Decided to try bass after 20 yrs playing guitar. Went shopping today to check out some basses. I played both Mex and American Jazzers and honestly could not discern any appreciable difference. For the price difference what are you getting with a USA instrument that the Mex is missing? The MIMs seem like very good instruments and I think that's the way I'll go (not that I can afford an MIA anyway). Anyone have the same experience?
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MIM vs MIA Jazz: What am I missing?
- Thread starter chipbutty24
- Start date
a good bit of quality is what your missing.
MIA stuff has better woods, hardware, and electronics. the quality control is greater as well.
i'm not a BIG fender guy, but every MIA Fender i've had plays circles around the MIM stuff. I had to spend a good bit of money in mods to get the MIM stuff close.
MIA stuff has better woods, hardware, and electronics. the quality control is greater as well.
i'm not a BIG fender guy, but every MIA Fender i've had plays circles around the MIM stuff. I had to spend a good bit of money in mods to get the MIM stuff close.
you have to cherry-pick good Mexi's. I've come across mexi p's and j's that sounded and felt like customshop, and have had others that felt like squires. There is inconsistancy and variation, so if there's a shop near you with a good selection, try each out. Try out used ones too
you have to cherry-pick good Mexi's. I've come across mexi p's and j's that sounded and felt like customshop, and have had others that felt like squires. There is inconsistancy and variation, so if there's a shop near you with a good selection, try each out. Try out used ones too
What he said. The biggest difference to me is more consistent quality from MIA. I had a MIM jazz a few years ago that was just awful. But if you find a MIM that is just as good as the MIA's that you compared it to, jump on it.
Actually MIJ is your best bet out of all Fenders. Just sayin', best bang:buck ratio I've witnessed in a Fender, ever.
In my experience. MIA and MIJ are great while MIMs are similar to good sounding and feeling Squire. But remember, not all Squires are good.
Fred
Fred
i'm looking into getting a jazz, to go along with my highway one p
imo the mexican basses can be great, however i'd be afraid to buy one on ebay unplayed, but i don't seem to have that fear with a MIA or MIJ, does this seem reasonable?
imo the mexican basses can be great, however i'd be afraid to buy one on ebay unplayed, but i don't seem to have that fear with a MIA or MIJ, does this seem reasonable?
I think you get woods that are a cut better with the MIAs. You get straighter grain in the necks, less irregularity in the bodies. I don't know how much of a difference it makes structurally or tonally, but there is a noticeable cosmetic difference.
That said, it's not a huge difference. And I would say there's enough variance that it's possible to have an MIM with woods on par with an MIA. But I think it would be rare.
The other thing is that the MIM's have an incorrect smaller radius around the edge of the body. It's the kind of thing you don't really notice unless you have an MIA and an MIM right there in front of you. But once you know what to look for it's easy to spot. Whether it bothers you depends on how picky you are. I have an MIM 60s reissue and it bothers me.
As far as resale goes, it looks to me like they're comparable percentage-wise. It's true that the MIM's sell for less used but of course they cost less when new. If you buy either an MIA or and MIM used, you won't lose money if you resell.
Used MIM on ebay are $300 to $400. I haven't really looked at used MIA but would guess $800-ish?
Both are excellent instruments and will easily get you to the point where the limiting factor is you, and not the bass.
That said, it's not a huge difference. And I would say there's enough variance that it's possible to have an MIM with woods on par with an MIA. But I think it would be rare.
The other thing is that the MIM's have an incorrect smaller radius around the edge of the body. It's the kind of thing you don't really notice unless you have an MIA and an MIM right there in front of you. But once you know what to look for it's easy to spot. Whether it bothers you depends on how picky you are. I have an MIM 60s reissue and it bothers me.
As far as resale goes, it looks to me like they're comparable percentage-wise. It's true that the MIM's sell for less used but of course they cost less when new. If you buy either an MIA or and MIM used, you won't lose money if you resell.
Used MIM on ebay are $300 to $400. I haven't really looked at used MIA but would guess $800-ish?
Both are excellent instruments and will easily get you to the point where the limiting factor is you, and not the bass.
Having had both MIM and MIA, I have to say that the new Classic Series (I have the Classic 70s Jazz) is an exception to some of the excellent observations here so far; I am very picky, and found my particular instrument (bought online sight unseen) to be meticulously crafted and the equal of my two MIJs and former MIAs.
Resale is a big one, people on craigslist rarely will pay more then 300$ for a MIM jazz , i have seen some sit at 250$. These cost 600$ new so thats a pretty big hit. MIA's cost 1200$ but i see them and personally have sold one for 850$.
The poly is thinner, lighter tuners, graphite neck, string through, less pieces of body wood most new fenders are 3 piece, high mass bridge.
Whats similiar? the shape.
The poly is thinner, lighter tuners, graphite neck, string through, less pieces of body wood most new fenders are 3 piece, high mass bridge.
Whats similiar? the shape.
The poly is thinner? I'd like to see some proof.
Lighter tuners? Meh.
Graphite neck? A good feature but the reissues don't have it and neither did the originals.
String through? Meh.
High mass bridge? Meh.
3 piece body? My MIM is three piece. I'm guessing the MIA's are usually one or two, which is getting back to the wood quality thing. That's where I think the difference is.
Your opinions ,Meh.
Those are the facts and its worth the price difference to alot of people.
Proof that the poly is thinner? ask any one with a new MIA from 2008-2010 the poly is WAY thinner.Its in the spec sheet as well, plus there are numerous people on here that have had them chip up and have said how thin it is . MIM's are incased in plastic poly.
Lighter tuners, worth it to people with a bad back, the string through does not have to be used it can be loaded for top load as well .
No fender is 1 piece, even the originals are 2 they offset the seam and its hard to see.
