• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: MIM Fender Precision Bass

MovingPitchers

MovingPitchers

Jun 9, 2013
8,507
12,022
Canada
#1
Got this plus $250 for my Geddy Lee signature CIJ jazz bass.

Worth it?

Yes. The stock pickup is LOUD and it ROARs, which is surprising from a Mexican-made split-coil pickup. Even without my Sansamp Driver pedal, it still packs a punch. Think I might keep the pickup.

Might change the pickguard, might get a new bridge for it since those stock ones, I despise..
 

Attachments

  • image (1).jpeg
    image (1).jpeg
    521.7 KB · Views: 168
  • image (2).jpeg
    image (2).jpeg
    504.2 KB · Views: 153
  • image (3).jpeg
    image (3).jpeg
    456.1 KB · Views: 160
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    455.9 KB · Views: 146
  • fenderpbass.jpeg
    fenderpbass.jpeg
    449.2 KB · Views: 154
  • fenderpbass1.jpeg
    fenderpbass1.jpeg
    284.6 KB · Views: 158
  • Like
Reactions: God's Favorite Bass
#4
I have been searching long and hard for the right precision bass in terms of playability, feel, sound, and tone.

This bass checks 3/4 of those....playability is a bit uncomfortable because the saddle screws are kinda suck and hard to move; I have an extra stock Fender bridge lying around my house somewhere so I'll replace that.

Neck isn't a tree trunk, thank goodness.
 
#6
bh2 said:
Looks super... great colour... pearl guard methinks.

If it were mine I'd swap out the machines for some vintage types or fender 70's.

You will enjoy!

Stock bridge is absolute fine... get some covers for it.
Click to expand...

I was thinking black or tort...XD...almost like a Nate Mendel type bass

I actually prefer the MIM tuning machine heads because I've had issues with string slippage with vintage Fender 70s ones....for some reason even though I wound the strings up properly.

Stock bridge...eh it's decent. I might get a cover for the pickup
 
  • Like
Reactions: Osztertag2112
#7
Well... it's what it sounds like is most important... what year?

Mine is a 2002 and it sounds great! I was actually knocked out how nice it sounded, thinking I'd have to swap out the pups... no way!

I'm nuts about big back machines, all my basses (fender) have to have them.

It's a lovely looking bass... congrats!
 
#8
bh2 said:
Well... it's what it sounds like is most important... what year?

Mine is a 2002 and it sounds great! I was actually knocked out how nice it sounded, thinking I'd have to swap out the pups... no way!

I'm nuts about big back machines, all my basses (fender) have to have them.

It's a lovely looking bass... congrats!
Click to expand...

I believe mine is also 2002. You're right: the stock pickups are killer! I wish I could say the same about my MIM jazz pickups because they're a lot less lourder than my precision.

I Really love this colour; it's line a wine red which will look sexy with a black pickguard
 
#11
Great looking bass!

I have a 2007 MIM Pbass and I love it.
I want to get one more bass just to have a choice of what to play, my biggest problem now is do I get another P which I like the sound or get a J...
 
#12
I have often commented on here regarding MIM Standard P's when folk assume that they need to change pups, to at least give them a try as is ... the ceramic pups on these P's are nice and hot and not really 'edgy' in a bad way that ceramics often get the wrap for being ...

... with that said, this bass would be from Sept of '01, so it will be alder body instead of poplar .. color will be Midnight Wine ... the necks on these are also a very nice profile, slightly thinner from front to back ... pickguard screw pattern/etc should also be direct replacement with modern USA Fender's as well .... July of '01 was the 'upgrade' date on these early MIM Standards, so this one just made it over that line ... this era ran all the way up to mid '08 with these specs and components ...

... with regards to swapping the machines out, the kinds used on this bass are some of the most readily available, are very inexpensive, easy to replace ($20+ as set brand new), and easy to repair when/if they get sloppy ... they hold reasonably well, and are lighter than many of the alternatives out there ... only downside may be the beveled post, but there are ways around that (if needed) also ... JMHO's of course ;)
 
Last edited:
#14
tjh said:
I have often commented on here regarding MIM Standard P's when folk assume that they need to change pups, to at least give them a try as is ... the ceramic pups on these P's are nice and hot and not really 'edgy' in a bad way that ceramics often get the wrap for being ...
Click to expand...

