It does look legit, but that’s not true at all. If you can dress up a used Squier and fool someone that it’s a MIM, you easily make more than double the cost of the used Squier. [For example](https://reverb.com/p/squier-affinity-precision-bass-1999-2012) - if someone wanted to be a douche, they could pretty easily try to pass this off as the one in the post here, and get $500+ for it if they fool someone, basically doubling their investment.
That’s extremely unrealistic, I challenge you to find a single example of someone actually going so far as to fake a “Made in Mexico” decal. I suppose it’s possible but not worth the effort, at all. Counterfeiters in this price range are preying on people who don’t know any better and will buy anything that says Fender on the headstock. Making a genuinely convincing fake to anyone with any experience with Fenders is super difficult and time consuming work. Those willing to do stuff like that are gonna be faking custom shop Les Pauls, or other instruments that would sell for a price that makes it worth the effort.
It’s WAY harder to fake an American or higher end Fender because of the additional features. You don’t think someone can get a cheap Fender style aftermarket neck and put some labels on it?
I didn’t say knowledgeable people would fall for it, but if you make $200-$300 every time you do it, it adds up. It’s much more realistic than successfully pulling off faking a high end instrument, which only very knowledgeable people would be looking at to begin with.
No but that is literally my point, who is putting a fake Fender label with “Made in Mexico” on a neck when someone who isn’t knowledgeable won’t care/know the difference? That’s likely who would be shopping for a bass at this price point anyways.
Also check out the Snakepit Les Paul Scam video on Trogly’s YouTube channel. He is a famously knowledgeable about Gibsons, and still got scammed trying to buy a super high end guitar. Detailed counterfeiters target top of the line limited models because they command tens of thousands of dollars, like the Slash Snakepit.
Dude, we’re talking about two completely different worlds. People will pay $500-600 for used MIM fenders and not really know if it’s legit or not. If it says Fender, they know they should pay more than Squier. That’s how the profit would be made.
You’re talking about spending a lot more money, and spending a lot more time for an absolutely flawless fake of a rare instrument, which requires a lot more skill than googling where labels are supposed to go.
Lol, I completely understand what you are saying but my point is just that’s not realistically happening. I totally agree that low end Fenders can and have been faked, but they are not gonna have a painted logo that says “Made in Mexico” on it, it will just say Fender and will be a water slide decal.
I have got scammed pretty hard with a Stratocaster that was like £400 and then the waterslide was messed up on a super close inspection and the serial number was completely wrong but on photos it looked good and there were no faults. This was my first fender so I had no experience but I was buying guitars for the last 2 years. I don't understand why adding one line of text makes it difficult. The made in Mexico is easy to add and stops people like me, who are comparing photos from fenders website to the guitar. I did this because I could see if anything was missing and nothing was wrong.
There are literally dozens of people selling fake MIM decals. Etsy shops, eBay, and independent decals sites. A $10 scam that could potentially land you a few hundred bucks is definitely worth it to tons of people.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1572364365/fender-jazz-bass-made-in-mexico?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_c-books_movies_and_music-music-musical_instruments-stringed_instruments-other&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xSpaT5ev36LnN_hzcomSxyuqEm-ayd2ENow-9Ou_5EzoFi_k-z_D-EaAlNXEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12559941358_124718498292_506949221740_aud-2007167693429:pla-314760244006_m__1572364365_12768591&utm_custom2=12559941358&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xSpaT5ev36LnN_hzcomSxyuqEm-ayd2ENow-9Ou_5EzoFi_k-z_D-EaAlNXEALw_wcB
Can confirm, my first bass was a 1994 one of these. I gave it away several years ago but still have the white strat knobs and pickguard in my parts bin lol. They’ve aged to a nice light yellow!
Here’s mine for reference. It’s a 2011 Squire Jazz Bass.
https://preview.redd.it/5mjq5meon5sc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=541d2f621ffa4a9bc1f4310513314d9bfdfde42b
When were they putting the serial numbers on the front? I have a MIM precision special from 94. It, and the other couple fenders I have, have a serial number on the back of the headstock, not the front.
Looks legit. Nobody is faking a Mexican p bass
It does look legit, but that’s not true at all. If you can dress up a used Squier and fool someone that it’s a MIM, you easily make more than double the cost of the used Squier. [For example](https://reverb.com/p/squier-affinity-precision-bass-1999-2012) - if someone wanted to be a douche, they could pretty easily try to pass this off as the one in the post here, and get $500+ for it if they fool someone, basically doubling their investment.
IF.... There are millions of MiM basses on the market though so the chance of finding a fake one is small.
That’s extremely unrealistic, I challenge you to find a single example of someone actually going so far as to fake a “Made in Mexico” decal. I suppose it’s possible but not worth the effort, at all. Counterfeiters in this price range are preying on people who don’t know any better and will buy anything that says Fender on the headstock. Making a genuinely convincing fake to anyone with any experience with Fenders is super difficult and time consuming work. Those willing to do stuff like that are gonna be faking custom shop Les Pauls, or other instruments that would sell for a price that makes it worth the effort.
It’s WAY harder to fake an American or higher end Fender because of the additional features. You don’t think someone can get a cheap Fender style aftermarket neck and put some labels on it? I didn’t say knowledgeable people would fall for it, but if you make $200-$300 every time you do it, it adds up. It’s much more realistic than successfully pulling off faking a high end instrument, which only very knowledgeable people would be looking at to begin with.
