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Post subject: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 3:15 pm
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Im not trying to start a bunch of drama or anything, however i find MIM Fender basses always seem to have something wrong with them..whether it is a twist in the neck, or some sort of random malfunction. I will say this though, the new Squier Bases and guitars are very nice in every aspect. I have 3 squiers and i love them all very much, and i really dont find the need to get something "better" I will say, the MIA Fender stuff is very very nice, i just don't understand why the MIM Fender stuff seems to be lacking and why a company that is suppose to be making relatively cheaper products aka squier is really rising far far about any MIM Fender. Maybe i am the only one who sees this, but i have a feeling i am not alone. I am just confused on the quality control here. Not that i should care. I just find it weird.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 3:48 pm
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I can't say that I share your experiences or opinions of the MIM Fenders as the owner of 3 MIM Fenders and after playing a large number of them,I have always found them to be of exemplary build quality,playability and sound.Only this week while on a guitar hunt that I played a MIM Jazz Bass and I found it to be a great guitar and it was suited perfectly to my small hands.It's strange how people's experiences with guitars can be so different-someone should initiate some kind of study on the subject.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:24 pm
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nicebassbro wrote:
Im not trying to start a bunch of drama or anything, however i find MIM Fender basses always seem to have something wrong with them..whether it is a twist in the neck, or some sort of random malfunction. I will say this though, the new Squier Bases and guitars are very nice in every aspect. I have 3 squiers and i love them all very much, and i really dont find the need to get something "better" I will say, the MIA Fender stuff is very very nice, i just don't understand why the MIM Fender stuff seems to be lacking and why a company that is suppose to be making relatively cheaper products aka squier is really rising far far about any MIM Fender. Maybe i am the only one who sees this, but i have a feeling i am not alone. I am just confused on the quality control here. Not that i should care. I just find it weird.


yeah, like i said i am not trying to start any bad vibes here. just in my personal experiences as a bassist i have found the MIM Fender basses to always have a twist in the neck. Maybe its because of where i live, with the constant temperate changes (I live in Massachusetts) but as a whole ive had a ton of great luck with squier basses. I just find most necks are as straight as an arrow. i think i picked up one that had some neck problems. I agree, there should be research done. Also, i have noticed, guitar center doesn't really seem to take very good care of their instruments and where i live there are little mom and pop music store, but most of them don't carry much of anything where as guitar center seems to carry pretty much anything musical you can think of. I guess the bottom line is just play what you feel comfortable with and what you like..a high price tag, doesn't mean its a good instrument i suppose

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:29 pm
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The MIMs I've tired recently were quite nice.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:36 pm
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nicebassbro wrote:
nicebassbro wrote:
Im not trying to start a bunch of drama or anything, however i find MIM Fender basses always seem to have something wrong with them..whether it is a twist in the neck, or some sort of random malfunction. I will say this though, the new Squier Bases and guitars are very nice in every aspect. I have 3 squiers and i love them all very much, and i really dont find the need to get something "better" I will say, the MIA Fender stuff is very very nice, i just don't understand why the MIM Fender stuff seems to be lacking and why a company that is suppose to be making relatively cheaper products aka squier is really rising far far about any MIM Fender. Maybe i am the only one who sees this, but i have a feeling i am not alone. I am just confused on the quality control here. Not that i should care. I just find it weird.


yeah, like i said i am not trying to start any bad vibes here. just in my personal experiences as a bassist i have found the MIM Fender basses to always have a twist in the neck. Maybe its because of where i live, with the constant temperate changes (I live in Massachusetts) but as a whole ive had a ton of great luck with squier basses. I just find most necks are as straight as an arrow. i think i picked up one that had some neck problems. I agree, there should be research done. Also, i have noticed, guitar center doesn't really seem to take very good care of their instruments and where i live there are little mom and pop music store, but most of them don't carry much of anything where as guitar center seems to carry pretty much anything musical you can think of. I guess the bottom line is just play what you feel comfortable with and what you like..a high price tag, doesn't mean its a good instrument i suppose



