Why MIM Fenders are bad?

[pcake]

I love my Mustang PJ.

And it happens to come in one of my favorite finishes.

Torino Red

good choice - mine's torino red, also

 

[cmgkhn]

My opinion concerns just MIM p-basses, never owned a fully original stock jazz (my "Jazz bass" is actually a p bass body with an AVRI Jazz neck bought from the stratosphere). I own three P basses, all of them MIM and needless to say, they all sound different between each other. So here it goes:

1. How does someone find a good MIM Fender? => just find one that has been properly taken care of, not abused or "relic'ed through the years" (unless it is a road-worn model or one of those with factory nitro finishes)
2. What actually is better/worse? Is it the build quality? Is it the wood quality? Is it only the tone? Is it the workmanship? Is there a secret serial number to be deciphered on the good ones (lol)? => the stock pickups on the latest Player Series seem to be of higher quality, I can show you a pic later on of the back of an early 2010 MIM pup's and you'll see why (respond to this post so I can remember to take the pic). Also, some old-school colors previously only (or mostly) seen among the American made models now are easily affordable with this new series. The hardware of the MIA models is definitively much better than the MIM counterpart, but that won't (IMO) make the bass sound better or worse for that matter. What it can do is maintain your proper set-up longer, and that DOES affect your sound and playability significantly.
3. How much do these aspects differ amongst these basses (same design, different series/brand)? For example, maybe the wood is far superior in MIAs but what about the electronics? => GASing about new pup's it's always fun, so I never really cared much about the stock MIM pickup quality. Even thou some may be really good, still I would have fallen into the hype - as I did - and bought some Seymour duncan's, Nordstrand or whatever. As for the wood, that is a huge can of worms that Im not willing to open right now, maybe it is, maybe it is not. I can tell you that the MIA factory in California is just a couple of miles away from the Ensenada factory at Mexico, so my guess is that the wood quality might not be that different after all. Maybe the wood blocks used in the MIA models are left unsealed/unfinished for longer periods of time before painting them? allowing them to dry naturally. What series? there are dozens so that's a tough one to answer, the RWs are very well steemed in this community, myself included.
4. Is there really a huge gap between the good and bad MIMs or is it exaggerated? How much can two MIMs be different? => VERY different, my own MIM standard is sounding much different now compared to how it used to some years ago. the reason being that my technique has improved greatly, especially my right-handed one. Using free-strokes vs. resting-strokes and/or moving your plucking hand horizontally farther away or closer to the bridge will change your sound dramatically. Even if you get to have two exact same basses, same electronics and wood components, your string type and brand can easily make a whole world of a difference. Moreover, 2/3 of my p-basses are strung with chromes, but one set is fresh new and the other is almost 2yo, and yes, I hear the difference. The fresh set still has that "zing"whereas the older set is mellower.
5. Lets say that you ordered one online, do you think that its pure luck to actually get a good MIM? Or is it your bad luck that you got an exceptionally bad one? What are the odds of ending up with a bad one when picking blindly? => Get one with a working truss rod, generally well appearing and work your way from there.
6. Finally, what are your opinions about the latest (2018) MIM Fenders. => Haven't tried those, yet.

Thanks for the thorough explanation. I really appreciate it.

 

[lowplaces]

good choice - mine's torino red, also

Fender should offer it more often.

 

[Wolfhound32]

I've owned A LOT of American made P-basses over the years, and my favorite is a MIM Steve Harris model. Great instruments by any measure!

 

[FenderTuni]

Thanks for the thorough explanation. I really appreciate it.

I'm glad it helped! Let us know what your decision will be!

 

[FenderTuni]

I've owned A LOT of American made P-basses over the years, and my favorite is a MIM Steve Harris model. Great instruments by any measure!

The first time that I've ever read something alike! thank you for sharing this. a lot of people won't accept the quality of the MIM just to avoid the frustration or denial of going beyond price bias and personal preference.

 

[cmgkhn]

I'm glad it helped! Let us know what your decision will be!

It's pretty clear now, if I have the chance I will try myself a MIM and probably like one after a couple of tries. Or I will order online and hopefully not need to return it. So MIM all the way!

Man look at the poll results haha there is nothing else in the world that people can agree this much

 

[zZippy]

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

Yup. My Jazz V is MIM and it's just fine. Sounds great, plays well, no issues at all over a few years now.

I've tried out a lot of more expensive basses and it's rare that I find anything that I like substantially better.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

I keep seeing posts here and in other forums criticising MIM Fenders about different aspects.

I trusted this community on lots of things and I would like to get your opinion.

There are lots of people saying that if you can find a good Squier, it's pretty close to a MIM Fender, Sire basses are pretty good and better value for the money, MIM Fenders are rip offs by using company's respected name, you should be extra extra cautious if you want to buy a MIM... Of course there are huge differences between a Chinese knock off brand and a MIA but comparing MIM and MIA like this doesn't sound that right to me...

All of those and some other criticisms, of course I started questioning MIMs myself too.

Please keep in mind that my questions are about buying a stock new bass, instead of used/self proven ones or modded ones. Financially it is obviously better to buy used, but the questions are not about that. Also I am asking about the same year/season products because there are of course big differences comparing different times.

1. How does someone find a good MIM Fender?
2. What actually is better/worse? Is it the build quality? Is it the wood quality? Is it only the tone? Is it the workmanship? Is there a secret serial number to be deciphered on the good ones (lol)?
3. How much do these aspects differ amongst these basses (same design, different series/brand)? For example, maybe the wood is far superior in MIAs but what about the electronics?
4. Is there really a huge gap between the good and bad MIMs or is it exaggerated? How much can two MIMs be different?
5. Lets say that you ordered one online, do you think that its pure luck to actually get a good MIM? Or is it your bad luck that you got an exceptionally bad one? What are the odds of ending up with a bad one when picking blindly?
6. Finally, what are your opinions about the latest (2018) MIM Fenders.

