SX vs American and MIM Fender...

[dougjwray]

There are many levels of "experience"" and "expertise" regarding instrument quality. The one major mistake alot of people make is to generalize about a certain product or model. Some of the finest and most expensive guitars in the world can have "fret sprout"...the reason you are dealing with WOOD. Different samples of wood can react to climate changes etc. Man made substance such as graphite,steel fiberglass are usually more stable...but they lack the "tone".

What thread should we start next?
1.) Fenders are great
2.) Fenders are over-rated (over priced)
3.) SX are great value
4.) SX are starter instruments
5.) MIM Fender VS USA Fender
6.) SX VS Fender
7.)Should Talkbass limit the number of repetative threads?

What thread should we start next?
How about: "Let's compile a list of SX defects!"
Recently, I saw a post where someone actually had to remount the bridge further away from the neck, because he couldn't intonate the E string. Now, that's something you never hear about on a Fender.
But they're "just as good as" or "better than" Fenders!

 

[stingray69]

What thread should we start next?
How about: "Let's compile a list of SX defects!"
Recently, I saw a post where someone actually had to remount the bridge further away from the neck, because he couldn't intonate the E string. Now, that's something you never hear about on a Fender.
But they're "just as good as" or "better than" Fenders!

As far as I've seen, SX users are about as up front & honest as they come when it comes to pointing out any high frets or any other issue. There's no hiding of any SX shortcomings that I've seen. Many users have no issues whatsoever straight out of the box. One of my 2 recent SX's needed a fret job & afterward plays as well and sounds better (to me) than my MIA, was still way under the price of a MIM and not much above the cost of a Squier Affinity. Just as good or better - all things considered - YES. YMMV.

You want a thread discussing defects:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=520892

 

[Krügmeister]

is it even POSSIBLE to start a thread without fender bashing anymore?

 

[lbanks]

Can't we all just get along?
Invalid Link Removed

 

[johnnycat42]

I dunno--I have had one of my MIA P Basses for years. It never needs a setup and still plays great. I can beat it up and it always stays in tune. I cant say that about some of the other instruments I have owned. I am sure there are some out there but this P Bass I have is of fantastic quality. I just picked up another one. So far, it seems to me like it is going to be much of the same. Of course, only time will tell on the 2nd one.

As far as cheaper basses, there are some nice ones out there. I dont find them to compare to the basses I currently own. I think the main issue is that the Fenders are just SO much more expensive than the others that it irks people. Because they are not getting a bass that is 12X better when buying the MIA Fender. With some modding on a good squier or SX, you can pay 25-30% of the MIA and get something close. I think that is why people love the SX's. That being said, I think if you buy an MIA Fender, you are getting a better bass. Better all around product. Only you can decide if the differences are worth paying the hefty sum of cash an MIA requires.

P.S. Both my MIA P Basses came in at around $500. They were worth it.

 

[stingray69]

is it even POSSIBLE to start a thread without fender bashing anymore?

I'm not bashing at all - just making an honest call as I see it. A bass is a bass, it's a tool we use to make music - if it sounds good, plays good, it is good. There is no lone, sole manufacturer who has a stranglehold monopoly on the only good basses that can be made & purchased. If there was, we'd all have the same bass from the same company. I've had 2-3 very fine instruments from Fender - I'm not bagging on them at all. But I won't downplay the value I see in the SX basses because I do see it, it is there. Talking honestly about a good bass without the big "F" on the headstock should not be misinterpreted as bashing.

 

[bass player 48]

But for markup on MIAs, aren't you supposed to pay for, amongst other thing, a human to actually inspect each and every instrument to make sure it meets QC criterias?

If it doesn't meet them, either the instrument goes back to have that issue fixed if it's fixable, or it's sold as B-stock if it's not. I think that's only logical, and what the MIA lines should mean.

Yes. What I'm wondering is, in the original post, how do we know that struggling mom and pop didn't buy a "B stock" MIA Fender and then try to pass it off at full price? That would explain the quality issues OP saw.