I live in Upstate NY and our climates are very similar. My MIM basses have very stable necks. Actually the only bass I've had with a more stable neck was my MIJ 51 RI. That includes American made basses, including my old 78 Precision. Though both my MIM P's have vintage style truss rods and not modern headstock adjusted trusses. I think there are good and bad instruments no matter where they are made. Also, a neck that needs adjusting isn't really an issue. Most instruments need at least one a year if you have all four seasons. If not two. My 51RI was the only bass I've ever seen that NEVER needed a truss rod adjustment. However, that neck was like a baseball bat. If you're having good luck with Squiers then keep rocking them. People should play what works for them. Price (within reason) and country of origin shouldn't really be a concern with music, in my opinion. Play what ya dig.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:46 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
nicebassbro wrote:
nicebassbro wrote:
Im not trying to start a bunch of drama or anything, however i find MIM Fender basses always seem to have something wrong with them..whether it is a twist in the neck, or some sort of random malfunction. I will say this though, the new Squier Bases and guitars are very nice in every aspect. I have 3 squiers and i love them all very much, and i really dont find the need to get something "better" I will say, the MIA Fender stuff is very very nice, i just don't understand why the MIM Fender stuff seems to be lacking and why a company that is suppose to be making relatively cheaper products aka squier is really rising far far about any MIM Fender. Maybe i am the only one who sees this, but i have a feeling i am not alone. I am just confused on the quality control here. Not that i should care. I just find it weird.


yeah, like i said i am not trying to start any bad vibes here. just in my personal experiences as a bassist i have found the MIM Fender basses to always have a twist in the neck. Maybe its because of where i live, with the constant temperate changes (I live in Massachusetts) but as a whole ive had a ton of great luck with squier basses. I just find most necks are as straight as an arrow. i think i picked up one that had some neck problems. I agree, there should be research done. Also, i have noticed, guitar center doesn't really seem to take very good care of their instruments and where i live there are little mom and pop music store, but most of them don't carry much of anything where as guitar center seems to carry pretty much anything musical you can think of. I guess the bottom line is just play what you feel comfortable with and what you like..a high price tag, doesn't mean its a good instrument i suppose



I live in Upstate NY and our climates are very similar. My MIM basses have very stable necks. Actually the only bass I've had with a more stable neck was my MIJ 51 RI. That includes American made basses, including my old 78 Precision. Though both my MIM P's have vintage style truss rods and not modern headstock adjusted trusses. I think there are good and bad instruments no matter where they are made. Also, a neck that needs adjusting isn't really an issue. Most instruments need at least one a year if you have all four seasons. If not two. My 51RI was the only bass I've ever seen that NEVER needed a truss rod adjustment. However, that neck was like a baseball bat. If you're having good luck with Squiers then keep rocking them. People should play what works for them. Price (within reason) and country of origin shouldn't really be a concern with music, in my opinion. Play what ya dig.


yeah, the last MIM jazz bass i had the truss rod was stripped out. and the neck kept bowing up litterally a day or two after i would adjust the neck. i feel there was something wrong with the truss rod. as far as it being stripped i just used a bigger allen wrench. I found the crafting of the bass over all was very nice. it sounds wonderful, however the neck always seemed to bow up no matter what. I guess it is all just personal experiences and luck. I really think that the lack of guitar centers attention to their instruments might be the reasoning for this weird occurrence. then again ive picked up many squiers with great necks on them at guitar center. i will just stick to my squies :mrgreen: 8)

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:15 pm
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The GC near me is NOTORIOUS for mistreating basses. Not even the lower end ones sometimes. I once pulled a MIA Jazz off the wall and the strings were taught right down to the fretboard. They threw it up on the wall like that. Nuts. Unfortunately, There's no "Bass Center". :?

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:43 pm
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Lately? I've always found them to be a disappointment for years. I made the mistake of buying a Standard P-Bass several years ago and it was a p.o.s. I never found any other MIM basses much better. On the other hand, I loved the all of the Japanese-made ones that I owned or played. Perhaps their quality control was better, who knows? Of course, your results may very and have had different experiences with these.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 6:52 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
The GC near me is NOTORIOUS for mistreating basses. Not even the lower end ones sometimes. I once pulled a MIA Jazz off the wall and the strings were taught right down to the fretboard. They threw it up on the wall like that. Nuts. Unfortunately, There's no "Bass Center". :?


A made in America one like that!!? wow, what a waste. I love MIA basses, especially the graphite necks. so so so nice. I would buy a MIA Fender, actually i used to own one. 2008 american standard jazz bass. it was amazing. i loved it..unfortunately it was too rich for my blood. I was always nervous to play it. so i sold it to a friend for a pretty decent price.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 7:05 pm
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nicebassbro wrote:
TheKingofPain wrote:
The GC near me is NOTORIOUS for mistreating basses. Not even the lower end ones sometimes. I once pulled a MIA Jazz off the wall and the strings were taught right down to the fretboard. They threw it up on the wall like that. Nuts. Unfortunately, There's no "Bass Center". :?


