Fender jazz bass comparison USA vs MIM vs MIJ

[@JC-nf4qe]

The accents are a little different but they were all speaking the same language.

[@esteban4076]

Smart

[@darkhillmusic3339]

Best comment I've read in ages!

[@Myulls]

Deep!

[@Joshualbatross]

I thought the same thing. I was surprised at the difference in tone between the P basses in the other video but the Js seem to have little variance.

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

Also the USA has maple fingerboard where as the MiM and mij have rosewood (I prefer rosewood or ebony) maple makes it a little harsh and when boosting lows and highs for the classic slap tone gets a little harsh on maple boards

[@Krishanu_Reeves]

Came for the tone, stayed for the groove

[@mydrinos]

KRyPToNiTe1923 can't upvote this enough

[@szaka9395]

+Gabriel Wagner and still coming back

[@szaka9395]

haha 4 years and still listening to this masterpiece ;)

[@szaka9395]

7 years later

[@jeeperscreepers9114]

Mexico for warmer J bass tone, American for the brightest and most crisp tone, and the Japanese J bass for a balance and best tone in my opinion.

[@jean-lucpicard8943]

American sounds crisp and sharp, Mexican sounds fat and warm, Japanese sounds funky and harmonious,

[@9mmand30cal]

Jean-Luc Picard sounds like your talking about women instead of the basses lmao!!

[@adrian5b]

So, my obvious choice is to get them all.

[@jaysherman724]

I have a Mexican and it does sound fat and warm especially when you crank the neck pickup. Perfect for anyone who wants a rich warm sound that you can shape with the tone knob to add brightness, extremely versatile

[@Max-Mustermann46]

Well said!!

[@SeuRafinha]

This bass player would make any bass sound excellent. Let me demo them and I'll show the other side of the basses. Who's up for 15 minutes of smells like teen spirit and dum dum dum out of tempo? Don't forget the perfect ambient sound: the dogs barking and the screams of my wife: "Honey! Wash the dishes and stop playing! I can't stand that noise anymore."

[@boomrattle]

Rafael Schultz Wow, that sucks man, I hope you find a good compromise like a sans amp Monoprice makes headphone bass amps for around $40. Good luck.

[@angelrivera3729]

+Rafael Schultz Same here,LOL.

[@redv311]

+Rafael Schultz I would say get rid of her and play on, but the reality of today is it's cheaper to keeper. Good luck.

[@justinkline1294]

Man, so true. Still, keep the dream alive.

[@nealgold4290]

"You can't that stand that noise anymore? Now you know how *I* feel..."

[@willg4944]

Sorry Dude, the only thing I got out of that video is that you are a Masterful Bass Player and whoever did the editing is equally as skilled as you. AWESOME............

[@brentlanyon8056]

wow...after a while i didnt give a crap about the comparison...i just wanted to listen to the groove...you rock man

[@Legume_Enjoyer]

I liked the Japanese bass the most. And man, those are some ferocious grooves 3:12 onwards. Fantastic playing!

[@socialoracle]

I'd have to agree.

[@benjamins2916]

Well said.

[@rdxj]

Yes, I definitely agree. The MIJ bass had my favorite tone.

[@bagasranggen2044]

i agree!

[@xrgiok]

💯

[@rdxj]

Oh my. THIS is how to do a comparison video. This right here. I've seen many comparison videos that just absolutely suck. Finally I see one that expertly compares items and I'm not even looking to compare any of these. Regardless, completely entertaining to watch. My favorite tone was definitely the Japanese J bass with the tone off. Thanks for making this!

[@Xajuran]

Watched it a dozen times with good headphones, and finally accepted that the audible differences are very minimal and that the deciding factor here should have nothing at all to do with country of manufacture and everything to do with how the bad feel and resonates to the player. Bravo to a video well done, one that needed to be done. Great player, great demo, made my day. Thank you

[@LONGCASTLE777]

this is the type of Demo we as Bassplayers need...what a great Demo

[@vgmrevisited832]

I play a Mexican model, and I honestly think it's the best sounding one. I tried out a few different kinds of pickups but the stock ones always sounded the best.

