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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:23 pm
I don't know for sure, but there may also be a tariff or a tax on woods used in the MIA that MIM & MIJ may not have. That can increase the price of MIA's. Imported woods, (Alder) etc.


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Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:38 am
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Ther are no tarrifs on the wood used in the AMerican Fenders since it is all sourced from the USA.

I think the big reason for the price difference is that US labor costs more and there are some design differences that add to the cost of a USA Fender as opposed to Mexi or Japan Fenders.

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Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:39 am
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Ther are no tarriffs on the wood used in the American Fenders since it is all sourced from the USA.

I think the big reason for the price difference is that US labor costs more and there are some design differences that add to the cost of a USA Fender as opposed to Mexi or Japan Fenders.

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Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:14 am
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I recently traded in my MIM standard Jazz Bass for a used 60s reissue Jazz Bass (also MIM). I'd like to comment on my observations from owning these two instruments.

First off, the standard. This was a nice bass that I'd owned for maybe 15 years. I thought it was very comfortable and playable and sounded decent. The neck felt very nice, although it had the satin type finish on the back of the neck. I'm an old school guy, so glossy finish necks are what feel "right" to me. Back when I first got it, I remember opening up the bass and thinking that the wiring was kind of cheap looking compared to my American Fenders. Also the pickup height adjustment mechanism seemed kind of "low end", if I remember correctly. This bass had a high fret which I chose to fix myself. Other than that, I had no issues and the bass played well for the years that I owned it.

The 60s reissue, on the other hand, was a revelation. Everything on this instrument looks like quality. The glossy neck feels like heaven on earth to me. It sounds exactly like what I've always felt a Jazz Bass is supposed to sound like. I can't imagine an instrument being made any better than this.

Both instruments were made in Mexico but clearly there are differences between them. Based on today's prices, I believe there is about a two to one ratio between the prices of these two basses. The point to take away from this is that the low price point of the standard MIM model was achieved not just by manufacturing in Mexico, but by using lower cost components, finish types, manufacturing techniques, etc. Based on my experiences with my 60s reissue model, I am now completely confident that a quality instrument can be made in Mexico. Now I would love to own an American-made Jazz Bass, and if bass was my primary instrument I would. But I'm just a bass-loving guitarist and the MIM 60s gave me an opportunity to own the bass of my dreams at a price I can afford.


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Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 6:05 pm
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I'm glad you like your new bass.

There is no reason that top quality instruments can't be made in Mexico.
Its just a matter of specifying better wood, components, and finishes.

I think the reissue models made in Mexico look as good as any that came out of Japan.

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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:42 am
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The main difference is much more than the finish of the neck as someone responded. I own a MIA Jazz Bass. The bridge is a 'high mass' bridge, the neck had graphite reinforcement in it, the neck has 'rolled' fret board edges and the tuning keys are made by "Hipshot"...READ ON !!!

Updated bridge and new Fender design tuners modernize this classic!
The Fender American Standard Series Jazz Bass has a vintage body radius and contour for a classic vibe and feel. The Jazz Bass's body is rendered in premium alder for optimum tone and sustain. Its rosewood or maple fretboard features detailed nut and fretwork. The neck is graphite-reinforced and has rolled edges for a broken-in feel from the get-go. HMV (High Mass Vintage) Bridge increases sustain, provides punchier tone, beefier looking plates and 3/8" diameter vintage saddles. String height adjustment screws have nylon patches for a tight fit that won't vibrate loose.

A 12-gauge cold rolled steel plate machined brass backstop increases mass and enhances top end. Socket head intonation screws are engineered for a tighter fit, and are now more stable. The J Bass features Fender®/Hipshot® tuning keys. They work great, and are 30% lighter, minimizing neck dip. Classic 20:1 tuning ratio, cast zinc with aluminum string posts and mounting nuts, and steel clovers. Brass worm gears, steel worm drives.

With a thinner undercoat, the Fender Jazz Bass body breathes easier and has improved sound (more wood influence). Neck pocket paint buildup has been reduced by 40%, greatly improving the wood-to-wood connection/reaction.

The included SKB rectangular design case, exclusive to Fender, has TSA recognized and accepted locks. Fiberglass reinforced nylon trigger release latching system, indestructible cushioned rubber over-molded handle with flush lock out. Injection molded feet and exclusive arched stacking system.


