Fender bass guitars

[Slipperydick]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1235134' date='May 18 2011, 02:34 AM']From cheapest to most expensive:

Squier, MIM, MIJ, MIA.

Squier, MIM and MIA used to be dubious QC, they've improved a lot though recently. MIJ has always been fairly consistent. Lots of people prefer MIJs due to them being consistent value wheras with the MIAs in the past you could be paying more and getting a dog. Apparently most of the QC issues are sorted now and MIMs and MIAs are more consistent, I'd still try before buying though.

CIJs are MIJs that were made in a specific factory for a couple of years in the mid 90s IIRC (that could be totally wrong though).

All of that's off the top of my head and since I've only ever very briefly had interest in Fenders it could be wrong. [/quote]

Back in around 1991 or 92 I can remember speaking to someone at a Fender distributor who told me that the then new Mexican Strats and Precisions were assembled in Mexico from USA parts, but that it was only a temporary arrangement, so it was a good time to buy.

Any truth in it, or was it just a sales pitch ? My early Mexican Precision plays and sounds great, mut admit the neck aint a perfect fit in the pocket though.

[Prime_BASS]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1235134' date='May 18 2011, 02:34 AM']From cheapest to most expensive:

Squier, MIM, MIJ, MIA.

Squier, MIM and MIA used to be dubious QC, they've improved a lot though recently. MIJ has always been fairly consistent. Lots of people prefer MIJs due to them being consistent value wheras with the MIAs in the past you could be paying more and getting a dog. Apparently most of the QC issues are sorted now and MIMs and MIAs are more consistent, I'd still try before buying though.

CIJs are MIJs that were made in a specific factory for a couple of years in the mid 90s IIRC (that could be totally wrong though).

All of that's off the top of my head and since I've only ever very briefly had interest in Fenders it could be wrong. [/quote]

Roadworns are MIM and are more expensive than the MIA highway one series.
Sorry for being pedantic.

My old guitard teacher would say " real bassist uses a fender and an ampeg"

[Dave Vader]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1235398' date='May 18 2011, 11:05 AM']I'd have a look in the mirror before going outside if I were you.

Don't worry it should come off with some white spirits.....


... oh and the other eyebrow will grow back soon enough.[/quote]

Well I never knew that about myself! Amazing what you read in the mirror sometimes, I wouldn't have said I was that good on the piano though, I mean I'm alright...
That does say ****ing great pianist right?

(BTW MIA use higher quality parts as well, just to annoy those of us who could sort an MIM no problems, damn said I wouldn't get drawn into this...)

[neepheid]

[quote name='chipmunk_jr' post='1234504' date='May 17 2011, 04:20 PM']Every band you seem to see live, there bass players seem to play fenders. I've played a couple and I cant see what all the fuss is about???? Ive played much nicer basses for a lot less money.[/quote]

I attended a band showcase last week and the basses used were a Traben Array, a Jaydee of some sort, an Ibanez and a Gibson SG. Not a Fender bass in sight. Quite surprising variety for such a small, geographically challenged city.

[RhysP]

[quote name='Slipperydick' post='1235406' date='May 18 2011, 11:08 AM']Back in around 1991 or 92 I can remember speaking to someone at a Fender distributor who told me that the then new Mexican Strats and Precisions were assembled in Mexico from USA parts, but that it was only a temporary arrangement, so it was a good time to buy.

Any truth in it, or was it just a sales pitch ? My early Mexican Precision plays and sounds great, mut admit the neck aint a perfect fit in the pocket though.[/quote]

If the neck pocket is sh*t then it was probably assembled from US parts.

Edited May 18, 2011 by RhysP

[markstuk]

I think my favourite quote from a US forum post is..

MIM - Made in Mexico by Mexicans
MIA - Made in America by Mexicans


[quote name='RhysP' post='1235453' date='May 18 2011, 11:28 AM']If the neck pocket is is terrible then it was probably assembled from US parts. [/quote]

[hillbilly deluxe]

MIM = Mexicans in Mexico
MIA =Mexicans in America.

[lucky]

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1235499' date='May 18 2011, 11:58 AM']MIM = Mexicans in Mexico
MIA =Mexicans in America.[/quote]


hahaha

sí

Edited May 18, 2011 by lucky

[Eight]

Not much to add, except to support what's already been said in a way. The more different styles of music I try, the more I keep looking towards getting a Fender P. They just work. Always.