A made in America one like that!!? wow, what a waste. I love MIA basses, especially the graphite necks. so so so nice. I would buy a MIA Fender, actually i used to own one. 2008 american standard jazz bass. it was amazing. i loved it..unfortunately it was too rich for my blood. I was always nervous to play it. so i sold it to a friend for a pretty decent price.



Eh, The MIA P's are pretty "blah" until you get to the Vintage Series. They don't sound or play like much like the basses they are supposed to represent. A case of, "if it isn't broke don't fix it" in my opinion.

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 8:26 pm
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CPL wrote:
Lately? I've always found them to be a disappointment for years. I made the mistake of buying a Standard P-Bass several years ago and it was a p.o.s. I never found any other MIM basses much better. On the other hand, I loved the all of the Japanese-made ones that I owned or played. Perhaps their quality control was better, who knows? Of course, your results may very and have had different experiences with these.


thats kind of what ive been saying lol. My experiences just haven't been good with MIM

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 8:28 pm
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TheKingofPain wrote:
nicebassbro wrote:
TheKingofPain wrote:
The GC near me is NOTORIOUS for mistreating basses. Not even the lower end ones sometimes. I once pulled a MIA Jazz off the wall and the strings were taught right down to the fretboard. They threw it up on the wall like that. Nuts. Unfortunately, There's no "Bass Center". :?


A made in America one like that!!? wow, what a waste. I love MIA basses, especially the graphite necks. so so so nice. I would buy a MIA Fender, actually i used to own one. 2008 american standard jazz bass. it was amazing. i loved it..unfortunately it was too rich for my blood. I was always nervous to play it. so i sold it to a friend for a pretty decent price.



Eh, The MIA P's are pretty "blah" until you get to the Vintage Series. They don't sound or play like much like the basses they are supposed to represent. A case of, "if it isn't broke don't fix it" in my opinion.


I think they sound just like any other bass. the only thing i love is the necks. that graphite reinforced neck is amazing stuff. other than that..i know for a fact the MIM and MIA use all of the same components

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 2:48 am
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nicebassbro wrote:
Im not trying to start a bunch of drama or anything, however


"I am not [...], but" is invariably followed by evidence to the contrary. Your post is a typical example.


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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 3:41 am
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nicebassbro wrote:
..i know for a fact the MIM and MIA use all of the same components


You've got your "facts" quite mixed-up. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Fender MIM is such a disappointment lately
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 6:28 am
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nicebassbro wrote:
I think they sound just like any other bass. the only thing i love is the necks. that graphite reinforced neck is amazing stuff. other than that..i know for a fact the MIM and MIA use all of the same components


If you set an EQ to flat on a bass amp and side by side a Standard Series P, A Classic 50's, An American Special, American Standard, and one of the AVS P's and they all sound the same to you I don't know what to say. Of those listed the most "classic P" in tone in my opinion would be the AVS, Classic, American Standard, Standard and then the American Special. I'll even throw the Squier Vintage Mod P into the mix and say that it sound more like a P bass than the American Standard.

MIM basses usually use different pick ups, and only sometimes use the same pots as their American counterparts. Between the two standard series instruments there is a world of difference. Quality of wood, hardware, electronics. You name it. They might share strap buttons, nut material and fret wire. The Classic Series Basses generally have the most "in common" parts. (The 50's P shares a lot of common parts with the AVS P's in terms of hardware, ect) Also, any standard series MIM instrument generally has pick ups with lower outputs. (More upscale MIM instruments have better pick ups)

As far as the necks. I think that's a matter of taste. I've never seen a P bass with neck issues that wasn't abused or neglected. (though I'm sure in the 63 years it's been around that there have been a few bad apples) I know it's a problem that J basses face as the necks are much narrower, and generally thinner. If the American Standard P bass needs graphite support rods then it's being made from crappy wood. Which is not the case. Again, it's a gimmick. Unless you purposely mistreat your instruments there is no reason for a P bass to need these. Artificially rolled fretboard edges, lightweight tuners, "modern voiced" pick ups, greasebucket tone circuits, S-1 switches, aren't upgrades in my opinion. They dilute what is probably the single most influential instrument on modern music as we know it. If I wanted that type of nonsense I'd play one of those boutique knock offs that clowns pay 3k dollars for. Again, that's a matter of taste I suppose.

Personally, I think Leo got it right the first time with the old single coil P basses. So what do I know? :?

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