Will Fender still have the MIM basses?

[road-cat1]

With the New Fender PLAYER series made in USA at a lower price point, does that mean that the MIM FENDER will be no longer made? Unless they roll out 5 string basses in the Player series, that will seriously impact buying decisions.

 

[LowEndOperative]

The “Player” series replaces the Standard series. MIM, with higher list prices.

 

[Modest_Moose]

The “Player” series replaces the Standard series. MIM, with higher list prices.

Which is a bummer they cost more for essentially the exact same thing rebranded

 

[road-cat1]

So is this a USA product ? Or will this be still made in Mexico ?

 

[LowEndOperative]

So is this a USA product ? Or will this be still made in Mexico ?

MIM

 

[road-cat1]

got it....but what will happen to the 5 string MIM basses? Will the Player be in addition to the MIM 5 strings?

 

[Solude]

Which is a bummer they cost more for essentially the exact same thing rebranded

The big difference is the pickup upgrade and colour options.

 

[sigterm]

It'd be real interesting to get a standard fender that's U.S. Made by Mexicans at a higher price than a standard fender MX made by Mexicans. I'd really want to see the savings in shipping costs in my wallet rather than theirs.

 

[Spidey2112]

It'd be real interesting to get a standard fender that's U.S. Made by Mexicans at a higher price than a standard fender MX made by Mexicans.

 

[Spidey2112]

It'd be real interesting to get a standard fender that's U.S. Made by Mexicans at a higher price than a standard fender MX made by Mexicans. I'd really want to see the savings in shipping costs in my wallet rather than theirs.

I'm thinking the savings in shipping will be overrun by Fender's profit margin...

 

[Modest_Moose]

The big difference is the pickup upgrade and colour options.

I thought they used the same pickups?

 

[Solude]

I thought they used the same pickups?

They do not. Current MIM Standard basses are ceramic bar magnets. The Player series use alnico 5 pole magnets.

 

[jd56hawk]

By the way, Fender frowns on the MIM tag.
They prefer them to be called MIMBs.

 

[LowEndOperative]

Five string “Player” is available at American Musical.

 

[electracoyote]

The big difference is the pickup upgrade and colour options.

Interesting.

I hate to say it, but those features combined with the maple board option, and considering the noticeable bump in quality standards for the MIM Standard (Player), make the price increase about right for what you're getting. Especially if you want Fender legitimately on your headstock.

They are blurring the line between foreign and domestic, which makes for a tough choice for U.S. consumers.

FWIW, I love my contemporary MIM Standards. I own two J and two P from circa 2009 or newer. They are pure stock, rock solid, more than get the job done, and in heavy rotation studio and stage. If I were starting all over again with Fender basses, I'd probably cough it up for the new Player line, or wait for a gently used one.

Some of those finishes, wow.

 

[gomania16]

Do you think this could be a result of all the trade stuff that is happening? You know Squier dicontinued a lot of its Classic Vibe basses, which were made in China.

 

[stingray69]

Which is a bummer they cost more for essentially the exact same thing rebranded

 

[brainthmpngfast]

Do you think this could be a result of all the trade stuff that is happening? You know Squier dicontinued a lot of its Classic Vibe basses, which were made in China.

Trade wars is what killed the 70s CV P? Shame on you, world legislators.

 

[br1qbat]

Interesting.

I hate to say it, but those features combined with the maple board option, and considering the noticeable bump in quality standards for the MIM Standard (Player), make the price increase about right for what you're getting. Especially if you want Fender legitimately on your headstock.

They are blurring the line between foreign and domestic, which makes for a tough choice for U.S. consumers.

FWIW, I love my contemporary MIM Standards. I own two J and two P from circa 2009 or newer. They are pure stock, rock solid, more than get the job done, and in heavy rotation studio and stage. If I were starting all over again with Fender basses, I'd probably cough it up for the new Player line, or wait for a gently used one.

Some of those finishes, wow.

Cough it up? They're listed for $675, which is $50 more than a MIM Standard. Its basically a new MIM standard, a few more options, a bit more coin. Like the professional series vs USA standard.

 

[bass151]

Hi guys, Can anyone tell me the difference between ceramic and alnico pickups. Better, worse, different flavor?