MIM's/ MIK's/ MIJ/CIJ. are all true fenders.
all are authintic and all are crafted under the
direction of the fender corperation here in the
united states, and the craftmanship on these
strats match very well and just as good as most
MIA strats.

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sombody get me a doctor!

Too late to shut the barn door.

That horse is already in town.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

the MIK special edition lite ash fender strat.
had a brilliant 5 year run (discontiniued january 2009)
this strat was simply stellar and many called it one of
the best production strats made. (MIK - made in korea)
this strat is very much a fender. the craftmanship
on this strat is owesome, just as good as any production
fender MIA strats.

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sombody get me a doctor!

If Leo Fender were instead Leo Fernandez and started his company in Mexico (with the same great guitars) before branching out to America would we even have these discussions?

NO.. FMIC produces some of the nicest guitars available, regardless
of the point of origin in which it was produced. I like them all...
I am going to read some more interesting threads now and forget this
one..

In 1974 my parents purchased a new Stratocaster in natural with case and chord and strap. When I went to college I stupidly sold my strat. At the time they purchased it for me it was $464.00. Last year I purchased a classic(aka MIM) natural with case and 34 yrs later it was roughly $1100 dollars more. I then purchased an ebony Les Paul Custom (Epiphone) for roughly $750.00. With technology being what it is I've returned to guitar classes and have now invested in a standard(MIM) Telecaster. I've also purchased new pick-ups for all three. I say all of this to say "If your into music a guitar is a guitar, and it's sound that you make with that instrument and the enjoyment you have that matters". Play On...

There are also Fenders made in Korea. I say let them be made anywhere. It's not as if they aren't clearly marked.

and drinking in the bar

To me, Its a Fender, and wherever they are made, once in the hands of a guitarist...its all music, which last I heard, was Universal...

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

The MIM's do say "Mexico" on them--so no need for anything else.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

This question is posed after Fender moved the "MADE IN MEXICO" decal to the back of the head stock.

My 04 Fat Strat has the MIM decal on the front under the "STRATOCASTER" decal in smaller letters, but it's there and I'm proud of it.

WHY?

Because the axe sounds so good!

A Fender guitar can now serve as a status symbol, like an Omega or Rolex watch.

And, to those who need to buy the things that boost their self esteem, well, I understand.

When I bought my Bausch & Lomb binocular about 25 years ago. I noticed that the serial number was embossed into the rubber armor coating, while the "Made In Japan' was upraised and could be readily removed.

Well, that $450 optical lists for about $2000 now. And, who in his right mind is ashamed of owning Japanese optics these days?

Mark my words. Mexican Fenders will come into their own someday and we'll all be kicking ourselves for not stocking up on them when they were so very affordable and of such excellent quality.

Hello, all...

I know people are welcome to their opinions. But, I've played Squires which is why I don't have one. They are great for beginners. A good place to start and like all guitars the more you spend the nicer they are. But, they're not Fenders.

I also have a Tele which was purchased when you didn't have a choice where it was made, or a million different options. And I own a Deluxe Player Strat which is MIM. The MIM, to me is an entry level Fender but not a beginner's guitar. But, it is closer to a MIA Fender and miles away from a Squire.

Should people be debating about them? Not at all. They are what they are. Besides, in this economy we should be grateful Fender still has an American plant. There's not a lot of things being made here anymore.

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"...The final truth is, there is no truth..." - (from "Nice n' Neat" by the Boomtown Rats)

That's an excellent point as well.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I believe if it is still Fender (with the products, care, and the unique way of makin' it's guitars) is a Fender no matter where you go.
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"I just go where the guitar takes me" Angus Young

We all know that there are sight differences in each one but they are all sold and bought world wide. If there wasn't any markings of where it was built and you try it and like it would it matter? I do agree that the MIA Fenders are overated for the price difference and don't most of us modify what we get anyways regardless of it's origin.