NAMM leaks, announcements, and rumors

[rustywire]

I have a MIM J-bass with a marked fretless neck, from '99. Where all 3 knobs are the same size. It's anything but a POS. But that's from a whole other era so IDK anymore.

[coupleonapkins]

Yeah, my early 90's MIM Strat is still with me, and only has a few insignificant upgrades since. All of the Mustang & Duo Sonics from NAMM are also MIM, but those price points seem more on the nose ($500 range or less?), but the Roadworn series seems to be okay (the Jazzmaster & Jaguars were the next recent releases, around $900 each). I'm not sure if Fender bulked up their standards or relocated the facility or whatever, but since the Troy Van Leeuwen signature, the price point has started over $1000 for the more extravagant MIM guitars. It all seems like Fender is actually listening to what people want (even if it isn't Made in the USA, or with a case), which is fares better for alot of folks, but not everyone. And yes, the MIM-eras all have their duds (even the MIA does, too), but that Flea bass still looks pretty good?

[rfurtkamp]

There's baseline and there's higher end.

I'm partial to the midline or higher instruments from almost any brand/price point.

The cheap MIMs are NOT the high-end ones.

I'd rock nothing but the $900+ MIMs all day if I wanted a Fender-type thing!

[Jwar]

I've only tried MIM's from the 2000's, so perhaps that's why? I had a MIM P and it was the biggest POS I've probably owned. Could not get rid of it fast enough. I also had a 70's MIA P and it was fantastic. But as a rule of thumb if I'm paying that kind of money for a bass and it's a Fender it better be MIA. I'd pay tops 500 for a MIM of any kind. That's just me though.

[Strange Tales]

The MIM stuff is no joke, especially if you replace the electronics. I've always read that that is where they cheap out. Both my bass and guitar are MIM Fender stuff (guitar 2005, bass 2008 I think) and they are incredible instruments for what I paid for them.

[rfurtkamp]

I have stuff from the first MIM stuff to the post-fire at the new factory (where both use American blanks and necks, since the Mexico plant didn't get its own CNC machines until relatively recently).

None has had any issues.

I've played dogs, but I've played MIA dogs as well.

A case of the good stuff is the good stuff, and the high-end Mexican models are stupid good.

[rustywire]

*all products are not created equal*

I neglected to mention my MIM J-Bass was the standard $550 (at the time) you could find out on the floor of any GC or Sam Ash throughout the early-mid '00s. Came with flatwounds. Maybe it's just one of the good ones as it has the stock pickups which I've read get trashed as being noisy, weak and/or harsh...but the ones in mine are none of the above, even going direct. Massive bottom end, very dubby without being muddy.

I didn't choose it. Was a hand-me-down gift from uncle (the one with a mostly-analog pro studio whose ear I trust as much as my own). No idea how many he went through before making the selection from a [somewhat] local retailer. I have yet to buy an instrument online, but I've come close. Chances of scoring a gem are much better when you audition [them] in person.

[Strange Tales]

2 for 2 buying from eBay. I apparently have used my lifes worth of luck on fucking guitars.

Which I guess is fine and all because I'm left handed yada yada yada, laundry list of complaints.

[rfurtkamp]

Yea, I haven't bought a guitar in person in a decade.

No issues. I've sent a few back, but usually I know what I'm getting and how to do setups, so...

[blakestree]

post-fire at the new factory (where both use American blanks and necks, since the Mexico plant didn't get its own CNC machines until relatively recently).

I had a '94 Squier Series Tele. Fantastic neck. Maybe the best I've owned.

[Jwar]

Maybe I'm lazy but I outright refuse to replace electronics in an instrument unless they are faulty. It defeats the purpose of having said instrument to me. That's just my opinion. I feel like if I played a decent MIM, it would change my mind. I know I've played MIM guitars that were good but not a bass. I'm not a huge fan of P's in general anyway, that's why the Jazz appealed to me. But for that price, I'd expect more. It's cool looking but fuck that. I'd love to have something like the one below (it's MIA but the price is good IMO)

https://reverb.com/item/2540181-fender- ... r-tsa-case

[Invisible Man]

Hahaha

Jwar flipping pre-purchase...

[rfurtkamp]

Maybe I'm lazy but I outright refuse to replace electronics in an instrument unless they are faulty. It defeats the purpose of having said instrument to me. That's just my opinion. I feel like if I played a decent MIM, it would change my mind. I know I've played MIM guitars that were good but not a bass. I'm not a huge fan of P's in general anyway, that's why the Jazz appealed to me. But for that price, I'd expect more. It's cool looking but fuck that. I'd love to have something like the one below (it's MIA but the price is good IMO)

https://reverb.com/item/2540181-fender- ... r-tsa-case

I don't replace electronics either. Every one of my guitars has the electronics it came to me with - a couple have had replacement this or that, but most haven't.

I have a '94 Squier (MIM) Jazz that's fine other than the black color (don't like black) and a mid 2000s P MIM (standard) that work just fine and do what respective versions of said instruments do.

As far as pricing...you're comparing used secondary non-retail market to a new retail release pricing. Stock MIA baselines drop like a stone (same as MIMs) after first purchase!

[rustywire]

Maybe I'm lazy but I outright refuse to replace electronics in an instrument unless they are faulty. It defeats the purpose of having said instrument to me. That's just my opinion. I feel like if I played a decent MIM, it would change my mind. I know I've played MIM guitars that were good but not a bass. I'm not a huge fan of P's in general anyway, that's why the Jazz appealed to me. But for that price, I'd expect more. It's cool looking but fuck that. I'd love to have something like the one below (it's MIA but the price is good IMO)

https://reverb.com/item/2540181-fender- ... r-tsa-case

I don't replace electronics either. Every one of my guitars has the electronics it came to me with
...

[codetocontra]

I thought we established that "granular" was one of the new buzzwords?

Yeah, well, Alexander Pedals made it popular.