MIJ Precision comparable to MIA?

[Bluzlvr]

I'm looking at a MIJ Fender P-Bass and don't know much about them. I've heard they are as good as MIA but no experience with them at all. The serial # indicates it was made '92-'93 at the Fuji-Gen factory. The seller says he bought it new and is in like new shape. I haven't made the trek to see it yet. What kind of value do these puppies have, as I don't want to insult the guy? Thanks for any guidance.

 

[bass32]

If you compare a top MIA with a Top MIM.....the MIA will be the better of the two. Usually better wood, electronics, etc...
Like any other production bass.....it might be fantastic or it could be a lemon. The odds of getting a really good one are probably a little better with an MIA. Either way they make alot more good ones than bad. It's best to try one out first if possible.
Value depends on the condition, model, originality and so forth. Check ebay and your local craigslist to see what they're selling for. That should give you an idea.

 

[Lo-E]

Value is always a tough nut to crack as, at the end of the day, the "value" of something is what you're willing to pay and what he's willing to accept. For years, MIJ Fenders were sitting in the $500-600 ballpark, and quite a few still show up in that range, but dealers are starting to look for more for these and the numbers are creeping up - sometimes into the $1K range, although I don't know if anyone is actually getting that for them.

The MIJ Fenders from any era were typically made with very high quality control and good materials. These instruments, IMO, easily compete with MIA equivalents. During some periods of production, the hardware and electronics were not as good as MIA (and I believe the early nineties are included here), but the the important stuff: the wood and the fit and finish are top-notch from any era.

 

[vin*tone]

I'm a big fan of late 80's- early 90s MIJ basses. The neck woods are awesome. Extremely well built but electronics can be a bit second rate, finishes are thick poly.

I just scored a 1989 62RI and it's a superb player. I was planning on swapping out the pups but there's no need. Sounds smooth as cat poop.

Bear in mind there are different ranges of MIJ Fenders. The cheaper basswood ones tend to have the thinner tuning pegs. The top of the line ones have alder bodies and "USA Vintage" pickups (whatever that means).

 

[bassbully]

I have owned three MIJ P basses and still have two.

I also own/owned MIA P basses. To me the MIJ's are built as well and sound as good as any MIA P bass I have.

 

[Bluzlvr]

Thanks for the replies. Pretty much confirms what I thought. I can get it for less than $500, so it's definitely worth the trip to check it out. Sounds like if I need to upgrade the pickups it'd be worth it. I suppose it depends on whether or not it plays well. I need another bass like a hole in the head. I keep saying that I'll get rid of this one or that one if ...but that doesn't seem to ever happen. Maybe this time.

 

[tranceFusion]

Thanks for the replies. Pretty much confirms what I thought. I can get it for less than $500, so it's definitely worth the trip to check it out. Sounds like if I need to upgrade the pickups it'd be worth it. I suppose it depends on whether or not it plays well. I need another bass like a hole in the head. I keep saying that I'll get rid of this one or that one if ...but that doesn't seem to ever happen. Maybe this time.

Given the age, if cost is a big factor, I'd definitely account for some replacement parts.

The wood, fretwork and finish on the mid 90s MIJ's are really solid, but some of the parts used are cheaper. Mine came with a plastic nut and plastic wrapped pickups which both got brittle over time and cracked. The back plate of the tuners also got bent from tension over time.

I've actually replaced all of the hardware and electronics at this point, but its my favorite bass ever. The finish on the neck is great, the fretwork is great, the body is a really nice piece of solid wood (not 3 pieces pasted together)... I love it.

 

[bass32]

OH MAN!!!
Just noticed that you asked to compare MIJ, not MIM to an MIA.
I haven't any personal experience with the MIJ's, but from what I have heard they are very well made, especially in the mid 90's. The weak spot being the electronics, but you can upgrade all that with usa pots, ceramic capacitor, switchcraft jack and decent pups for under $150. Consider that when negotiating the price.
Also as mentioned above, look for the ones with an alder body wood.
Good luck and keep us up to date on how things go.

 

[BawanaRik]

I have an 80s Strat. Sounds good, plays fine.

 

[josiah goldfish]

I personally preferred all the MIJ Fenders I've played to the MIA Fenders I've played.

 

[Lo-E]

Under $500 is a good deal. Depending upon the condition, perhaps a very good deal.

 

[sj_bass]

I just realized that I have 4 MIJ/CIJ basses, and they're all still with me. My P is a 30 year old E-series, with an amazing feel and sound. I also have three jazz basses and my favorite is a Q-series '75 reissue...

I've had 3 MIA basses, including 2 P's. they were also very good quality. Sold them all though, partly because I never bonded with them, and partly because they do resell better.

I've also had a few MIM basses. Not bad, but not on the same level of quality - slightly, and a couple of simple changes (like pickups and bridges) made them very playable.

Naturally YMMV.

 

[chuck norriss]

I'm looking at a MIJ Fender P-Bass and don't know much about them. I've heard they are as good as MIA but no experience with them at all. The serial # indicates it was made '92-'93 at the Fuji-Gen factory. The seller says he bought it new and is in like new shape. I haven't made the trek to see it yet. What kind of value do these puppies have, as I don't want to insult the guy? Thanks for any guidance.

62reissue? 57?
MIJ stuff is excellent.

 

[wraub]

I have 4 basses, including a P and a J, and all are MIJ.

I am a fan.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I've owned and MIM, played a bunch of others, and played a bunch of MIA's owned by friends. I currently own 2 E-series MIJ's, a C-series MIJ, a G-series MIJ (all from the mid-late 80's), and a newer (20xx) CIJ bass. All are fantastic players and sound great. I chose them over MIA's and MIM's. They just feel and sound so good to me.

 

[Bluzlvr]

Well, it's mine. It's in very good shape. Does have a pretty good nick on the edge of the neck around the 7th fret on the E side but doesn't really affect my playing. This was an older lady that bought it new and only played it in church. I say older cuz she was older than me but not much, 61. She quit playing a couple of years ago because they started playing Contemporary Christian and it wasn't her bag. Been sitting in the closet for a couple of years. Not sure about the reissue thing but it does have the button on the back of the headstock and the thinnest frets I believe I've seen on a P. The neck is as fat as a baseball bat. The truss rod adjustment is at the bottom, not at the headstock. The action is great as it is but needs some tweaking on the intonation. It's sporting flats w/dark blue silk. They must be pretty old because they sound great. I think that the wood is alder but not sure how to tell the difference. Not too crazy about the pots though. The knobs wobble a bit. I haven't started messing with it yet, so I don't know what that's all about. All in all...I think I did alright for $350.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Pics!!

 

[Bluzlvr]

Not sure how to post pics. Don't you have to be a supporting member for that?

 

[DrSpunkwater]

My Pink Paisley P is MIJ. It cuts through a mix more easily than any instrument I've ever played.

 

[Bluzlvr]

I've got an SCPB myself and I love it! It's a Squier Classic Vibe 50's P. It definitely brings the thump. There was a time when you could get one of those Pink Paisleys or Blue Flower P's reasonable. Not so much any more.