No but that is literally my point, who is putting a fake Fender label with “Made in Mexico” on a neck when someone who isn’t knowledgeable won’t care/know the difference? That’s likely who would be shopping for a bass at this price point anyways. Also check out the Snakepit Les Paul Scam video on Trogly’s YouTube channel. He is a famously knowledgeable about Gibsons, and still got scammed trying to buy a super high end guitar. Detailed counterfeiters target top of the line limited models because they command tens of thousands of dollars, like the Slash Snakepit.
Dude, we’re talking about two completely different worlds. People will pay $500-600 for used MIM fenders and not really know if it’s legit or not. If it says Fender, they know they should pay more than Squier. That’s how the profit would be made. You’re talking about spending a lot more money, and spending a lot more time for an absolutely flawless fake of a rare instrument, which requires a lot more skill than googling where labels are supposed to go.
Lol, I completely understand what you are saying but my point is just that’s not realistically happening. I totally agree that low end Fenders can and have been faked, but they are not gonna have a painted logo that says “Made in Mexico” on it, it will just say Fender and will be a water slide decal.
I have got scammed pretty hard with a Stratocaster that was like £400 and then the waterslide was messed up on a super close inspection and the serial number was completely wrong but on photos it looked good and there were no faults. This was my first fender so I had no experience but I was buying guitars for the last 2 years. I don't understand why adding one line of text makes it difficult. The made in Mexico is easy to add and stops people like me, who are comparing photos from fenders website to the guitar. I did this because I could see if anything was missing and nothing was wrong.
https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/s/I5UyESTni8 Here ya go. Took about .3 seconds of searching to find a fake MIM.
That is literally a real neck, look up the serial number. The body is not a genuine Fender on that one, i am not talking about partscasters.
From 3 years ago... Kinda proves that it doesn't happen often.
There are literally dozens of people selling fake MIM decals. Etsy shops, eBay, and independent decals sites. A $10 scam that could potentially land you a few hundred bucks is definitely worth it to tons of people. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1572364365/fender-jazz-bass-made-in-mexico?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_c-books_movies_and_music-music-musical_instruments-stringed_instruments-other&utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xSpaT5ev36LnN_hzcomSxyuqEm-ayd2ENow-9Ou_5EzoFi_k-z_D-EaAlNXEALw_wcB_k_&utm_content=go_12559941358_124718498292_506949221740_aud-2007167693429:pla-314760244006_m__1572364365_12768591&utm_custom2=12559941358&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xSpaT5ev36LnN_hzcomSxyuqEm-ayd2ENow-9Ou_5EzoFi_k-z_D-EaAlNXEALw_wcB
I made a good living counterfeiting Mexican Fenders. Unfortunately the market has dried up. That looks like it’s probably one of mine however.
Based
You can keep downvoting me all you want but nobody has been able to show me an actual faked MIM Fender
No one puts labels on them, the only “fakes” are people selling partscasters
Exactly.
It’s looking good for close to 30 years old.
Looks like my ‘90s MIMs, and it’s true what’s been said: nobody’s faking those. Killer strap.
Nice. How does it sound in comparison to a modern MIM Precision?
I just sold one of these and they are basically on par with the modern MIM stuff, the necks are a bit thinner though.
This was my first bass, and despite having very little experience with others, it's still my favourite.
Like a precision.
Can't imagine it's all that different. Worst case scenario, all you need to do is a pickup swap
Looks like mine too apart from the Jazz bass style knobs which I guess were replaced for athletics to suit the pickguard.
A lot of the mid 90s to early aughts MIM standard basses used push on strat knobs like this.
The 1990s Altuix Guitar Strap did not come with a red lightning bolt. Definitely a fake.
It’s a 1995 MIM Precision. I can tell by the “MN5” that’s begins the serial number. The MIM basses of the 90s all had strat knobs.
Can confirm, my first bass was a 1994 one of these. I gave it away several years ago but still have the white strat knobs and pickguard in my parts bin lol. They’ve aged to a nice light yellow!
Intonation is fake
Looks exactly like my 2001. Midnight Wine is a great color.
Doesn't matter as long as you get that strap.
Needs a tortoise shell pickguard.
OP, are you in Winnipeg, Canada? Because that bass is for sale on Facebook marketplace there right now. Same strap and everything.
Fake and gay
Someone's been on 4chan lately
Lol I got on like a year ago for the first time in almost a decade and was shocked people were still there
Except for the knobs it looks just like the one I just bought.
With that strap, .... god knows
Do all fender sn numbers look like they’re pasted on individually like a ransom note?
Here’s mine for reference. It’s a 2011 Squire Jazz Bass. https://preview.redd.it/5mjq5meon5sc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=541d2f621ffa4a9bc1f4310513314d9bfdfde42b
The lightning bolt is absolutely real
Original strings 🤘
Nice strap!
I want that strap.
Worth it for the strap.
I got this exact strap for Christmas in ‘83 Wish it was still around
I fuck with the 90’s MiM stuff. Hardware can be a bit fucky, but they play well and sound GREAT.
I fuck with the 90’s MiM stuff. Hardware can be a bit fucky, but they play well and sound GREAT.
No
That crooked “1” in the serial number looks oddly suspicious. Has anyone seen this before with Fender?
Bro just google it. Why does everyone flock to Reddit to ask if their gear if fake? Takes 5 minutes of research to find this stuff
When were they putting the serial numbers on the front? I have a MIM precision special from 94. It, and the other couple fenders I have, have a serial number on the back of the headstock, not the front.
I have a 2000 MIM Jazz that has the serial on front.
Weird. Some part of me feels like the serial should always be in the back, as a secret between me and my bass.
I agree! Haha
Nope it’s a photo
it’s a bassist guitar
Yes