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Post subject: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:54 pm
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Gents,
After searching forum, I want more answers.
When did Fender start producing basses in Mexico?
Is there an era (time frame) that basses made in Mexico were of higher quality than other years?
Specifically, were basses made in Mexico in the early 1990's better than other periods?
Would the basses be made of alder?
Thanks in advance!


Last edited by Wick6 on Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:18 pm
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Good question. I'd avoid the early stuff primarily for cosmetic reasons. Knobs, design and the fledgling finishing department etc. The very early Ensenada basses were based upon the cosmetics of the end days Fullerton ones, which were not exactly "classic" Precision Basses cosmetics wise. As things went on they got better in my opinion. Especially so after the fire that burned down the original Fender Ensenada plant Feb 11, 1994. They opened the new plant (over twice as large) with all new equipment in 100 days. Pretty remarkable accomplishment in itself. This was a real turning point I think in Fender's MIM history. Things got better and better after that.

For many years all the wood for Fender USA and MIM instruments went through Corona, got graded and the best wood was designated for USA production. Until some point (and I'm not sure exactly when) Fender Corona was cutting bodies and cutting/fretting necks for MIM production because there were no CNC machines in Ensenada. Now there are machines in Ensenada. Even while Corona was still doing the cutting for MIM production they started ordering body blanks especially for MIM production. These less costly laminated blanks were made to different specifications and even shaped differently.

This is no longer the case as Ensenada gets their own blanks and cuts wood and frets necks now. MIM body blanks now are mostly basswood unless specified otherwise. I personally like basswood but some people don't and prefer alder. Exceptions are things like the P-Bass Special, FSR's and 50's/60's deluxe instruments which are specified as something other than basswood. If the specs don't say, then I'm assuming basswood.

There are all sorts of rumors about some 1994 post-fire MIM instruments actually being made in the USA but that is so far as I know untrue. MIM production was only offline for about 100 days and there was sufficient inventory in the pipeline that it didn't really cause a dire shortage of MIM instruments. I think mostly these rumors are told by people trying to sell a 94 MIM for more than it is worth. All MIM bodies were cut and all MIM necks were cut and fretted in the USA until Ensenada got CNC machinery but that does not make those MIM instruments equivalent to USA instruments because the wood used is itself different and so are many design elements such as the truss rod system in the necks.

I don't think MIM basses have ever been better overall than the past few years. Perhaps the 2004/2008 period might eventually be considered some sort of MIM "Golden Age" as it was pre-basswood and the quality control/training/execution/finishing had gotten really good by then. Actually I think finishing has gotten better since then too. The ones today look and play better in general to me than ever.

The finishing has come a mighty long way since 1994 in Ensenada and now frankly it is hard to tell the difference between USA and Ensenada finishes. This is especially true with Sunbursts.

All that being said, you have to play a few to find that one MIM that seems better than the others. Once you get to the USA Select and Custom Shop level instruments there seems to be far less variance between copies making such comparison playing less productive. But on any of the MIM's a side by side comparison will almost always turn up one that is better.

I've said this before and will say it again. I'd rather have a really resonant basswood body than a substandard alder one.


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:39 pm
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Thanks Brother Dave!
I always learn something from your learned posts.
I don't want to take my nice stuff to an outdoor pool gig in the salt air this summer.
I was wondering if a 1992 MIM Precision advertised as "excellent condition" would be decent. I won't get an opportunity to play it (it's online).
So, is a 2006-2008 MIM is vastly superior?
I have a basswood "blue flower" MIJ '54 reissue. While basswood dents easily, I like the mellow "musicality" of the wood. But I do prefer alder wood for my Fender basses.
Would you buy the '92 MIM or spend a little more for 2000's model?
Thanks, again!


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:52 pm
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Personally I consider the MIM Standard P-Basses made after 2002/03 better, especially regarding the tasty cosmetic upgrades (genuine USA knurled chrome flat-top knobs).


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:56 pm
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Thanks Chromeface (nice handle!).
I think I'll pass on the early 90's model. Y'all's imput really does help me make an informed decision.
Thanks


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:30 pm
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The body on Roger Waters P Bass is alder, if you don't mind a fat neck it is a excellent instrument for the price.

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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:28 am
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Why is it that Basswood has a aura of costcutting associated with it? is it because its normally found on cheap imports ? Sure Alder, Ash and Mahogany are good tone woods but over at Ernie Ball they use Basswood on some of their mid range to High end Basses eg : The Bongo and Stingray 5 and others which are not particularly classed as "Entry Level " !! My 2002 MiM Precision has an Alder body, My ´Ray has swamp ash and my high end "Ibby" has Basswood !! i have found that very little on nothing at all transfers the body wood tone as it emerges from the speaker Cab after it has fought its way through all the Guitar and Amp electronics Quality in the construction of the Bass etc is more important....Just waiting to see who is going to be first to use 3Dprinters to mass produce Guitars etc on a big scale, my money is on the Chinese....


