RobP Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi, If I've got this right the standard export Japanese basses are usually basswood while Mexican ones are alder. Japanese build quality, electrics and pups seem to have a much better rep than the Mexican basses though. I'm after another bass at the moment and don't want to stretch to MIA prices. I'm set on an alder (or maybe ash) body so thinking go for a Mexican one and change the pups etc... If I have too. I guess it all comes down to personal taste but really interested to see what anyone else thinks....Maybe I'm thinking about this too much..... Hope you're all good, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 In my experience of the 2 mex basses and the 1 jap bass + a jap strat that I've owned or still own. I'll go with the Japanese. There is/was less of an air of 'cheapness' about them. From instruments I've played in shops etc I'd also agree with the often expressed opinion that quality control can be variable with the Mex builds. None of which would stop me choosing a Mex over a Jap if it felt right in my hands BUT the 2 Jap instruments are present tense and the 2 Mex's are past. Must say something. Of course you're not thinking about it too much - it's your brass you're about to spend , you think as long as you want and get as much info/opinion as you can. It's your decision at the end of the day , though, whatever any of us say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobP Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Thanks for the timely comment, you really confirmed my thoughts. Someone from Fender just mailed me to say how well made the Japanese basses are and not to get to hung up on the basswood/alder thing too... So I just won a Japanese 62 Re-Issue on ebay. It's a bit of a punt but think the price was ok at £300 Have a great w/end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnylager Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 [quote name='RobP' post='282907' date='Sep 12 2008, 08:55 PM']Someone from Fender just mailed me...[/quote] 'Kin 'ell - are you royalty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobP Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Only in my dreams! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 If you want a Japanese one with an ash or alder body, you need a not-for-export model (it'll also have US pickups). Currently you can't get these exported new, but fareastguitars occasionally has second-hand ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobP Posted September 12, 2008 Author Share Posted September 12, 2008 Hi Pete, Thanks for that - funny enough found their web-site today and ended up calling them. Really helpful. I'm gonna keep an eye on their web-site from now on. Cheers, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 [quote name='RobP' post='282907' date='Sep 12 2008, 08:55 PM']Thanks for the timely comment, you really confirmed my thoughts. Someone from Fender just mailed me to say how well made the Japanese basses are and not to get to hung up on the basswood/alder thing too... So I just won a Japanese 62 Re-Issue on ebay. It's a bit of a punt but think the price was ok at £300 Have a great w/end [/quote] That's hardly a punt - good value I'd say that you could easily get back if it doesn't work out. You will be posting pics when it arrives won't you?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fudge Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 my jap beats my usa hands down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 In the past I'd have said go Japanese without question... Then I had an MIA S1 Jazz & a 2008 American Standard Precision. Surprisingly though, these days I'd have to say that it's down to the individual bass. My 2006 MIM Precision is nicer to play than the 08 Am.Std I sold recently. I'm thinking of Badassing it & adding a Wizard Thumper. Try lots and one will stand out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AREA Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 (edited) If I had to choose between MIM or MIJ, i think I would go for MIJ. All Japanese Fenders I´ve seen or played until now, had a very good Quality. If you also consider a used MIJ Fender look for a Shop called "Tokyowaxhead" on eBay. The Seller is very reliable and fast. He offers also used MIJ Fender Basses. Not as much as some Shops like Ishibashi, but there are 2-5 Basses any Time. If you´re looking for something special, you have to call/mail him or wait and look in from Time to Time. Edited September 13, 2008 by AREA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 My jap P bass is of awesome quality. I sold my mex very soon after I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 my MIM telecaster felt great until i took the neck off now it feels like sh*t and needs a pro setup cos i just don’t have the knowledge to make it feel good again. The CIJ/MIJ basses that I've played have felt solid and well built and very nice to play, but that's more than i can say for some the American Fenders I've played let alone the MIM ones. IME the Jap Fenders are of a better quality than the Mex ones...and dare I say it, but even better than [i]some[/i] US ones (opening myself up to some abuse ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='283117' date='Sep 13 2008, 11:55 AM']Surprisingly though, these days I'd have to say that it's down to the individual bass.