I know that there are people who are going to say that 'go try before you buy' and they are right. But what I want to know is your personal experiences when you went out to try these. Musicians here have probably tried thousands of basses in total which is more than I will ever see in my life. I am aware that it is always better to try yourself if you can.

I haven't worked in a retail shop for over 10 years now, but I did used to work for 2 Fender dealers, currently own 2 Fenders, and try new basses several times a year. My advice is never buy a new Fender sight unseen, unless there's an airtight return, not just exchange, policy. That's a pretty good piece of advice for any brand, but when you're paying a premium price for the sticker on the headstock, I consider it a rule, not a suggestion. Where it is made has little to do with that, in fact, I'd say the Mexican and Japanese Made were consistently the least horrendous instruments.

Be most wary of extremely bowed necks, The most common manufacturing defects are necks that cannot be straightened out, or have ramps at the upper frets. Frets can be leveled and electronics can be fixed or replaced rather easily, but again, figure that on top of your premium price for a new instrument.

I'm not saying you can't find good Fenders in stores, I'm saying there's no more or less likelihood of finding a good one based on its origin or price tag. And if you're at all handy, the used market is a place to really find some great deals. I bought a like-new MIM Jaguar for cheap because the owner couldn't figure out why the electronics were humming, no big deal to me as I bought it with the intention of replacing the pickups, turns out the crack staff at Fender just couldn't manage to securely fasten the bridge ground wire. At any rate, I could sell it today for more than what I bought it for, so it's a win from the value end, and as a bonus, it sounds good too

 

[rohi]

Most people believe that if a bass costs more, it sounds better. Conversely, these people see cheap basses and automatically assume it sounds worse for whatever reason. It's a bass. It's gonna sound great, I promise.

I have a MIM Precision that I really enjoy. It's not my go-to, but if I had a gun to my head and was told I have to play a P-Bass from now on, I wouldn't replace it with an American Made.

 

[somebrains]

Really early MIM necks were nitpicked over fit and finish. Then again US Fenders have been nitpicked ad nauseum at various times.

Feel free to go to Mexico and shake your fist and scream at a line of machines.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi cmgkhn

I would like to get your opinion.

I don' t want to get into politics!

I think mexican carrots are okay! (other carrots too)


may the bass be with you


Wise(b)ass

 

[nilorius]

The only thing i can say is that i had a chance to try before i buy some MIM Jazz bass. I used it for some years as my 1rst. instrument and i was satisfied in all ways.

 

[John Cribbin]

I have an MIM Fender and it's a keeper.

When I bought it, I had a USA Fender and that's been sold.

 

[MDBass]

I keep seeing posts here and in other forums criticising MIM Fenders about different aspects.

I trusted this community on lots of things and I would like to get your opinion.

There are lots of people saying that if you can find a good Squier, it's pretty close to a MIM Fender, Sire basses are pretty good and better value for the money, MIM Fenders are rip offs by using company's respected name, you should be extra extra cautious if you want to buy a MIM... Of course there are huge differences between a Chinese knock off brand and a MIA but comparing MIM and MIA like this doesn't sound that right to me...

All of those and some other criticisms, of course I started questioning MIMs myself too.

Please keep in mind that my questions are about buying a stock new bass, instead of used/self proven ones or modded ones. Financially it is obviously better to buy used, but the questions are not about that. Also I am asking about the same year/season products because there are of course big differences comparing different times.

1. How does someone find a good MIM Fender?
2. What actually is better/worse? Is it the build quality? Is it the wood quality? Is it only the tone? Is it the workmanship? Is there a secret serial number to be deciphered on the good ones (lol)?
3. How much do these aspects differ amongst these basses (same design, different series/brand)? For example, maybe the wood is far superior in MIAs but what about the electronics?
4. Is there really a huge gap between the good and bad MIMs or is it exaggerated? How much can two MIMs be different?
5. Lets say that you ordered one online, do you think that its pure luck to actually get a good MIM? Or is it your bad luck that you got an exceptionally bad one? What are the odds of ending up with a bad one when picking blindly?
6. Finally, what are your opinions about the latest (2018) MIM Fenders.

I know that there are people who are going to say that 'go try before you buy' and they are right. But what I want to know is your personal experiences when you went out to try these. Musicians here have probably tried thousands of basses in total which is more than I will ever see in my life. I am aware that it is always better to try yourself if you can.

"Why MIM Fenders are bad?"

They aren't. The End.

 

[Double E]

I have an MIM Fender and it's a keeper.

When I bought it, I had a USA Fender and that's been sold.

I have a MIA Std P-bass and a MIM Std Jazz... Both have equal footing in my arsenal and I have zero GAS for a AM Std Jazz.

 

[tjh]

… Bass generalizations based solely on country of origin almost always display a sign of lacking understanding ...

JMHO .. as always

 

[Maxfenderbass]

The issue I run into them is the necks are really thin and often the store's humidity control is brutal so the frets are spouting. Kind of off putting. That being said they are great reliable basses the majority of people.

 

[nerkoids]

I really want their Jazz in Sonic Red. Slap a tort guard on it. That would be the only modification to it. I'd be happy.

To be honest, aside from the bad rep of 90s MiMs, this is the first I hear that MiM's are 'bad'.

 

[Lowbrow]

OP: the poll results tell you all you need to know.