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Post subject: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:06 pm
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What quality difference between a Mexican standard and an American Pro.
For example :
Are the same frets? (Quality of the best alloy on the American?)
I write from France, sorry for my bad english.
That said, here in France, it is said that in reality, if prices between Mexican and American Stratocaster is very important. The quality is really very similar.
That is true ?
What do you think ?
(Yes, I buy a new strato, and I hesitate).
Thank you very much.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:13 pm
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I have no heartburn with MIM Strats. Of the twelve I own, nine are of Mexican origin. Two are Japanese and the other is a MIA Custom Shop edition built in Corona, California. I would recommend that you play any instrument(s) under purchase consideration before you actually buy one. By that I mean the *exact* guitar, not one like it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:33 pm
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I don't think Fender can be painted with such a broad brush stroke.
The produce to many models to say, this is better than that.
I don't think you can get the same model specifications from one model from another country product line MIM/USA/JAPAN/CHINA etc. except from the custom shop or DIY. So it is comparing apples and oranges.
Each has their own price range and you get what you pay for, while some are certainly bargains some are equally overpriced.

That being said, I'm in complete agreement w/ Arjay's statement.
This is the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Quote:
I would recommend that you play any instrument(s) under purchase consideration before you actually buy one. By that I mean the *exact* guitar, not one like it.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 8:21 pm
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There is very little difference between a US and MIM Fender.
They're a big step up from the Chinese models and Squiers, and nothing to be ashamed of.

The law of diminishing returns means that the difference between steps up becomes smaller and smaller, and the price difference becomes bigger and bigger. The Mexican made Fenders are near the sweet spot of price/performance.

The pickups are generally better for the American models, and you don't get MIM models with 22 frets (except artist models). And the bridge may be different - not necessarily worse, but different. Otherwise, it's hard to tell the difference.
The Fender guitar I grab for the most is a MIM. I have US models too, but after a pickup change on the MIM, it's not any less playable or worse sounding than my US.
If it's your first Fender, save money by buying a good Mexican model, and put that money into getting a better amp. For amps, the law of diminishing returns doesn't kick in hard until you're at a higher price point than it does for guitars. I'd rather play a $500 guitar with a $1500 amp than the other way around.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:12 pm
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An important element is that the MIA Std also comes with a hardshell case, while the MIM Std I don't think even has a gig bag. To me, there is little question that the MIA Std is the overall higher quality product. However ... that being said, the MIM Standards are fabulous guitars, especially if you plan on modding. Also, you need to seriously consider whether you can live with the MIM's 21 frets. All of my MIA guitars are not Fenders; they are Gibsons. And all my Fenders (two Strats, one Tele, and one acoustic) are non-MIA but still great instruments.

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:24 pm
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They're both built by mostly Mexicans and within less than 100 miles of each other.
More attention is paid to wood selection on the MIAs.
At least that used to be the case.
I have not investigated the MIMs in a few years and things do change in the Fender universe.
The workers will look more closely at the pieces of wood they glue together and be more selective.
The wood, electronics, hardware, and the cases are pretty much what you're paying for.
They're also made to slightly different specifications, at least as far as Standard versus Standard goes.
There are also intangible things as well but being intangible it's hard to place a value on it or pinpoint the source.
They feel different.
I don't know how to explain it.
They just do.

One man's opinion.

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 4:17 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
They're both built by mostly Mexicans and within less than 100 miles of each other.

According to Guitar Center's "country of origin" filter, the breakdown of Fender non-MIA models is as such:

1) China - 4
2) Indonesia - 1
3) Japan - 2
4) S Korea - 2
5) Mexico - 81

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:18 pm
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I fully agree you need to play it and if it works for you then all is good.I bought a new Black Top Tele 2 years ago and barely play my MIA strat ever since. It plays and feels awesome.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:30 pm
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01GT eibach wrote:
According to Guitar Center's "country of origin" filter, the breakdown of Fender non-MIA models is as such:

1) China - 4
2) Indonesia - 1
3) Japan - 2
4) S Korea - 2
5) Mexico - 81


Not exactly sure what you're getting at there since the OP was asking only about MIM but thanks for the info anyway.
I have been looking for some place with an origin filter.

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 5:59 am
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Sorry my Black Top is MIM. Point is there are differences in the guitars in hardware and pickups etc but if I can keep an American strat on the shelf and play a Mexican Tele more that says a lot. Some of the MIM guitars are very good.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 5:00 am
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Sorry to disagree with many here but even the difference even between an American Special and the American Standard (now they are called American Professional) models is pretty big. I was dissatisfied with the Special sent it back and got the Standard, now I'm very pleased. Never played a MIM Strat but I can only assume they aren't on par with the Standard (Premier Guitar said the Specials and top end MIM are pretty much the same when they had a review on the American Special's) . Save your money and go for the American Professional model is my advice, also many online musical instrument sellers offer 24 or 36 month financing so you can go for the more expensive model now instead of having to wait while you save up the cash.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:26 pm
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ScreamingStrat wrote:
Never played a MIM Strat but I can only assume they aren't on par with the Standard (Premier Guitar said the Specials and top end MIM are pretty much the same when they had a review on the American Special's).


Then I submit that your assumption is based solely on ignorance fed by prejudicial propaganda.

I wouldn't trade one of my MIM Strats for any TWO American Standards. No, I'm sorry......make that THREE.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 1:20 am
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Sorry if I offend you. But I trust Premier Guitar reviews and they say the American Special and MIM top end guitars are on par with one another. I know that the Standards blow the Specials out of the water from personal experience. Maybe Premier Guitar got it wrong this time and in that case I would be making a bad assumption. Is that the prejudicial propaganda you are talking about. Are you assuming I have something against Mexico or the Mexican people? You'd be dead wrong if you believe that.


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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:18 am
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Since you by your own admission indicate that you've never even played a MIM Fender guitar, I submit that you don't know WTF you're talking about.

And for the record, Premier Guitar once interviewed me and showcased some of my gear -- it may still be archived somewhere on their website.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: What quality difference between USA and Mex Strato ?
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 8:16 am
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Each guitar is different. I don't think you can compare both as a general rule. I've played some
very good MIM Strats but also some dogs. The same with MIA Strats. When the Road Worn series
were being promoted I played about 5 in one store. Two of them were very good, the others, not so.

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