an important consideration (depending on the fretless sound you're after) and it also can be played passive. They do have to be ordered and there is a wait, but they are in demand and can be resold easily if you don't end up liking it. The few that have been resold here on TB seem to get snapped up within a day or two. So mimimal risk.

Obviously, if the name on the headstock is of primary importance, this is not for you. But if you're looking for a great traditional jazz style fretless, you should at least check it out.

As for the original question . . . Can of worms? Of course. Value is always subjective and really only a decision you can make for yourself.

Thanks for the input and suggestion, I will have a look at the Marcus Miller line. I happened to just scroll past them in the Thomann page because I was fooled by the price tag, and assumed they were low-end instruments made for mass production over quality. But now that you mention it I will look deeper into it, I'm in no hurry for a new fretless and right now I'm just waiting around for a good 2nd hand deal to come up, so it helps to have more bass suggestions to look into.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I have owned every level of instrument Fender makes from the Squire Affinity to a Fender Precision Select, which is built by Fender's custom shop. None of them are bad. I have gigged with an Affinity and it was okay. But, to answer your question, IMHO, the American is worth saving up for. It is a better built instrument using better wood and electronics.
To consider the price between the MIM and the MIA on an equal, you would have to add the price of the case and strap that are included with the MIA.
If you are up to looking for a used bass, the higher up the line it is, the better it will hold its value. With all that being said, used prices are down these days, so I would guess, with a little shopping and haggling, you could get an MIA for close to the cost of a new MIM.

 

[FlaCharlie]

Thanks for the input and suggestion, I will have a look at the Marcus Miller line. I happened to just scroll past them in the Thomann page because I was fooled by the price tag, and assumed they were low-end instruments made for mass production over quality. But now that you mention it I will look deeper into it, I'm in no hurry for a new fretless and right now I'm just waiting around for a good 2nd hand deal to come up, so it helps to have more bass suggestions to look into.

If you're not in a hurry and like what you see on the Sire website, I would just go ahead and order a Sire while you continue to look for a used Fender. Since fretless basses aren't nearly as common as fretted, it might take a while before you come across one locally that you can try before buying. Then if you find a nice used Fender you can compare it to the Sire directly yourself. I don't know what the used market is like, especially in Europe, but I'm guessing a new Sire might even be less than a used Fender. If you find you prefer the Fender, the Sire can be sold quickly and probably at a price close to what you paid since there is bound to be someone who doesn't want to order and wait.

 

[tortburst]

here's one in the classifieds if you don't want to wait
For Sale - Sire Marcus Miller V7 4-string FRETLESS, Brand New, Never Played

@cliffburtono
Which MIA fretless were you looking at getting?

 

[Iridescentone]

@Templar

If boldly calling something " American Standard " and charging twice as much for minimal improvements isn't aimed at patriotic feeling then
I don't know what is.

Now we're just going to go round in circles,repeating the same things in a pointless exercise so I'll bow out and leave the last word to you.

Whatchoo mean "we"? I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, but your last several posts in this thread have been driving home the same tired point: You resent Fender as a company in general, feel that Americans who buy USA Fender products (70% by your reckoning) are being punk'd by Fender's unscrupulous business practices, all the while participating in some bogus, undeserved sense of "patriotism". And from all the way on the other side of the planet you're somehow "bothered" by that, and the fact that Fender would have the temerity to "boldly" (sic) call their standard bass....(gasp)....the "American Standard". What nerve!

Yeah we get it.

 

[cliffburtono]

here's one in the classifieds if you don't want to wait
For Sale - Sire Marcus Miller V7 4-string FRETLESS, Brand New, Never Played

@cliffburtono
Which MIA fretless were you looking at getting?

Just the classic MIA Jazz Bass, in black or sunburst, I'm not that appealed by the signatures or special 60s/70s vibe models.

 

[shawshank72]

No.
Overpriced.
Great basses though.

 

[Binary1]

Whatchoo mean "we"? I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, but your last several posts in this thread have been driving home the same tired point: You resent Fender as a company in general, feel that Americans who buy USA Fender products (70% by your reckoning) are being punk'd by Fender's unscrupulous business practices, all the while participating in some bogus, undeserved sense of "patriotism". And from all the way on the other side of the planet you're somehow "bothered" by that, and the fact that Fender would have the temerity to "boldly" (sic) call their standard bass....(gasp)....the "American Standard". What nerve!

Yeah we get it.

FYI: That's on my BINGO card on the first page of this thread (post #8).

 

[MilkyMcMilkMilk]

If you are a fan of higher quality parts and a little more attention to detail than the Americans are what you need.
I managed to snag an American made Fender Select jazz bass, 2012 model for 1G and it's amazing. great bridge, tuners, neck,
finish, electronics, really amazing bass.
The American basses are a superior product, but they cost more and a good MIM bass isn't that hard to find, a couple mods and they can be great. I love my Squier 60's CV jazz bass. It was less than $300. It was good to begin with, but new pickups and a kahler whammy and it's great.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

Here is how I view Fender's line-up.
Not necessarily best to worst, but in terms of materials, build quality etc. (excluding custom shop of course).
1. Select Series & AVRI Series
2. AMSTD Series
3. Road Worn Series
4. American Special Series
5. Classic Series

 

[cliffburtono]

Here is how I view Fender's line-up.
Not necessarily best to worst, but in terms of materials, build quality etc. (excluding custom shop of course).
1. Select Series & AVRI Series
2. AMSTD Series
3. Road Worn Series
4. American Special Series
5. Classic Series

There's an American Standard and American Special jazz bass?? Is there a big difference between the two?

The one I'm considering is just a normal looking fretless jazz bass, but now I don't know whether it's AMSTD or American Special. Could you give me more input on what an American Special is?

 

[tortburst]

There's an American Standard and American Special jazz bass?? Is there a big difference between the two?

The one I'm considering is just a normal looking fretless jazz bass, but now I don't know whether it's AMSTD or American Special. Could you give me more input on what an American Special is?

Invalid Link Removed

looks like the American Special series doesn't come in fretless, so you must be talking about an American Standard Fretless

not that you asked but I would choose the Tony Franklin fretless out of those 3, though you are looking for jazz

*oh yeah and it was me who said to get whatever settles your mind

 

[finfrocka]

Checking back in.

Just received a new USA jazz standard (NBD soon to come)

Fit and finish was flawless and the neck is extremely stable. Also, the tone sounds so good with just the stock pickups. I will note a few things though.

I had to get the frets leveled, the E string buzzed no matter how I set it up. Had my tech do a level crown and polish. I must say I was dissapointed that this had to be done. I thought it would come out of the box without needing this type of work.

Also worth noting, the g string saddle is nearly bottomed out.


I sill say the American is worth it but overall a bit dissapointed that it needed fretwork out of the gate.

 

[cliffburtono]

Checking back in.

Just received a new USA jazz standard (NBD soon to come)

Fit and finish was flawless and the neck is extremely stable. Also, the tone sounds so good with just the stock pickups. I will note a few things though.

I had to get the frets leveled, the E string buzzed no matter how I set it up. Had my tech do a level crown and polish. I must say I was dissapointed that this had to be done. I thought it would come out of the box without needing this type of work.

Also worth noting, the g string saddle is nearly bottomed out.


I sill say the American is worth it but overall a bit dissapointed that it needed fretwork out of the gate.

Sorry to hear about that, I'd be a bit annoyed too if I had to put some extra work into it. Luckily for me though frets shouldn't be an issue on my fretless. unless they mess up and send it to me with frets, then I'd be pretty pissed

 

[woodyng2]

Checking back in.

Just received a new USA jazz standard (NBD soon to come)

Fit and finish was flawless and the neck is extremely stable. Also, the tone sounds so good with just the stock pickups. I will note a few things though.

I had to get the frets leveled, the E string buzzed no matter how I set it up. Had my tech do a level crown and polish. I must say I was dissapointed that this had to be done. I thought it would come out of the box without needing this type of work.

Also worth noting, the g string saddle is nearly bottomed out.


I sill say the American is worth it but overall a bit dissapointed that it needed fretwork out of the gate.

That was pretty much my impressions of the 2013 AMSTD J i recently got. It seems very high quality,the sound is fabulous,but the frets need crowning,and polishing. It's not nearly as bad as the fretwork on the 2012 MIM P bass i also picked up in trade at the same time,which has some of the roughest frets i've ever encountered. I think once the frets are addressed,I'm gonna have two good players,though.

 

[finfrocka]

That was pretty much my impressions of the 2013 AMSTD J i recently got. It seems very high quality,the sound is fabulous,but the frets need crowning,and polishing. It's not nearly as bad as the fretwork on the 2012 MIM P bass i also picked up in trade at the same time,which has some of the roughest frets i've ever encountered. I think once the frets are addressed,I'm gonna have two good players,though.

Just got the bass back. It's much better but still not perfect in the upper registers. Action isn't as low as I thought I could get it. But apparently that's just how it goes with a heavily radiused fretboard....

 

[P. Aaron]

Thank you for your responses so far.

Money isn't really an issue for me I am more than willing to buy American, unfortunately my opinion's been plagued by youtube comments on demo videos that the MIMs are 'just as good'. I know it's just youtube comments but it did have an effect on my initial decision. It just really helps if people who've owned the Americans can guarantee I won't be wasting money going for the high end.

Also one of you mentioned it's better to go MIJ/CIJ instead of MIM, I thought they were the same in terms of build quality and components. Just out of curiosity is there a notable difference making the Japanese ones better than the MIMs?

ps: The squire isn't my only bass, I'm upgrading my current axe so I'm not just looking for something better than squire.

If you haven't bought or found one yet, when it comes to Fenders, I only try American made ones for lots of reasons stated but also, I have 2 and I think they were worth the extra expense. It's about playing & getting at the notes and not fighting to get the tone, feel and vibe.