 

[dabbler]

That's a great idea (a GTG), but really at these prices I think some people would spend more in transportation & travel costs just getting to the GTG vs. just ordering one for themselves and seeing what the deal is about these basses. I believe Kurt even pays for the shipping back if you don't care for it & want a refund - I wouldn't know for sure though, all SX basses I've received have stayed. Might want to confirm that with Kurt.

I'm not saying everybody on the board should try to go from all over the world. As a matter of fact how much time/money they want to spend getting here is up to them, but I'd like to think that there's enough of us in the GWMA to do it!

Nevertheless, I'll agree with you this far: the reason for a GTG should not JUST be to do a double blind test. It should be to meet the people we've been communicating with on here, see some of their gear, eat, play AND participate in the double blind bass demonstration (DBBD)!

 

[stingray69]

I'm not saying everybody on the board should try to go from all over the world. As a matter of fact how much time/money they want to spend getting here is up to them, but I'd like to think that there's enough of us in the GWMA to do it!

Nevertheless, I'll agree with you this far: the reason for a GTG should not JUST be to do a double blind test. It should be to meet the people we've been communicating with on here, see some of their gear, eat, play AND participate in the double blind bass demonstration (DBBD)!

GTG's are great fun indeed. Here's an interesting hypothetical twist - as part of the blind test, have someone else (not the person blind folded) play a couple basses and let the blind folded person score them on which sounds better. That alone would be worth putting one together.

 

[Krügmeister]

I rather enjoy all my basses, each one is different and has it's own personality when playing.
I have Warwicks, Peaveys, and even a Rickenbacker to my small stable of Fenders and I enjoy them all.
I have a buddy that has a modded SX J copy and it's pretty darn cool... the only problem is he has customized it to over 3 times it's initial purchase price. (nothing wrong with that unless he tries to sell it)
BTW Fralins sound great in SX's.
I think maybe 4-5 years ago all fenders were generally overpriced.
I really do think the 2008 fenders were fantastic values, MIM, MIJ and MIA

 

[ThunderLizard]

ProfG-
Nice review. And you're right, most guys are at our level.
If you have a recording contract or an endorsement or (fill in the blank) then brand image/make/model might be important. Otherwise, play what feels good to you regardless of the price.
And anyone who keeps wondering about an SX should just plunk down a hundred beans and get one.

 

[GregC]

I would support (creating scorecards, setting up the test area eetc.) but I can't HOST simply because I have no venue. The boss would never let me have a GTG at my house, and to be honest we don't have the room.

BUT if there is anyone in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area who has a venue, or idea for a venue, that we could use, I would be MORE than happy to work on it AND bring some SX basses!

[as for submitting my reqest in triplicate on the required form, ummm my pencil broke! ]

If we get any organizers, we can start a thread for it.

Let me rephrase then: Start a thread for a GTG and see who in your area is interested. (Your post here inside a thread isn't going to reach a lot of TBers.) You don't have to have a venue of your own, or even have one in mind, to start. Someone ends up knowing a music store, rehearsal studio or whatever where you can jam, and you settle on a date! That's how most of the GTGs I've been to have come about. And each one has been a great time--TBers are a pretty cool bunch.

 

[dabbler]

Stingray, I think you missed my earlier post, so I'll repeat it:

True that. But I will repeat what I said the last time I responded in a long one of these threads:

WHAT we NEED is a round of DOUBLE BLIND testing. Have a TB meet and greet, bring some J and P or PJ basses and let people play them blindfolded and RATE them for tone and playability. ALSO while the blindfolded person is playing them, have EVERYONE not behind the curtain with the blindfolded player (so they can't see what bass is being played) RATE the TONE.

But NO ONE took me up on my suggestion before, and I really don't expect them to now. Why is that, I wonder?

 

[stingray69]

Stingray, I think you missed my earlier post, so I'll repeat it:

+1

My bad - I was at work when posting/half-reading in this thread earlier this afternoon. Your idea is an excellent one.

Maybe wishful thinking, but if this thing ever would come to fruition please share the scores/ratings - would be very interesting.