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With all these new Mustang options..

#2
nonohmic said:
Asking prices for CIJs have gone through the roof!

"cij" Gear mustang bass.

I wondered if this would happen. Time will tell if they sell tho.
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A few MIJ/CIJ Mustangs have popped up in my area locally on the used market in the last several months and people are asking somewhat ridiculous prices for them, but then again I looked today and they aren't available/listed anymore, so people may be paying the asking prices. CIJ/MIJ Mustangs aren't super plentiful.

I had been wanting a CIJ/MIJ '51 Precision for a long time, and one in particular kept popping up every few months on Craigslist but the seller wanted $900 for it and wouldn't budge on the price. Then one popped up the other day for $600 and I went to check out out, but it was a little more banged up than the pictures showed and had a different pickup (Basslines SCPB-3) that I didn't care for, so I negotiated with the seller and got it for $400. Just have to be in the right place at the right time.

I've had a few CIJ/MIJ's over the years...CIJ 70's Precision, a couple if MIJ/CIJ Telecasters and a Stratocaster and now the '51 Precision. I think they're great instruments. Definitely a step above the older MIM Standards, sometimes as good as say, an American Standard most of the time maybe just a hair below as far as fit and finish/build quality, etc. I'd say the CIJ/MIJ's are VERY comparable to the "higher end" MIM's these days like the Classic Series basses. I have a Classic 50's Lacquer Precision (and had a few of the non-lacquer versions over the last few years) and think these are as good as the MIJ/CIJ's, and probably better because the one short-coming of ALL the MIJ/CIJ instruments I've owned have been the electronics. The pickups in all of them have been pretty abysmal, and the wiring they use is so thin with pretty crummy quality pots and switches. I'm not one to just go replacing stuff for the sake of replacing it, but with all of the MIJ/CIJ instruments I've had it's usually resulted in rewiring it with better wire, pots and pickups and that turned a really good instrument into something great.

I still think the CIJ/MIJ instruments are great, but are slowly becoming less and less of a value given that you can usually find a great deal on a used American Standard for close to what people are asking for their used CIJ/MIJ's, and the improved quality of the MIM Standards and amazing quality of the MIM Classic Series. I personally think the MIM Classic Series Fenders are THE best value out there currently in the Fender lineup.

If Fender made a MIM Classic Series Mustang that was of the same quality as the Classic 50's Precisions they probably wouldn't be able to make them fast enough.
 
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#3
Vinnie Boombatz said:
A few MIJ/CIJ Mustangs have popped up in my area locally on the used market in the last several months and people are asking somewhat ridiculous prices for them, but then again I looked today and they aren't available, so people maybe paying the asking prices.

I'm not much of a Mustang fan. Just feels too tiny when I play one. They sound great and look great, just not for me.

I had been wanting a CIJ/MIJ '51 Precision for a long time, and one in particular kept popping up every few months on Craigslist but the seller wanted $900 for it and wouldn't budge on the price. Then one popped up the other day for $600 and I went to check out out, but it was a little more banged up than the pictures showed and had a different pickup (Basslines SCPB-3) that I didn't care for, so I negotiated with the seller and got it for $400. Just have to ben the right place at the right time.

I've had a few CIJ/MIJ's over the years...CIJ 70's Precision, a couple if MIJ/CIJ Telecasters and a Stratocaster and now the '51 Precision. I think they're great instruments. Definitely a step above the older MIM Standards, sometimes as good as say, an American Standard most of the time maybe just a hair below. I'd say the CIJ/MIJ's are VERY comparable to the "higher end" MIM's these days like the Classic Series basses. I have a Classic 50's Lacquer Precision (and had a few of the non-lacquer versions over the last few years) and think these are as good as the MIJ/CIJ's, and probably better because the one short-coming of ALL the MIJ/CIJ's instruments I've owned have been the electronics. The pickups in all of them have been pretty abysmal, and the wiring they use is so thin with pretty crummy quality pots. I'm not not one to just go replacing stuff for the sake of replacing it, but with all of the MIJ/CIJ instruments I've had it's usually resulted in rewiring it with better wire, pots and pickups and that turned a really good instrument into something great.

I still think the CIJ/MIJ instruments are great, but are slowly becoming less and less of a value given that you can usually find a great deal on a used American Standard for close to what people are asking for their used CIJ/MIJ's, and with the improved quality of the MIM Standards and amazing quality of the MIM Classic Series, which are now, IMO, THE best value in the Fender lineup these days.
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That's a sweet deal!

Must admit I love my CIJ Mustang, the neck is amazing. But I feel a little cramped in above the 12th. Was going to keep it cause I like it for walking bass and, why not. But if they really are getting north of $1k now selling it may get me that next level up in quality when I go to 32".
 
#4
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