Which Fender Made Bass Is Better?

[Funk$tar]

Kay so sorry because this question has probably been asked a billion times but I just wanted to know what Fender bass is of better quality? One made in Mexico, China, Korea, Indonesia, or anywhere else not listed above? I play lots of slap so I just want to know if certain basses from certain parts of the world make different sounds or are of better quality! Thanks as always and God bless

 

[MovingPitchers]

OP, you are one of the many who have opened this dreaded Pandora's Box.

 

[MrBKerth]

All depends on you. I've personally heard a ton of horror stories of the Chinese made basses but as always you have got to go play some. Get a price in mind and play basses that are in that range or slightly above in range. Pick the one that feels and sounds the best. I've owned basses that people vehemently bash (think Ibanez ICB200) as crap that I thought sounded just fine. You never know if you're going to get the good one of the bunch. on the other hand I've played American Vintage Reissue bass guitars that were total dogs that I wouldn't gig if my life depended on it (I've also played great ones). This really is a decision that can be made best only by you.

 

[Jaco D]

Neither. The best Fender-made bass is the one that:

1. Sounds the best to you.
2. Plays the best to you.
3. Costs the best to your wallet.

Where (and when) that bass was made is irrelevant. Likewise, what others say is also irrelevant as what sounds best, plays best, and costs the best to them may not be the same to you.

 

[Jeff K]

The GENERAL consensus is that the Fender hierarchy of quality goes pretty much like this (best listed first):
Made in USA
Made in Japan
Made in Mexico
Made in Indonesia/Korea/China - toss-up.

That being said, you'll find high and low quality instruments from everywhere. One of my sons has an Indonesian Squier Strat that sounds and plays every bit as good as my American Strat and Tele.

It sounds like a cliche', but you really have to play them individually to see if any "call out" to you. Most of my basses are/have been MIA (Made in America). But in addition to my MIA's, I currently have a MIJ and a MIM that are both really, really nice. So take the above list as the generality that it's intended to be. There are exceptions everywhere. Not sure where you're located; but play a bunch of them, be patient, and find one that you really like...

 

[Iridescentone]

Kay so sorry because this question has probably been asked a billion times but I just wanted to know what Fender bass is of better quality? One made in Mexico, China, Korea, Indonesia, or anywhere else not listed above? I play lots of slap so I just want to know if certain basses from certain parts of the world make different sounds or are of better quality! Thanks as always and God bless

Don't buy an "anywhere else", which would be a USA model. Everyone knows they're crap.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Kay so sorry because this question has probably been asked a billion times but I just wanted to know what Fender bass is of better quality? One made in Mexico, China, Korea, Indonesia, or anywhere else not listed above? I play lots of slap so I just want to know if certain basses from certain parts of the world make different sounds or are of better quality! Thanks as always and God bless

Made In America by Leo Fender before he sold the company
(Sorry I just can't stand it LOL)

 

[Ewo]

If I were in the market for a Fender bass, I'd only buy one I'd had the opportunity to play. NOT dumping on Fender, just commenting based on my experience: there's a lot of variation in the quality (tone and playability) from bass to bass.

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

If I were in the market for a Fender bass, I'd only buy one I'd had the opportunity to play. NOT dumping on Fender, just commenting based on my experience: there's a lot of variation in the quality (tone and playability) from bass to bass.

^TRUTH
...but my Mexican Road Worn Precision is USA/Custom shop level-quality. Generally though I have found the later model American Standards are VERY consistant in quality. Hard to find a bad one.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

oh god...

 

[adi77]

with fenders (or any bass guitar for that matter) its best to try and buy regardless of where its made because each bass is different.. check out the good years for fender thread

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

I have somewhat limited experience with Fender basses, considering that I've never played one that was made before '73..

Some of the CBS 70's Fender basses were made really well, and sounded amazing. Some were poorly made, and sounded amazing. Some didn't sound so amazing.

The Squier JV series was better than the American Fender stuff at the time(early 80's).

The 1990's Plus and Plus Deluxe Series was some of Fender's best work. I've also played a couple/few MIM Jazz basses of this time period that I instantly fell in love with.

