If I wanted a fender I wouldnt buy an mia. I would buy another musicman in a heartbeat though... i have 1 mim and a parts bass made from a mij geddy neck and a mim p body that i painted shell pink.
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Is Fender American worth it?
- Thread starter cliffburtono
- Start date
I vote MIM just because I have better experiences with MIM than MIA. MIM feels right for me and it helps me sleep at night knowing that I didn't blow $2000 on what is basically glorified carved pieces of wood with chrome parts and metal strings attached to them. I'd sleep at night knowing that I instead spent $300 on glorified carved pieces of wood with chrome parts and metal strings attached to them.
I have owned both MIM and MIA. MIA is worth it to me if I can find it used for a good deal (got my MIA J Bass off Craig's List). I don't think I would pay full price unless it was a model I wanted (a lot) and could only find it new. If you can test the basses for yourself, you can see/feel/hear the differences and make a decision from there. Good luck!
Shaun
Shaun
Hello. Please pick a lane.
My take on the comparison of these two seemingly antithetical statements of yours is that 1. you have the cash and are willing to spend it, but only if 2. you believe you are not being screwed in principle, even if you would be getting good value for money in any case.
Inasmuch as that's true, I suggest that you get your intangibles sorted first, then spend your cash on whatever bass guitar in particular suits you best.
It's not worth it unless you have the spare change laying around. For about twice the money, the MIA provides you with graphite stiffening bars in the neck (which I happen to like but great bass makers such as EBMM and G&L don't even bother with them) and m-a-y-b-e better PU's/ electronics, though as the owner of 2 MIM Fender basses (Roadworn J and P basses) I cannot hear a consequential difference between the two groups. (And yes, I've owned several MIA Fender P and J basses, some with passive and others with active electronics... BTW, I think Fender bass active electronics are awful, they can't produce what I believe to be the necessary amount of low end.)
Certainly not. There are too many subjective factors and ideals at work to get an overwhelming consensus, let alone a unanimous one. For example…
In my case, I've been quite happy with the Japanese-made and MIM Fenders I've owned. But then, the MIM's were definitely "odd ducks", one being a Classic '70s Jazz and another being a Blacktop Jazz. (it's a shame they discontinued the Blacktops…ah well
) Both were solid, dependable and downright excellent. So much so that when I needed to shed some gear, I took the best parts of both and turned it into a monstrous Frankenbass and the best of both worlds for my rather subjective needs. (more on that below…)Of the three Japanese-made Fenders, all were top-notch in the quality department. To answer the OP's "Why?" question, it's probably due to Fender Japan's devotion to excellence in their field. (There's probably a cultural factor at work, but that's a discussion for a completely different forum.
) Then there's their sense of innovation they've applied to the classic Fender designs. I wish FMIC was half as inventive as Kanda-Shokai (the other half of the "Fender Japan" joint-venture) was during their 40+ years of stewardship.So for me personally, I've managed to find instruments that make acquiring an MIA model seem to be a bit too rich for my blood. That, and most times I pick up an MIA bass, I'm not getting any more…but in one case, definitely less…pleasure playing it than my current crop.
@cliffburtono; I mentioned my "subjective needs" in my MIM testimonial. After fiddling around for a couple years, I figured out a few sonic and ergonomic criteria that works best for me. Once I had a clearer picture of what I wanted, it made narrowing down the list much easier.
In my case, I discovered my hands prefer a curvy, vintage-style fretboard over the flatter, more modern necks. (e.g.: Ibanez, Warwick, etc…) That's how the Classic '70s Jazz came to my attention. It's the only sub-$1000 Jazz Fender has to offer with that specification. And since I like a growly, aggressive tone, the '70s pickup spacing was a bonus.
After a few weeks of searching, a most-excellent, used one popped up near my stomping grounds. I put a layaway payment down over the phone to "secure" it, then went to give it a thorough inspection. An hour-long shakedown, two Squiers traded-in and swipe of the debit card later, it came home with me.
