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P-Bass - MIM vs. MIA
- Thread starter BarkSlayer
- Start date
I've never owned a MIM bass. However, I messed with several of the previously mentioned Classic '50's P's, which are MIM. I was really impressed with them.
I currently own a '75 P; an '06 Highway One P; and a new '08 Am. Std. P (along with several Jazzes). Another TB brother is buying my Highway One. I slapped some flats on it for him and checked the intonation, etc. prior to shipping it. It sounds phenomenal. I played a few songs with the Highway One, then played those same songs with the '08 P, and that '08 has nothing on the Highway One. That's not a knock on the '08, because it sounds great too. But rather, it's a testimony to the Highway One. Point being, you can find killer MIM's; killer Highway Ones; and killer Am. Stds. Or you can find dogs. But there are good ones of all types to be had if you have the patience to shop around.
I currently own a '75 P; an '06 Highway One P; and a new '08 Am. Std. P (along with several Jazzes). Another TB brother is buying my Highway One. I slapped some flats on it for him and checked the intonation, etc. prior to shipping it. It sounds phenomenal. I played a few songs with the Highway One, then played those same songs with the '08 P, and that '08 has nothing on the Highway One. That's not a knock on the '08, because it sounds great too. But rather, it's a testimony to the Highway One. Point being, you can find killer MIM's; killer Highway Ones; and killer Am. Stds. Or you can find dogs. But there are good ones of all types to be had if you have the patience to shop around.
- Jun 13, 2002
- 611
- 301
- Disclosures
- Branden Campbell
Try out a variety of both basses and see which one "speaks" to you. I give Fender props for stepping up with the '08 USA basses, but all models are hit n miss to me. Try the 50's Classic for sure. A great buy indeed.
I wouldn't get all excited about resale values of MIA. I see them all the time on craigs for as low as $500. MIM's for as low as $250. I agree that the finish on MIA is nicer than MIM, and the string-through feature is nice, but it's up to you whether that's important enough to drop the extra dough. I haven't found the tuners or bridge on MIM's to be so lacking as to warrant an upgrade. I did put SD Quarters into my MIM P-Bass and it was a clear difference and makes it a little more valuable, but it's mine, and I plan on keeping it. I did a lengthy set-up and put a Pearloid on it, and I love it.
If you have to do MIA, I would suggest craigs. Be patient, like I did. I scored a MIM Jazz for $350 with SKB hardshell, or maybe a trade, like I did for my MIM P for my Ibanez
AS73. I'm sure there are great MIA deals if you keep an almost obsessive eye on craigs.
Good luck.
Here are pics:
Slackerprince
If you have to do MIA, I would suggest craigs. Be patient, like I did. I scored a MIM Jazz for $350 with SKB hardshell, or maybe a trade, like I did for my MIM P for my Ibanez
AS73. I'm sure there are great MIA deals if you keep an almost obsessive eye on craigs.
Good luck.
Here are pics:
Slackerprince
Assemebled by an amatuer : PRICELESS!
Exactly. That's the fundamental problem.
I recently got a great deal on a Classic 50's P bass; the finish is excellent as is the playability. If I were in the market for another P bass, I'd do the same as I did when I was just in the market for a P bass.
I also checked out several P basses in the process and didn't experience the hit or miss quality many seem to say is a given. Then again I've never experienced that when checking out new Fenders. One caveat: I don't consider setups to be an "issue". My guess is that many people do.
Just my experience.
MIA's are 100% American made, parts, build, electronics you name it. MIA's are simply better basses than MIM's, oh sure you can get an MIM to sound like a MIA, but the fact remains - it's not an MIA.
I own a '08' MIA Jazz V and compared to my buddy's MIM it's not in the same league. The MIA has better tuners, pups, electronics, finish, hardware, you name it it's better and sounds better.
Yes, it does cost more, but your gonna pay more for an American made opposed to Mexican made, plus American Fenders hold there value.
I own a '08' MIA Jazz V and compared to my buddy's MIM it's not in the same league. The MIA has better tuners, pups, electronics, finish, hardware, you name it it's better and sounds better.
Yes, it does cost more, but your gonna pay more for an American made opposed to Mexican made, plus American Fenders hold there value.
I have a Geddy Jazz(CIJ), a Standard Jazz(MIM), and a Precision(MIA)made in 2000.
Looking at them the MIA looks like it's put together better, more precise, at least compared to the MIM. I can't complain though because the MIM is a '92.
When I got the Geddy I was out looking for a MIA but after playing some for a while the Geddy felt better and sounded better. I only tried 3 MIA's and two Geddy's.
I bought the MIA used for $600 and it's in great shape(Ebay).
Geddy came from GC for $750.
Stanard Jazz(MIM) $215(Ebay).
There are some differences in the MIA and the MIM but my old MIM sounds pretty good considering I've done nothing to it other than a set up. The tuners on the MIA are a lot better than both the Mexican and Japan. I read on here they are suppose to come out with a MIM with a maple fretboard. If so, I'll be getting another Precision and it will be Mexican.
Looking at them the MIA looks like it's put together better, more precise, at least compared to the MIM. I can't complain though because the MIM is a '92.
