It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:21 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 48 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Differences between Mex Japan and USA made
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 6:26 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 5:41 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Michigan
Ok here goes,

What exactly is the difference in quality of the Mex made instruments????? Everyone seems to think they are junk. Not to be sounding mean but that is what other players have said to me. The prices are lower but what of the quality.??

I played a Mex made Jazz bass and I thought it was alright. Now i thought of resale value and the sales guy told me that Japan and USA made are better for that. Apart from that i thought the guitar played and sounded well.

Now as my name here in the forums states I am a Rickenbacker FANatic.

Yet I followed in one of my mentor's foot steps (Geddy Lee) I recently purchased a 2006 Geddy Lee Signature series-----crafted in Japan. I simply love it !!!!!!!! it is my second main fav next to my 4001 Ric!

OK now the Japan thing doesn't scare me as I have and still own a 85'Kawai F2B. I know that Japan makes great guitars as they have for years.

is it that the Mex ones are for a lower budget getting started player??

thanks for your thoughts


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:08 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 1:27 pm
Posts: 18
There's not much differences between Mex/Japan/Usa instruments, the Americans have a better finish than MIM and MIJ, but they both are great instruments.

I have a Fender Standard MIM upgraded with Custom Shop 60s pickups and it sounds amazing. :wink:


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:15 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:23 am
Posts: 833
I don't know what this "everyone" you're talking about that thinks Mexican Fenders are junk, but they are just plain wrong. They may not be as good as American or even Japanese Fenders, but they are far from junk. I think you would find on this forum if you were to take a survey, you would find the majority of people here do not think the MIMs are junk, and a good number of those are seasoned professionals. In fact, there are quite a good number of folks who prefer them over the MIA and CIJ Fenders. It's all really a matter of personal taste, but anyone who categorically says the Mexes are junk is a gear snob and just plain doesn't know what they are talking about.
As far as being a cheaper starter instrument, yes they are good for that, they are a good quality instrument for a good price, but there are plenty of pros who aren't gear snobs that use and love their Mexican Fenders, some exclusively.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 8:56 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:29 am
Posts: 5
I have been told by sales people at the Guitar center and other places. That the main difference is the finish of neck.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 11:35 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 6:23 am
Posts: 833
dbamta wrote:
I have been told by sales people at the Guitar center and other places. That the main difference is the finish of neck.


Yes the finish on the necks are different, but that doesn't mean they are junk. Just different. As with anything like that, it's a matter of personal preference. To state that MIMs are junk mainly because of the difference in neck finishing is foolish. Don't let a salesman at a music store (who is likely just trying to get you to buy a more expensive model) influence you with their personal prejudices. Do a search online and read as many product and buyer reviews from independent sources who don't have a sales comission on the line. That's what I did when I was looking for a guitar and amp and ended up with a Super Champ XD and Mexican Strat, both of which I am extremely happy with.

Update:
Something else to think about. If , according to the sales people at Guiitar Center and other places claim that MIMs are junk, then why do they sell them?


Last edited by Bathead on Fri May 07, 2010 8:12 am, edited 2 times in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 4:48 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 5:41 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Michigan
Well thanks for the input folks. Well Like i had said before in the begining post I had played a MIM Jazz bass thought it was nice. BUT I wanted the GL Sig Jazz bass so i went that route.

I love the decision I made :D

Now to spark a differtent thought in my first question-----> Resale value.

Why the difference???

Remember I am new to the Fender group here don't think me a snob.

I always played Ric's till now, My main guitars now are my 76' Ric 4001 and my new GL sig Jazz bass.

Just tryin to find out some info friends :oops:


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 5:31 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:40 pm
Posts: 1
Location: Clintonville, WI
As far as the Mexican Fenders go, a number of years back another Fender bass player and myself ('62 Vintage Jazz Bass) hashed out the differences between Japanese and Mexican instruments. The feeling that he and I both had, was that the Mexican instruments had a little more "authentic" feel and sound to them. Probably more feel than sound. One of the things that I have paid attention to over the years, as far as Japanese instruments are concerned is, "Which is the guitar culture? Japan or Mexico?" This came back to visit our group during the last month or two where our lead guitarist was switching between a Marshall amp, a Yamaha, and a Fender Deluxe amp. The Fender and Marshall amps sounded so much more like the 'vintage' sound that they are both famous for than the Yamaha, it was unbelieveable.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 9:57 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed May 12, 2010 9:51 pm
Posts: 1
Not all Japanese Fenders are good, I've tried some that sounded dull and lifeless (same for the other 2 factories). I guess its really hit or miss. However, in terms of quality to price ratio I'd have to say the Japanese made ones are ahead. This doesnt mean they are better instruments, it just means they are priced more accordingly to their craftsmanship - if not underpriced. I find that Mexican made ones aren't that consistent, and that most of the production US guitars are (on average including the CS) a bit overpriced.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 4:44 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:10 am
Posts: 1086
i've tried both an mim and an mia.. quality is well a big factor especially the graphite neck which gives additional support.. But either ways both have the same feel and radius..

_________________
If I Like It...
I Just Do It...


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 10:42 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
The Mexican made fenders sell for less new, so it is natural that they are going to sell for less used.

That doesn't mean that they are lesser instruments, but you have to know that a lot of Mexi-Fenders have basswood bodies.

That basses have cheaper tuners than the USA basses and they have different necks with different truss rods.
All of this affects the tone of these instruments, but I have three Mexican Fender Teles and they are great guitars in their own right.

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 2:31 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:09 pm
Posts: 145
Location: Central Florida
The main differences I've noticed are the position of the trussrods the MIA are located at the base of the neck as compared to the MIM which are located at the headstock. The MIA also have the graphite reinenforced necks which greatly increases stability and prevents them from warping as well. The MIM basses as stated before pickups and hardware are differnet and of a lower quality then the MIA basses. That said I've tried out a number of MIM basses and they sounded and played fine. It really comes down to what you like and what sounds good to you and what your willing to spend or not spend.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 3:24 pm
One difference between MIA & MIM fretboards, Am. Std. boards are slightly rounded at the edge. Another small difference is the frets are rounded on the top corner to cut down on finger snagging on the edge.


Top
Post subject: MIM and MIA are not the same..
Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 5:12 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 2:43 pm
Posts: 37
I can tell you from experience the necks are not the same between the mexican and american strats and teles. I don't care what fender or a dealer says...pick up one of each and you'll see.

Also, I had a mexi strat for awhile, and the pups, wiring, and electronics are not equivilent. Not to mention they don't use a shielded cable from the jack.

Junk? I don't think they are junk...but there is a reason besides just labor arbitrage that the mexi's are sooooo much cheaper.

Having said that, I did like the mexi classic players strat, neck and pickups.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 48 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: