Hey everyone, my main and currently only bass is a MIM Fender Precision Standard from 1998. I love that bass and it has always delivered great tone and sound and I have not had to do any repairs to it either (knock-on-wood). I know when people think MIM basses they think of lesser quality components and lesser quality control when comparing to MIA basses. I suppose I am lucky my Precision was/is not a lemon or dud when I bought it years ago. I am now looking at buying another bass as a backup/spare. I cannot afford a MIA so I am looking again to the MIM probably used route. I would be ok with another Precision, however I have messed with some Jazz basses in the past and thought about buying a Jazz bass. I have seen some online from the 90's and some from the 2000's. I have seen a lack of praise for 90's era basses and I have heard people say only buy MIM basses from a certain date on in the 2000's, is this stuff true? What dates are good dates for MIM Jazz basses or is it really just hit and miss? I know anything MIM or MIA can have things wrong with it or break, but I was just curious.
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MIM Bass Questions
- Thread starter klejst
- Start date
I heard that if you go MIM you shouldn't buy anything before 2001 due to the bass having 2 of the same size pickups. If you already have a P, why not go for the jazz bass for added versatility? There are plenty of used jazz basses on the classifieds here. Good luck!
I hear you, my main bass is also a late 90's MIM Precision.
If a P works for you, I wouldn't hesitate to get another MIM. I would even give a hard look at the Squier VM series as well.
Like any bass, try it and if it is "the one", don't worry a bit about whether anyone else sings the praises or not.
Regarding versatility, a P with roundwound strings, and another P with flats, you'll cover A LOT of ground.
If a P works for you, I wouldn't hesitate to get another MIM. I would even give a hard look at the Squier VM series as well.
Like any bass, try it and if it is "the one", don't worry a bit about whether anyone else sings the praises or not.
Regarding versatility, a P with roundwound strings, and another P with flats, you'll cover A LOT of ground.
Thanks for the words of wisdom guys. I never been a fan of flat round strings, perhaps it is I am so comfortable with the same brand of round wound strings I have been using for years, but I hear you on the differences you can get from both flat and round. I know a P, but figured I would expand my horizons and at least look into the Jazz and like you said if it does not work out I could sell it and then probably at that time just get another P. Having at least two basses or a backup bass I am sure is never a bad idea, so I figured why not have a P and J and have not only backup covered but some as you said versatility.
IM very skeptical about some dates being better that others when it comes to guitar manufacture. 'Cept for the old addage "dont buy anything made on a friday", maybe.
All of the hardware that goes on the MIM basses are manufactured right here in Corona, California, and trucked to Ensenada, Mexico. And some "MIM" necks are made in USA also.
From what i understand, the MIM slab bodies can be made from lumber that might otherwise be rejected by the Corona plant. The wood might contain various anomalies, defects, knots, etc. But most get get painted, and nobody's the wiser!
Also I think the "out-the-door" quality control is probably better on the domestic Fenders, but thats purely an opinion, based on rumours and scuttlebutt.
All of the hardware that goes on the MIM basses are manufactured right here in Corona, California, and trucked to Ensenada, Mexico. And some "MIM" necks are made in USA also.
From what i understand, the MIM slab bodies can be made from lumber that might otherwise be rejected by the Corona plant. The wood might contain various anomalies, defects, knots, etc. But most get get painted, and nobody's the wiser!
Also I think the "out-the-door" quality control is probably better on the domestic Fenders, but thats purely an opinion, based on rumours and scuttlebutt.
One of the issues in price point instruments is CONSISTENCY. When a person buys a higher price point instrument from a given manufacturer they are generally getting a higher level of consistency in components as the cost rises.
You can get a fantastic MIM & you can get another that is much less consistent in it's quality control. This occurs with many manufacturers that have a "farm out" series of instruments from their original home manufacture to their contractor-made instruments.
What this does in effect is lower the predictability of an instrument UNLESS you have several to choose from and hand-pick the best of the lot. The more you have to work with; obviously, the better. You can obtain an excellent MIM; no question. You just have a greater level of inconsistency with the lower price point - and of course, you have low quality electronics (on some mfg) and hardware.
