P-Bass Mex or Whole Hog??

[snowy630]

Ok, nice simple one.

Buying a bass, want a Precision (did want a '51 but **** it), and wondered if anyone has experience or advice on whether to plump for a brand new Mexican P, or to try and swing an American series for a bit cheaper (im thinking ebay). What are the standout differences?

I play a customised Squier P (sick of it yknow, im experienced enough to not have to play a Squier anymore!)

Ta me ducks

[Mr. Pickle]

well, how much money do you want to pay?

[trumpeter]

Well, first of all, welcome to the forums, hope you stay.

American Series Fenders (Made In America (MIA)) are overall better build quality, higher quality hardware (pickups, tuners, bridge, etc...) many consider them to be "superior" quality to a Mexican (MIM).

However, Fender does have some quality control issues, I've played a MIM and a MIA in the same day and found the MIM to be MUCH better than the MIA, but if you are going to in blind, definatly try to get the MIA first.

Hope that helps.

[TheIdiotBox]

This (http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348431) should help.

[British Kid]

get an american or japanese one. you won't regret it. even if you can't find a used one, keep playing the squier untill you can save up enough to buy a new American. You'll be glad you did. :thumb:

[PainKiller8191]

highway.





one.

[NavyBass]

highway.





one.

A highway one Fender series is just 1 small step up from a Mexican. It still doesn't have the graphite rods in the neck, the string through body bridge, the S-1 switch, the fatter headstock to eliminate dead spots, or other appointments that the American ones have.

[rh15951]

When I played an MIA, I hated it... The "S1 switch" pissed me off since it did practically nothing and the whole package felt like crap...

[Scott01]

Go the American series, not the mexican.

Unless you just want a cheap body for a project guitar, then maybe get the mexican fenders, so you could get one cheaper and replace the electronics to get a half-assed american fender sound.

Otherwise American > Japanese >>> Mexican. :thumb:

[NavyBass]

When I played an MIA, I hated it... The "S1 switch" pissed me off since it did practically nothing and the whole package felt like crap...

I found the S-1 switch did quite a bit. It switches the P-bass pickup between series and parallel.

[rh15951]

I found the S-1 switch did quite a bit. It switches the P-bass pickup between series and parallel.

I played a Jazz, it was not nice.

[Killer Fridge]

I would totally go for the Japanese made 50s P-bass. Less than the MIA, but not much more than the MIM

[blizzard]

I would save and buy the American much better quality IMO.

Also every American Fender I see now has stickers proclaiming its Greasebucket tone electronics. What the hell does that actually mean?

[Led_Zeppelin678]

I played a Jazz, it was not nice.

I loved it on the jazz I played.

Go CIJ.

[fortyseven]

i have a mex 50s p and it played a lot nicer than the 60th aniversary mia's i played when i was trying it out. in my opinion it is a much better bass for a fraction of the price.

[snowy630]

Cheers people, very helpful stuff. Now I have to listen to my feminine side and decide, "oooooh, which colour?!!". Just kidding, i'm not a TOTAL loser.

I've always fancied a J Bass too, they're pretty flippin sweet. I've read they crank out superior tone to the P (never played one y'see).

[Killer Fridge]

Cheers people, very helpful stuff. Now I have to listen to my feminine side and decide, "oooooh, which colour?!!". Just kidding, i'm not a TOTAL loser.

I've always fancied a J Bass too, they're pretty flippin sweet. I've read they crank out superior tone to the P (never played one y'see).

I wouldnt say "superior", but definatly more versatile. But very few things can sound like a P-bass, and they[p-bass] cut through the mix in a band situation very well.