Noobish question, sorry.

[jazz-rock soul]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if (later down the line, when I have more experience) it would be better (quality-wise, not price-wise) to get an American Standard Jazz Bass or get a Standard J and upgrade the pickups and other components.
Thanks for responding.

 

[Thunderitter]

Depends on what you can afford; there's a $700 (new) price difference right now. That would buy a solid amp to go with your Standard J.

The other thing to look at, which may or may not be an issue to you is that most of the time an upgraded Standard won't be worth as much as a regular American in the 2nd hand market.

 

[mrpackerguy]

No brainer. The stuff Fender is putting out USA made is of pretty high quality IMO.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Fender USA. The difference can be felt. It's all in the feel.

 

[DeluxeRed]

No brainer. The stuff Fender is putting out USA made is of pretty high quality IMO.

+1 Great right out of the box.

 

[jazz-rock soul]

Once again, thanks for all your help.

 

[boabski2k]

I would say neither.

Save money and buy a Japanese fender if you can, quality is comparable to MIA's price is more like MIM's.

 

[Diogenes]

It depends upon what you're after and your abilities in setting up and improving a bass. Most people would be better off getting an MIA because it'll retain it's monetary value but make sure that when you buy it that the price you pay also includes a setup. I've played too many MIAs that must have been pulled out of their packaging and hung up on the wall with no setup done and they were horrible players.

However there is absolutely no reason that an MIM couldn't be a pro instrument to last you a lifetime... it's all a matter of knowing what to look for and the level of one's abilities to improve it.

 

[jazz-rock soul]

Would a Highway One be a good midpoint, then? I was going to get a BadAss II to put on the standard j anyway.