let me start by saying I'm new to the forum. But I come here in need of your advise. I'm getting ready to buy a bass, after not playing for 10 years. I will only gig with it locally, few times a month. Will a MIM jazz bass be enough or will I kick myself down the road for not buying the USA. I know it's an old question. But I can't make up my mind Thanks
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MIM vs USA jazz bass
- Thread starter Ziggy OLeary
- Start date
MIM Jazz basses are better than they've ever been and the FSR might be the best of the lot.
I find American Fenders are almost always better than Mexican.
Budget is the important question though.... If you only have $300-400, a used MIM is the best option. If you have $800-1000, a used MIA is a great value.
I would never buy a new MIM when I could buy used American for similar money. Better hardware, pickups, neck (in newer models), etc.
Budget is the important question though.... If you only have $300-400, a used MIM is the best option. If you have $800-1000, a used MIA is a great value.
I would never buy a new MIM when I could buy used American for similar money. Better hardware, pickups, neck (in newer models), etc.
if you can afford it always buy a US that being said try them first and that doesn't mean MIM are bad and for what you need it for it will be more then enough
Go play a bunch and buy the one that speaks to you
I have found such insane deals on used MIM basses. I've played a bunch of USA basses at GC. But it's hard to judge because the are all set up( or not set at all ) so badly.
Where are they cutting corners on the MIM basses? I seriously can't feel or hear the difference. They MIM bass seem a little lighter and the finishes aren't as slick. But they don't feel cheap
Where are they cutting corners on the MIM basses? I seriously can't feel or hear the difference. They MIM bass seem a little lighter and the finishes aren't as slick. But they don't feel cheap
Good advise Mobileholmes I'm all about feel. I think I'm getting hung up on the " made in the USA " sticker. I'd rather save $600-700 bucks and put it towards a better amp
Is the the Fred Sandford Replica model? Haha. Sorry I couldn't resist that one
D
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This. This. THIS.
There are some wonderful MIMs, and there are some lemons in the MIA runs. Unless you're coughing up the cash for a Custom Shop build, there's no absolute guarantee that and random MIA Fender will automatically be better than a random MIM.
Play every one you can get your mitts on, and one will grab you
I have a MIA Jazz and a MIM P and the neck on the Jazz is just perfect in every way. Both maple boards. Neck shape aside, the MIA is just a feel I don't think you can get on less expensive Fender necks. That said I do play the MIM P more than the MIA Jazz mainly because there is no pickup hum. But I suspect the Jazz will get more play when I get around to adding hum free pickups.
When you buy an American, you have about a 80% chance of getting an exceptionally good instrument. When you buy a Mexican, you have about an 80% chance of getting a good instrument and a 10% chance of getting a great one. If you are buying online, I wouldn't risk getting a Mexican. The chances are just slightly too high that will it won't be a great instrument.
If you can shop around in store then definitely try all the Mexicans, there are gems out there. I tried tons of basses before buying my first Mexican Jazz. I have yet to play any Fender J that I like as much as mine. I recently bought a Rick 4003s and my Mexi J plays way better (they are both setup well).
TLDR if you have to buy online go USA. If you can shop around try to find a great Mexican.
If you can shop around in store then definitely try all the Mexicans, there are gems out there. I tried tons of basses before buying my first Mexican Jazz. I have yet to play any Fender J that I like as much as mine. I recently bought a Rick 4003s and my Mexi J plays way better (they are both setup well).
TLDR if you have to buy online go USA. If you can shop around try to find a great Mexican.
I own an MIM Jazz and an MIA Precision. I just scored the P yesterday (see NBD!
).I am saddened by having to sell the J, believe me ($1,349 was a lot to pay up front...). If you score a decent MIM J, you will love it. There are some crap ones too, though. You can probably find the latter for anywhere between $200-400.
If you plan to use it sort of often and you can afford it, sure! Get the MIA. The Standards are amazing. Those CS60 pups are wonderful. The MIA Deluxe N3 (noiseless) pups were not so great. Love em on my new P bass!!! Buy brand new at just over $1300 or used between $800-$1200. Your call.
If you gotta save money, the MIM should do fine. Just make sure to buy local, because like I said - there are crap MIM basses out there. Some of my factors on buying a bass are
Quality
Is it worth what I'd be paying?
Feel
Is it ergonomically sound? Plays well?
Sound
It should sound nice.
Electronics
I need electronics suited to me.
Material
No cheap stuff that will break.
Profitability
Will it pay for itself? Or sit in my room forever?
Most of the standard buying factors... But it might help you.