The 1995-1999 American Standard series produced the best Precision and Jazz basses, that I know of. Never found a dud in the bunch.

2001-2006..Fender Mexico was producing the best instruments for the company, at the time.

I haven't tested out anything Fender has made, since 2007.

 

[theNecatoR]

Deluxe Jaguar Bass.
Why? Because there's no right answer and I'm partial.
So, join us in the dark side, we play jaguars!

 

[Clark Westfield]

I just sold a MIM for a American Special.

In my opinion, the MIA is the best build quality.

It just has that feel that is just perfect.

The fretwork was the best I have played in years coming from a factory.

The wood choice compared to my MIM, appears to be a nicer piece of maple and alder.

And the tone to my ears is not as tinny. Rounder, fuller than the MIM.

After owning 2 Indonesian Squiers, 2 MIM Fenders, I'm convinced the American is the way to go.

It was only about $200 more, money well spent, so I feel I finally can stop searching.

GAS pains are minimal now.

 

[JoeWPgh]

It's not that an American made is better than the others in an absolute sense. But the odds are better that they will be. The Japanese Fenders are very nice too. My 2011 Amer Deluxe Jazz is the nicest Fender I have ever touched

 

[cnltb]

Kay so sorry because this question has probably been asked a billion times but I just wanted to know what Fender bass is of better quality? One made in Mexico, China, Korea, Indonesia, or anywhere else not listed above? I play lots of slap so I just want to know if certain basses from certain parts of the world make different sounds or are of better quality! Thanks as always and God bless

the fender basses i have liked best(of those i have tried,of course) by quite a margin have been japanese made.
if i was to get a fender,it would be one from there for sure.

 

[Mosfed]

I think the general order of:

USA
Japan
Mexico
Other Asia

Is generally correct but without a doubt the comment of "play them and decide" is spot on. I think the quality coming out of the Mexico factory is amazing these days. The classic lacquer series and road worn are incredible instruments - and they are naturally priced accordingly (around here they are right around the price of American Special).

It also depends on the time you are discussing. For example, I am convinced that Japan made better instruments than the US in the early-to-mid 1980s. Similarly, Mexican quality 10 years ago was nowhere near where it is today.

I have bought many instruments online and never really had an issue but I agree with the sentiment of play it first.

 

[eldoryder]

OP, I understand that you are a young bassist who has been playing five years. You ask a very loaded question, because everyone has their own individual opinion. If you want to examine a multitude of opinions, all you need do is to run searches here for past discussions.

I suggest trying the keywords Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe, to get a sense of what many TBers now feel about the quality of currently made Squiers from the Pacific Rim. There are many who believe the quality level on those offerings today matches (or surpasses) the MIM Fenders.

I myself am a novice bassist who sold a MIA Jazz that was too perfect to play (a single ding would have reduced its value) and bought a VM Jazz that has made me perfectly happy (and put a lot of dollars back in my pocket).

{LH}- 2011 Fender AVRI '75 Jazz
{RH}- 2012 Squier Vintage Modified 70s Jazz

As many before me have stated, the best Fender (or Squier) for you is the one you have held in yours hands, played until you feel you have gotten all you can out of it, and come to the conclusion that THIS is the one for you.

MY experience was that the fit, finish, quality, tone, feel and sound of the VM 70s Jazz was just right for me (especially strung with flats), and fit my present needs. As I progress in my bass experience, I may very well one day purchase another MIA Jazz. But I found what was right for me NOW, and for remarkably little money ($200 used!), I don't regret my decision a bit. Today's Squier VMs and Classic Vibes are extremely well made "Fender" basses.

Which Fender is "Best" is entirely too subjective a question to ever be answered by others. Only YOU can answer that question for yourself.

 

[Klonk]

Not this again...

OP, did you try the search box? Or google.com? Or even look up Fender at wikipedia?

 

[Walfretless5]

Really ...you should go to a store and play them and find which one is best FOR YOU as many here have suggested. Everyone has their own opinion and likes different things about different instruments. It's really very much the individuals choice as to what "makes" one more suitable over the other.