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Why MIM Fenders are bad?

Do you think MIM Fenders are overall bad?

  • Yes

  • No

Results are only viewable after voting.
#124
MIM Fenders are respectable in my opinion. There are a few pros and cons between Mia and MIM Fenders but unless you’re buying custom shop both are primarily made by machine these days, from what I’ve heard from fanboys who seem much more knowledgeable than I am about the brand fender has run out of most of their old wood and reserve their best wood for the custom Shop, so either way the wood quality is about the same, as far as who’s involved in building the bass you’re comparing Mexicans in Mexico vs Mexicans in California. I’ve purchased two used MIM Fenders for $300 each. That’s a hard deal to beat imo but I can definetly see why someone would prefer a used Mia over a new mim with the current prices. Sure you can buy the cheapest mim model for $650 new but some mim basses go up to $999 now and you can pretty easily find used Mia fenders for that. So for me wether I’m buying mim or Mia when it comes to fenders I buy used to avoid the massive value drop if I decide to sell them.
 
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#126
Ive owned a few dozen basses in my search for "the one". The only one that I regret selling is a 2007 MIM jazz in midnight wine. What a great bass that was. I keep my eyes on craigslist, facebook marketplace, and Guitar Center's used page hoping to see it come up for sale.

For reference, i also own a Lakland DJ5, Fender AmStd jazz, and a Fender CS jazz.
 
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#127
fretno said:
IME the very early ones suffered from poor fretwork and lesser grade materials but a few years after that they stepped up and got the quality way up . I've played some very Good MIM Fender instruments , I still own a couple .
Click to expand...
My 04 MIM J bass (which i started a thread about) suffered from fret sprout......i am in a HUMID climate and i do not see fret sprout to this degree but the bass was near mint and very reasonably priced a few years back.....so me being up for a challenge and saving money...i went for it.

The RW board was severely dry and i often use tung oil to seal the RW more permanently....after 2 coats and plenty of filing and a bit of leveling overall the necks is very good now after loosening the trussrod at least a 1/2 turn if not 3/4.

Fretboard edges were too sharp (this bass was unplayed virtually)........so, i carefully ROLLED the fretboard the edges ......i have my own process that involves a very long steel rod......i leave the wood alone around the actual frets

We'll see if it needs another trussrod tweak this winter (my house stays around 50% humidity all year).......otherwise this 04 MIM J bass is plenty good overall AND comparable to the latest versions, but, with my fretboard setup and rolling the edges, this bass is as good or better than the newer versions off the shelf imo.

I wouldnt buy new personally....too many nice MIM Fenders out there that may need a bit of work for a fraction....ymmv.
 
#128
micguy said:
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.
Click to expand...
EXACTLY! I dont trust new wood as much as some i guess.......the main beef i have with the many dozens of used MIM Fenders ive tried was fretwork overall but none bad enough they couldnt be corrected.

No clue about new MIM Fenders....they appear to be very good overall....but i cannot take a chance on new wood, especially a 34" scale bass.
 
#131
MIM Reggie would be at the top of my list.
Just to save $ on a pickguard, side jack install, open it a little for a preamp.
Don't get me wrong, I can rout out a batt box and slap a cover on it.

A few $$ on a body and I can save myself that headache.
 
#132
In 2002, I purchased a MIM Fender Jazz Bass fretless from an authorized dealer (good thing). I gigged with it and was generally happy for 10 yrs. In 2012, I took it to a certified Fender tech in Denver because I had to keep adjusting the truss rod. The tech looked at it, and said the neck was "out of spec" because he couldn't get the action right. He called up Fender to get a replacement. I was required to show the original receipt from the authorized dealer where I purchased it. Within a month, the replacement neck (another MIM Jazz fretless) was on it and it was ready to go. There was no charge to me, but I paid the technician for a professional set up since he did a good job dealing with Fender. No issues since then.
 
#134
It's not that USA Fenders are automatically better than the MIM Fenders. Some MIMs are better than some USA models, but not usually. It about quality control, hardware and the odds of the dice roll. There are great MIMs and dog USAs. But as a general rule, the odds are that the USA model will be higher quality. But, odds and generalities are never a certainty. No hate for the MIMs here. When you find a great one, it's a steal.
 
#135
I’ve had two: a Flea Jazz in shell pink and a JMJ Mustang. I sold the Flea and kept the JMJ. Both basses were really excellent for the price point and on par with MIA basses in my experience, though both were relics, so finish imperfections etc may not have been as noticeable. Good sound, good QA, solid instruments that are built to last.
 
#138
I have one of the new Player series P Basses and a MIA P Bass and both are great Basses. I have had no problems with the Player whatsoever. Great thing about the Player is how light it is compared to my MIA.

20180708_142621.jpg
 
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#139
I am sure that there are some very good MIM basses out there - I have only owned one (a Precision) that I never could "bond" with. It just felt (and sounded) wrong ! In 2010 I went to the Guitar Center in Tallahassee, FL. looking to buy a Jazz bass. I played an American Standard, a MIM, and a Squier Standard model. The Squier was hands-down better than the MIM (good Squier, bad MIM ??) I could have bought the American, but I decided to save the $$ and I bought the Squier. I currently own 7 basses, and this Squier is still my #1. I am sure that your experience is different than mine - but I am still satisfied with my choice.
 

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