The point to this ramble is this; try to pin down what qualities, features and specifications you prefer…aesthetically, tonally and ergonomically. Once you're armed with those, you may find acquiring what works best for you will become that much easier and less prone to doubt or second-guessing.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
In terms of aesthetics, they do seem a little nicer, and rightly so. It's not a cheap ticket, and better ingredients + craftsmanship = more $$$.
However, if you are OK with MIMs and whatever they bring, you don't need to spend the extra money for the MIA. This is ALL about aesthetics, with little or nothing to do with sound. The sound is something you can bolt on as an upgrade.
However, if you are OK with MIMs and whatever they bring, you don't need to spend the extra money for the MIA. This is ALL about aesthetics, with little or nothing to do with sound. The sound is something you can bolt on as an upgrade.
I just made the lunge myself on an American Jazz fretless.
I like to compare them to cars.
Squier - Honda Accord
MiM - Bmw 3 series
MiJ - Bmw 5 series
MiA - Bmw 7 series.
I like to compare them to cars.
Squier - Honda Accord
MiM - Bmw 3 series
MiJ - Bmw 5 series
MiA - Bmw 7 series.
Awesome! Here we go!
Coffee? Check! Cigarettes? Check! Marker? Check!
I'm ready to play!
Thanks. Now I don't need to waste time explaining how I tried several squier and fender basses from various geographic locations and settled on the mim standard precision.
Maybe not the best comparison, since Beemers are a dime-a-dozen in their native country.
They're like Fords or Chevys out here, but I get your gist.Certainly not. There are too many subjective factors and ideals at work to get an overwhelming consensus, let alone a unanimous one. For example…
the MIM's were definitely "odd ducks", one being a Classic '70s Jazz and another being a Blacktop Jazz. (it's a shame they discontinued the Blacktops…ah well
In my case, I discovered my hands prefer a curvy, vintage-style fretboard over the flatter, more modern necks. (e.g.: Ibanez, Warwick, etc…) That's how the Classic '70s Jazz came to my attention. It's the only sub-$1000 Jazz Fender has to offer with that specification. And since I like a growly, aggressive tone, the '70s pickup spacing was a bonus.
Yup I have the '70s classic and the Antigua jazz, both with the '70s spacing.
I swaped the necks and put '74 Pure Vintage pickups in both basses.
I like the fact that there are no graphite rod's in these necks. The tone seriously lacked resonance and sounded dead with the rods.
This was just my experience.
Depends on your income-minus-life-expenses. If you're starving yourself, bicycling instead of driving, and have less than ten grand at the end of the year to stick into your hsa and retirement, a new mia is probably not worth it. If you're eating out all the time, drive a new car, and easily have over $20k at the end of the year for savings and toys, they're absolutely worth it to have at least one.
squiers are good, MIM's are great, and MIA's are outstanding
personally, for me, the additional cost for the MIA isn't outweighed by the additional "features." If I had some extra folding money that may be different, but I don't so it's not.
With used MIM's dipping as low as 300 in price I'd start my search there.
personally, for me, the additional cost for the MIA isn't outweighed by the additional "features." If I had some extra folding money that may be different, but I don't so it's not.
With used MIM's dipping as low as 300 in price I'd start my search there.
it's like youds would be buying it for the feeling in your heart... which i respect and value... "go america (imho)"! *xokissyface*
it's like youds would be buying it for the feeling in your heart... which i respect and value... "go america (imho)"! *xokissyface*
Some things are simply emotional, not practical.
If you think it is, or you think it isn't, either way you are right.
Sadly, yet another question strangers on the internet can't answer for you.
Sadly, yet another question strangers on the internet can't answer for you.
it's like youds would be buying it for the feeling in your heart... which i respect and value... "go america (imho)"! *xokissyface*
Not to mention downright ironic, since the OP told us in post #19 that he's living in the United Kingdom.
I admire your patriotism, Yummy, but I think your sales-pitch needs a little…um, refining.
