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Not even close, they're three HUNDRED kilometers apart:
I used to visit Ensenada beach on long weekends.
If you can stand the wear, then get the Flea.
really what I would do is get the Flea and have it refinished
really what I would do is get the Flea and have it refinished
That’s admittedly still super close for North America
He did say "U.S. Citizens"... but yea I tend to correct folks on that use of "American"also lol.
I'm Canadian, which means I'm American.
It’s a Fender.....you never know what you’re gonna get. Doesn’t matter if it’s MIM, MIA, MIJ, or Custom Shop. Any one could be better than the other.
I’ve come to the conclusion the best “Fenders” I own are primarily the ones I’ve assembled myself with nitro painted bodies, various respected neck manufacturers, along with Fender and Fender licensed parts.
I do have a Fender Flea, for what it’s worth, and I like it just fine. Then again I’ve never played the performer and I mostly prefer a P to a J bass.
IMHO, far and away the best Fender J is the Roscoe Beck model. It’s been discontinued and very hard to come by. It’s simply fantastic.
Best of luck with your decision and Happy New Year!
I’ve come to the conclusion the best “Fenders” I own are primarily the ones I’ve assembled myself with nitro painted bodies, various respected neck manufacturers, along with Fender and Fender licensed parts.
I do have a Fender Flea, for what it’s worth, and I like it just fine. Then again I’ve never played the performer and I mostly prefer a P to a J bass.
IMHO, far and away the best Fender J is the Roscoe Beck model. It’s been discontinued and very hard to come by. It’s simply fantastic.
Best of luck with your decision and Happy New Year!
It's a damn long drive compared to 65 miles. Once you've had that ride through Mexico, you won't forget how much farther it is than 65 miles
I drove 65 miles yesterday w/o any issues, but after a trip to Ensenada I was ready to crash-land in the hotel bed.
I think I bought the last new ,as in freshly made , fender classic '70s jazz bass. Got lucky ,wonderful bass so far.
Mexican, but you wouldn't know it if it was hidden.
It's no elite or ultra by any means, but the MIM upper end are very nice instruments.
That being said I voted for the American.
I respect flea and all ,but just not drawn to that line for no good reason.
As mentioned by Dr Cheese ,if possible , give the Vintera line a look , these basically replaced the Classic series. I'm betting they are fantastic.
Mexican, but you wouldn't know it if it was hidden.
It's no elite or ultra by any means, but the MIM upper end are very nice instruments.
That being said I voted for the American.
I respect flea and all ,but just not drawn to that line for no good reason.
As mentioned by Dr Cheese ,if possible , give the Vintera line a look , these basically replaced the Classic series. I'm betting they are fantastic.
I was at this same decision a few weeks ago, I really wanted that Flea jazz. After going through 5 other new Fender MIM basses it just wasn’t worth risking my time anymore. I rolled the dice on 5 MIM basses throughout this year from Deluxe to Player series and they all had issues.
With Fender, it is always hit or miss no matter the build location, don’t get me wrong. I own a great MIM bass now, but had to put a lot of work into it.
So, I went with a Performer Jazz and bought a nice Fender made tort guard for it. It just feels better than all of the other MIM bass I tried this year.
Also, if you call the right sales rep at Muscisn’s Friend they can be had for $1,000.
-ScottM
I’d pick the flea. But, not because of country of origin. I’d pick it because I prefer vintage or vintage inspired Fender’s over modern.
beach by day, cantina by night
& all those times I went there, never knew there was a Fender factory
& all those times I went there, never knew there was a Fender factory
When people ask me whether it's worth it to buy MIA/MIJ/MII/MIC, I generally tell them to shop features rather than country of origin. Currently I own an MIJ Telecaster guitar and an MIA Fender Precision Bass Deluxe and I love them both, but I settled on those two instruments after a lot of trading/selling/winnowing to get where I needed to be.
As for what instrument I play most often? That would be my 2001 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5H. It’s a bit heavy but it plays and sounds great.
As for what instrument I play most often? That would be my 2001 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5H. It’s a bit heavy but it plays and sounds great.
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180 miles away, actually, but I get your point. That's why I bought a bass born in Escondido, CA.
Kiesel doesn't have H1-B visa employees, but Fender and Music Man do.
I have a number of Americans, and had the Flea for about a year. Loved the Flea a lot... there was obviously a bit of “custom” labor involved in getting it to feel so well-used. Well, I got silly and traded it in one of my frenzies. I felt and still feel good about the trade but lately I’ve been thinking about how nice it was and darn it all here I am obsessing on one again courtesy of this thread
There isn’t “A” Mexican bass or “A” bass made in America. They aren’t all exactly the same. You have to try them to see which one YOU think is better.
I have tried both and went with the Performer Jazz. I like the pick ups better as it sounds more modern. The performer is also 9lbs, which is a
Lot lighter than the Flea
Lot lighter than the Flea
I’d love to get the Flea bass and get it refinished so it’s not reliced
No hands-on experience with the Flea jazzbass, but my MIM Roadworn P beats most American Fenders.