I live damn close to Mexico & can tell you that many Mexicans are coming back from the US becasue the wage and employments levels are dropping in the USA and booming in Brazil. Many factories in Mexico are still trying to pay a very low wage for skilled labor. They are also loosing that skilled labor force. MIM Fenders have risen in price consistently since their introduction. For the same price you can buy a USED MIJ Fender which will certainly have a higher level of consistency in it's manufacture.
If it were me I would consider buying a MIJ Jazz. You cost will be equivalent but consistency in workmanship will be higher. I would consider buying MIM -=IF=- I had the opportunity to choose between several (about five or six or more) to find the best.
I not only say this from simple personal opinion / experience but I was told this several time by different people. It had been good advice. I have seen this prove to be true w/ several brands. I have a MIJ J-Bass that is frankly fantastic, that was all of $600 out the door. Now I'm seeing MIM instruments for $600: these used to cost about half of that.
Best of luck!
You can get a fantastic MIM & you can get another that is much less consistent in it's quality control. This occurs with many manufacturers that have a "farm out" series of instruments from their original home manufacture to their contractor-made instruments.
What this does in effect is lower the predictability of an instrument UNLESS you have several to choose from and hand-pick the best of the lot. The more you have to work with; obviously, the better. You can obtain an excellent MIM; no question. You just have a greater level of inconsistency with the lower price point - and of course, you have low quality electronics (on some mfg) and hardware.
I live damn close to Mexico & can tell you that many Mexicans are coming back from the US becasue the wage and employments levels are dropping in the USA and booming in Brazil. Many factories in Mexico are still trying to pay a very low wage for skilled labor. They are also loosing that skilled labor force. MIM Fenders have risen in price consistently since their introduction. For the same price you can buy a USED MIJ Fender which will certainly have a higher level of consistency in it's manufacture.
If it were me I would consider buying a MIJ Jazz. You cost will be equivalent but consistency in workmanship will be higher. I would consider buying MIM -=IF=- I had the opportunity to choose between several (about five or six or more) to find the best.
I not only say this from simple personal opinion / experience but I was told this several time by different people. It had been good advice. I have seen this prove to be true w/ several brands. I have a MIJ J-Bass that is frankly fantastic, that was all of $600 out the door. Now I'm seeing MIM instruments for $600: these used to cost about half of that.
Best of luck!
You might take a look at the Squire CV Jazz if that's the direction you're going. I just bought a barely used one for $250 and it's a nice piece. Fit and finish are both great. Needs lower tension rounds in place of the flats that are on it and probably a minor neck adjustment after I restring it but other than that you can't beat it for the price.
I don't know that much about the QC issues with the MIM Basses but I have a 95 MIM Tele that looks and plays beautifully. I'm dropping in some Alnico 3 pickups to get a more vintage tone out of it but the playability is excellent. I think the quality is a piece by piece thing and you have to look to find the better ones. Had the same experience when I helped a friend buy a MIM Strat a few years back. It took trying a few off the rack to find a really good one. I can't imagine it would be all that much different with the basses.
I don't know that much about the QC issues with the MIM Basses but I have a 95 MIM Tele that looks and plays beautifully. I'm dropping in some Alnico 3 pickups to get a more vintage tone out of it but the playability is excellent. I think the quality is a piece by piece thing and you have to look to find the better ones. Had the same experience when I helped a friend buy a MIM Strat a few years back. It took trying a few off the rack to find a really good one. I can't imagine it would be all that much different with the basses.
Because the string spacing tapers from the bridge to the 1.5" nut, the strings are further apart at the bridge than the neck, so the bridge pup is normally wider to keep the pole pieces lined up with the strings
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,060
- 38,448
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
I started playing in '71, back then basses were expensive or cheap no middle ground. Today get your self a MIM Fender and you could play it for life, or even a Squier for that matter. Enjoy your bass! Get another P or try a J. The new modern players series looks really cool with a two pick up Tele and a Jag without all the switches and a P/J set up! This is a great time to be a bass player !
not that their better, just that pre 2001, MIM jazzes used 2 neck pick ups, making string to pole alignment impossible for the reasons in my previous posts. Some people are very picky about pole alignment, some aren't. Personal preference I guess
I found a guy who was selling a 2007 MIM Fender Jazz Standard. Just what I was looking for color wise and rosewood neck. All stock and comes with both Fender chrome pickup and bridge covers, strap, and case for $275. I will post pictures as soon as I take some. Thanks again to those who posted replies.
