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Post subject: Re: Differences between Mex Japan and USA made
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 6:27 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 4:56 am
Posts: 15
Some of the reasoning here makes no sense. I just recently got a new Geddy Lee and its not available as American. Does this mean its a bad model...??? Of course not. I still do wonder if there will be a difference since it will from now on (I heard) be made in Mexico instead of Japan...??
You all mentioned the diffences between American and the rest, but are there differences between Japan an mex...???


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Post subject: Re: Differences between Mex Japan and USA made
Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 2:50 am
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Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
My opinion is the USA Standard and Deluxe instruments are the only way to get good wood, good electronics, good hardware, decent craftsmanship, the superior USA reinforced truss rod system, decent finishing and a decent case all in the same Fender instrument.

MIM Standard instruments have Mexican pickups with cheaper ceramic magnets instead of Alnico but the other electronics are like the American Standards. They had laminate body wood blank construction until recently and the body wood is no longer specified but is said by many to now be basswood. I have no problem with basswood but some people don't like it as much as I do. Hardware is not as expensive as the USA Standard either. Finishing has really improved over even the early 2000's. The truss rod system is not the same as the USA ones but is on par with Japan and China made Fender branded instruments. A good value for the money.

Japanese instruments have great wood as a rule, usually basswood body blanks unless something else is specified. Attractive finishing too. The fit is superb and on par with the USA instruments. Hardware is Gotoh usually and Gotoh makes the very best hardware in Asia and in fact truly makes some world class bridges. However the weak point with Japanese Fender branded instruments continues to be the same old issue of electronics, electronics and electronics. You'd think in 29 years they could get it right but they haven't yet. They lack the superior USA truss rod system and come with no case.

Since the electronics matter more than wood to the sound of a bass, the Mexican version might actually sound better than the Japanese version of the same model but the Japanese one might play better.

Just my opinion, your mileage can of course vary.


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Post subject: Re: Differences between Mex Japan and USA made
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:31 am
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Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:19 pm
Posts: 1480
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada
With regard to MIM basses I do believe Fender Mexico has upped the quality control in recent years & I also think that their artist model are well made & most of them have American Bridges, & pick ups & in some cases tuners ...... check the spec's for the Duff Signature P-Bass, The new Nate Mendel P-Bass, The Roger Waters P-Bass, The Reggie Hamilton Jazz Bass & the Geddy & Marcus Miller Jazz bass......I Recently bought a Reggie Hamilton Jazz Bass .....my first MIM (the rest of my jazz basses are MIJ,CIJ,MIA) & I absolutely love this bass ...it came out of the box with perfect set up (guess I was lucky) & sounds & plays great!! :)


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