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Is Fender American worth it?
- Thread starter cliffburtono
- Start date
IMHO, it depends entirely on the user.
The fit and finish of American vs. Mexican are the same IMHO.
The extra $1,000 is about the pickups and other hardware.
I would rather buy a Mexican, and upgrade, than get an American.
Oh wait, unless I could get an American for the price of a Mexican, used.
The fit and finish of American vs. Mexican are the same IMHO.
The extra $1,000 is about the pickups and other hardware.
I would rather buy a Mexican, and upgrade, than get an American.
Oh wait, unless I could get an American for the price of a Mexican, used.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Why is it so hard for me not to bite, whenever this pops up? Seems to be an almost weekly thing lately...
My answer to the question is no, unless you care about the stamp on the back of the headstock that says made in USA (or whatever it says - my P isn't near me to check).
The reason I say this with such conviction is that I've owned a bunch of Fenders from America, Mexico, and Japan... and they were all hit or miss. The worst I ever owned (and biggest POS bass I ever owned) was an American made P deluxe. I now have an American Special P that I absolutely love, and after going through 3 American Jazz basses, wound up with an Antigua Jazz, made in Mexico, that is hands down the best Jazz I ever owned. I'd challenge anyone in a blind sound/feel test with that bass and an MIA.
With some companies there is a huge, noticeable difference between their MIAs and imports. Lakland is one of those companies. Fender has IME been completely hit or miss. With no rhyme or reason. Even when I bought my P, there was another identical untouched one in the stock room that was light years away from the one I wound up taking home. For me to take a bass off the shelf in a Guitarcenter, it had to be way better.
Bla, bla, bla... go ahead, start yelling at me now. Just trying to help the OP out here.
Oh wait, I'll add the new to me YMMV - which seems to make everything OK
.
My answer to the question is no, unless you care about the stamp on the back of the headstock that says made in USA (or whatever it says - my P isn't near me to check).
The reason I say this with such conviction is that I've owned a bunch of Fenders from America, Mexico, and Japan... and they were all hit or miss. The worst I ever owned (and biggest POS bass I ever owned) was an American made P deluxe. I now have an American Special P that I absolutely love, and after going through 3 American Jazz basses, wound up with an Antigua Jazz, made in Mexico, that is hands down the best Jazz I ever owned. I'd challenge anyone in a blind sound/feel test with that bass and an MIA.
With some companies there is a huge, noticeable difference between their MIAs and imports. Lakland is one of those companies. Fender has IME been completely hit or miss. With no rhyme or reason. Even when I bought my P, there was another identical untouched one in the stock room that was light years away from the one I wound up taking home. For me to take a bass off the shelf in a Guitarcenter, it had to be way better.
Bla, bla, bla... go ahead, start yelling at me now. Just trying to help the OP out here.
Oh wait, I'll add the new to me YMMV - which seems to make everything OK
.
I only read the first page, so forgive any redundancy or irrelevance. I've owned several MIMs and think overall, they're pretty good basses. The standards feel and work fine, but the hardware, electronics, and fit and finish seem budget IMO. The MIM deluxes are a significant step up, mostly in fit and finish, but could benefit from better hardware and electronics. The Road Worn and Classic lines (and probably others in the higher end of MIM) use the same hardware as the pre 2015(?) AVRI (before everything was advanced a year). Check the specs. The electronics are the same except the pickups aren't the top of the line. Still very, very good.
I have pretty much sold all my factory basses now and assemble my own parts basses. Picking and choosing my favorite components, it almost invariably comes down on the American side. Higher end (fewer pieces) bodies, graphite necks, solid, robust hardware.
A notable exception is my Mike Dirnt (again Road Worn) body, Cabronita neck parts bass. Almost completely MIM components, and the only reason it's my number 2 because #1 is a PJ setup, which is more versatile.
I have pretty much sold all my factory basses now and assemble my own parts basses. Picking and choosing my favorite components, it almost invariably comes down on the American side. Higher end (fewer pieces) bodies, graphite necks, solid, robust hardware.
A notable exception is my Mike Dirnt (again Road Worn) body, Cabronita neck parts bass. Almost completely MIM components, and the only reason it's my number 2 because #1 is a PJ setup, which is more versatile.
