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Talking myself into a MIM Fender Precision vs American
- Thread starter walknbluez
- Start date
The CE marking (also known as CE mark) is a mandatory conformity mark on many products placed on the single market in the European Economic Area (EEA). The CE marking certifies that a product has met EU consumer safety, health or environmental requirements.
While waiting for a salesman to free up in Sam Ash this weekend, I picked up a MIM precision and was very surprised at how good it felt. Last thing I need is another bass but I may have to go back for it...it's calling me LOL!!
Very common accessories that many folks immediately put on... The guard comes with the holes for the thumb rest and p'up cover pre-drilled.
I'll give you that... They look bigger than mine as well... AFAIK, the 50s have the 'vintage' wire...
The joint looks fine to me, and what you're seeing as a separate fingerboard, I am seeing as camera reflection. In fact, similar shots of my bass showed this same thing...
The CE sticker came off of my bass the night I bought it... Seriously, does anyone leave these on?? I was offered the same exact type of bag with my purchase, but upgraded...
I won't argue with you there... That's why I went with blonde!!
-robert
Well guys, I think I have buyers remorse. The headstock says its a Fender MIM and it plays nice (although I haven't tested it out in the mix) but when I compare it to my 2000 Fender Jazz, the Jazz feels heavier, more solid. The neck on the precision actually feels smaller than the jazz. I'm not saying its not a MIM Fender because it clearly is but the Fender decal is black which reminds me of something I read here on TB about the basses made in the mid 90's after the fire or something or other. I'm torn because yes, it sounds good but I don't have another actual P to compare it to so psychologically its harping on me a little. I think I'm going to put this back up on CL. 
Well guys, I think I have buyers remorse. The headstock says its a Fender MIM and it plays nice (although I haven't tested it out in the mix) but when I compare it to my 2000 Fender Jazz, the Jazz feels heavier, more solid. The neck on the precision actually feels smaller than the jazz. I'm not saying its not a MIM Fender because it clearly is but the Fender decal is black which reminds me of something I read here on TB about the basses made in the mid 90's after the fire or something or other. I'm torn because yes, it sounds good but I don't have another actual P to compare it to so psychologically its harping on me a little. I think I'm going to put this back up on CL.
Keep it and play it and nothing else for three weeks, and then decide. It's not losing value while you keep it, so you have nothing to lose.
what kind of fender american pickups are in there? the covers look matte finish.
what kind of strings are on it?
is there a guitar store nearby where you can go try out a standard p bass to compare?
what kind of strings are on it?
is there a guitar store nearby where you can go try out a standard p bass to compare?
They are great basses, but to someone used to a Jazz neck, their necks will feel huge. Also the curvature of the fretboard kind of bothered me (7.25 radius I guess?).
Maybe you're right. I played it tonight during a recording session. With the amp at the same volume, it had a louder output than my MIM Jazz with stock pickups. As far as feel goes, its hard to tell because I haven't played on brand new roundwounds for many years and the Black Beauties it is strung have a great sound but seem thinner than normal strings.
Well, I have no idea. I'm going by what the seller told me which he just said it was upgraded to Fender American pups. Like I said, the output was much higher than my Jazz bass at the same level
on the amp.
DR Black Beauties
I actually met the seller at Guitar Center. I picked up another Fender P and there was a bit of a difference in feel but I attributed that to possibly the difference in the model year. In terms of weight, they felt almost the same. Big difference from my Jazz though. But then at home, the more I thought about it, and the more I looked at the headstock, the more my mind wandered. Its like the Jazz headstock had a shine to it, sort of like a coat of shellac where this P bass had more of a natural wood finish.
I only read the OP, so forgive me if I repeat anything. I love Mexican food but admit to being prejudiced toward MIM Fenders(no bad experience, just a presupposition on my part, I guess). That said, I grabbed a MIM-bodied parts P recently & LOVE LOVE LOOOVE it. It does have an Allparts neck & Nordstrand PU, so it's not fully south-of-the-border. Again- admittedly- I probably wouldn't hear or feel the diff between MIM, MIJ & MIA and doubt any listener would either. Ths bass has made me open my mind to at least one more source of cheap axes. I say try it. 
I can hear the differences.
I can hear the difference between Squier and MIM pups and all of my MIJs have MIA pups.Squiers sound thinner
Rhe MIMs have this weird woompf noise to them to my eears. Some people like that tone, I've got no opinion.
Most American pickup models sound like old school basses trying to sound more modern. And they are.
Some of them (MIA MIJ) go for the full on vintage appeal where its all about warmth and bloom, with less attack than the other american pups.
the mim necks have variations in finish over the years. the newer ones are vintage tinted and shinier. the early 00s and late 90s are kind of satin finish. some even have a thicker rosewood slab than others. if it's straight and it feels good to you, then no need to worry that it's different from the other mims. it is what it is.
p basses in general are a lot lighter than jazzes. it's normal. my two mim p basses are quite lighter at around 8 lbs. they're still good basses.
Fender prices are all over the place now. I played a MIM late 50's P-Bass with the gold anodized pickguard, wide fat neck, light, one piece maple dead straight neck, and it sounded like a real vintage quality bass to me. The price was $1200. That's a price that one has to reflect on a bit because it's MIM? Bottom line though is it Rocked. If I could find a MIA that sounded as good, I would have bought that without thinking a whole lot about it. That fat neck, price, and factory stigma clouded my Buying mind. I went back later that week to buy it, and it was gone. Is a bass an investment anymore? Or is it pure self satisfaction? Luxury? I don't know...but I live and learn and wonder if I'll hestitate fruitlessly again.
I can hear the differences.
Squiers sound thinner
Rhe MIMs have this weird woompf noise to them to my eears. Some people like that tone, I've got no opinion.
Most American pickup models sound like old school basses trying to sound more modern. And they are.
Some of them (MIA MIJ) go for the full on vintage appeal where its all about warmth and bloom, with less attack than the other american pups.
Oh, I'm not saying there's no difference, and I'm sure some could tell- just not(likely)me.
I just sold my MIM P-bass that was in perfect condition and I only paid $130 for it on craigslist. After owning three American made Strats and an American Standard Telecaster, there was just no comparison to the MIM quality. There is a difference. IMO...a huge difference. 
I recently sold my mid-90's MIM P to a friend who was in dire need of an instrument. It had that unmistakable bark, great response, and one of the best tone pots I've seen on any bass. I'd replace it with another one of that vintage in a heartbeat.
Of course, every instrument is different, no matter who makes them, so I'd try it before I'd buy it.
Of course, every instrument is different, no matter who makes them, so I'd try it before I'd buy it.
My 2 cents. It doesn't matter MIM or MIA or MIJ. If it was built with good wood and sounds good unamped you can always change the electrics to suit your situation
