MIM Revelation

[lowend1]

I bought my first MIM (a black J-Bass) in 1992, the first year of production. I considered it to be an excellent value at $260 new, even with some glaring flaws in the finish. I've gotten a few others since then, including a 1998 Deluxe P-Bass Special (used to be called a California P-Bass), which is a cut above the MIM Standards. As Fender raises their prices each year, the MIMs yield less and less bang for the buck. Frankly, I'm more impressed with the SX 70s style J-Basses at around $160 plus shipping.

[PhilT]

I bought a Midnight Wine MIM Jazz 5-string about 18 months ago when a string of used ones came up cheap on eBay. It was a lot better quality than I expected, though I had to shim the neck to get a decent action out of it, and the soldering on the pots was pretty poor. The bridge was much chunkier than usual on Fenders. I didn't like the look of the 5-in-line headstock, but that's not unique to MIMs.

I sold it because I don't have that much use for a 5-string.

[gweimer]

I tried out a couple MIM basses a couple years back.  From what I saw/felt/heard, there wasn't $500 difference between the MIM and the MIA hanging next to it.  I'd recommend one in a minute as a good starter bass that can carry you into live gigs.

[leftybass]

As a mainly Gibson player of course I bully Fender players. So thanks for the Lame P Bass, Uwe! 

I'm curious what's the diff between LPB and something I'm seeing in Fender descriptions nowadays "Old Lake Placid Blue".

[gweimer]

I'm curious what's the diff between LPB and something I'm seeing in Fender descriptions nowadays "Old Lake Placid Blue".

$100?

[Pilgrim]

$100?

True wisdom, that! 

[Chris P.]

At my local store there was my LPB MIM P and a LPB Custom Shop Strat. That one had a green-ish pickguard, more amber (aged) neck and maple board but also the LPB was slightly different from my bass. I think they yellowed the clear finish a bit, so it was slighty (but very, very slightly) greener. I guess that's the old LPB?

[Dave W]

So old LPB is aged to make it look greenish right away. That's in line with Fender's ideas on relicing and wear.

[Chris P.]

Yeah, I think every brand does it. Gibson with some bursts and 'unburst', Fender also with colours like Vintage White which is just yellowed Olympic White or something I guess? Newer Gibson Birds where Yellow-ish too.

[godofthunder]

For the most part I have found the MIMs functional but lacking a certain something. Not to say there are not some really good ones out there. I played a Road Worn an while ago and was so impressed I ordered a RW neck for my 2009 MIA Jazz. Best thing that ever happened to that bass I love the RW neck !