So I've been playing bass for a good year now and I have a squire p bass, but I been thinking about upgrading. I don't really have alot of money so I been hitting up pawn shops and looking at the cheaper basses at guitar center and I'm at a cross. I found this pretty cool fender jazz bass for 200 at a pawn shop and a really eppy thunderbird at gc and I'm just kinda wondering which I should go for. I mean is there a chance that the fender might be messed up at 200? I know about basses, but I can't get everything...any advice?

Look at the serial number of the jazz, if it starts with MN it is a Made in Mexico Jazz and although $200 is a very good price, I have seen them sell for that before.

is it bad to be made in mexico?

Not at all. Some MIM Fenders are really quite nice and the quality of instrument you get for the money is excellent.

makes sense i was just being kinda cautious. thanks.

The Epi Thunderbird is a really nice also for the money. You need a case for it though as it won't fit into most gig bags.

If the Jazz seems decent, I would jump on it for that price-you could always sell and get your money back (+ some) if you only pay $200 for it.