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Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 7:53 am
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The main difference is much more than the finish of the neck as someone responded. I own a MIA Jazz Bass. The bridge is a 'high mass' bridge, the neck had graphite reinforcement in it, the neck has 'rolled' fret board edges and the tuning keys are made by "Hipshot"...READ ON !!!

Updated bridge and new Fender design tuners modernize this classic!
The Fender American Standard Series Jazz Bass has a vintage body radius and contour for a classic vibe and feel. The Jazz Bass's body is rendered in premium alder for optimum tone and sustain. Its rosewood or maple fretboard features detailed nut and fretwork. The neck is graphite-reinforced and has rolled edges for a broken-in feel from the get-go. HMV (High Mass Vintage) Bridge increases sustain, provides punchier tone, beefier looking plates and 3/8" diameter vintage saddles. String height adjustment screws have nylon patches for a tight fit that won't vibrate loose.

A 12-gauge cold rolled steel plate machined brass backstop increases mass and enhances top end. Socket head intonation screws are engineered for a tighter fit, and are now more stable. The J Bass features Fender®/Hipshot® tuning keys. They work great, and are 30% lighter, minimizing neck dip. Classic 20:1 tuning ratio, cast zinc with aluminum string posts and mounting nuts, and steel clovers. Brass worm gears, steel worm drives.

With a thinner undercoat, the Fender Jazz Bass body breathes easier and has improved sound (more wood influence). Neck pocket paint buildup has been reduced by 40%, greatly improving the wood-to-wood connection/reaction.

The included SKB rectangular design case, exclusive to Fender, has TSA recognized and accepted locks. Fiberglass reinforced nylon trigger release latching system, indestructible cushioned rubber over-molded handle with flush lock out. Injection molded feet and exclusive arched stacking system.
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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 12:20 pm
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nick9 wrote:
The main difference is much more than the finish of the neck as someone responded. I own a MIA Jazz Bass. The bridge is a 'high mass' bridge, the neck had graphite reinforcement in it, the neck has 'rolled' fret board edges and the tuning keys are made by "Hipshot"...READ ON !!!

Updated bridge and new Fender design tuners modernize this classic!
The Fender American Standard Series Jazz Bass has a vintage body radius and contour for a classic vibe and feel. The Jazz Bass's body is rendered in premium alder for optimum tone and sustain. Its rosewood or maple fretboard features detailed nut and fretwork. The neck is graphite-reinforced and has rolled edges for a broken-in feel from the get-go. HMV (High Mass Vintage) Bridge increases sustain, provides punchier tone, beefier looking plates and 3/8" diameter vintage saddles. String height adjustment screws have nylon patches for a tight fit that won't vibrate loose.

A 12-gauge cold rolled steel plate machined brass backstop increases mass and enhances top end. Socket head intonation screws are engineered for a tighter fit, and are now more stable. The J Bass features Fender®/Hipshot® tuning keys. They work great, and are 30% lighter, minimizing neck dip. Classic 20:1 tuning ratio, cast zinc with aluminum string posts and mounting nuts, and steel clovers. Brass worm gears, steel worm drives.

With a thinner undercoat, the Fender Jazz Bass body breathes easier and has improved sound (more wood influence). Neck pocket paint buildup has been reduced by 40%, greatly improving the wood-to-wood connection/reaction.

The included SKB rectangular design case, exclusive to Fender, has TSA recognized and accepted locks. Fiberglass reinforced nylon trigger release latching system, indestructible cushioned rubber over-molded handle with flush lock out. Injection molded feet and exclusive arched stacking system.
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A few days after the American Standards came into the scene, the Musician's Friend website erroneously claimed these basses having the S-1 switch.


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Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 3:20 pm
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chromeface wrote:

A few days after the American Standards came into the scene, the Musician's Friend website erroneously claimed these basses having the S-1 switch.


As much as I like MF ... Right now they have a listing for an Epiphone Limited Edition Flying V bass, and in the description they are saying it has a 34" scale neck. Well, it turns out that it's just the same 30" short scale bass as Epiphone made before. Very disappointing , as I had considered buying this, but not if it's short scale. I am dismayed at MF for getting my hopes up.