Good luck and welcome to TalkBass!
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Nothing wrong with MIM, avoid buying from Amazon, you might get a bass that sat in a warehouse for 3 years like I got. I'm more than happy with my 3 MINs. The artist series are really nice. My Geddy Lee is a winner.
Try looking at a Bacchus. I just picked up this Beauty for les s than $1000 shipped. Best Bass I have ever played or owned, and I own some nice ones. They have a "World Series" that is made in the Philippines and compares favorably to an American Std for ~1/3 the price new.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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This. This. THIS.
There are some wonderful MIMs, and there are some lemons in the MIA runs. Unless you're coughing up the cash for a Custom Shop build, there's no absolute guarantee that and random MIA Fender will automatically be better than a random MIM.
Play every one you can get your mitts on, and one will grab you
THIS!
When I was in the market for a Fender-shaped headstock I did a road trip to every store within reason. I can tell you I found some really bad MIA Fenders (mostly used). Theoretically probability says you might find a keeper Squier, MIM or USA with the probability growing higher as you go from Squier to USA. In my case no Squier measured up. (though I have indeed seen "keeper" Squiers) So in the end I had decided on a nice used USA Fender Jazz bass (ALWAYS TRY BEFORE YOU BUY A FENDER!) that wasn't exactly cheap. But before I could buy it I wandered in to GC and Lo there on the wall was a MIM that seemed in absolutely unplayed condition. $300! So that was it. But now understand that this bass was a 2002. And quality control prior to 2008 was rather spotty. But with a little tweaking I got that baby singing. But I hated the "noiseless" pickups that came with it and had to replace them so that was an extra expense. It needed some setup tweaking but that is sort of standard.
The bottom line these days between MIM and USA is that the MIM bodies are made from abut 12 pieces of alder glued together while the USA are 2 or 3 I believe. You won't notice that difference at all. But the USA necks have carbon fiber rods in them for added stability. That you may notice. Now my MIM neck is TOTALLY stable, but you know how wood is. That can't be promised on just any bass. So that is the basic difference you are paying for. Stabilized neck, better body wood and often the pickups sound better on the USA (Though Fender seems to change what they supply a lot so you can't be sure without trying) So will you be sorry either way? Well, if you can try them first, then you'll know what you are getting and won't be sorry later.
There are/have been many models of MIA J's, and there are/have been many models of MIM J's ... speaking in 'country of origin' generalities will receive a lot of comments that are not nescessarily accurate in many cases ...
... it might help to be a bit more specific, as to models, and even years of production can make a huge difference if considering used instruments ... prices can vary greatly depending on era, model, AND country of origin ... MIA is not always more expensive
.. would you rather have an '08 Road Worn Jazz for $700 or an early version '05 Hwy 1 Jazz for $500 ?? lots of the same components ... just a quick example
I buy mostly on preference of components used, not where it was made ... JMHO
... it might help to be a bit more specific, as to models, and even years of production can make a huge difference if considering used instruments ... prices can vary greatly depending on era, model, AND country of origin ... MIA is not always more expensive
.. would you rather have an '08 Road Worn Jazz for $700 or an early version '05 Hwy 1 Jazz for $500 ?? lots of the same components ... just a quick example
I buy mostly on preference of components used, not where it was made ... JMHO
I've owned two MIM Jazz basses and at least two MIJ Jazz basses but never have owned a MIA Jazz bass. Why? Just never found one that rocked my world at any price.
The definite winners between the MIM & MIJ basses were the two MIJ's. One was the foundation that they built the Noel Redding bass on and the other was a '75 RI both of which I wish I'd never parted with. All that said I don't think it was where they were made but how I could or couldn't bond with them.
FWIW - I recently tried a MIM Jazz and really wish I could have taken it home. From what I understand they've taken the pickups to a whole other level. I didn't know that when I tried it but I could tell something was different.
The definite winners between the MIM & MIJ basses were the two MIJ's. One was the foundation that they built the Noel Redding bass on and the other was a '75 RI both of which I wish I'd never parted with. All that said I don't think it was where they were made but how I could or couldn't bond with them.
FWIW - I recently tried a MIM Jazz and really wish I could have taken it home. From what I understand they've taken the pickups to a whole other level. I didn't know that when I tried it but I could tell something was different.
okcrum
in your chest
It sounds like the OP is only considering only new from the MIA-MIM price difference he referenced.
FSR = Fender Special Run - These are specially commissioned by individual dealers and built to their specifications.
FSR = Fender Special Run - These are specially commissioned by individual dealers and built to their specifications.
