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Post subject: Hi im British. What does MIM and MIA stand for?
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:40 pm
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Location: Aldershot, Hampshire, England
It doesn't make sense i may be dumb


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Post subject: Re: Hi im British. What does MIM and MIA stand for?
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:45 am
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JazzBassRob wrote:
It doesn't make sense i may be dumb


MIM - Made in Mexico
MIA - Made in America
MIJ/CIJ - Made/Crafted in Japan

...and so on, now the newer/lower tier is using crafted - eg. Crafted in Korea, Indonesia, China, etc. MIJ switched to CIJ when they switched to a different company building the guitars in the '90s.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:08 pm
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Ok! It is all a bit confusing because in the UK, We refer to them as American Standard or Series, still using the old term(MIA), Standard (MIM) or Fender Japan(CIJ). But many thanks for clearing that up for me.


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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:08 pm
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This had to be one of the more interesting of conversations. For those seeking good advice, if you didn't get your questions answered somethings wrong.

Addressing the BP80, I have one. couldn't agree more, it sits idly by now. The best thing I did buy was a Tech 21 Bass Driver. It really delivers. The sounds it creates are awesome, can't do without it.

When you buy a bass, it's what makes you happy, not what anybody else thinks. Don't let anyone influence your own personal likes and dislikes. If the rig you use makes it for you, thats all that matters.

I think all of us are secretly dreaming of a real 'early '60's bass fresh out of someonesw closet or from under a bed.

We all have to dream, sighhh.


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Post subject: Re: The Quality Difference
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 1:18 pm
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Kevmove wrote:
So over the weekend I learned the meaning of "Bass Withdrawal". If you have a moment, allow me to muse...

I was playing my MIM Jazz Bass, when suddenly I hear massive fret buzz! I looked for the culprit and discovered that the nut broke (all of you who are thinking of making a joke or pun, its been said already). So after investigating my options, I trucked on over to GC to get it repaired. While I was there, I took the opportunity to conduct an experiment: I tried out all the $1,000 and above Fenders. People are always going on and on about how you don't need to spend a lot on a bass or its not the equipment, its the player, etc. As much as I want to buy into this line of thinking, I can't help but point out that if I buy a cheaper version of an expensive car, then that's what I have, and I will soon find out what was left out (I actually know this one from experience). I believe this to be true with Bass Guitars as well.

I played about 15 bass guitars of different price ranges. Then I came back 2 days later and played them again. What did I learn?

1. The feel of an instrument is probably more important than anything else. Regardless of price tag, you can't make a bass feel right. I sensed that my ability to "get in tune" with each instrument was more related to touch than tone. Some of the instruments I played sounded incredible, but I couldn't get past how they felt in my hand.

2. Quality parts = Quality Sound. For example, my MIM had a plastic nut. The MIA has a bone nut. Is it likely that a plastic nut will produce a sound that is sonically superior to a bone nut? Which leads to my point: buying a cheaper bass, then modding it generally will not produce a sonically superior bass. Correction: when a cheaper bass is modded to the point that it becomes superior to the top line brand, usually a new brand is created, because everyone wants a bass modded like (fill in the blank)

3. $400 bass do not sound as good or better than a $1,400 bass. I played several MIM then several MIA versions of Fenders and their was really no comparison. An accomplished player may be able to make an inexpensive bass sound great, but it is almost universally accepted that if you buy a cheaper bass, you should change the pickups and the bridge. I know that getting the cheaper bass then modding it may be more economical way to the instrument of your dreams. But let's look at it from this perspective: how many Bass Heroes play cheap basses that they modded? How many player have chosen to own and only play a stock Squire? If I have $1400 to spend will I make out better buying a cheap bass then modding than I could buying a $1400 bass?

4. I am completely biased when it comes to Fender products. In the midst of all this test driving, I realized that despite having another bass at home (Yamaha RBX 765A), I really missed not having my Fender J Bass, which is safely at home with a brand new custom cut BONE nut. :)

I hope the ramblings of one Fender Bass Madman provokes much conversation. I am weary of the endless threads that say "I took a piece of crap bass and turned it into a funk machine that sounds better than the top of the line Fender". I will start by saying, "I have a MIM Fender J Bass that has MIA Fender Pickups and a Bone Nut and I am very satisfied with the sound. I spent $500 on this setup, but if I had the funds, I would buy a 2008 MIA P Bass in a heartbeat." Who's next?
and I can agree with you on some of this but,it all depends on the caliber of materials being used . Like you I have a MIM Deluxe 5 string that I absolutely enjoy, have I modified it sure,however I've also modified my Marcus Miller V to were I know like it,( because for a few months I wasn't digging it at all ) but the Mexican bass has the ideal materials Alder,Rosewood,and a TRUE ROCK MAPLE NECK.

The pickups that are in my 1997 Mexican Bass are the same ones that came in the 1997 American Deluxe.... the John Shur pups, the pickups that were in my Marcus Miller V were supposed to be Vintage pickups....they were garbage but I have Seymour Duncan 60-70's in it now a BIG improvement, so I've modified 2 basses, when I should've actually had to modify 1, now I have of what I consider 2 great basses


Now the letdown, this past Saturday I was at Bass central (Orlando,fl ) and while I was there I got to play a couple of the socalled Custom shop Fender 5 strings,and I have to tell you that I wasn't impress with the sound nor the materials that were used to build a bass that retails out at $3000.00 dollars. personally I think if you're going to spend that much on an instrument you should have your own input to were you would like the bass to feel and most important sound....so to make a long story short sometimes you do get what you pay for but then again, you can get hosed on something that can be quit expensive....YMMV.


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