I have a MIA Jazz (the trans. orange one). I got it for my 18th birthday and Christmas combined, as they are only a day apart for you US people (same day for some other countries). Since MIAs cost like 2000Euro here, we decided to get it from Bass Central. Well, after having it a while, I discovered the craps in it. When you get a new bass, everything with it is great, it takes a while to find the negatives. Well, I've found them a few months ago and started taking action. 1st, the electronics were crap. So I decided to get a Bayou VBT with series/parallel switching. It works, but the blend has no buffer, so when in center (both pickups same), it has a HUGE volume drop. Second, the tuners are complete crap. They are stiff, grind and don't stay in tune very well. They are hard to turn and then they get harder, work for a bit, and then are hard to turn again. 3rd, the pickups aren't all I was expecting, and have thought about replacing those to. Now here's the deal. I've thought about getting a MusicMan Bongo Fretless or SR5 Fretted. I could sell the MIA and it would offset a fair cost of a MusicMan. I could also keep the MIA, spend about $400 to get it into shape and have a nice jazz bass. I've been so upset with this bass that I don't play it very often anymore, especially since I've gotten my Sterling. It's just that I got it for my 18th birthday, that's the only thing keeping it here at the moment. I've sold and traded a lot of basses (see profile) and don't usually regret it. What do you think?
bassmonkey
Well-known member
Off the J.
I'm sure your folks would understand. Those Bongos are great.
I'm sure your folks would understand. Those Bongos are great.
The MIA Jazz seems to have sentimental value. So if it where me I'd keep it and work on it. But I'm a sentimental guy, or maybe I'm just mental.
If it weren't for the sentimental value it would be gone in a heart beat.
Keep it if you can afford the MM you want
If it weren't for the sentimental value it would be gone in a heart beat.
Keep it if you can afford the MM you want
adouglas
Well-known member
1) You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
2) You've got a negative mental image of that MIA already. That will never go away.
3) You will always get more by selling than by trading.
4) It's just STUFF. The important thing about it being a special gift was that you were given what you wanted at the time. Explain this to your parents rationally...you are older, wiser and have learned a lesson. Knowing that you're growing, maturing and learning is as valuable to a parent as the original gift was.
2) You've got a negative mental image of that MIA already. That will never go away.
3) You will always get more by selling than by trading.
4) It's just STUFF. The important thing about it being a special gift was that you were given what you wanted at the time. Explain this to your parents rationally...you are older, wiser and have learned a lesson. Knowing that you're growing, maturing and learning is as valuable to a parent as the original gift was.
BOOST
Well-known member
keep it and save up , it never hurts to have more then one bass 
Slater
Well-known member
If the Jazz is a dog, then get rid of it and move on. I'm sure your parents want you to have a gift the you will enjoy. People return and exchange Christmas and birthday gifts all the time.
P.S. I hope this isn't the bass you wanted to trade to me for my Bongo.
P.S. I hope this isn't the bass you wanted to trade to me for my Bongo.
P.S. I hope this isn't the bass you wanted to trade to me for my Bongo.
Uh Oh. Caught me.
Sorry about that. The bass is fine except the tuners really. I'm just not finding the connection. Ya know? No hard feelings, right?
Slater
Well-known member
No hard feelings. If I would have taken the trade, then maybe...Uh Oh. Caught me.
paranoid70
Well-known member
Hey saxnbass... my birthday is only two days before Christmas.
In a situation similar to yours, I got a Fender Stratocaster for my 18th Birthday / Christmas. However, my 18th birthday was over 18 years ago. Damn how did that happen?
I seriously debated with selling the Strat when I got my EBMM Silo Spec. (I also have an Ibanez, so the Strat was second on the list of guitars I don't play anymore.). Anyway, I really wanted a EBMM Stingray and a new Guitar Amplifier as well, so I sold off an old Rickenbacker bass and the Strat - to the same guy even.
It was hard to do as I did have some sentimental attachment to it, and I do still like Strats, but I love the EBMMs I have now. I don't regret the decision.
In a situation similar to yours, I got a Fender Stratocaster for my 18th Birthday / Christmas. However, my 18th birthday was over 18 years ago. Damn how did that happen?
I seriously debated with selling the Strat when I got my EBMM Silo Spec. (I also have an Ibanez, so the Strat was second on the list of guitars I don't play anymore.). Anyway, I really wanted a EBMM Stingray and a new Guitar Amplifier as well, so I sold off an old Rickenbacker bass and the Strat - to the same guy even.
It was hard to do as I did have some sentimental attachment to it, and I do still like Strats, but I love the EBMMs I have now. I don't regret the decision.
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
I hate to say it, but i love trans. orange.
But it seems your Jazz is a lemon, that's why you can't buy fenders (or other acme brands) via internet/mailorder. In these modern times, you would think it would be different. <sigh>
Luckily, you CAN buy EBMMs without playing them, and be confident knowing that the one you buy will be outstanding.
Sell the jazz. If you must have a jazz, there are better makers out there who do the dual single coil thing better than fender can right now.
If you trade your jazz in for a EBMM, you probably won't get as much as you would if you advertised and sold it localy.
g'luck
But it seems your Jazz is a lemon, that's why you can't buy fenders (or other acme brands) via internet/mailorder. In these modern times, you would think it would be different. <sigh>
Luckily, you CAN buy EBMMs without playing them, and be confident knowing that the one you buy will be outstanding.
Sell the jazz. If you must have a jazz, there are better makers out there who do the dual single coil thing better than fender can right now.
If you trade your jazz in for a EBMM, you probably won't get as much as you would if you advertised and sold it localy.
g'luck
Yeah, I learned that Fenders need to be played. Most of the MIAs I played in stores were great, but like 2000Euro, which is like $2300. So I decided to get it from Bass Central. And dang the bad luck, I ended up with a lemon. It's not that bad anymore, since I switched out the harness, but still. I'd rather have a MusicMan.
It's up for sale already.
It's up for sale already.