[@dominicheynderickx722]

To my ears, the mexican sounds better and is on par to the Japanese version. The US version is too brite and brittle to my ears.

[@seurinfrancois2232]

Like mexican but mute to much

[@paddydaddyo]

Another GREAT video! This is a perfect way of dispelling the alder/rosewood is not as bright as ash/maple urban legend. If you listen to the two USA models, right from the first clips, it is pretty clear that the alder/rosewood '00 USA model is actually BRIGHTER than the ash/maple '07 USA model. Here are the timestamps to click for an A/B comparison between the two: 00:18 alder/rosewood 00:44 ash/maple As I've come to learn over the 30 years I have been a professional player, recording engineer, and instrument tech: the tone of electric basses has a LOT more to do with the pickups and wiring than people realize. It's amazing what a change in pickups, pots, caps, and even wire can make!

[@matteocavina5886]

About what you've said remember that the wood does a lot on the sound too. It's the combination between electronics (pick ups,pots,caps,wires I'd say even the plugs) and the wood that makes the sound. So, I don't think that the sound depends only on wood or on electronic, it's just the combination of all of these variables. Greetings from Italy.

[@paddydaddyo]

Matteo Cavina I agree that the the overall tone is a combination of many factors ... but I stand by my statement that the fingerboard material in an electric bass is a relatively small factor overall compared to other parts of the equation. Buona giornata!

[@urwholefamilydied]

No, the wood does nothing. It would be different pots and other electronics under the hood that are making up the difference. It's only when you get into hollow body vs solid body type stuff where you'll hear a difference. But take the same pickups and electronics and throw it in an alder body vs ash or whatever, no human is going to hear a difference. And the fret board is even more inconsequential.

[@billybobkeith9147]

Personally, judging from this video and my HD speakers, I believe the black USA Jazz Bass sounds the best. It seems to have the perfect combination of highs and lows. All of the other ones seem to be either too "thin" or too "fuzzy" to me. Slight differences, however. Great comparison!

[@BassOutcast]

Yeah , but I think a great percent of a bass' sound comes from the type and age of it's strings as well. it can't really be a fair comparison if one bass has one week old round-wounds and the other one has 4 month old flat-wounds.

[@Lifeofbass]

The USA 2000 version sounded best, no doubt...

[@IkHouNietVanKaas]

Same strings though.. Check the beginning of the video

[@rekindled3624]

Franco Cabrera Don't think you can find them on eBay, but you can definitely buy them on the Internet Man, that bridge pup

[@GharmanNL]

I would personally choose the 2007 USA model. It may not sound the best in this video (slightly rolled off lows, clear yet tight highs) But keep in mind this video is shot with the eq left straight. Rest assured that when you start dailing in that eq you will de blown away by it.

[@LINE4RR]

The 2007 American was my personal favorite.

[@marike1100]

The Ash body of the USA has the most punch, probably one reason guys like Marcus Miller prefer this wood.

[@gutbucket260]

Word. There were times when the mexican bass sounded like a wet blanket was put over it. And I've owned Mexican jazzers. And switched pickups right after I bought them.

[@chimainwere7306]

The agression of the MIA and clarity is beautiful.

[@mcedd54]

To my ears, overall the MIJ bass has superior tone across the spectrum here. In the past I have built many left handed MIJ Fender basses for myself and others and their body/neck component quality is second to none. In the older versions the only items I would replace were their pickups/pots/caps/wiring but the newer versions have caught up with high quality electronics. One of my favorite builds is a repro 1962 P-Bass body with a 62 repro Jazz neck. For me it's the best of both Fender basses.

[@therideneverends1697]

I like the USA 2000, seems a tad brighter.

