Why MIM Fenders are bad?

[jaco944]

I have 2 stock Roadworn P’s and a Flea Jazz.....they are all three great.

 

[mdogs]

I have a MIM Classic 60's Jazz that I like very much. Of course, everything on it has been upgraded other than the neck and body and it had some significant fretwork done. But, it's very nice.

The whole Squire is better than 'X' thing really needs to be put in proper perspective. People on here have claimed that their Squire is better than just about every bass ever built at some point...so don't believe everything you read.

 

[Bodeanly]

Stupid MIM Fenders. Always with their remarkable playability at reasonable prices.

 

[Warpeg]

I have a very long history of playing MIM basses. From my perspective, they are the epitome of the 'working man's bass'. Dependable. Comfortable. Good sound. No frills. Small price tag. Done.

 

[Root 5]

I have heard that they put laminate tops/backs on much of the Mexican stuff to cover up the fact they use ~ 8 piece bodies. They know that ppl know how to check for the number of pieces used otherwise.

 

[Double E]

I have an Ibanez bass (the cheapest one probably), even it is a cheap model, its a trustworthy brand IMO.

But I got these issues; 2 of the 3 pots were really scratchy (not the sound, the feel when turning them), this started after the end of the warranty and it didn't go away with contact cleaners or tightening the nuts and after a while one of them broke internally and I had to replace it. That bass never left the house and I played it only 2-3 times a month. Also the washers under the nuts were the simple ones, not locking ones, so tightening the nuts of pots was kind of poor.
The pickup heights couldn't be adjusted so I took them out and saw that foams were looking melted (because of the way they have been placed), I had to replace them too. The conductive paint in the internal parts was applied like patches so some parts were not grounding through it.

These are the problems that are not supposed to be there IMO. For example, the fretwork is not the best but it is very acceptable, this is normal.

Other than that, any average instrument can be adjusted to the taste.

After all I am actually happy that I learned lots of solutions to the problems.

Just looking for a new bass that will meet those simple quality aspects.

Unfortunately, most lower priced instruments suffer from dodgy electronics. That is the favorite aspect of the build for manufacturers to scrimp on. I have not had any electronics fail on any MIM I have owned but the parts were cheap so I am sure they may be more likely to have problems.

 

[Double E]

I have heard that they put laminate tops/backs on much of the Mexican stuff to cover up the fact they use ~ 8 piece bodies. They know that ppl know how to check for the number of pieces used otherwise.

This does not prevent the instrument from being of a good playable condition.

 

[Root 5]

This does not prevent the instrument from being of a good playable condition.

Absolutely agree. I like Mexican Fenders.

 

[GrapeBass]

In general, Fender/Squiers are decent. But not every one is the same. The more you spend, the less likely you are going to get one that barks like a dog.

I've seen people gigging Affinities. I've seen people playing custom shops in their basements, and still being unhappy.

FYI (not only is wood is different) bodies on the Squiers and Affinities are different (thinner) than MIM or MIA Fenders.

 

[jd56hawk]

Some MIM Fenders are good, some are bad.
Some USA-made Fenders aren't worth the higher prices.
Some Squiers are better than some Fenders.
Some people love Sires.
Plenty of people love Music Man.
However, I prefer G&L.
Yes, even the Tributes.
I try out between 50 and 60 basses a year. The one thing I’ve learned is I know what I like.

 

[skyline_01]

My MIM Jazz Deluxe V was my workhorse for several years before I traded it (and only bc I had another 5 string already and I wanted a backup 4 string instead). It was a solid instrument, requiring little to no structural work (fret, neck, etc). I did upgrade the pickups bc I found the stock Noiseless pickups to be anything BUT noiseless, but I had no issues with its playability or reliability. YMMV

 

[sgtpepper]

Just look at your pole results, mate.

 

[buldog5151bass]

FYI (not only is wood is different) bodies on the Squiers and Affinities are different (thinner) than MIM or MIA Fenders.

I never said they were equivalent instruments. Different price points - different instruments. I would not expect them to be the same. There is a difference between MIMs and MIAs as well.

 

[Wesley R]

It falls along the lines of: If you want an MIM have one. If you would rather have an MIA, or XYZ get one and be happy.

This is the wrong site to try to impress someone with your rig. It is a place of varied tastes and incomes.

 

[Shishka Bob]

I can only give my opinion based on my 90's MIM Jazz. Pickups were fair at best - they made sound, but were muddy in the low notes. Swapped them out for Aguilar hum-canceling pickups and no other mods. It stays tuned. Fantastic bass. Pots recently started getting scratchy sounding, so we'll see what happens when I use some DeoxIt on them.

 

[cmgkhn]

It falls along the lines of: If you want an MIM have one. If you would rather have an MIA, or XYZ get one and be happy.

This is the wrong site to try to impress someone with your rig. It is a place of varied tastes and incomes.

How did you get the idea that I am trying to impress people when I already said that I have a pretty cheap bass.
If this place is not right to ask experienced people about their opinions, where is it?

 

[Steadfast]

I liked my MIM fender jazz fretless so much more than my EBMM Bongo that I traded the Bongo for a ...... MIK Fender jazz. Nuts right?

 

[Rapisme]

Love me some MIM fenders just a couple of mods and if it was well constructed you get a winner..

 

[micguy]

I vote yes and no. If you get one where the neck stays straight, they're a great deal, if not, not. I've seen enough twisted ones that I wouldn't buy one new - if you find one that's 3 or more years old, and straight, - that's the bargain to me.

 

[trothwell]

As I understand it... Standard USA models have better pickups; have better-reinforced necks; have easy-access truss rod adjustment at the base of the neck; have an earlier selection of pieces of wood, which usually (but not always) results in a lighter body made out of fewer pieces; have a better bridge; tend to be assembled and finished better; come with a hardshell case by default (which you may or may not care about, but does figure in to the overall price).

Some of this you can tweak and upgrade later; some of it you can't.

I have played bass for over twenty years, and am enjoying my USA-made Fenders. Bass playing is one of my favorite things to do, and I am content to spend extra for what I perceive to be a better instrument. But the MIM are nevertheless good also, out of the box, and can be upgraded to be even better. For most practical purposes, I could likely use MIM instead and rarely notice the difference.

 

[onosson]

I am pretty sure you'll find the consensus here is that they are good.

I don't think I've ever seen this level of consensus on any poll on this site.