My Opinion on Squier vs. MIM vs. MIA.

[bordinco90]

It seems every week or so there is a Squier vs Fender thread. So having owned all three (P-Basses), I wanted to state my opinion on the whole Squier vs. MIM vs. MIA debate. So here is my opinion on each bass:

Squier P Bass (Classic Vibe): These are good basses. They have a cheaper feel than the MIM and MIA basses. They all are pretty consistent though, I have not played a bad one yet. The hardware (tuners, pickups, and pots) while not bad, are not as good as the MIM or MIA. The hardware may need to be replaced.

MIM: They have a slightly better feel than the Squier basses, but are more inconsistent with the build quality. I have played good and bad MIM basses. The hardware is definitely a step up from the squier basses. A stock MIM sounds better than a Sqiuer P bass.

MIA: These basses are a step up from the MIM P basses. They feel and sound better than both MIM and Squier P basses. Not to say, you cannot get the same sound out of the Squier or the MIM, but to me they sound and feel better. The hardware is top notch.

 

[bordinco90]

What do you guys think?

 

[brendanbassix]

Well I used to think mia were always made with better hardware but now I have the artist series mike dirnt Pbass I looked up all the part numbers and found that it uses the same tuners as the avri '74 jazz bass, same capacitor as the avri '62 Pbass bass, has CTS pots and switchcraft jack, and has a custom shop pickup. I'm sure the wood quality isn't as good as a mia but can't tell as it's solid black so who cares. Fret work is great and it has a BAII bridge. So I guess if the specs are good it doesn't make a difference where it comes from.

Edit: I have owned squier, other mim, Japanese fender and own a '08 mia jazz bass so I feel I have a firm grasp on what the fender umbrella has to offer.

 

[Gorn]

I think Japanese Fenders blow them all away.

 

[hrodbert696]

I don't think I would generalize until I had played at least a hundred of each. I think it really comes down to each individual instrument, and how the parts and wood come together in its gestalt. I'm sure that on average, you're more likely to get a sweetheart and less likely to get a lemon as the price goes up; but only on average, and you really need to try the individual instrument to decide if it's what you like or not.

 

[RattleSnack]

OP - no offence, but your analisys is simplified and general. Would be much more helpful if you could go deeper, compare details. Like, how they sound in comparison - definition, treble, warmth, harmonic content. Weight? Finish? Pots - smooth, flimsy? How easy to setup? Low action? Moding platform?

I'll try to help - I used a Squier Affinity for less than a year, and enjoyed playing it. Light weight, but medium strings height was best I could set it up. Stock pickup was crap - unfocused and muffled, with extra bass. When I switched it for SPB-1 and put on DR Sunbeams, it sounded great. In the end, I sold it because neck wasn't stable, I had to go over setup every time weather changed.

Now I play Fender P-bass Classic '70 MIJ, maple neck, and think very high of it. Great finish, good hardware, perfect neck (if you are ok with glossy finish) and medium-low action. Never tried stock pickup, even though I have it, but is sounds amazing with Fender Original '62. Lots of harmonic content, complex sound, with lots of high mids.

 

[Rip Topaz]

I have both a MIM and MIA P.

My guitarist swears by the MIA. He always comments on how it just sounds better than the MIM.

I play both regularly, but he always rolls his eyes at me when I bring the MIM to practice. Personally, I like the feel of the neck on the MIM. My MIA has a nitro finish on the neck that tends to get sticky when things get sweaty. That doesn't happen on the MIM, which has a more satin feel.

The MIA stands above the MIM on all counts. Hardware, electronics, fit and finish are all better on the MIA.

I still like 'em both.

 

[Gorn]

I don't think I would generalize until I had played at least a hundred of each. I think it really comes down to each individual instrument, and how the parts and wood come together in its gestalt. I'm sure that on average, you're more likely to get a sweetheart and less likely to get a lemon as the price goes up; but only on average, and you really need to try the individual instrument to decide if it's what you like or not.

