Tinman Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 (edited) Did a search about these on here and couldn't find much. So, I'm Gassing for a P Bass Special and the Mex ones look reasonably priced. My question is: Tonally and buildwise, are they of a decent standard or would I be wasting my money? I've read here that the Mex built instruments have improved greatly but I would like to hear from anyone who has one/has played one. The main reason for asking is that I'm off to the States again in a couple of weeks and some of you know what happened last time. Any info would be very much appreciated. Cheers Pete Edited November 4, 2009 by Tinman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Are you looking at the current model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='645511' date='Nov 4 2009, 05:41 PM']Are you looking at the current model?[/quote] Yes....well I guess so. It's difficult to tell from shop websites as to whether they're 09 models or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 Are the new specials active? If you can find a passive one that plays nicely then I think you'll be onto a winner. Otherwise most all Fender mex actives ive played have been hella noisy. Enjoy yourself in the States! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 The recent active MIM one i played was noisy but sounded good. Had to be careful with the treble as it sounded brittle but the bass had tons of thud and was a slap beast. In fact it was one of the best slap sounds i've heard recently! Might benefit from some shielding too as it had a very prominent hum Seemed well built and played great though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='645511' date='Nov 4 2009, 05:41 PM']Are you looking at the current model?[/quote] Are you saying the current model is different from those advertised on the various websites? Sometimes I hate the web. In general all the sites say is that they were introduced in 05. There seems to be nothing about the date of the ones that are advertised (not even on the Fender Mex site even) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='Tinman' post='645533' date='Nov 4 2009, 06:03 PM']Are you saying the current model is different from those advertised on the various websites? Sometimes I hate the web. In general all the sites say is that they were introduced in 05. There seems to be nothing about the date of the ones that are advertised (not even on the Fender Mex site even)[/quote] Ah - I just wasn;t sure if you were looking at new or used. There's been a few variations of the MIM P Special... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted November 4, 2009 Author Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='645534' date='Nov 4 2009, 06:05 PM']Ah - I just wasn;t sure if you were looking at new or used. There's been a few variations of the MIM P Special...[/quote] At the moment I'm looking at a new one. It comes as no surprise that there have been variations - it's hard to keep up sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodl2005 Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 It depends- try as many as poss. I recently SOLD My MIA jazz, as it wasn't near as good (to ME)as my MIM Reggie Hamilton Sig. Jazz. Sure the build quality & look of the MIA is SUPERB & the S1 switching in it gave it a great P style sound, but-maybe it was just ME & my taste, but it just didn't excite me like the RH Sig does. P'raps I just dig the P pup(the RH sig jazz has P/J pups) - but I DO dial out the P pup & just use the bridge jazz pup at times... Dunno- the MIA Amercian Series Jazz IS a lovely bass & it does everytghing it's s'posed to do well, but... left me wanting. So I've bought a 50's RI precision- a MIM model too, but it FEELS lovely & I LOVE the simplicity of the P's. IMO the MIM active P's are darn good too, seem to be on the whole, a lot better consistantly, than the Standard MIM P's. I was tossing up between a MIM P Special(active) or the 50's RI. In the end AS I have active ones already I went w/ the Passive P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='MythSte' post='645518' date='Nov 4 2009, 05:46 PM']Are the new specials active? If you can find a passive one that plays nicely then I think you'll be onto a winner. Otherwise most all Fender mex actives ive played have been hella noisy. Enjoy yourself in the States![/quote] Aye, the passive MIM specials are where it's at. MMmmellow. The active ones are HOT and not really in a good way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bikenbass Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I bought my MIM (passive) P bass new in 1998. Recently put D'Addario EPS190 Custom Light Gauge XL Pro Steel strings on it. I now have a massive variation in tone available. From harsh (full treble, played close to the bridge.) to very warm, almost double bass warm (treble backed right off, played around the 10th - 12th fret.) and anything in between. Feels good, plays very well, sounds great. Others who've played it have been complimentary. Guess I was fortunate to get a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 Thanks for the info guys. It's actually the active one that I'm interested in. So anymore info on those would be great. Cheers Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Just get one that's made of decent bits and put together well, and we'll sort the sound out when you get back...... They are eminently pimpable..... (I'll get mi soldering iron warmed up!