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Ok last post...Which bass should I pick?
- Thread starter bordinco90
- Start date
Famous last words....Yes I plan on keeping it for life.
Agreed on this/\ used is the way to go, and don't write off the MIJ fenders......
No I cannot play the Americal Special or the 50's P bass because my local music store only carries either MIM P Basses or MIA P Basses. No inbetween basses. Also the guitar centers around my area are horrible. They have no good basses in stock.
If you cannot play either of the basses, then you are really just choosing based on looks and gut feeling.
Bottom line:
a) If you buy new, you will take a 30-50% loss if you try to sell it later on regardless of the model. MIA "may" be closer to 30% while MIM "may" be closer to 50% primarily due to supply and demand. GC is one option for buying used. Craigslist (because you can physically try it before you buy it) and TB classifieds (because you can see seller rating and most TB'ers are pretty cool to talk about their listings) are other good options for buying used.
b) Both basses will perform fine. You can rehearse them, gig them, record with them. Plenty of TB'ers have done it with both of those basses.
c) Yes, they will have slight tone differences, but tone is subjective, so we cannot objectively say one tone is "better" than another. If YOU personally had a chance to hear both basses, YOU could decide which tone you like better.
d) Playability, like tone, is also subjective so we cannot say one plays better than the other. Only YOU could determine that based on trying out the basses. Note: if YOU have tried similar size, shape, weight basses, then you may be able to infer which bass you like better. Sort of like Obimark's comment about the 50s P having 1.75" width nut vs. 1 5/8" std P width. If you think the 1 5/8" width nut is already too wide, then the 50s P 1.75" nut is probably not going to be comfy for you.
Either way. Good luck and enjoy the bass you choose. Rock on!
I would certainly go for the MIA P-bass, because I prefer the string-through bridge. Some time ago I changed the bridge on a precision bass to make it string-through. The result was much improved sustain and the dead spots on the G-string where completely gone. Besides that, the MIA is built better, with better materials.
As long as you try the bass beforehand, I don't see any real risks with buying a used instrument except for a vintage one. They're more fragile as they are old and the truss rod might have been used to it's full capacity etc. However, if you prefer a USA one but getting a MIM just because of budget issues, I'd definitely go with a nice used USA std. Just realized that all of my basses were purchased secondhand and I've a dozen now
50s P-bass, no doubt about it. I know a lot of Americans tend to favor US built Fenders but if you have the choice between an entry level US model and a higher level Mexican the Mexicans give more value for money. The quality of the 50s models is generally higher than those entry level US Fenders.
If both have MIM hardware, then you should expect to need to upgrade it, possibly. Not saying you will need to, but here is my experience.
The tuners; they are not great, two of them are good but the other two cause me much grief. It takes too much time to get them close to in tune and they don't stay. I have to find a "close enough" spot and that's as good as it gets. Upgrade = $100.
The bridge; the saddles shift side to side making string spacing inaccurate. If it had slots for the adjustment screws to ride in, I would be happier. But that's not what bothers me most about the bridge. The biggest problem I've had is that the saddle adjustment screws are not a precision fit. They tend to adjust themselves. I would've sworn my bandmates were messing with me. Just about every week I would have to reset string height. I have to put a drop of super glue in each one to keep them from moving. This bugs the poopie out of me. Upgrade=$100.
So now I'm looking at spending a couple hundred just to have decent hardware on top of what I payed for the bass new. This is my first MIM Fender and it's disappointing. I've owned MIA's, they were great. My CV jazz was probably one of the best built basses I've owned. My current MIM p is okay, but the cash I have to spend to get it "good" makes me wish I had bought a higher end model. But, I did buy it with all intentions to upgrade it. I just didn't expect to upgrade all of the hardware.
These are only my opinions and experience. I'm sure others have had better luck than I, but this is what I've dealt with on my bass.
The tuners; they are not great, two of them are good but the other two cause me much grief. It takes too much time to get them close to in tune and they don't stay. I have to find a "close enough" spot and that's as good as it gets. Upgrade = $100.
The bridge; the saddles shift side to side making string spacing inaccurate. If it had slots for the adjustment screws to ride in, I would be happier. But that's not what bothers me most about the bridge. The biggest problem I've had is that the saddle adjustment screws are not a precision fit. They tend to adjust themselves. I would've sworn my bandmates were messing with me. Just about every week I would have to reset string height. I have to put a drop of super glue in each one to keep them from moving. This bugs the poopie out of me. Upgrade=$100.
So now I'm looking at spending a couple hundred just to have decent hardware on top of what I payed for the bass new. This is my first MIM Fender and it's disappointing. I've owned MIA's, they were great. My CV jazz was probably one of the best built basses I've owned. My current MIM p is okay, but the cash I have to spend to get it "good" makes me wish I had bought a higher end model. But, I did buy it with all intentions to upgrade it. I just didn't expect to upgrade all of the hardware.
These are only my opinions and experience. I'm sure others have had better luck than I, but this is what I've dealt with on my bass.
Neither, go with the Sire MMV7 for $599.00 or less. Here is mine, you won't be disappointed ! Tobacco Sunburst in Swamp Ash...Invalid Link Removed
i think you're overthinking. A passive P is so simple that the hardware, pups, neck relief, truss rod, etc. can all be checked out in minutes before you drop any coin.
I'm gonna go against the grain here. I think the Mex bass is a better buy. An American 'Special' is nothing more than a cheap fender made with cheap parts in the US and is never going to hold its value like an american standard. Think About it...You have 2 basses worth the same money. one made in the Fisrt world (The USA) and the second made in a developing country (Mexico) In america more of the cost associated with building the bass goes to pay (comparatively) big salaries to American workers, leaving less to spend on actual bass parts. The average salary of a Mexican fender employee is going to be much less than that of his/her American counterpart, leaving more to spend on the actual bass materials. I think its a no brainer that MIA snobs are missing here.
I voted MIM classic 50's for the "C" neck alone. But, you may prefer the narrower "B" neck on the special. They are different feeling basses and must be played back to back before choosing.
The "C" neck I'm referring to is the "C" vs "B" vs "A" width Fender necks. Not to be confused with the "C" profile.
There are other reasons, just as valid, to choose the American Special.
I may also look into getting one.
The "C" neck I'm referring to is the "C" vs "B" vs "A" width Fender necks. Not to be confused with the "C" profile.
There are other reasons, just as valid, to choose the American Special.
I may also look into getting one.
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The american has the graphite rods in the neck ... enough reason to keep it, also the resale value!
Does the American Special have the graphite rods? I thought only the American Standard had the graphite rods. I could be 100% wrong.
I'd look for a used one. When you buy new, the minute you open the box you lose 40% in resale value. May as well let someone else take that hit.