A man who understands that a sample size of 1, or 5, or 10 isn't enough for legitimate conclusions in a "this vs that" situation.

 

[Chico Ruger]

You know what they say about opinions: They are like $&@?&$s, everyone has one and they all stink.

I have played nice and not-so-nice instruments in all price ranges, and my STINKY opinion is that, in general, there is some correlation between price and quality when it comes to basses. You may not need or want the incremental improvement, but it is, generally, there to be had.

I also think that in most live-performance situations nobody in the audience would be able to discern the difference between any reasonable-quality instruments.

 

[pappabass]

I have owned a Fender MIM Precision, MIM Jazz, and now a Squier Jaguar Vintage Modified. I have not owned a MIA Fender yet.
The Precision was OK, Squier sounds better because of the active bass boost, is also feels better. The MIM jazz was a good one, hated to see it go...Construction; this particular Squier is a good one, I would say its just as good or better as the MIM precision, not as good as the Jazz. The active bass boost makes it sound better than the P. I can not compare the sound to the Jazz, I personally like the Jaguar VM sound better, does not mean it sounds better. The local music store has a MIA P, natural finish, none of the mentioned are made as good as it. I am not sure about the sound, I did not play it enough.

 

[nonohmic]

My MIAMSquier is prob the best, lets be honest.

 

[swartzfeger]

MIJ Jazz (Geddy Lee) -- Solid, great tone. Neck wasn't the most stable.

Squier VM Precision Fretless -- Love this bass.

MIA 1983 Precision -- Love this bass.

With all that said... my next Fender will be a MIA. Unless Fender decides to migrate features like truss rod wheel, posiflex etc features down to the MIM line, which will probably never, ever happen.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

What do you guys think?

After careful consideration, I come to the unmistakable conclusion that you most definitely have opinions, based on your considerable experience, about each bass.

 

[jd56hawk]

What do you guys think?

I think, therefore I am.

Here's one of my favorite basses.
I make it work for me. I understand it inside and out. It gets the job done.
Everything else is merely talk.

Whenever I play, whatever I play, I become the bass!

 

[tjh]

What do you guys think?

... respectfully, tough to compare/generalize by country of origin, rather than specific models/eras/specs/etc ... there are several models that are/have been produced in America, in Mexico, as well as several Squier models, from several countries ... add to that changes made within various 'eras' of those models as well ... how about if we compare an early edition MIA Hwy 1 P to a MIM Road Worn P perhaps? or how about a MIM Classic Series 50's P to an American Special ?? ... tough to compare when specs vary between pieces as well, it becomes strictly preference ...

Thanks for stating and sharing an opinion though, should add enough fuel to keep this thread up top for a while ... again ...

 

[Mikey F]

First off, I have never had a fender. I have almost always played Warwick, and a few Stingrays. I love the Jazz tone, but every newer Jazz and P that I have tried at music stores, plays like absolute garbage. The build quality seems really crappy too compared to warwick and EBMM. I really want to like them, but so far I cannot. I did play a 70's Jazz that was the bees knees. It just seems like the newer ones are not made as well. Maybe I am missing something.

 

[red_rhino]

What do you guys think?

I think you posted this just in time. I don't think there's been a Squier vs Whatever thread on TB today. I was starting to get worried we might not have one. Cutting it kind of close there, don't you think?

 

[dvrader]

I have modded my MIM J bass just how i want it. Tung oil neck, Model J pickups, Gotoh style bridge, and a bone nut.

My MIA P is stock because I don't want to decrease its value.

I prefer my J.

 

[P. Aaron]

I have only owned American made Fenders, and I have had I think, good ones. Plus, the resale has been really good with them...on the rare occasion I have let one go.

HOWEVER, the Squier, MIM, and Japanese made Fenders all have really nice things about them.

I just made the practical decision to use the American made line.

There's really no wrong answer. Some players are so badass, they can play any ol' bass & tear your head off with it.

 

[Shaunpski]

Setup, fretwork and a solid neck make a big difference no matter the country of origin. Yes, I have owned all three. Did I mention strings?