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:38 am
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Dave - I think that I mentioned to you some time ago in a PM at Sabre Lane's Conservatory that the 2011 Jazz Bass that I have is an MIM - and I chose it for one simple reason... I tested THREE American J-Basses at three different dealers and each of the USA made J-Basses had fit and finish issues, while the MIM J-Bass had an absolutely perfect finish and actually had more sustain than the US examples that I tested.

I also examined several P-Basses in 2008 and chose an MIM for the same reasons. The workers at the Ensenada plant seem to be doing an admirable job in competing with their counterparts at Corona to see just who is putting out a finer product. Friendly competition always rewards the ultimate buyer and the MIM's at the moment have my vote.

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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:10 pm
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PaducahLuke wrote:
I also examined several P-Basses in 2008 and chose an MIM for the same reasons. The workers at the Ensenada plant seem to be doing an admirable job in competing with their counterparts at Corona to see just who is putting out a finer product. Friendly competition always rewards the ultimate buyer and the MIM's at the moment have my vote


Well said PaducahLuke...... as I've posted here in the past, I ordered a 3 tone Reggie Hamilton Jazz bass this past September & was floored & pleasantly surprized at the quality of this bass, the feel of the neck & the Supurb job done on the sunburst finish ....Ensanada has come a long way, however while at the music store with my new Bass, the sales guy & myself noticed that the sunburst finish wasn't as good on the now MIM Geddy Lee basses (when placed side by side) ,......the Geddy felt & played good but is was the job done on the sunburst finish that was ....Meh!
I hope this was limited to only a few basses as 2012 was a transition year for the Geddy Lee Jazz bass with production being moved from Japan to Mexico....
But overall Mexico has come a long way ........ they do a great job on the Road worn basses & guitars..


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:30 pm
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Using a scientific analysis.......

1) I own a 2004 MIM bass

So, in conclusion,.....2004 is the best year for the MIM Bass.

Any other questions ???


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:53 pm
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L.A. wrote:
Using a scientific analysis.......1) I own a 2004 MIM bassSo, in conclusion,.....2004 is the best year for the MIM Bass.Any other questions ???


Using a scientific analysis.......1) I own a 2004 MIM bassSo, in conclusion,.....2004 is the best year for the MIM Bass.Any other questions ???

No questions here as you can't argue with Science....... :wink:












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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:48 pm
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I'd like to chime in and say the first mim bass that I noticed being of better build and better wood and superior sound - is my 2005 Classic 50's P bass --NEXT would be my 2009 mim Roadworn P bass. Both those basses are alder. I owned and played many of the mim basses (J's and P's) from the late 90's to about 2002 and I wouldn't give a plug nickel for those. Those as far as I know were basswood. The 98 mim Jazz I had was a money pit. Nothing worked on that- I dumped it and copped an attitude toward the mim's untill the 2005 P came along-- now I eat my words. I used the 05 Classic P at a gig Sat and that thing just sings--HOWEVER ****** Brother Dave agrees that the Pickups in the mim basses are not as good as USA pickups. I have installed after-market Dimarzio model P's in both of my mim P basses and the improvement in sound is quite noticeable to my ear. The other ear isn't quite as good as that first one.
Another thing I almost always noticed on the older mim basses and guitars was sharp fret ends that would slice the side of your fingers if you didn't file them down. Bro Dave knows about that too.
Anyway the 2 mim P basses I have sound just as good as my USA P basses on average. I have vintage Fenders that are just a tad sweeter- prob because of the age and dryness of the wood.


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:22 pm
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Do y'all agree that basswood produces a "mellower", "softer" tone than alder?
Maybe those aren't the best descriptive words I can use.
And maybe I'm just comparing the sound of my MIJ Blue Flower '54 Reissue P-Bass (basswood) to my '62 American Vintage Reissues Jazz and P-Bass (alder).
Am I right on the wood characterizations, or is it the electronics/pickups differences between the basses that I'm describing as the "wood?"


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:53 pm
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There is a good study on body woods located in the link below. Keep in mind, however, that the fretboard material makes as much or more difference as the body wood. In general, Maple faced fretboard will be a tad brighter than the Rosewood faced fretboards.

CLICK >>> http://www.jemsite.com/jem/wood.htm


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Post subject: Re: Made in Mexico Precisions
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:23 pm
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Great link, PaducahLuke.
The basswood description fits my "take" on the wood: softer highs, mellow bottom.
Thanks!


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