Not my favourites, but they never look out of place and always sound fine regardless of what everyone else is playing. There's a lot to be said for that.

[FayeAutumn]

[quote name='Monckyman' post='1235323' date='May 18 2011, 10:19 AM']As has been said by a previous poster, for me, it was about the sound I grew up with, and the basses used on the music I heard.
There were no Wals overwaters Status Yamaha Aria Gibson(I think) basses on all those massive motown tunes. Just Fender.
Same again for Cochrane and Elvis
If the doors had employed a bassist I bet he would have used a Jazz!
Sid Vicious used a Fender P, very iconic. he would have looked a right pansy with a Warwick.
Ditto The Clash.
An exception is Joy Division who used a Shergold (I think) because Hooky couldn`t afford a bloody Fender!
Lets hurry on past The Jam who were obviously bribed to use Ricketsbashers

Admit it, Fender...they`re bloody good basses.
[/quote]

To be fair, it could be argued that Sid Vicious didn't really manage to play the Fender he had. And of course, if he'd had a Warwick he'd have had to of mugged a time-traveller for it.

[Conan]

Aside from the blatant excuse to mention It Bites (who I am off to see in Newcastle this evening!), you may find it interesting what Frank Dunnery has to say about his "Fenders"...

Listen from 1:15...

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI5QCem2fx4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI5QCem2fx4...feature=related[/url]

Edited May 19, 2011 by Conan

[Conan]

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1235402' date='May 18 2011, 11:06 AM']Road Worn series?

[/quote]

Ah! But that's clearly spaghetti, not beans. That's like comparing apples and pears - or (God forbid) Precisions and Jazzes!

[Fat Rich]

[quote name='Conan' post='1235718' date='May 18 2011, 02:03 PM']Ah! But that's clearly spaghetti, not beans. That's like comparing apples and pears - or (God forbid) Precisions and Jazzes![/quote]

Exactly, spaghetti is more versatile but you can't beat the simplicity and roundness of beans.

[crez5150]

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1235413' date='May 18 2011, 11:11 AM']Roadworns are MIM and are more expensive than the MIA highway one series.
Sorry for being pedantic.

My old guitard teacher would say "[b]Old [/b]bassist uses a fender and an ampeg"[/quote]


fixed )

[bubinga5]

[quote name='Conan' post='1235708' date='May 18 2011, 01:57 PM']Aside from the blatant excuse to mention It Bites (who I am off to see in Newcastle this evening!), you may find it interesting what Frank Dunnery has to say about his "Fenders"...

Listen from 1:15...

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBd401c9ak4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBd401c9ak4...feature=related[/url][/quote]
is he singing his opinion of Fenders??

[Robert Manning]

[quote name='famstd' post='1235130' date='May 18 2011, 02:02 AM']A lot of nice basses out there. In 42+ years I played a few, but I always came back to and liked the Fender Am. Std. Jazz the most. The End.

[/quote]

i have that exact same bass.. its the best.

[Slipperydick]

[quote name='RhysP' post='1235453' date='May 18 2011, 11:28 AM']If the neck pocket is sh*t then it was probably assembled from US parts. [/quote]

Is that US, or USA ? lol

At least the strings are well centred. I had a USA made one with them noticeably out at one time, either the Bridge was badly fitted or the Neck pocket was out, wasnt really sure.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1235822' date='May 18 2011, 03:18 PM']is he singing his opinion of Fenders??[/quote]
I couldn't figure that one out either.

[Marvin]

[quote name='markstuk' post='1235456' date='May 18 2011, 11:31 AM']I think my favourite quote from a US forum post is..

MIM - Made in Mexico by Mexicans
MIA - Made in America by Mexicans[/quote]
Whilst chewing the fat with a local guitar shop owner, said guitar shop owner recanted an occasion when a young 6 string upstart walked into his emporium. Young upstart started eulogising about his dream Vintage Fender Strat. He then proceeded to enquire about the vibrant red Telecaster the owner had. It's made in Mexico he was told at which point the young upstart embarked on a small rant about only US Fenders were real Fenders. The owner then asked him who he thought Leo had build him his dream Strat, "I'll think you'll find Leo's factory was awash with Mexicans!". At which point they parted company.

[JayPH]

When i was looking at Fender Basses in Dawsons recently I asked one of the lads what was the difference between the MIM and MIA basses and he said "A few Miles". He said that the American ones tended to be setup better from the start but you can setup a MIM to play just as well.

[lojo]

[quote name='chipmunk_jr' post='1234504' date='May 17 2011, 04:20 PM']Every band you seem to see live, there bass players seem to play fenders. I've played a couple and I cant see what all the fuss is about???? Ive played much nicer basses for a lot less money.[/quote]


I don't think anyone is really making a fuss, just lots of people opt for a standard Fender, in the same way masses of people brought Ford Escorts

The nicer basses you refer to are obviously ones that suit you, but a trusty P or J seems to be a comfortable and capable choice for many, from pub players to the 40 year in the trade millionaire pro vets

No fuss


[quote name='dc2009' post='1235135' date='May 18 2011, 02:36 AM']but if you happen to get a killer MIM you're doing fantastically for your money?[/quote]

I have one , problem is I have really changed my taste on finishes since I got it, but the neck and the way it plays suits me down to a tee

[Musicman20]

I love Fenders, and I always will. When I was younger, players had metal looking basses, Gibsons, or Fenders. I went with Fenders, and as much as their inconsistent QC annoys me, I still go back.

Find a good one, and its perfection.

Ive played a fair few MIA and MIM, and the latest 2008 onwards MIA are much higher quality than the MIMs. Before 2008, I was really disappointed with the MIA's.

[risingson]

[quote name='JayPH' post='1235994' date='May 18 2011, 05:15 PM']When i was looking at Fender Basses in Dawsons recently I asked one of the lads what was the difference between the MIM and MIA basses and he said "A few Miles". He said that the American ones tended to be setup better from the start but you can setup a MIM to play just as well.[/quote]

I wouldn't pay a single bit of attention to the guys in Liverpool Dawsons, they don't know what they're talking about! I popped in a few days back and tried a number of Fenders they had in. Played a Marcus Miller Jazz in there, the intonation was so bad by the time you got to the 12th fret of the bass it was almost a whole semitone sharp, and the Jaco Squier in there had a neck bow so bad it was very difficult to play. When I pointed this out by demonstrating this to him, the assistant told me that 'you have to put a bit of work in yourself to get the bass you buy set up properly'. He also went on to explain that there was 'no way of swapping out the preamp in the Marcus Miller', and when I pointed out that there were indeed companies like J-Retro that sold the MM plate mounted preamps that you can just drop in as replacements, he seemed totally baffled by it.

I don't expect the setups on basses in stores like that to be perfect, but I would at least expect a store assistant to be aware that if you're going to be paying upwards of £900-1000 on an instrument then it should be in their interest to pay a bit more attention to how that bass guitar plays. Instead he tried to fob me off with a barrage of misinformation. Not good at all.

Edited May 18, 2011 by risingson

[Green Alsatian]

I'd agree with that - the basses I've tried in Liverpool's Dawsons in the last couple year or so aren't set up well at all - probably just taken out of the box and put on display. That said, of the two chaps I've spoken with in there, one was a guitarist and the other a drummer, nice fellows though. Naturally, folk are going to like different action on a bass, but it makes sense to have them at least playing well, to foster a sale.

I tried a 5-string Epi Thunderbird Pro from there and it was buzzy as hell and the low B sounded a bit weak but I thought "a set up should sort it" and I quickly got it playable at home, but it turns out it was one of the early models in which the pickups were from a 4-string and the output on the B was awful, even with the pickup height adjusted. To give the chaps there credit, they handled the exchange very well when I took it back, but I do wish they'd have someone set up/maintain the basses on display! Sometimes, a poor setup can mask problems with a bass.

Conversely, I bought a Fender Classic Series 50s Precision sight-unseen from Thomann and the setup on it was excellent out of the box - it had been restrung with a set of D'Addario ProSteels (I don't think they're stock) and the pickup height had been adjusted - I didn't have to touch it.

Edited May 18, 2011 by Green Alsatian

[PaulWarning]

[quote name='JayPH' post='1235994' date='May 18 2011, 05:15 PM']When i was looking at Fender Basses in Dawsons recently I asked one of the lads what was the difference between the MIM and MIA basses and he said "A few Miles". He said that the American ones tended to be setup better from the start but you can setup a MIM to play just as well.[/quote]

I once had a MIM Jazz, the pick ups were awful