[@tamarockstar45]

It definitely is. I prefer the Japan 1993.

[@therideneverends1697]

tamarockstar45 I could dig that one to, frankly they all sound good. ive never met a J bass I dident like

[@dylangreen9819]

Andre Krumins same

[@andrewbautista23]

true! i was suprised that the 2007 USA neck sounded muddy. the 2000 was more brighter what happened?!!

[@drunkninja6734]

Jazz Bass USA 2000 has the best, growliest tone

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Glad to see I'm not the only one that preferred the tone on the MIJ bass

[@scottnelle]

I think for my particular style I like the MIJ bass best in this roundup, but I can see how each of these might be someone else's favorite. Even the MIM has a distinctive tone that could trump the others for certain players. Great roundup!

[@OgreDaddy]

Well done! What you can't get from the demo is how each bass feels and the overall playability of the instrument, fit and finish, quality of hardware, electronics and most of all, the quality of the neck woods for long term stability.

[@katanametal3728]

I kinda like the warm sound of the Japanese models tbh.

[@ArturBernardoMallmann]

Basswood. It really sounds good, and is a good bass, but i prefer these woods in a PB than in JB. Who owns a JB looks for brighter sound. But again, all of these basses sounds good.

[@KitchenOnTheLeft]

My stepdad has a MIM bass from 1994 that will probably be my first bass, since he never plays it anymore. Hearing this made me really excited to start playing :)

[@alexlocurto7489]

Let this be a lesson to all those who hate basswood....

[@kuyaferds8715]

I hate basswood. They are cheap

[@fireemblemistrash75]

FM Ramento Ha, a tone wood believer, thought those guys went extinct

[@kimseniorb]

Fire Emblem Is Trash LoL you just don’t have enough experience trust me I was just like you until I got a chance to shootout about 50 instruments

[@bapt_andthebasses]

Basswood tone is not the issue, it's fragileness is

[@seurinfrancois2232]

This more the pick up then the wood

[@lynxus69]

This is the best comparison video ever! Well done mate. Thank you!

[@parkthedog]

Loved the 2007 USA buttercream sound the most... but other than that, MIM held its own!

[@allghilliedup21]

I went nuts after hearing his slapping...omg teach me

[@slapitman]

Very good demo and great idea. Across the board they tonally (obviously) are very similar. The US pickups are slightly brighter than that of the Mexican from what I can here and the Japanese basswood actually sounds remarkably even. Sonically the '07 is my favourite - ash seems to suit basses very well as it just is a little more resonant and with the better class magnets it's the winner for me.

[@daverlb]

THIS is how you do a comparison vid!!Nice job bro

[@JosephGallagher]

I loved the darker, more tame tone of the MIM, but the MIJ sounds the punchiest and more balanced of them all. The MIA is (to my ears) the only one I wouldn't get.

[@109eh]

+JosephGallagher, you told exactly my opinion. The bas that you wouldn't get is the MIA 200O (alder/rosewood)?? I really don't like it

[@calebburbey5559]

I own the MIM and it sounds VERY nice.

[@kenmorley2339]

I could not agree more .

[@elmravac1358]

This is how every comparison should look like. Great job, man!

[@VitorKururas]

the best comparison on KZbin, all sets and tones possibles showed in one simple video, congrats! liked!

[@tboneranger]

Great comparo, and loved being able to hear the different pickup sounds. The USA 2000 is my pick.

[@floofytown]

PS: Thanks for the comparison.. it's really helpful. I love direct comparisons of models like this. Also I love the little harmonic thing you did in the picking section.

[@winstontk]

Very nice test indeed. I'm very partial to the MIJ Fender stuff, so it was no surprise that the MIJ options were very good. But, the other weren't too far behind in many of those categories. Nice playing. Thanks for posting this.

[@timhaupt5270]

Such an Excellent comparison! And very nice technique ! ! Thanks for the great video

[@jennifergriffithe118]

Interesting.

