Mex vs USA fender... discuss.

[Michael Simpson]

So I had a bit of an argument with a guy the other day over this and was wondering people's opinions of the matter.

Say you had bought 2 basses, in this instance a bog standard, run of the mill p bass. One a Mexican, the other a USA standard. For the sake of equality, we would say completely similar. Alder bodies, maple necks and fretboards. You had bought them both for modifying extensively, with exactly the same components (fully upgraded hardware and electronics) and then gave them an equal set up (fret ends filed, action is up to personal preference).

Which one would be "better", or would they be equal?
As in, thoroughly. Not taking into consideration any resale value or sentimentality or prejudice over where they were made, simply which one would make more sense to YOU.

For what it's worth, I would take the mex. Not only would the total outlay on buying it and all the components be cheaper than the USA, but if they're perfectly similar, I see no point in paying over the odds for the exact same. I understand the USA may come better set up and assembled in the first instance, but given the fact that they would be set up very similarly, I would definitely take preference to the mex simply for the factor of cost effectiveness.
Discuss! And please, no wars.

 

[kesslari]

Tequilla vs. Bourbon.

 

[Cool Bass]

I currently only have American Fenders, but have heard great reviews on the Mexican Fenders. So much so, that I’ve taken a closer look at them at my local GC. They look pretty darn good to me, although the necks were bananas (I don’t know they don’t do a set up before the hang them out, it’s such a turn off). I have been eyeing the classic series 50’s Precision (Honey Blonde drool) for a while, and may pull the trigger. If you buy one and set it up right I’m sure you’ll have a great bass.

 

[Bigmep]

The feel of the American Standard seems more refined to me. Plus, you can definitely see the difference in the parts. Not sure they are worth twice the price but they are nicer. I think that you could find a Mexican Standard that will be just fine but I prefer the American.

 

[Nashrakh]

Tequilla vs. Bourbon.

I think it's more like Whiskey vs. Whisky.

Assuming you do very extensive modifications and upgrades anyway, the mex wins. Then again, the OPs premises would turn both basses into exact clones - and based upon that, you'd choose the one that requires fewer expenses.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

The biggest difference is the US model holds its value better.
The MIM will not only lose more than half its value after a year, any upgrades will unlikely add value.

 

[Michael Simpson]

Some very valid points made. I have had a go on an American standard, and found it very nice. But then I've also had a go on a mex, and found it very nice too. I used to own a Roger Waters (mex) and hated the feel of it, the neck felt huge but then I loved the feel of a classic 50s p. It's a minefield out there! Good to see some likeminded people who do not care about resale value anyway.

 

[dmt]

I’ve done something similar to this, with 2 Fender P basses, one an American Standard and one a Standard (so, MIM). Both rosewood fretboards, both with similar necks. The main difference from your scenario is that my MIM is early 2000’s, so its body wood was basswood (I think, maybe poplar, but anyway, not alder they say). So, given the body wood difference, they can never be truly equivalent without getting into a replacement body for the Mex.

I did numerous upgrades on the MIM — a setup, fret dress, shielding, new upgraded electronics and MIA style knobs, and most importantly, an upgrade to a Fender Original ‘62 pickup. It sounds and plays great. Comparing it after all that work directly to a same year American Standard at the time, they sounded very, very similar — almost identical except for some very subtle detail in the sound that I attributed to the body wood. I’m talking subtle. The look and feel of the American Standard was definitely classier though.

Since then, Mexican Fenders have been significantly upgraded.

Anyway, much more recently I bought an American Standard P and yeah, it still has that "somehow classier" thing going on. I actually like the Original 62 pickup I put in the MIM better than the Custom Shop pickup that came stock in the MiA and so I might do a pickup swap to the Original ‘62 for the MIA too. No other mods besides my preferred strings and a trussrod tweak have been needed for the MIA (for my needs, anyway).

So, depending on your tastes, the MIA might be good to go right "out of the box" whereas the MIM will require upgrades to be equivalent, and thus more money and time are involved then might be initially assumed. Oh yeah, and speaking of money and boxes, my MIA has a very nice case (plus cheap gig bag) whereas the MIM came only with a cheap (though useable) gig bag. All these years later, I still regularly think about getting a case for the MIM, but I kinda never "need" a case and there’s other things I want more and so I’ve never pulled the trigger — but it still bothers me, lol!

