MiM - A test of time

[petrus61]

I think the guy's intent was that they got more love, less automation down there.

I'm sure there are different work environments between the two factories, but again, both are working under a pretty strict and formulaic guideline. Whether that love and tender care translates into superior product is indeterminable and for the most part, irrelevant. They're not going to let an employee waste an extra hour making sure your Tele has perfect fretwork. They're going to make it within the threshold of whatver their quality tolerances are and move along. Same goes for any production line. There are lots of great people working at both plants, but the Mexican plant isn't some rustic shrine to the art of luthiery anymore than the US plant is, or even the custom shop for that matter.

 

[petrus61]

Those were exactly my thoughts regarding MIM Standards when I started reading this thread.

Don't forget the original 1951-1957 Precisions were string-thru.

Except for the the fret size, fingerboard radius, neck profile, pickups, nut material and finish. Unless we're talking about the Classic 50's which are close to vintage spec, we might as well be talking about a different bass.

 

[craigie]

Four pages of posts an only one negative answer about the expiration date? Fender has picked the price range they want to sell their instruments at and then tailors everything to that to make each line seem better than the last. Buy what y can afford an you like. I like MIM bases and I like MIA bases an I own both.
What nobody is telling you is that trump will Crack down on all the Mexicans and you'll find your bass deported. Suddenly there will be thousands of mariachi bands with electric basses. Even full mariachi bands of only basses! Watch out. A secret government agency is reading this thread and monitoring all you mexi-lovers. Say it with me: "hasta la Vista, baby" When trump is ejected from office Roger waters will hold a benefit concert at the wall to tear it down. All the bases will come streaming across the border. I wonder if any Mexicans own MIA basses?

 

[willsellout]

My MIM is from 2004 and it's doing just fine. Great bass.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

How on earth does every damn thread about Fender turn into Squires or MIMs are better than MIAs? Seriosuly, I think it is about time someone let Fender know that building instruments in the US is a complete waste of time.

Well, I wouldn't necessarily put Squier in the mix, but after playing (and formerly setting up and selling) Fenders for a couple decades, my experience has been that the chance of finding a blunderous neck/fretjob from USA or Mexico/Japan is about equal. Since they ship with Sasquatch action it's often tough to tell. Anyway, I was just trying to let the OP know it's ok to shop lower end. If I said "no, buy USA, they're always worthy of double the price" then I would have been lying. The resale on both are industry best, and while the USA pickups and electronics are usually undeniably better, there's nothing wrong with the lower priced hardware. I Wouldn't go so far as telling FMIC to shutter their factory (but don't think they wouldn't have done it yesterday if it wasn't profitable), but my main point is, they produce quantity over quality, so try a few or buy with a no hassle return policy, because there's no guarantee you're getting a winner from the USA factory, and yes, some MIM/J surpass their quality out of the box.

 

[shodan]

I'm sure there are different work environments between the two factories, but again, both are working under a pretty strict and formulaic guideline. Whether that love and tender care translates into superior product is indeterminable and for the most part, irrelevant. They're not going to let an employee waste an extra hour making sure your Tele has perfect fretwork. They're going to make it within the threshold of whatver their quality tolerances are and move along. Same goes for any production line. There are lots of great people working at both plants, but the Mexican plant isn't some rustic shrine to the art of luthiery anymore than the US plant is, or even the custom shop for that matter.

No, it's no shrine, that's not what I was trying to say. Just that there may be a few more craftsmen putting their skills at work in Mexico vs. the California plant. Of course, the production process is set in stone and to be followed. And ultimately the quality of the product the public receives is due to the diligence of the final inspection. Don't take the comment out of context.

 

[tangentmusic]

My MIM is from 2004 and it's doing just fine. Great bass.

My MIM is also from '04. Never had a problem with it. Still one of my faves.

 

[verstft]

Nice Flametop. I love that it has standard tuners, not the metal ones I mean...nice P/J

 

[tangentmusic]

Nice Flametop. I love that it has standard tuners, not the metal ones I mean...nice P/J

I removed the pick guard to fully expose that flame..