When I got the Geddy I was out looking for a MIA but after playing some for a while the Geddy felt better and sounded better. I only tried 3 MIA's and two Geddy's.
I bought the MIA used for $600 and it's in great shape(Ebay).
Geddy came from GC for $750.
Stanard Jazz(MIM) $215(Ebay).
There are some differences in the MIA and the MIM but my old MIM sounds pretty good considering I've done nothing to it other than a set up. The tuners on the MIA are a lot better than both the Mexican and Japan. I read on here they are suppose to come out with a MIM with a maple fretboard. If so, I'll be getting another Precision and it will be Mexican.
The whole thing about an MIM vs a MIA is value right? Can you or could you get pretty much equal tone and playability out of a lowly MIM and save hundreds of dollars? Are they gig worthy, can they hold up? The answer to these questions is YES!
You can say well its still a MIM not an MIA
So what its a Fender right? You are getting great tone, playability and quality for half the cost. A MIA has a better hardware,finish and for what they cost they should, but is that worth hundreds more? IMO no. I have twice went to buy a an MIA and walked out with a MIM. The last one was a classic 50s which is equal to any MIA..period. If a MIM is lacking slightly, for less than 100.00 bucks you can drop in pups a bridge etc. This will equal a MIA. You can be fooled if you like and waste money but unless you are going after an MIA deluxe or custom shop a standard MIM can be as good as a standard MIA sometimes stock sometimes tweaked. Its all Fender its all good.
You can say well its still a MIM not an MIA
So what its a Fender right? You are getting great tone, playability and quality for half the cost. A MIA has a better hardware,finish and for what they cost they should, but is that worth hundreds more? IMO no. I have twice went to buy a an MIA and walked out with a MIM. The last one was a classic 50s which is equal to any MIA..period. If a MIM is lacking slightly, for less than 100.00 bucks you can drop in pups a bridge etc. This will equal a MIA. You can be fooled if you like and waste money but unless you are going after an MIA deluxe or custom shop a standard MIM can be as good as a standard MIA sometimes stock sometimes tweaked. Its all Fender its all good.... and that list doesn't include the price to ship all those parts, so add in some more $$ there.
Hell, at the prices listed, he's already $100 MORE than I paid for my brand new 08 American Standard Fender, which came with a nice hardshell case, and case candy. How about adding in those parts to the list too. ... PLUS SHIPPING!
Looks to me that you're well over the price of a MIA Fender now... and you still have to breakout the screwdriver to assemble the whole thing, and pray you don't screw somthing up in the process.
One slip with the screwdriver or drill, and now you're really in the hole.
My MIM P-bass is my absolute favorite bass, with unmatched tone and feel. I played a 60's P-bass, and it came in second. However, the new 5-string Am Std P-bass would be my bet if I were looking for a passive 5-string.
My GC was blowing out several 08' MIAs for $589.00What a time to buy.
Smokin' deal!
I just got a MIM P bass (dirt cheap) with a few quality control issues:
- pea-sized bump in the finish on the arm contour
- deep gouge in the fretboard from filing the A string nut slot
- poorly installed position markers (holes were oversized & filled)
- wobbly pots
On the plus side, it's nice and light, has no real dead spot on the neck, and sounds THE bizniz with flats.
My MIM Jazz, on the other hand, had none of those issues & a flawless finish.
MIM Fender: you pays your money & you takes your chances.
c-
- pea-sized bump in the finish on the arm contour
- deep gouge in the fretboard from filing the A string nut slot
- poorly installed position markers (holes were oversized & filled)
- wobbly pots
On the plus side, it's nice and light, has no real dead spot on the neck, and sounds THE bizniz with flats.
My MIM Jazz, on the other hand, had none of those issues & a flawless finish.
MIM Fender: you pays your money & you takes your chances.
c-
I've occasionally played MIM basses that for me have blown away some MIAs - it simply isn't true to say that the latter will always be a better instrument than the former, although on average they should win in most respects. That said, the only way to be sure is to play a few until you find a bass that plays and sounds the way you want as they do tend to vary a lot in my experience, and that probably does apply more to the MIMs than to the MIAs.
You could find an MIM or an MIA that suits you perfectly, so then you just need to think about the financial aspects. To generalise A LOT - do you spend less now and know that the bass will probably depreciate a bit from a lowish starting point, or spend a lot more on something that MIGHT actually be a bit of an investment if you hang on to it for long enough?
My advice would be to forget about the money side and just buy a bass that you love and will still want to play years from now, but that's only my 2c. YMMV et cetera, as always.
You could find an MIM or an MIA that suits you perfectly, so then you just need to think about the financial aspects. To generalise A LOT - do you spend less now and know that the bass will probably depreciate a bit from a lowish starting point, or spend a lot more on something that MIGHT actually be a bit of an investment if you hang on to it for long enough?
My advice would be to forget about the money side and just buy a bass that you love and will still want to play years from now, but that's only my 2c. YMMV et cetera, as always.
The importance of holding value is a relative thing. If you can find a bass for next to nothing that you really like... who cares?
And I'm one of those guys who's always looking at resale value. But after a point I don't think it matters. You can't lose $500 on a $300 bass... unless of course it falls off a stand into a pile of matches and starts a fire or something to that effect.
