This one was made in Indonesia. It doesn't have the lush ash body of the MIA, but is otherwise spectacular for the price!
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Which Fender Made Bass Is Better?
- Thread starter Funk$tar
- Start date
This one was made in Indonesia. It doesn't have the lush ash body of the MIA, but is otherwise spectacular for the price!
I have lots of different basses, and my two top favorites are BOTH FENDER. My top fav is the Fender P Bass American Deluxe, the next is my 80's p bass Lyte, which was made in Japan. Both AWESOME, and Baddass Basses. It really comes down to what you like, sound and features. Go to a shop and try them all!
I really want to own a japanese Fender. I hear those were and are consistent since it's establishment.
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
"Fender" bass are only made in the USA, Mexico, and Japan. The basses made in China, Indonesia, and Korea are Squier, which are of course inferior quality. In my experience the quality of Fender basses seems to be consistent.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Since you seem to have some kind of inside information that the rest of us are not privy to - I thought you might want to know this. In the 1980's when Fender Japan WAS Fender, due to the fact that Fender US was closed down for re-tooling - they decided to make a 32" medium scale P Bass model. Fender US would not initially give Japan the authority to call it a Fender, even though it was made in the same plant as all the other Fenders and even though it was crafted by the same craftsmen. So they made them with the Squier decal on them.
Later on, a few US Fender reps were visiting Japan and they actually got to play them - and they were so blown away, they immediately gave them the clearance to put the Fender name and decal on it. It's actually amusing because again, the Fenders and the Squiers (which they kept manufacturing) were rolling off the same line, same hardware, same pickups, same builders virtually identical. The only difference besides the decal - is that the Fenders had an option for a swamp ash body, and they had a few more color options. Also, the "nicer" more figured maple neck wood was reserved for the Fenders over the Squiers. Other than that they were identical.
I am sure there are other examples of this type of co-mixing the brands.
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
The Fender 24-fretter Jazz Bass which came in around 2006 to 2008 (my dates could be wrong) were made in Korea.
Really? I haven't even heard of many Squiers being made in China. All the Squiers I've played were crafted in Indonesia or Korea.
The Fender Modern Player lineup is a "Fender" entry level model... below the MIM: Invalid Link Removed
I've owned MIA, MIJ, MIM and Squier MIJ, MIK, and MII and I definitely prefer the Fender MIA for overall quality fit, finish, feel and sound.
However, I still continue to have fun trying other models.
Google (and in this case Sweetwater) is your friend.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassVMPMSB/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassVMPMSB/
So... Couldn't find a bass that had the feel and tone i was after. I built my own for less than $500 out of the best of what I liked from different models. Simple to do with a little research and a few tools.
The SQUIER Vintage Modified line is from Indonesia, The Classic Vibe line is from China.
Go to a music store you trust and just start trying out different basses. Don't look at the maker, just pick one up and start playing. Try different neck widths, and string configurations. See what not only sounds good, but feels good as well. You might be surprised to discover that the bass that suits you best may not be a Fender after all. Won't know till you try, though. 
For what it's worth....I'm very happy with the Fender basses that I own. Got a 2009 American Standard Jazz, an MIJ Classic 70's P bass and a Squire fretless Jazz bass, both of which I believe are 2012 models.
Got to give mention to an MIM Standard P bass that I tried out last year at my local music store. Wow!! That bass played every bit as good as some of the American Standard P basses that I also tried. If I didn't own my MIJ P bass I would have bought that MIM. Played some other MIM P's that were "okay" but that particular MIM was outstanding.
As others have said, go out and try as many as you can find. You'll find "yours!"
Got to give mention to an MIM Standard P bass that I tried out last year at my local music store. Wow!! That bass played every bit as good as some of the American Standard P basses that I also tried. If I didn't own my MIJ P bass I would have bought that MIM. Played some other MIM P's that were "okay" but that particular MIM was outstanding.
As others have said, go out and try as many as you can find. You'll find "yours!"
My last $.02...From 1996>1998 Fender made the AMDLX5 with John Suhr electronics and a 22 fret neck.. You won't find many disagreeing that Fender had a sure fire winner in that bass and wished Fender continued to make it.