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 [quote name='The Burpster' post='645940' date='Nov 5 2009, 08:31 AM']Just get one that's made of decent bits and put together well, and we'll sort the sound out when you get back...... They are eminently pimpable..... (I'll get mi soldering iron warmed up!)[/quote] Agreed. I tried a MIM P a week or so ago and it was put together really nicely. The pickup wasn't too bad either but it was the standard model, not the special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Looks like a really nice combination - P body, jazz neck, 3-band eq. All the goodies and none of the hardships. Apart from the bent-tin bridge, but that's easily remedied. Nice bass. I have to admit to quite liking the simpler 50's P in black/gold/maple. I'd have to spend a fortune kitting it out with a serious pickup and bridge etc, though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussFM Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 Is it the Deluxe Active P? My Deluxe Active Jazz is really well made, no noise (that'll be the noiseless pickups then). It's only downsides were the bent tin bridge (now replaced) and the back pickup is really weak sounding, not sure whether it's the pickup or the pre but I've never bothered sorting it because I'm happy with the tone I get off the neck p-up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatori Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I have a MIM P bass special (active) and I find the bridge pickup a bit weak. Im seriously considering going passive with Dimarzio P humbucker and Ultra Jazz pickups. I love the maple jazz neck though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I bought a MIM Jazz in the early 90s which had different string volumes. I even had a letter published in a guitar mag. It put me off Mexican Fenders for the best part of 15yrs. I always favoured the MIJ stuff. However around 2004/5 I discovered the posher MIMs like the Classic Series and have done a complete U turn. These are seriously wonderful basses. In fact I've since played MIM standards and a well set up good one is a great bass. I think the snobbery of old is long gone. I was just unlucky first time around. The P Bass Special isn't something I have personal experience with but I do know that it is in the same league as the Classic series so I'd wager you'd be getting a quality instrument for your cash. The MIM Deluxe stuff I have tried has been bang on the money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Tinman Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 [quote name='Tinman' post='645503' date='Nov 4 2009, 05:34 PM']The main reason for asking is that I'm off to the States again in a couple of weeks and some of you know what happened last time. [/quote] You're in the sh!t now you sneaky sod! Thank heavens for BC'ers who innocently grass you up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 [quote name='Mrs Tinman' post='646140' date='Nov 5 2009, 12:01 PM']You're in the sh!t now you sneaky sod! Thank heavens for BC'ers who innocently grass you up! [/quote] Oops, busted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 I want the original passive version of this bass in candy apple red mn, or the California series bass it replaced in the same finish. My 80's squier is a P/J and i love the sound... Never tried the new actives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 (edited) Tinman - Just so as we are clear, I was the Huggy Bear character who (accidentally) gave Mrs. Tinman the word on the street re this thread. :blush: Like I can talk with my mass of kit! Sorry Edited November 5, 2009 by BurritoBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Tinman Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='646156' date='Nov 5 2009, 12:19 PM']Tinman - Just so as we are clear, I was the Huggy Bear character who (accidentally) gave Mrs. Tinman the word on the street re this thread. :blush:[/quote] You 've just ruined my future plans for using you as a spy! Why'd'ya go and 'fess up for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman Posted November 5, 2009 Author Share Posted November 5, 2009 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='646156' date='Nov 5 2009, 12:19 PM']Tinman - Just so as we are clear, I was the Huggy Bear character who (accidentally) gave Mrs. Tinman the word on the street re this thread. :blush: Like I can talk with my mass of kit! Sorry[/quote] No worries there fella, I was going to talk to her about anyway (at some point) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted November 5, 2009 Share Posted November 5, 2009 [quote name='Tinman' post='646162' date='Nov 5 2009, 12:23 PM'] No worries there fella, I was going to talk to her about anyway (at some point) [/quote] Would it have gone along the lines of, "I've bought this bass........" Try the Squier versions I had one for ages it was amazing would still be my gigging bass if some c*** hadn't nicked it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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