I kinda like the stock pickup in my '07. I have a USA standard PBass pickup I want to try but it doesn't sound bad now.

tjh said:
... with that said, this bass would be from Sept of '01, so it will be alder body instead of poplar .. color will be Midnight Wine ... the necks on these are also a very nice profile, slightly thinner from front to back ... pickguard screw pattern/etc should also be direct replacement with modern USA Fender's as well .... July of '01 was the 'upgrade' date on these early MIM Standards, so this one just made it over that line ... this era ran all the way up to mid '08 with these specs and components ...
Click to expand...

This part, does this mean the 01 are better than the ones that ran to 08 or just different?
As mentioned above I have the 07 and I like it but I am thinking hard about getting a Road worn or Classic player.

tjh said:
... with regards to swapping the machines out, the kinds used on this bass are some of the most readily available, are very inexpensive, easy to replace ($20+ as set brand new), and easy to repair when/if they get sloppy ... they hold reasonably well, and are lighter than many of the alternatives out there ... only downside may be the beveled post, but there are ways around that (if needed) also ... JMHO's of course ;)
Click to expand...

I am sticking with my tuners for now.

Sorry to Hijack, just didnt know if starting a new thread was worth it.
 
#15
It all depends on what rocks your boat. I would not trade my CIJ Geddy for either my AmStd P or Jazz. Yes, I realize there's a dollar value difference. But to me, it would take a lot of effort to reacquire a comparable Geddy Jazz, and not so much to get another AmStd. Of the three the Geddy is the better player and sounds the best - to me. And that's all that counts. So if your MIM P is your better bass then it was a good move.
 
#16
ThemBones said:
This part, does this mean the 01 are better than the ones that ran to 08 or just different?
Click to expand...

I am not sure I understand your question ... the MIM Standards such as the OP from the second half of '01, all the way up through the first half of '08, are in essence the same offering, except for colors offered ... there were changes made to this series mid '01 compared to the MIM Standards that preceeded them .. most significantly a pickup change to the 58262/3 set (P Bass), and consistent use of alder as the body wood ...

.. the changes made in '08 to the MIM Standards, were mostly cosmetic, offering a neck and headstock tint, and a new Fender logo, and moving the serial # to the back of headstock ... but more importantly, quality control seemed to take a noticable turn for more consistent on the model at this time, including the weight, which is generally lighter than many of the preceeding years ...

... to say one era is 'better' than the other, becomes subjective ... maybe depends which you have, or are used to, etc ... I tend to prefer the post mid '08 efforts, probably because of the consistency factor, both weight and fit and finish ... but I am sure there are many that will say something different ... it all comes down to what you like, have, and can afford ...

.. hope that answers your question ... ;)
 
#18
tjh said:
I am not sure I understand your question ... the MIM Standards such as the OP from the second half of '01, all the way up through the first half of '08, are in essence the same offering, except for colors offered ... there were changes made to this series mid '01 compared to the MIM Standards that preceeded them .. most significantly a pickup change to the 58262/3 set (P Bass), and consistent use of alder as the body wood ...

.. the changes made in '08 to the MIM Standards, were mostly cosmetic, offering a neck and headstock tint, and a new Fender logo, and moving the serial # to the back of headstock ... but more importantly, quality control seemed to take a noticable turn for more consistent on the model at this time, including the weight, which is generally lighter than many of the preceeding years ...

... to say one era is 'better' than the other, becomes subjective ... maybe depends which you have, or are used to, etc ... I tend to prefer the post mid '08 efforts, probably because of the consistency factor, both weight and fit and finish ... but I am sure there are many that will say something different ... it all comes down to what you like, have, and can afford ...

.. hope that answers your question ... ;)
Click to expand...

Hmm you're right. I don't mind the logo so much...like who cares...I already have a post-2008 maple neck that is absolutely killer on QC, feel, and results on my MIM 2001 jazz bass (got rid of the old neck because it was having truss rod issues so I sold it to someone who was willing to buy it and fix it up for his own bass)

And yes, the quality is excellent. Even on my MIM P-bass, the neck feels very smooth, no sharp fret ends, frets seem to be leveled although I might get that checked out to be 100% safe. Truss rod works well both ways, and it is very nice.

The MIM pickups on my jazz and precision are LOUD; louder than any Am. std I've played. Heck, all the MIM's I've played except one are loud
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back