MIA Authenticity

[Insomnia_Junkie]

I bought my precision off Ebay but is there an official way to check if it's REALLY a MIA bass or just the cheaper standard?

 

[erochelle77]

SN

 

[DeliriumTremens]

if the serial number begins with an M it's a mex. It should say on it though where it's made

 

[6pack Jon]

Fender has a serial number look up Invalid Link Removed

 

[Insomnia_Junkie]

Fender has a serial number look up Invalid Link Removed

hmm mine is a MIA 95' correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the lesser standard precision made in America too, or are they made in China or something?

 

[DeliriumTremens]

no, they're made in Mexico. no Fender is made in China, only Squiers

 

[ikkim12]

acoustic guitars(regular guitars) are made in china because mine is.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I wouldn't count those ahah

 

[YCBass]

hmm mine is a MIA 95' correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the lesser standard precision made in America too, or are they made in China or something?

If by lesser you mean the Hwy 1's then yes, those are MIA's as well... Though I'm not sure how the serial #'s are done for those.

 

[Insomnia_Junkie]

If by lesser you mean the Hwy 1's then yes, those are MIA's as well... Though I'm not sure how the serial #'s are done for those.

Yeah, the serial # just gave me the year it was made and that it's made in America. How do I know it's the better crafted, offical MIA Precision Bass: Link Removed or the cheaper standard: Link Removed ?

 

[Turock]

The cheaper standard is made in Mexico.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I always wondered why no instrument manufacturer (that I know of) uses the actual date of manufacture in their serial numbers.

e.g.:
20071031-0001
(Y/M/D-#)

or less precise:
2007100001
(Y/M/#)

To help retailers sell older stock?

 

[pyrohr]

I always wondered why no instrument manufacturer (that I know of) uses the actual date of manufacture in their serial numbers.

I'll give you an example why they don't, I ordered a MIM standard P in a color that just came out. Fender hadn't made any yet so they put a neck from a previous year they had in stock! Sometimes necks lay around for longer than the year in which they were made and if you took off the pickguard and looked at the year sometimes you will find the neck year and that on the pickguard are two different years! Basses are built from parts, when final assembly is done it could be a year later.

 

[Eric Moesle]

Some manufacturers DO put the year of manufacture in the serial number. Kubicki is one example.

 

[Thunderitter]

I always wondered why no instrument manufacturer (that I know of) uses the actual date of manufacture in their serial numbers.

e.g.:
20071031-0001
(Y/M/D-#)

or less precise:
2007100001
(Y/M/#)

To help retailers sell older stock?

Gibson get close with year and day of manufacture!

 

[tjh]

MIA would have STB (string thru body), neck truss rod would adjust at the heel (body end) instead of the headstock ...

 

[YCBass]

MIA would have STB (string thru body), neck truss rod would adjust at the heel (body end) instead of the headstock ...

+1... and the finish, American Std or American Series have a glossy finish, the Hwy 1's have a flat finish.

 

[T-MOST]

There are a few tells with MIA's. The tuners are the cluster type not the flattened triangle type, they have string through body design, serial number, the made in Corona ca on the screw plate, made in USA on the back of the headstock... under the finish.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I'll give you an example why they don't, I ordered a MIM standard P in a color that just came out. Fender hadn't made any yet so they put a neck from a previous year they had in stock! Sometimes necks lay around for longer than the year in which they were made and if you took off the pickguard and looked at the year sometimes you will find the neck year and that on the pickguard are two different years! Basses are built from parts, when final assembly is done it could be a year later.

Well, if they put the serial numbers on the neck plate, that would be one of the last things during assembly and it would be a more accurate indication of when the instrument left the factory. I am sure most manufacturers don't put out the numbers that Fender does.

 

[savit260]

Easy way to tell which MIA you have.

Shiny, glossy finish body w/string through body = "American Series" MIA bass
With S-1 switch= late model "American Series"

Flat, satin fished body, w/o string through body = "Highway One" MIA bass.

Shiny, glossy finish body w/o string through body, but "made in U.S.A." on headstock = Older "American Standard" MIA bass.

There may be some overlap with the string through body on the Late "American Standard, and American Series" lines. Can't remember exactly when they started the string through thing.

That will cover all MIA's made for the last 20 years.