[@jennifergriffithe118]

You play guitar?

[@SuperDelberto]

That's it, I'm convinced. I'm going to save my money and buy a Mexican, as I don't think the sound quality from the US justifies the extra cost - rather put it towards a new amp. Thanks very much for this excellent demo.

[@TheGalooch]

Fender, made in L.A. by Mexicans or in Mexico by Mexicans.

[@Maryonpark]

Get the Mexican Fender, any tiny difference in tone can easily be rectified by a 50 buck tone machine of some sort. ;-)

[@boomrattle]

Andy D Or upgrade the electronics for very little money if you shop around.

[@Maryonpark]

boomrattle Having said that boomrattle, I've bought myself an American standard Jazz which I absolutely love lol

[@boomrattle]

Andy D Congratulations! Very cool. I played Precisions exclusively for 46 years and I just bought a Warwick Corvette Standard fretless. I wish I had done that sooner. I'm glad you love your Jazz bass. That's very cool.You should check out The Bass Guitar group on facebook. All things bass. You might like it. It's like 14,000 bassists talking about bass.

[@trevorw1005]

+Andy D I've just kept the stock parts on mine. The mexico jazz basses have the best IMO.

[@nealgold4290]

"...any tiny difference in tone..." can be compensated for by a lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, drummer, vocals, and keyboard/synth player, all at 3 o'clock on master and gain.

[@michaellee1216]

Thank you for doing this, I have heard so many people shred on a Squire, we all want USA, but man the soul put in can outweigh the "tech" behind the sound.

[@kumbra6282]

Japan '93 is definitely a winner! :)

[@陳裕明-r8f]

Kumbra 㔻江平価人丶一平価小。一二三本海 平平本平価八一 l

[@marike1100]

Japan was "a winner" but not "THE winner". For the punchiest, fullest sound, most noticeable on the slap section, the 2007 USA easily won the gold.

[@fernandomilan8754]

I`d put your description for the USA in the Japanese one.

[@Neodude991]

The USA 2000 smashed it in every department! Japanese sounded too low.

[@WDShorty]

It has by far the best sounding pickups for a bass to fit in a mix

[@olipas2775]

MEXICO 1995 BASS!

[@luisantoniosancheznavarro2910]

oli pas I liked more too

[@찌끄혀니]

oli pas Me too!!: )

[@bentyreman5769]

Fender JB USA 2007 wins by miles for me, listening on neumann studio monitors

[@penzman]

I was trying US made , MIMs, kept going back to this MIM. I prefered it over the US ones. I played back and forth for an hour and walked out with a metallic blue MIM. Replaced the bridge with a Badass II , ripped out the pick ups and installed Seymour Duncans actives with 4 adjustable switches on both pickups. I ll never replace this bass that feels just perfect, can sound mean or boomy. Dream instrument.

[@WilliamChillWillFletcher]

The Japanese bass has the tone I want

[@mgvectors]

agreed

[@kenmorley2339]

Agreed .

[@maximomedidajr1711]

Agreed

[@anonymousstout4759]

Agreed

[@SquidllerTheLordOfSquids]

Agreed

[@irumaru]

They each have their own unique tone, but I think USA ones with alder body have that nice high fidelity sound. It has really good presence especially when you dig in the strings.

[@elypelowski5670]

Thank you so much for putting this comparison together. As I am watching/listening to the video I am amazed at how much of a difference there is in tone. Being from the US, I decided that being able to see which bass was being played could possibly be influencing my ideas of each basses tone. To rule out bias I chose to listen only and not watch. Excluding tone off, I can easily pick out the US made bass because of its all-around cleaner, punchier tone. The Japan model comes in a close second in most of the configurations. The Japan model lacks the clarity and definition of highs compared to the US model. It is also slightly less punchy in the mid-range vs.the US model. The Mexican model takes third in most of the configurations as it is lacks the most in high range definition. It is also by far has the most muddy sounding low/mid range of the three basses.

