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Post subject: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:29 am
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Like the title states, is there any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
As you probably already know, the production has been handed over to Ensenada.
I can get the MIM new for a good deal. Just wonder if I should hold out for a used MIJ.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:37 am
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This is my first post....(this one is actually my second :) )....I'm just picking up bass. I'm a drummer, but have loved bass forever. I really like the look of the '70s P bass. I like the maple neck. I also like the little details, like the fender logo on the tuners, and the F on the neck plate of the MIJ model. I'm not sure why they didn't do that with the MIM version.


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Post subject: Re: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:42 pm
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I have a 50's Classic P bass and a Roadworn P bass- both made in Mexico. I put Dimarzios in both of them. The fit and finish is excellent - they are alder- they sound great-- I use them for gigs- they play great. I love the Roadworn. It's not like I've never had USA basses either. I compare the two to my USA basses as being as reliable and as well made. I'd go Mexico. I have had a few MIJ basses and I do not have them any more . They did not sound as good to me as the Mexis I have now--- 10 or twelve years ago - even sooner I would have said avoid the Mex but now I don't say that. The Classic and the Roadworn changed my mind . My mind is hard to change --- sometimes.


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Post subject: Re: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 4:58 pm
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Thanks for the info. Makes me feel better about the MIM.


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Post subject: Re: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 4:28 pm
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I had an MIJ P and I still have an MIJ Jazz Special (half P, half J). I've also owned a MIM P and I didn't see any significant differences. Construction quality and finish were about the same (very good, not quite perfect but nothing affecting playability). Nothing about the sound jumped out at me on either the MIJ or MIM side.

I still have the MIJ Jazz Special becuase I've never found a comparable one (it's unlined fretless) in an MIM or even US-made. But if I were in the market for a pure P, I'd have no qualms picking up an MIM.

For the whole story, I also had a American Special P and there, I did detect some difference in the sound. A bit warmer, slightly more output and it had more of the classic sound I remembered. My reason for going through so many Ps is short stubby fingers; I've finally concluded that the neck doesn't work for me, however the Am Special sound was terrific. But it's more money and the MIMs are fine as is or you can always upgrade the pups down the road if you want.


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Post subject: Re: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 5:16 am
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It depends on what you are expecting out of the bass. Do you want a bass that looks like it might have been made in the 70's or one that plays close to one?

The MIM 70's P bass has really little to nothing in common with a 70's P bass. The neck is nice, but unless it was a custom order that bass never rolled off the line. It's got a bound inlayed neck, which the blocks are rare on P alone, but I'm pretty sure the few I've seen had unbound necks. Second is the neck specs. The MIM bass has a modern P bass neck. Other then the inlays it's a normal MIM Standard neck in all respects.

The MIJ 70's RI P neck has the vintage neck radius. It's got the much sought after 70's P width neck. It will look and play much closer then the bass it was modelled after. Historically, atleast.

However, I will warn. As someone who spent time in punk bands playing a 78 P bass that neither of these bass will likely sound EXACTLY like those basses. The late 70's P bass generally have very cold, but overwound pups. They were extremely loud and percussive. They had a lot of thump without much blossom. Which made them reviled by most players at the time with the exception of the punk crowd. The necks on the late 70's P's had a great feel. B width, not too thick, not too thin, vintage radius. They were fast, but still felt like a P bass. The down side, or upside since you will be buying the reissue is that these old basses were generally VERY HEAVY.

Good luck. As I started out on a vintage P and hate the modern radius I would definitely go with the MIJ. However, finding one if you are in the states will be a bit costly. The MIM is a production model made for import. The MIJ is restricted. You will pay for that horrific decision on the part of FMIC.

In all honesty. If you like the way modern P basses play. (Standard series, wether they be MIM or MIA) The go with the MIM. If you like the necks on other RI P basses better then their modern counterparts then you might be better off tracking down the MIJ.

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Post subject: Re: Any advantage to buying MIM over MIJ 70s P Bass?
Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 8:09 am
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Cannot see any advantage at all,If you could pick up 2 Precision basses from any production line made the same day to a trained ear they would both sound different, $@! Fenders from the 70s in very good condition are quite desirable IMHO, MiM Ps are ok if you want to upgrade virtually all the hardware ? Then you may just as well purchase a new or a good second hand Californian made guitar, I have long lost the desire for playing a bass with a "name" on the headstock i go for sound and playability whoever made it, try em all if you can and if a Fender P bass "floats your boat" grab it and with care it will never let you down....Peter


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