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MIM vs MIA Fenders

#62
I think the MIM label can effect one's mind.

If you read all about how MIMs suck and how you have to find a good one....blah blah blah.....

So you go play one, and your mind makes sure the MIMs suck.

Plus, in a shop....are they more willing to spend the time setting up a MIA or MIM? :cop:

I've played a few MIM basses, and all of them have been great. IMO.
 
#63
I don't get why some people become so passionate about this topic. If the features of an MIA, such as graphite reinforced necks and rolled fret boards are important to you, get an MIA. If not, there's nothing wrong with MIM. The only Fender I have now is, by the way, MIJ. As is the case with every bass on the planet, no matter who makes it or where it was made, you had best play it first to see if it's a winner.

And, just to be a thorn in some people's sides, I'll add that my favorite basses are MIA... but they are Carvins and Peaveys. :D
 
#68
I just received a MIM Fretless Jazz. I'm no expert on fretless basses, but after I got this one dialed in, I was very impressed by the playability and tone. It's a weighty beast too, very solid. No flaws in the fit or finish. Basically, a great fretless for not a lot of coin.

Now, my fretted Jazzes are all USA Fender or Warmoth builds. I tried a couple of fretted Fender MIM Jazzes, and I was sorely disappointed in the playability and especially the tone. I'm a slapper, and I just could not find what I want and need in a Fender MIM fretted Jazz bass.

So, in my opinion, we're tied 1-1. I think for some things, a MIM will do just fine, exceeding expectations and lots of bang for the buck. For other things, not so much.

EDIT: I also own a Fender MIM P-Bass. I am totally satisfied, it does the quintessential P-Bass thing perfectly. There is no reason whatsoever in my mind to invest in a USA Fender P-Bass.
 
#69
Originally Posted by pringlw
Problem is you can't upgrade the basic build quality. Sure you can replace pickups, electronics, tuners, etc, but if the fretting job is poor, its still poor.

hands5 said:
Exactly
Click to expand...

Wrong. As regards the frets, you can have a pro fret job done(level, crown, polish, dress the ends) for not a lot of money. Certainly nowhere near the price difference between MIM or MIA.
 
#71
rimtism123 said:
I love my Mark Hoppus bass...its a MIM Fender with MIA features (string thru bridge, upgraded pickups). It has best of both worlds.

I like MIA Fenders as much as the next guy but I think they're over priced for what they really are. Especially if its for a piece of alder and maple/rosewood. :hmm:
Click to expand...

I dismissed the Mark as too rounded and plastic-y feeling, so I would like to know if I haven't learned to appreciate this neck or it really takes some getting used to.

I felt as though I had the bass on backwards with the rounded back part of the neck facing forward.

It REALLY IS round on the fretboard and I don't want to miss out on a great experience --- but somehow it leaves a lot of desiring and I'm just frustrated that the neck didn't just fit me a lot better.

FWIW: the bass is beautiful!

Hopefully the Reggie (I wanna say: Jackson!) Hamilton bass is more to my liking but I won't know until the arrival date and then I'll see what's going on.

Is it like caviar and [DEL]aged[/DEL] rotten cabbage and spoiled cheese? 'Cause if it is - I like those thing, but it took a while to garner appreciation of them.

.
 
#72
Rockmusician said:
I aksed this same question to a friend of mine who owns a small chain of music stores. This is what he told me.

MIM: lower quality woods, different fretwire, usually chinese made electronics, plastic nut, in general lower quality parts. Woods might be the same types as those used in MIA, such as swamp ash or maple, but the wood isn't of the quality.

MIA: better quality everything, better woods used, USA made electronics, bone nut, better bridge, etc.

I have played MIM, MIJ and MIA basses. In my opinion, there is no comparison. The MIA basses are made much better and sound better. The MIJ basses are a cost effective alternative to MIA but I will never, ever buy an MIM bass.
Click to expand...
to each his or her own but I own both and my 97 MIM Active Deluxe 5 string just kills as does my CS 64 and my Marcus Miller V but that's because all 3 of those basses has good wood and materials and mind you my MIM has the John Shur pups and preamp which was the same electronics in the MIA Active Deluxe.
As stated if the materials aren't up to par then it doesn't really matter where the bass is made
 
#73
The Birdman said:
An opinion I wanted to throw in to this. I own both recent MIM and MIA Standard Precisions and Jazzes, plus I've tried many in shops. It seems to me like the MIM Standards have more of a "vintage" feel to them as far as the necks and hardware, and the MIA Standards have a more modern feel. Just my .02 cents. I'd like to know what others think.

Roger
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+1
 
#74
I'd say the quality and components are very close, but the American Standards are certainly worth the extra $400-500.

The USA built are better for the following reasons...to me at least:

better bridges
String thru
better necks/fretwork
come with cases
and they're made in the USA
 
#78
Fender4Me said:
MIM : Cheap electronics, Poorly fretted, Poor fit and finish, sharp edge on the fingerboard, Cheap tuners, More weight.

MIA : Excellent electronics, Nicely fitted and finished, Incredible feeling neck with rolled edge on the fingerboard, superb fret job, thin nitro laquer finish, decent tuners, light-weight. Made in the USA by Americans.

You get what you pay for. Period.
Click to expand...

Most MIA models are poly not nitro.
 
#79
When I was looking to buy a Fender P or J bass, I was thinking of buying a less expensive MIM model. Then anytime that I'd see someone playing a MIM and ask how they liked them, every single player said that they did work to their basses; new pickups, fret work, new bridges, new tuners, etc. Adding up what all that costs, the modded MIMs were just about as much as a MIA that didn't need all those extras. So, I bought a MIA P bass and 4 years later it's still stock and it plays/sounds fine as is.
 
#80
PaulMacCnj said:
When I was looking to buy a Fender P or J bass, I was thinking of buying a less expensive MIM model. Then anytime that I'd see someone playing a MIM and ask how they liked them, every single player said that they did work to their basses; new pickups, fret work, new bridges, new tuners, etc. Adding up what all that costs, the modded MIMs were just about as much as a MIA that didn't need all those extras. So, I bought a MIA P bass and 4 years later it's still stock and it plays/sounds fine as is.
Click to expand...

While I would have a new bone nut cut and installed on any Fender - MIM or MIA - if the feature set on the MIA is what you want then that's what you need. But if you like to "roll your own" the MIM is THE platform for mods. And just as a point of reference, my EBMM Sterling didn't need any work done on it - none at all.
As far as quality of the woods used (on the maple necks - I have no experience with the new MIM rosewood ones) I can't see, hear or feel a difference after my luthier was done, except for the rolled edges, which is a feature that feels strange to my fretting hand, almost like the string is going to slip off the fretboard.
Maybe the sunburst bodies are nicer on the MIA's, I don't know or care because I really like my LPB body, it's as light as a feather.
I see where the new American Deluxe Precision boasts a "Genuine Bone Nut" but the American Standard still comes with "synthetic bone". Maybe they're starting to listen.
 

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