Mexican Fenders

[Troph]

The neck of the 2011 MIA has graphite rods in it and this makes the neck thicker. The MIM does not and therefore it feels easier for my hand to connect to and feel one with.

This doesn't sound right to me. Fender has been making different neck profiles for years, yielding varying shapes, widths, and thicknesses, and the "Posiflex" system to my knowledge can be embedded into any of them.

Maybe someone will correct me on that, but I doubt they are the reason why your particular MIA neck was slightly thicker than your MiM neck.

The MIM is also slightly lighter than the 2011 MIA .

Again, not true in general. My MiM jazz is nearly 10 pounds, while my MiA is about 8.75.

 

[harleyman888]

Love my MIM P. Always was American or nothing at all but could not pass up the deal. I made a few mods to get the exact sound and feel I wanted. But with the cash I saved on the initial purchase it was a no brainer. New Hipshot tuners, Gotoh bridge and EMG PAX pickups. Plays like a dream.
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[Medford Bassman]

I own a MIM Jazz V. 2006. I put some quarter pounder p/u in and it rocks.

 

[Jaco D]

Regardless of brand, place of manufacture and vintage, always try the instrument before buying. Generalizations don't hold. So called "top tier" ones could be lemons and low-enders could be diamonds in the rough. One thing about the MIMs, if I recall correctly, the first batches had same-sized pups for neck and bridge. So if you plan to mod, make sure that you measure the size of the pups and buy accordingly. The current crop of MIMs have gone a long way since then.

 

[revmarcusstee3]

I recently purchased a Fender Deluxe Jazz 5, MIM. It was mailed to me, out of the box it wasn't playable. The neck is bowed cocncave. I tweaked it to get it to a playable height. The tone is awesome, the feel is awesome. For the money it was worth it; but I would advise getting one you can actually play first versus ordering.

 

[tedsalt]

I picked up a MIM '50s Road Worn P used for $750 incl S&H. Slapped some DR flats on it and love the tone and playability. Fixed the fret sprouts. A week later I saw an AVRI for $1800. I doubt there's a $1K improvement in tone/playability. From what I have read in reviews here, alot of times the MIM RWs outperform the MIA and CS P's.

 

[Malak the Mad]

I recently acquired another Mexican-made Fender…a Classic '70s Jazz bass. It's a beautiful piece of work and I'm proud to have it. Pics and details are here.

 

[RustyAxe]

I agree that where it's made shouldn't make any difference as long as it sounds good but I was also concerned about quality. In double basses there are plenty of $300 -$500 instruments from China but they're usually junk and have problems in the long run. That was my biggest concern with the MIM's. Thanks again everyone for all the great feedback.

I'm also an upright player, and own a MIM Jazz bass. To make the comparison fair I'd compare the MIM basses to be similar to a Shen 100, Strunal 50/2, Englehardt ... good, solid, servicable instruments at the lower end of the "good scale" price wise, and will last as long someone cares to maintain them. I spend at least 10 hours/wk giggin' with the MIM. I recently got a new Fender Coronado Bass II and have been using that, but the Jazz bass is my favorite all-rounder.

 

[Bassbubble11]

I own a mid to late 90's MIM Jazz. I have gigged it for years and have also cbanhed pups a few times. Great build quality in my experience. I will never part with it. It is my main Jazz.

I just bought a Classic 70's RI P bass and i must say it is an awesome instrument. I have only had it for a day. After jamming with my bamd last night and instantly bonding with the bass i can say it will end up my main bass.

There are a ton of Fender snobs who are all about MIA's but i will tell you there there are good and bad MIA's out there too. I have played more bad than good hence me buhing Mexican.i personally thing all Fender instruments are over priced but you vet more bang for your buck with the MIM's IMO.

 

[Kmonk]

You can't go wrong with a MIM J or P. They're excellent basses and most likely every bit as good as MIA's. I have an early 90's MIM Jazz, and that's at a time the MIM's were of suspect quality and to this day, its one of my favorite basses to play. And I also own several American Fenders.

I have never found any MIM that can even come close to comparing to an MIA. The MIMs are made with lower quality materials, the fit and finish is not as good and they do not sound the same as MIA basses. Why buy a new MIM when for a couple of hundred dollars more you can buy a good used MIA?

 

[SirMjac28]

I love these debates about the quality of MIM basses and guitars and the typical perceptions make Fender very rich same with Gibson and its Epiphone line.

 

[Boom762]

I currently play a double bass and would like to get a bass guitar to play with. I've seen numerous Mexican Fenders in my price range. Any recommendations on them?

I would suggest getting an American version.

I never had any love for Fenders until I picked up a $600 American Standard. I saw a $500 Fender next to it and I was immediately repelled by it. I asked what the difference was and it was the $100 cheaper in every way one was a MIM. I'm a cheapskate but in the case of an instrument youll WANT to play, its worth an extra $100.

 

[DwaynieAD]

Ten tons of MIM tone. Plays wonderfully and sounds great. has that growl when you dig in but is smooth as a fresh waxed car if you play her gently. And just look at her.

 

[Danomo]

(Anybody else see any irony in the above photo with the giant American flag and the guy playing a MIM?)

Clearly it's a "crafted in Indonesia" Flag.

 

[lawjazz1]

I just picked up a Classic 50s Lacquer P bass - LOVE IT! Might not be as refined as American but it plays great, and I don't have to worry about keeping it in perfect condition. Sweetwater has them with 2 years no interest. Couldn't pass it up. I bought it as a stage back up - put flats on it and it's going to get significant playing time since it's so fun to play.