Most expensive Mexican Vs cheapest American

[DJ Bebop]

Ok so I know this is not true across the board, but the neck on my American P is significantly nicer than my Mexican J. Lots of other variables at play there, but it certainly makes a difference for me.

That being said, watching Anthony Muthurajah tear it up on his SQUIER J makes me forget about any of this comparison stuff, and quietly retreat into my lair to continue practicing!

The Road Worn necks and the neck on the Flea bass are very nice if you like the feel of a vintage neck.
Need to be tried. Not the same as the common MIM necks as far as feel. To my hands anyway.

 

[Chrisk-K]

It’s like choosing between the most expensive Volkwagen and the least expensive Audi. I’ll take the Audi (ie, cheapest American Fender) any day.

 

[Eighthnoterock]

Holy Crap. I really need to start buying lottery tickets. After a significant hiatus I bought a 1998 American Standard Jazz. It was probably the best feeling and sounding bass I've ever owned. The one bass I truly regret getting rid of.

Since, I've had a MIM Geddy, fantastic bass. MIM 70's Jazz, fantastic bass. MIM 50's Reissue P, fantastic bass. AVRI 64 Jazz, fantastic bass. 1981 P, pickups were week and unbalanced. Swapped out. Now a fantastic bass. Just got a 2013 Limited Edition 66 MIJ Jazz. Swapped out pickups with Lollar's. Only because I wanted a different tone. Now fantastic bsss.

I've had great success with Fenders regardless of country of origin. I get it, you could grab a lot of 10 each and potentially get a turd or two. But I truly have not experienced the inconsistency others have.

 

[klejst]

I'd say whatever sounds better to you, however of the two mentioned - my vote is for the American made.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Fender Flea Artist Series Signature Jazz Bass 2016 - 2017

• By Fender
  
• Listed about 1 hour ago by Francesco's Gear Bazaar
  
• Condition: Excellent
  
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2018 fender flea signature jazz bass in fantastic condition.

Purchased new from zzound back in March 2019.

Still has factory set up out of the box .

Comes with soft bag .







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This item is sold As-Described
This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.
Product Specs
Condition
Excellent (Used)
Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.learn more
Brand Fender
Model Flea Artist Series Signature Jazz Bass
Finish Shell Pink
Categories 4-String
Year 2018
Made In Mexico
Frets Medium Jumbo
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Fretboard Material Maple
Pickup System Passive
Neck Material Maple
Body Shape J-Style
Finish Style Gloss
Number of Strings 4 String
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Francesco's Gear Bazaar


7
Los Angeles, CA, United States
This is on REVERB,

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It’s like choosing between the most expensive Volkwagen and the least expensive Audi. I’ll take the Audi (ie, cheapest American Fender) any day.

Yeah, it’s like choosing between a $42,000 Toyota SUV and a $55,000 Lexus SUV. Either way, you have a really nice ride.

 

[Liam Wald]

Not even close, they're three HUNDRED kilometers apart:

View attachment 3646230

I used to visit Ensenada beach on long weekends.

To quote Mark Twain, "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."
Although others might say a little hyperbole goes a long way.
Cheers.

 

[MCB97]

Not even close, they're three HUNDRED kilometers apart:

View attachment 3646230

I used to visit Ensenada beach on long weekends.

Ok true but still 180 mils isn't that far

 

[pappabass]

Hate to ask this, why spend top dollar for a flea or road worn bass that has paint scraped off?

 

[Liam Wald]

180 miles away, actually, but I get your point. That's why I bought a bass born in Escondido, CA.

Kiesel doesn't have H1-B visa employees, but Fender and Music Man do.

Right you are. I was thinking that Corona was nearer to San Diego. Actually I should know better. I go to Palm Springs a few time a year but have never been to Coronado.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Hate to ask this, why spend top dollar for a flea or road worn bass that has paint scraped off?

To me, the next best thing was the short-lived Classic 60s lacquered P or J
for non-relic'd.

 

[2F/2F]

That's a comparison of Vintera and American Performer.

I own a Mustang Bass from each series.

