What would you replace first on a new MiM fender?

You might just like the bass stock. Why not wait and play it for a while and you make the decision. There is certainly nothing on a MIM Jazz that NEEDS to be replaced. Also, Mark Twain said that the only man who should use the word "we/us" when he means "I/me" is a head of state or a man with a tapeworm. Good luck.

 

1. BRIDGE
2. PICKUPS
3. DROP IN AN AUDERE PRE
4. TUNERS
5. NECK
6. BODY

 

1.Pickups ( Get some Basslines)
2.Bridge ( Leo Quan Badd Ass)
3.Hardware ( Get some Hipshot Tuners and a Bass Xtender)

Dont forget the strings !

 

The neck...

I have had MAJOR problems with the 3 mim basses I have own... all of them neck problems..

IMO, don't buy a MIM fender bass... not worth it.

 

Strings.
Everything else sounds fine on the passive basses IMO.

If you are going for a different sound, buy a different bass.

 

Seems like you could get a nice used MIA Jazz for about the same price as a MIM and all of the parts you want to throw at it.

 

The pick-ups, pots, & I'd have the frets dressed up. Later on, I'd replace the bridge ,with a vintage US Fender bridge, replace the nut with a bone nut. That 's just what I would do . I'm sure other people have different ideas, but this is what I would do, if it were mine.

 

1. Bridge. I replaced the MIM bridge on my project fretless Precision, and noticed a substantial improvement in clarity and sustain. I used a Gotoh 201, which is less expensive than a Badass.

2. Pickups, but only if you're unhappy with the tone.

I have no problem with the tuners, neck, etc.

 

If you are planning on changing out all kind of stuff why not get a diferent bass?

 

Bust out a tiny bit extra money and get a Geddy Lee. Made in Japan basses blow away MIM's.

BUT...

If you get a MIM, then I'd replace the strings right off with DR Lo-riders and have it set-up. I'm a DIY kind of guy so I say try doing some fret work to get the wires even with the edge of the neck.

If you play it and you absolutely can't live with some part because it just sucks, then replace it. Don't replace good parts just because they're made 10 minutes south of the USA Fender plant by the same people as the USA plant except they haven't jumped the border yet.

 

Get a Highway 1 bass for just a bit more, and you already get the Badass bridge, better pickups, and so on. These basses just sound fantastic.

 

Here's a short list; What I didn't replace on my 06 MIM Jazz Deluxe...The Neck......the Body. Thank you I'm done now.
It plays and sounds unbelieveable now. I've even gotten offers for it from friends who've tried it. The long list in order of replacement; Fender vintage tuners
Bone Nut
Strings
Pickgaurd-tort to white
Pickups- stock to Basslines
bridge-Badass II
Audere JZ5 Pre
recessed Dunlop straplocks
engraved neckplate w/gasket
Drilled and fitted string through ferrules
thank god I liked the paint! Candy Red. All of these mods except the ferrules and straplocks are reversible. Still I don't think I'll ever sell it.

 

Yeah, I forgot about that one. MIA for the price of MIJ!

Seriously DO NOT replace anything unless it really bothers you or you have cash that you just want to waste. The whole point of replacing parts is to A. make it play better or B. to improve the tone to your liking. If the bass does it's job then don't "fix" it.

 

Luke (I mean, RED5), did you really find the original nut to be a problem for you? What do you notice that's better now that you've gone with a bone nut on your MIM?

 

1. bridge -> bad ass
2. pus -> barts
3. brass nut or how its called

 

These well actually effect the sound.

Whatever your preference is.
Everybody got an opinion, and mine differers from most.
I like Schaller.
I'm no fan from anything from Leo Quan (badass bridges) however some love them.
Pickups...Well skies the limit.
I'm having Nordy's put into one right now.

Maybe the nut.

I don't think the tuners are to bad.

Myself I would put straplocks.
I put the same system on all my basses so I can switch straps with ease.

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Pickgaurds are cosmetic so its whatever you think.

 

I've played good and bad from both

 

I have a MIM P bass and It's superb...apart from loose tuners which I'm going to replace with a set of Wilkinsons.
Then I'll retro fit covers and thumbrest.

I'm happy with everything else on it.

 

I think of it this way:

~$1050 '08 P-bass + $0 for mods = ~$1050

~$850 Hwy-1 P-bass + $200 for mods = ~$1050

~$500 MIM P-bass + $400 for mods = ~$900

Resale for each (including mods for Hwy-1 and MIM):

MIA '08 standard ~$600 with case
Hwy-1 P-bass ~$450 with gig bag
MIM P-bass ~$250 with gig bag

All IMHO, YMMV. There is no right or wrong here, IMHO.