[@sd3falco]

I honestly think they all sound great. If I had to pick, I would say the 07 American and the 93 Japan are the best overall sound. But that's just my opinion :)

[@MrDatkeyboard]

agree !

[@henlofrens]

MIM: More low mids/bass, less high-end rattle/sparkle.

[@LexovichUkraine]

This is how the reviews should be made! Great job!

[@wilsonjerez807]

Para mi el mejor fue el JB USA 2000! Pero definitivamente, el fender Jazz Bass es el mejor bajo que se ha creado en la historia 🤤 en mi opinión personal siempre diré eso!!

[@decsnspace]

Awesome video and awesome playing! Wish more demos on youtube were like this one! Cheers!

[@kernelpanic5823]

i watch this once a week..

[@dropdatabase2569]

Yeah. I was choosing between Mexican and Japanese ones. The MIMs were the cheapest I tried several of them. But then I saw a Japanese one for the same price. It looked terrible (rusty, damaged polish etc.) but it would sound a whole lot better than any MIM. I still use it and it's amazing By the way it's exactly the same model of the same year as in the video

[@moxshyfter]

I can hear TINY differences between the three, but if you blindfolded me, I'd have opted for the MIJ over either of the others. It sounded just a hair more tightened up and focused in the tone. That said, there was sure as hell nothing wrong with the MIM or MIA tone at all. Great video man, and a necessary one given all the "Buy American!" nonsense that goes on in the music industry.

[@grantbrown8047]

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO A KZbin CLIP SHOULD WATCH THIS AND LEARN, NO TALKING CRAP, JUST STRAIGHT, INFORMATION, A BIG THANKYOU TO THE GUY WHO MADE THIS !!!!

[@SandwichFilms24]

the 2000 USA one sounds amazing

[@jun1217xb4]

Wow, regardless of the arguments which guitar is the best, I would say this video is well done and very helpful to understand the difference.

[@martinibandlive]

japan 93 or USA 07....I was pleasantly surprised with the jazz bass made ​​in japan

[@kenworthNH]

Agreed on those two. I have heard a lot of guys saying the Japan models were great though.

[@catboyzee]

Excellent demo. Of course each bass has its own character and subtleties, but for the most part all three sound like a Jazz bass should. X factor would definitely come down to playability. Thanks for posting this...

[@zzHackedTutorialzz]

Im a guitar player so no biased opinion here (dont know anything about bass) and the MIJ was the best

[@AsheWyED]

наикрутейшие обзоры, на самом деле. Дают возможность понять различие звучания брендов, дерева, звукоснимателей. То чего не хватает в инете

[@TheSoxmania]

personally, after spending time with 6 different basses, 2 of each (USA, MX and JP spec, one of each set with active EMG pickups and the others with passive Fender AlMiCo pickups), I found the passive Japanese bass had an overall more rounded tone in certain ways, but was exceptionally good for its sustain and when needed had a very heavy, fuzzy tone that also had a lot of attack, and the EMG version is the one I picked and am a proud owner of simply because it had all the aspects of the passive jp J-bass... but it also allowed me to play about with a preamp with bass and treble as opposed to a single tone (to make sure ya know: the tone of a bass is personal preference and fully depends on how you wish to use it!) which made for a more versatile bass... only drawback is replacing the battery on a bi-yearly basis!! oh, and it looks A-MA-ZING, if you want me to give the full specification right down to the shim in the neck... I can!

[@qnotes13]

Most practical and comprehensive bass tests I've seen! I'm impressed and more Fender bass knowledgeable. Trying to understand how much of the difference is in the wood type vs other factors. I'll check your other videos for other comparisons.

[@rogerleemeyzindi2979]

For me the Mexican Jazz bass IS THE BEST

[@gilmizrahi905]

Came for the comparison stayed for the groove. what an amazing play.