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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 3:59 am
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IMO... the american basses are much more expensive and well in terms of parts, bridges, neck, tuners are a lot more durable, plus the resale value is well higher than that of the mex,

but basically the Mex basses can sound like the Americans.. well of course the labor stuff is a factor plus the parts are a bit cheaper... well if you plan on keeping the mex bass, its worth it, great for gigging, and well a little less worries since the price isn't that high...

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Post subject: The Difference
Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:45 pm
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Mex/Japanese/USA made basses are all pretty similar. The first thing people notice about them is the price difference, which can be pretty big. Im fixin to buy a Fender 50's Jazz Bass, and I got a pretty good deal from a friend of mine who owns a guitar shop, and its American made. American made basses have a better finish and are made with higher quality, uhhhh, stuff thats in a bass. Japanese/Mex made basses are made with just about the cheapest stuff. American made basses are also more expensive because that's where the company first started making them, giving it more of an original feel and sound. Because of Mex/Japanese made basses having cheaper stuff, they sound basically like crap. If your gonna buy one, get an USA made one. You'll love it so much more than the international basses.


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:41 pm
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Sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Just because it's Mexican, Japanese, Indonesian or whatever, does not automatically meant it's crap. And consequently just it being an American made bass is no absolute guarantee that it's a quality bass. Your assertion that being AMericn made automatically makes it better is ridiculous..

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'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
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'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:07 pm
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Bathead wrote:
Sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Just because it's Mexican, Japanese, Indonesian or whatever, does not automatically meant it's crap. And consequently just it being an American made bass is no absolute guarantee that it's a quality bass. Your assertion that being AMericn made automatically makes it better is ridiculous..


Your right, its not always a quality bass, but im talking specifically about Fender. Go to guitar center and pick up a jazz bass that actually says Fender on the headstock and then pick up one that says Squier. The Squier will sound like $@!& compared to the Fender, and I know that Squier is made by Fender.

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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:44 pm
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poopypuppy007 wrote:
Bathead wrote:
Sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Just because it's Mexican, Japanese, Indonesian or whatever, does not automatically meant it's crap. And consequently just it being an American made bass is no absolute guarantee that it's a quality bass. Your assertion that being AMericn made automatically makes it better is ridiculous..


Your right, its not always a quality bass, but im talking specifically about Fender. Go to guitar center and pick up a jazz bass that actually says Fender on the headstock and then pick up one that says Squier. The Squier will sound like $@!& compared to the Fender, and I know that Squier is made by Fender.

I don't have to go to Guitar Center as I already OWN both a MIA Fender and Squier Jazz, (see my sig below) and the Squier sounds and plays as well as my Fender, and is about $900 cheaper, but you wouldn't necessarliy know that just by playing it. I think you will fnd a majority of people who post here who own and/or have played both Fender (MIA and MIM) and Squier basses and
will tell you the same. How many Squiers and Mexican basses have you actually played?

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'08 Fender Am. Std. Jazz bass, maple fretboard, charcoal frost metallic finish
'10 Squier VM Jazz bass, maple fretboard, natural finish
Ampeg BA115
'09 MIM standard Strat, maple fretboard, sunburst finish
Fender Super Champ XD


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:09 pm
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Bathead wrote:
poopypuppy007 wrote:
Bathead wrote:
Sorry, but I'm gonna have to disagree with you, Just because it's Mexican, Japanese, Indonesian or whatever, does not automatically meant it's crap. And consequently just it being an American made bass is no absolute guarantee that it's a quality bass. Your assertion that being AMericn made automatically makes it better is ridiculous..


Your right, its not always a quality bass, but im talking specifically about Fender. Go to guitar center and pick up a jazz bass that actually says Fender on the headstock and then pick up one that says Squier. The Squier will sound like $@!& compared to the Fender, and I know that Squier is made by Fender.

I don't have to go to Guitar Center as I already OWN both a MIA Fender and Squier Jazz, (see my sig below) and the Squier sounds and plays as well as my Fender, and is about $900 cheaper, but you wouldn't necessarliy know that just by playing it. I think you will fnd a majority of people who post here who own and/or have played both Fender (MIA and MIM) and Squier basses and
will tell you the same. How many Squiers and Mexican basses have you actually played?



Squier: somewhere around 50
Mexican:somewhere around 45
Im letting my dad in on this since hes in the room:
Some Squiers sound pretty good but if your gonna get one save up and get a real expensive one. I dont let my daughter buy a bass unless its American made and at least $500 because we both regret buying the cheaper ones.

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