The American Performer is well built, but overpriced by about $200 IMO. The gig bag is crap (and isn't even made for a short neck bass like the Mustang). You probably couldn't even sell it for 40 bucks to invest into a nice case or bag instead. The fret dressing and polish is nice, the nut is adequate (though it's slotted for ultra light strings). Rosewood board is dark, beautiful, and classic looking. The finish is an outstanding thin urethane, and the hardware is good. The neck finish is matte, and untinted. The pickups sounds great. The fretboard radius, frets, and profile are modern (9.5", medium jumbo, slim profile). The weight is about average (though I picked the lightest of four that Sweetwater had). It doesn't look like a classic/vintage instrument. It cost $1,200 including tax and delivery. Should have been $1,000, or else it should have come with a G&G hard case at $1,200.

The Vintera is well built. Same crappy Fender gig bag series (though, for some reason, this one is actually made for a short neck bass). Frets aren't dressed as well; they have sharper ends and less polish. Nut is a little rougher. Both of these things should be addressed for proper playability. It ran me $100 for a fret end dressing and polish, and a new nut. The Pau Ferro board is light brown and looks fine in and of itself, but it doesn't have the classic look, even though the instrument over all does have the vintage look. The finish is outstanding and the hardware is good. The neck finish is glossy and has a heavy warm tint. The pickup sounds great. The radius, frets, and profile are old school (7.25", 6230s, chunkier profile). The weights were, on average, heavier than the American Performer, even though the AP has two pickups. I don't know if this is the norm, or just isolated to the batches that Sweetwater happened to have when I was shopping. Asking retail price is $250 less than the American Performer. It's overpriced by about $250 IMO, considering that you have to finish the factory's fret work and redo their nut. Should be a $700 bass. For the going price, it should have an American-level fret dress and nut, and a Classic Series hard case.

So, two takeaways from my experiences buying both of these basses new at asking retails price: 1) Either work hard to get a great discount, or buy used, in order to pay closer to what they actually should cost, and 2) The main "real-world" differences come down to feel: radius, fret size, and neck profile. Go top level Mexican if you like the classic neck feel, and go American Performer if you like the modern neck feel. In the end, I have $1,050 into the Vintera, and I like it better because it has the classic neck feel and electronics layout. But I do like the AP despite its more modern neck and electronics that I find less preferable. They're both keepers, but I'd feel better about both if they had been at least $200 cheaper.

 

[MCB97]

It’s a Fender.....you never know what you’re gonna get. Doesn’t matter if it’s MIM, MIA, MIJ, or Custom Shop. Any one could be better than the other.

I’ve come to the conclusion the best “Fenders” I own are primarily the ones I’ve assembled myself with nitro painted bodies, various respected neck manufacturers, along with Fender and Fender licensed parts.

I do have a Fender Flea, for what it’s worth, and I like it just fine. Then again I’ve never played the performer and I mostly prefer a P to a J bass.

IMHO, far and away the best Fender J is the Roscoe Beck model. It’s been discontinued and very hard to come by. It’s simply fantastic.

Best of luck with your decision and Happy New Year!

Just had a look at that Roscoe Beck bass. Now thats something special and interesting!

 

[MCB97]

That's a comparison of Vintera and American Performer.

I own a Mustang Bass from each series.

The American Performer is well built, but overpriced by about $200 IMO. The gig bag is crap (and isn't even made for a short neck bass like the Mustang). You probably couldn't even sell it for 40 bucks to invest into a nice case or bag instead. The fret dressing and polish is nice, the nut is adequate (though it's slotted for ultra light strings). Rosewood board is dark, beautiful, and classic looking. The finish is an outstanding thin urethane, and the hardware is good. The neck finish is matte, and untinted. The pickups sounds great. The fretboard radius, frets, and profile are modern (9.5", medium jumbo, slim profile). The weight is about average (though I picked the lightest of four that Sweetwater had). It doesn't look like a classic/vintage instrument. It cost $1,200 including tax and delivery. Should have been $1,000, or else it should have come with a G&G hard case at $1,200.

