Which Would You Choose (MIM Used Precision vs New SX Ursa 1)?

Personally I would go with the Fender. I didn't like the couple of SX basses I tried a few years back. I know a lot of people here like SX and Rondo's service in particular but I feel the Fender is a safer bet with a wide parts aftermarket especially when buying online.

 

The SX is a nice looking piece of Ash. My experience with SX basses, is usually the nut has been cut poorly, and the pups are just OK... but then the pups being "just OK" is also the opinion of many here on the MIM's.

If it has not been on the shelf too long at Rondo, they'll have fairly fresh D'Addario strings on them, and are usually serviceable instruments. If you're going to upgrade the pups anyways, it kinda comes down to the name on the headstock. That nice ash body is much easier on the eyes than the dinged up Fender.

But if you have to see that F...


PS: I'd personally clean the pots on that Gio before buying anything. They are a decent value for the buck, and have a decent tonal range.

 

I've owned both of these basses and still own the MIM. The SX is a decent deal for the price, but a MIM Fender is in another class in terms of build quality and sound quality IMHO. In both the SX basses I've had, there have been sharp fret ends, poor quality hardware and cheap electronics. Don't get me wrong: in a bass of that price this is OK, but the MIM is made to a different standard altogether, as you'd expect.

The other thing is that if you buy used and don't pay over the odds, you have a reasonable expectation of getting back what you paid later on.

 

I'd stick with the Fender if it's from a more recent year. They've really improved those suckers, they're excellent.

The SX is in a lower price bracket technically. A new Fender MIM would run you 550.

SXs I've heard are great basses for the cash, but you can get something better in that Fender.

 

I have a 2002 which is of great quality if that helps.

 

I would probably go with the fender as you could resell it easier if you didn't like it. All that being said I sold my Geddy lee neck off its body as it needed to be tweaked all the time and the neck had some dead spots (made a killing off the neck on the bay as everyone seems to want one). In comes the SX neck off a pro model. I had to do some modding and a level but it sounds and plays better then the original. The Pro model was really worth the money.

 

Is this a trick question,.........

 

I've played both and the Sx can be as good as the MIM, at least in terms of build, fit, finish and feel. Tone is entirely subjective, so you would have to hear both to decide which you like better.

Ideally, if you could try out the basses before you purchase, then that would tell you which you like better. Buddy of mine has an older Sx that is awesome and equal to or better than MIM. But I've also played some Sx that were not as nice as MIM, so his may be an exception. Ordering directly from Rondo, you will not know if the Sx you get is average or exceptional until you get it.

Regardless of whether you can try before you buy, the following will be true (assuming neither bass is defective or has warped neck, etc.).

Used will retain value better than new.
Used Fender will resell closer to your purchase price vs. new Sx (you can expect a 40-60% price hit if you resell the new Sx).
Fender is easier to find parts that fit cleanly if you are thinking of upgrading pickups, pots, pickguards, necks, tuners, etc.

 

Fender all day everyday. I don't know why people think MIM is a cheap product. I own usa, custom shops and MIM and the MIM is just as good as the rest sometimes even better IME/IMHO