A guide to new Fenders

[Foxymophandlemama]

A guide to new Fenders

This short guide (info thanks to those of the main bass forum, compiled by me) will give a bit of a guide as to the different types of Fender Jazz and Precision basses you can get. I believe this also applies to their other bass brands such as Zone and Dimension.

The Fender bass website: http://fender.com/products/search.php?section=Basses
The Fender bass & guitar pricelist: http://fender.com/resources/pricelists/pdf/FenderElectricsPriceListSummer2005.pdf
The Fender color chart: http://fender.com/resources/colors/

For more detail on the MIM, CIJ and MIA differences, please [URL=http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348431]visit this thread.[/url]

MIM, MIA, MIJ (a.k.a CIJ) basses
MIM = Made In Mexico
Lowest quality of the Fenders. If it's a cheap Jazz or Precision that is Standard, its probably MIM.
MIA = Made In America
Considered to be the best made Fenders. What they have that the MIM and CIJ basses don't have have:
- Graphite re-enforced necks
- Bi-flex 2 way truss rod
- Die Cast tuners
- Bridge that allows string-thru-body or top load stringing
- Better pickups
- Better electronics (potentiometers)
- Much better fretwork
- Better grade of wood for the body and neck
- Comes with a hardshell case
- Straplocks
MIJ = Made In Japan (a.k.a. CIJ - Crafted in Japan)
Most of the MIJ's are either Vintage reissues that are made in Japan or signature models like the Sting and Geddy. They usually use vintage reproduction parts.
(Thanks to Polyamarous, athousandcleverlines and JPBass)

American, Standard, American Deluxe and Deluxe basses
- Deluxe Models have active E.Qs. This gives a more "hi-fi" sound to them.
- Standards are MIM basses, the cheapest Fenders that you can get.
- Americans have better build quality and parts than the Standards, such as a string-through-body bridge
American Standard Jazzes, compared to Mexicans have better stock pickups, graphite reinforced necks and the new ones include S-1 switching.
(Thanks to athousandcleverlines and red zeppelin)


Alder and Ash body types
- Alder is used extensively for bodies because of its lighter weight and its full sound. Its closed grain makes this wood easy to finish. Alder's natural color is a light tan, with little or no distinct grain lines.
- Ash is a very musical wood offering a very nice balance of brightness and warmth with lots of "pop". It also has good bottom end. The grain is open and creamy.
(Thanks to Polyamarous)

Maple and Rosewood woods
- Maple has a supposedly harder sound. It is a harder wood also.
- Rosewood has a softer Sound.
However, most people cannot tell the difference between the two, the wood choice is primarily for looks.
(Thanks to Polyamarous)

If you have anything to add, please post it in this thread and I will edit this post.

Thanks

- Will

[Alma]

Very Comprehensive man!

[Foxymophandlemama]

Rep me?

[wardy]

cheers man. I own a fender jazz bass MIM and I think it sounds better than most american jazz basses

[red_zeppelin]

cheers man. I own a fender jazz bass MIM and I think it sounds better than most american jazz basses

i have a MIM jazz and think that it sounds no way near as good as a MIA, or plays as well but they are great basses for the price, and highly upgradable. I want a butterscotch blonde MIA jazz with a black pickguard so bad.

[Foxymophandlemama]

Originally Posted by red_zeppelin

i have a MIM jazz and think that it sounds no way near as good as a MIA, or plays as well but they are great basses for the price, and highly upgradable. I want a butterscotch blonde MIA jazz with a black pickguard so bad.

I want the same bass Butterscotch + Black = teh secks.

I need to try some warwicks and stuff first though, and get the money

[70 Cam Guy]

Though the Mexi Fenders are the cheapest, I think you ought to give them some more credit. The Mexi guitars are certainly a bargain and easily upgraded. People complain about the bridges and pickups but those are easily swapped and you're still in for less than a new US bass. The finish work might not be as nice as a US or MIJ bass but it's still a great instrument for the price and definitely gig-worthy. My Mexi Pbass survived the last 10 years and it still looks great and it plays better than ever now I know how to set it up. I also have a US Jazz so I have a frame of reference

[zink182]

I just kinda finished mine last sunday.. it's an mim with seymour duncans and a badassII bridge.. custom knobs and a black pickguard it sounds great and is really good.. it's mine and I wouldn't trade it for a MIA.. I could maybe buy one but this bass I will never sell

[iBENezrocker]

IM FINALLY GETTING A FENDER MIM JAZZ!!!!!!!! I've wanted one for so long and now I'm getting one. Brown Sunburst with a white scratchplate and rosewood neck. Though I'm going to buy a tortoise shell style gaurd soon. Should be sweet

[spaz21387]

i have a mim jazz too i love it but the only problem was the stock bridge the saddles on the bridge kept sinking as i was playing but that was easly fixed with a badass 2 bridge and new pickups are coming soon

[Creep]

I have a Geddy Lee, its one of my favorite basses.