[/quote] +1. I've owned MIM, MIJ and MIA Fenders and had some good and some bad. I owned a Mex Jazz which was posibly the worst bass I've ever owned. On the other hand, my Mex P had one of the nicest necks I've played. My take on it is that the MIJ Fenders are probably the most consistently good. US Fenders can be fantastic, but I'm never convinced they're worth the extra money compared to Japanese Fenders. And you can get some good Mex stuff - especially if you take into account the fact that you can upgrade pickups, bridge etc with the cash you'll save. But I would never buy a Fender without trying it first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 (edited) [quote]But I would never buy a Fender without trying it first[/quote] A huge +1 to that! Fender quality is just so variable across the ranges! Edited September 14, 2008 by OutToPlayJazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='283664' date='Sep 14 2008, 01:49 PM']A huge +1 to that! Fender quality is just so variable across the ranges![/quote] Too true, and shocking when you consider the premium on some of the MIA basses that are being marketed on the fact that they are American built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal-Mariachi Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I have a MIJ '51 reissue, and a MIM Mark Hoppus sig. Both are very well made. Granted the Hoppus is the high end of the MIM basses. I was in Guitar Center today and tried out pretty much every Jazz they had on display. Sound wise I preferred the American standards, but each one of them sounded slightly different from each other too. Interesting enough the Squire VM sounded better then the Geddy sig they had. none of basses had gaps in the neck pockets and the finishes were all well done. Neck feel is a combination of personal preference and set up, so I won't get into that. The main difference I noticed was the sound (pickups) and quality of the hardware. I suggest you play as many as you can, pick the one the sounds, feels, and looks best to you. MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 i bought one of the "classic 60's jazz's" which is an MIM & i must say its a beaut' really well made & sounds v' nice too. its almost on par with my MIA '62 P bass---almost but not quite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='pete.young' post='282972' date='Sep 12 2008, 11:14 PM']If you want a Japanese one with an ash or alder body, you need a not-for-export model (it'll also have US pickups). Currently you can't get these exported new, but fareastguitars occasionally has second-hand ones.[/quote] [url="http://www.guitaremporium.co.uk/"]Guitar Emporium[/url] has all the Japanese "not-for-export" models available (though at a premium price). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobP Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='Dr.Dave' post='283045' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:34 AM']That's hardly a punt - good value I'd say that you could easily get back if it doesn't work out. You will be posting pics when it arrives won't you?![/quote] Thanks for that Doc, gives me a sense of relief that someone thinks it's good value. I thought it probably was but had lingering doubts. It's good to have the security of not losing anything on it if worst comes to worst. That said I've got a good feeling If it's pics you want then pics it shall be! Where do I post them? (Hope you don't mind me saying Doc, just had to man) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobP Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 (edited) Reading all the replies is really interesting, totally agree about trying a bass first but needed one quickly and didn't want to throw too much cash at it... Hence e-bay. I've got a MIA Jazz - curious to see how they compare given what's been said. And thanks loads for all the info and links Edited September 15, 2008 by RobP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) [quote name='RobP' post='284657' date='Sep 15 2008, 11:42 PM']Thanks for that Doc, gives me a sense of relief that someone thinks it's good value. I thought it probably was but had lingering doubts. It's good to have the security of not losing anything on it if worst comes to worst. That said I've got a good feeling If it's pics you want then pics it shall be! Where do I post them? (Hope you don't mind me saying Doc, just had to man)[/quote] Pics in the gear porn section. Call me anything you want Rob , maybe not Osama or anything ending in Glitter !! I'm not a Dr , BTW , it's from the name of my band. Edited September 16, 2008 by Dr.Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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