The Vintera is well built. Same crappy Fender gig bag series (though, for some reason, this one is actually made for a short neck bass). Frets aren't dressed as well; they have sharper ends and less polish. Nut is a little rougher. Both of these things should be addressed for proper playability. It ran me $100 for a fret end dressing and polish, and a new nut. The Pau Ferro board is light brown and looks fine in and of itself, but it doesn't have the classic look, even though the instrument over all does have the vintage look. The finish is outstanding and the hardware is good. The neck finish is glossy and has a heavy warm tint. The pickup sounds great. The radius, frets, and profile are old school (7.25", 6230s, chunkier profile). The weights were, on average, heavier than the American Performer, even though the AP has two pickups. I don't know if this is the norm, or just isolated to the batches that Sweetwater happened to have when I was shopping. Asking retail price is $250 less than the American Performer. It's overpriced by about $250 IMO, considering that you have to finish the factory's fret work and redo their nut. Should be a $700 bass. For the going price, it should have an American-level fret dress and nut, and a Classic Series hard case.

So, two takeaways from my experiences buying both of these basses new at asking retails price: 1) Either work hard to get a great discount, or buy used, in order to pay closer to what they actually should cost, and 2) The main "real-world" differences come down to feel: radius, fret size, and neck profile. Go top level Mexican if you like the classic neck feel, and go American Performer if you like the modern neck feel. In the end, I have $1,050 into the Vintera, and I like it better because it has the classic neck feel and electronics layout. But I do like the AP despite its more modern neck and electronics that I find less preferable. They're both keepers, but I'd feel better about both if they had been at least $200 cheaper.

Thanks for the really detailed reply and insight! I've had a pre vintera 70's Jazz MiM and the fret work was lovely but have had a Mexican standard P where the Neck warped within 3 weeks of having it. Never tried American yet and probably won't be able to as I live in the English countryside and about 6 hours away from a shop that stocks both these basses to try. But from what you said they both seem overpriced but both aren't regrettable purchases. This is more difficult than I thought...

 

[selowitch]

Just had a look at that Roscoe Beck bass. Now thats something special and interesting!

Those are widely regarded as some of the best basses Fender ever made.

 

[Gaolee]

BIG plus 1 !!!!!


Also, at one time I'd have said the American was the better instrument, then I played a MIM Roadworn Jazz, simply WOW!
The Roadworn's are Fender's best kept secret!

Not all that secret. I am a Thunderbird player most of the time, but have one Fender. It is a RW Precision. It will not ever get sold.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Hate to ask this, why spend top dollar for a flea or road worn bass that has paint scraped off?

Why spend top dollar for a new shiny bass when your gonna be worried and walking on eggshells every time you take it out of the case and when you ding it for the first time your gonna be so OCD about it and bummed out for weeks...

 

[maplenecked]

I got a brand new American Professional Jazz on Reverb for $1087 in Natural Ash. The deals are out there in this price range. The Flea is cool I had one for a little while. The creature comforts of the American: modern truss rod adjustment, graphite rods, great fretwork, really nice TSA approved case, and at the price I paid being less than a Flea...I’d go MIA.

 

[murphy]

No TSA case with my American Performers...but I do love the series and would pick it over something Mexican for the same price....and the tuners are better...light weight and love the Yosemite pickups and satin neck finish

 

[DJ Bebop]

Ridiculous conclusion,

It's not the nationality of the person who makes it better but the quality of materials that went into it and the build standards between the MIA and MIM set by Fender.

A Scottish person could cook great Chinese food if they were following a great Chinese cooks exact cooking techniques and using the same ingredients.

Yes to this ^^^
It is the company that sets the standards of what is made where and at what price point and quilty. Not the worker, no matter the county it was produced in. A CNC machine works the same regardless of the nationality of the operator. He can only feed in the wood the company wishes to use at a given factory as well as electronics and hardware. When one says 'I don't like Squiers or MIM basses because of wood or hardware choices.' That choice was not made by the workers but by Fender the corporation. It would not have made any difference if it was made in the USA or China. With the same parts, it would have been the same.

Just like the snafu with the USA made Ultra 5 string Jazz bass with the wider bridge causing the G string to overhang the neck and misaligned over the pickups. That discussion was not made on the factory floor but, further up the food chain. Just like who will make the Road Worn and the Vintera lines and who won't