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Post subject: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:20 pm
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This may sound wierd but the Roadworn on the left is the best P bass I've purchased since 1979 when I bought my 74. The Classic 50's is a close second. I haven't used it (50's) since I got the RW a year ago. Now that may mean I've had bad luck with P basses over the years but I'm wondering "why now all of a sudden?". Anyone else finding these 2 type basses better than most? I'm talking soundwise .

I have replaced pickups-- but I did that with my 74 also back in the day.


I've had a few P basses recently- a couple from the 2000's and a couple more from the 90's and they have been kind of dull sounding.

I'm starting to hear people swear by Squiers and I'm wondering "Really?"

I can't make myself get a Squier anything. I've had a couple strats and they were not good. I can't imagine the basses being that good either.


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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:22 am
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The pickups on the MIM Classic 50's are not stock, it appears that you've dropped a DiMarzio P with white covers or something similar. Also, the bass is fitted with a thumbrest and an ashtray bridge cover, features generally found on the AVRI 57 P.

Cool, I like the early 1980s flavour on a MIM 50s P-Bass.


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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:29 am
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Squiers have made a tremendous turn around in the past few years and they do make a decent instrument. My only experience has been with basses. Are they as good as Mexicans or Japanese, no.

Before you all start throwing rocks at me, it's jut my opinion. I have one and I like it, I've played a bunch and the CV's are very nice. The fretless played well, was well made but sounded bad.

As I said, this is just MY opinion. Is there a place for Squier basses, yes. For someone just starting out or on a budget, go for it.


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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:18 am
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chromeface wrote:
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The pickups on the MIM Classic 50's are not stock, it appears that you've dropped a DiMarzio P with white covers or something similar. Also, the bass is fitted with a thumbrest and an ashtray bridge cover, features generally found on the AVRI 57 P.

Cool, I like the early 1980s flavour on a MIM 50s P-Bass.



Yeah as I said I changed pickups- The Classic has a 79 Dimarzio Model P with Cream covers and the RW has a 70's Dim. also. I kept the black covers for the Roadworn becuse I didn't want the cream colored ones on it. Those old Dim. pickups sound great IMO. The worst thing about MEX instruments (BASSES) is the pickups. Both guitars went from sounding okay to being HONK MACHINES. A very noticable difference. The kind where people come up and compliment the sound of them. I still think they are very nice basses even with aftermarket PU's. They are light and I have no trouble playing 90 min. sets with them hanging off my shoulder. The strings line up perfectly from bridge to nut. That is something that doesn't always happen with US basses I've seen. There is no stinkin way I'd get rid of them.


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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:03 am
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MIM's can be a hit or miss bass,My first Fender was a 1994 MiM JazzBass with a neck so crappy that I had no choice but to learn to work on my own bass(looking back its a good thing,I saved alot doing it myself and made alot doing it for others)being the neck had to be adjusted almost weekly :( .
On the other hand my Mex made M.Dirnt bass was one of my better playing basses I ever owned(NOT to comfortable)but I played a few that were rotton,like I said its a hit or miss line due to QC not being as strict.
I played a Roadworn or 4 and was impressed with them TOTALLY,nothing bad to say other than being WAY overpriced,But my 60's classic MIM was a total bust,so take what you need and leave the rest,what is perfect for you maybe a peice of junk to another.

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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:31 am
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Here's a pic of two of my MIM Ps (along with a CIJ):

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The Classic '50s is a wonderful bass. I replaced the pickup with a Quarter Pound on the advice of a guy at talkbass.com and installed Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats, and it's a killer. I got a little money the year before last and bought an AV '57 to replace it. It's also a tone monster. I think the Classic '50s is THE "bang-for-the-buck" Precision.

Oh yeah, I also had a MIM Jazz Fretless:

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Each one was a gem.

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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:46 pm
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Are you thinking about trading for one?


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Post subject: Re: The Best Mexican Basses
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:41 pm
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I traded a Mex Strat for my Classic 50's. I put in the Dimarzio and was suprised at a gig when I used it. It just had that "ring gut" sound. I used it at all my gigs till I got the Roadworn. This is from a guy who has an ample supply of USA Fender basses. I had a 98 Jazz mim that was hideous. So I know of what you speek!


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