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I know I will be vilified for this but In my humble opinion, I don't find American Fenders worth it. I find the fit loose or sloppy. I think the basic design of the neck pocket is lacking. It should be designed with a slight angle or shallower to eliminate the tendency of many to shim their necks. This I find decreases the coupling of the neck and tone is not what it should be. Mexican Fenders are a better value for the money and Japanese Fenders are much superior instruments. Traditionally Japanese instruments outclass all other large manufacturers with the exception of Lakland.
My advice to you... if you can't tell the difference, then it's not worth it.
I'll also say, if you can play... I mean really play, then it doesn't matter. Marcus Miller & many of the people here would make an Indonesian Affinity sound better than I could make a Fedora sound. If your bass is less than 5 years old, it's not holding you back from developing your technique, or expressing yourself.
IMO, based on my experience, you as the player will be the only one who could tell the difference. Your audience won't hear it, your soundman won't hear it. It's just something you'll feel. Physically, emotionally, & inspirationally. That's not to say there isn't a real, qualitative difference. There is. They use better hardware in the more expensive models regardless the country of origin. But the sonic difference between chrome & nickel are subtle. Same with AA grade wood vs AAA. Get all the right pieces together & the instrument will feel alive. Where you're not so much playing it, but communicating with it.
Probably will get the same answers as you did in the countless other threads like this
While MIM Ps are good, I own one as well, they still are not as good as an American P
While MIM Ps are good, I own one as well, they still are not as good as an American P
Hell yeah it's worth it, why is this even a thing? Also, buy it used and save yourself a few hundred.
Marry me?Awesome! Here we go!
Coffee? Check! Cigarettes? Check! Marker? Check!
I'm ready to play!
My answer to the question is no, unless you care about the stamp on the back of the headstock that says made in USA
after going through 3 American Jazz basses, wound up with an Antigua Jazz, made in Mexico, that is hands down the best Jazz I ever owned. I'd challenge anyone in a blind sound/feel test with that bass and an MIA.
The Antigua is a perfect example. My 2001 mia didn't stand a chance by comparison.
OP, in a way you're in a better position to answer this question than I am because you are not (I presume) an American. You would therefore have no allegiance in that regard. I own and love a MIJ P Lyte that I've modded a bit. If the same bass was built in the USA would I seek it out in its place? I might, but not for "made in USA" loyalty reasons but because I would (incorrectly) associate it with better quality perhaps. I know that it's not true that USA made=better automatically, but it's in my psyche somehow. After all that, I say what others have said. Play a bunch and pick what feels right to you. That's what happened with my P Lyte. I played it in GC and knew within 2 minutes that it NEEDED to come home with me immediately. Hope this helps.
I'd say they're worth it, all the MIA jazz and pbass's I've owned played and sounded great. I've also owned and played some MIM & MIJ basses that were great, and some not so great.
If you happen to consider yourself a gear snob, then get the MIA.
This way you can never kick yourself for not getting the 'better' model. You can eliminate any doubt right off the bat.
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2011 MIA P,Alembic pup,Diamond series P neck / MIM J,All parts fret less[ebony fb,stain finish]Audere pre,Badass2
I believe so. I love the feel of my american jazz bass more than the mexican jazz bass. Same with the P (hopefully buying one soon).
Ive bought Spector Euros, Riks, Sadowsky, Gibson explorer, newEB, Thunderbird, Kramer 12 strings, Musicman. And i keep going back to my passive American P and J....
They sit so well and feel like a quality instrument at a fraction of the price of the boutique basses
They sit so well and feel like a quality instrument at a fraction of the price of the boutique basses
Newer American Standards(2008-...) are built way better that any other MIAs from 90s and 2000s I've played. But new Mexicans(2013-...) are very VERY good. I was surprised with fit and finish of those. If you have cash, get the new American Standard. If you don't - get a used newer American Standard If you can't find one but really need a bass right now - get a new Mexican Standard
If you can't find one but really need a bass right now - get a new Mexican StandardMIAs are cool - not sure if they are way cooler than a MIM though MIAs are definitely cool.