I’d say if an MIA comes stock with the look, feel, pickups and hardware you want and you can swing the price, get the MIA. No modding required, it’ll be max nice and, though you don’t care much about resale value (me neither — I tend to hold on to my instruments), that value is there if needed. If on the other hand you’re looking for more of a modding platform or something that doesn’t feel too "precious" to take out and have get banged around a bit, or if the budget is a bit tight for an MIA, get the MIM - they’re fine instruments, especially these days. Also. if an MIM specs out the way you want right out of the box, get the MIM. For me, I like lacquer finishes, so the new lacquer finished MIMs really have my eye. If an MIM comes out with lacquer and with the other specs the way I like them, I wouldn't hesitate at all to get it, maybe even to replace my MIA (though that’s just speculative at this point as no such model exists).

 

[joebar]

I’ve heard it said that old vintage fenders are closer to the New Mexican standards.
If that is true, then where does that leave the USA ones?
To me, even the American special feels like a Mexican Fender; I spent a day with a friend’s ( setting it up and cleaning)- I wasn’t all that impressed.
A USA standard feels better, has better hardware and holds its value better. No mods are likely needed. On the maple FB models, you get a glossed FB which will never deteriorate. These are good reasons right here.
All of my fenders are USA. Some I got great deals on; others, I paid through the nose.
The build quality on my Tony Franklin signature leaves nothing to be desired.
You can pick up a used USA standard for the same price as a New Mexican fender; why wouldn’t you?

 

[twinjet]

It just doesn't matter to me anymore. If it sounds good, it is good.

I owned a Mexican Jazz that was my working bass through the college years. Sold it to "upgrade" to an American Precision Bass. Had I known I would eventually have to sell it, I would have just kept my workhorse. It was a fine instrument. Exceptional, even.

 

[dmt]

You can pick up a used USA standard for the same price as a New Mexican fender; why wouldn’t you?

That’s what I did.

Still, I’ve been slightly leaning towards my modded MIM over the MIA (which had been my dream bass), at least so far. I’ll hold off on a final opinion until after I’ve changed out the pickup as noted above, but... "which one is better" has been less clear cut for me than I expected

 

[Wisebass]

Not taking into consideration any resale value or sentimentality or prejudice over where they were made, simply which one would make more sense to YOU.

The Japanese model?

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[superdick2112]

A good bass is a good bass, regardless of country of origin.
I currently own 2 USA Precisions (an Adam Clayton and an Am. Std.) and 2 MIM Precisions (a Classic '50's and a Steve Harris), and while they are all good & gig-worthy basses, the US models do feel & sound a bit better to me.
Could I upgrade the MIM models? Sure, but I'd rather spend my time playing & spend my money on a package that works to begin with, and as I said, they are already gig-worthy.
I can think of better ways to spend my time other than sweating over a bass with a screwdriver & soldering iron.
I don't view the US models as expensive - I just think the MIM models are bargains by comparison.

Oh, and resale value is the last thing on my mind when I choose a bass.

 

[garp]

A good bass is a good bass, regardless of country of origin.

+1.

I, too, own MIM and USA Fenders. Are the USAs a little nicer? Maybe. But IMHO, that varies by instrument.

My 2000 MIM Standard Jazz – manufactured well before the date when many MIM aficionados feel that Fender upped the quality of their Ensenada factory's products – continues to be one of my favorite instruments.

 

[okcrum]

MIA 2-3 piece body is more consistent than MIM 6-7 piece body. Neck's more stable too. I have and play both. That's why you play more MIMs to find a good one.

 

[LUCE]

The neck! Graphite, rolled edges of the MIA help cure those dead spots and make it feel like home.

 

[MCS4]

My flawed theory is that with all lines of Fender instruments you are going to find some great ones, some average ones, and some poor ones -- varying more than other manufacturers -- due to normal variations in instruments with the added complication of massive scale of production, but in most circumstances bumping up to the more expensive models will increase your odds of finding a winner. So, if you're going to demo 20 USA's and 20 MIM's, I think that MIM would be a good choice since you'll likely find a great one in there. However, if you're talking about going into a store that just has one of each, or ordering online, you might be better served by going USA.

FWIW, my MIM telecaster (guitar, not bass) is great, but it definitely needed some upgrades (most notably the pickups) that offset the cost savings.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The fretwork and rolled fingerboard edge are nicer on an MIA, if both were upgraded using the same components, there isn’t anything else that would justify the cost difference, except the resale. Names and reputation are valuable.

 

[Picton]

“Placebo effect” starts with “Made in USA.”

 

[4001]

Overall I think the quality of MIA is better than MIM. I like my CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz Bass though.
If I were going to purchase another Fender, I'd find a good CIJ Fender before a MIA or MIM.