[@Luisinomvp]

I like the japanese

[@ACoolStupidDog]

MIJ was my favorite, but 2007 MIA was great too! The 2000 MIA didn't shine in the first segment, but after that, it was GREAT. MIM was pretty good all around...

[@TheAngryFapper]

I liked the sound of the Mexican Jazz bass the most

[@tomeisenmenger6475]

The absolute best comparison video I've seen on KZbin. Well done! Now go get yourself a slew of Pbasses - I'll get the popcorn!

[@MichaelCozineSounds]

The Japanese bass was the best easily.

[@MrHooskerdu1]

Japanese JB was last.

[@stevedavis7451]

@@MrHooskerdu1 LOL

[@MrHooskerdu1]

@@stevedavis7451You should try playing bass sometime, Steve. It's very enjoyable being part of the backbone of a band. And eventually you come to understand great bass tone. 😉

[@TwelveTwelveEightTwo]

probably the single best demo video ive ever seen. thumbs up

[@korgen-rock]

Mexi and ash 2007. USA to bright and Japan is realy muddy and to soft sounding

[@GoingTroppo]

I randomly stumbled upon this video and know pretty not much nothing about bass, got hooked with the tunes and ticking all your videos of haha. And its amazing what talent you have with your fingers, which are so fast! -

[@harryws3542]

In my opinion it's MIJ>MIA=MIM I know the MIA and MIMs don't sound the same but I don't think either of them sounded 'better' than the other... That being said I thought the last American JB (yellowish one) sounded worst of the lot, although still a great sounding bass!

[@Oleksii.Melnykov-ua]

Now that's a great comparison video - answers all the questions at once!

[@DirtyHarry1298]

I actually preferred the sound of the the MIJ and MIM over the MIA. The MIA sounds to buzzy and the low end is non existent. The Japan is much more round and warm than the MIA.

[@horsezens]

I love this comparison...thanks for the posting. I think that the US 2000's clarity won me over, but unless you're a purist...they're all pretty similar.

[@adammartin8026]

Japanese was my favorite but then again I might feel completely differently playing it in person 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@andrehammon4155]

Best compare ever seen without to many words ...

[@cbtmale]

Great review. In my opinion the ash body USA bass always cut through!

[@resisaputra269]

this dude deserve a cookie!!!!!! awesome work,sir!!!

[@ImaginaryEvil]

I've surprised myself and preferred the MIM.

[@andaloudog]

Good review, the format is helpful. I'd like to see more comparison reviews done this way.

[@MrMousekillaz]

Great demo. For me, the USA's are my preference. over all I liked the 07 Ash/Maple best.

[@jcrm05]

That was my favourite too. All basses/tones were good, but that one was special.

[@quantumechanical]

Thats the best demo I've found so far. Also some supreme playing. Good job.

[@RofaelNano]

I have the mexico one lol it sounds awesome

[@OMurchadha]

Thanks for this; great playing. For my taste, I'd rank them (1) Ash USA (2) MIJ (3) Black USA (4) MIM.

[@programmedwrong3795]

Am i crazy or did the Japan and Mexico sound just as good if not better? You would think it would be a bigger difference because of price difference.

[@krakodonmage9025]

aMaNDa Rescues

[@Fredixxlfull]

This is the video that best allows us to appreciate the differences. Thanks!

[@tomvanlieshout524]

USA 2000 wins for me.

[@Villentrethenmerth]

The more I listen to this, the more I appreciate the hands and skill of the guy, the less the actual tone colours of the instruments.

[@dylanjeffers9257]

all sound good ....

[@Mortycakes]

GREAT vid, man! 07 USA bass sounds fantasic

[@SmokeyJoe4991]

I like the Japanese one

[@tyrantsfaceisred]

This is the best format for a shootout I've probably ever seen/heard. thanks for sparing the bullshit in-between! killer groove on ya man

[@martinskoog1777]

Japan.

[@Neodude991]

That pick groove is the best groove I've ever heard!