Other than the nitro finish (which is a debate unto itself!) is there any substantial difference between a Mexican Fender and an American Fender? For the life of me, I can't find much! I have played good and poor examples of both. After a good setup, I can't say one is "better" than the other. Am I missing something here? What are your thoughts? Thanks.

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Custom made all Koa Strat SSS
"FrankenStrat" P90s
Nashville Tele
Light Relic Baja Tele
Tele 1980s Vintage
Gibson Les Paul Special
Gibson Custom Shop "Montana Gold" J200
Fender "Blues Deluxe"

Hi UncleBill: this question really has been asked a lot, so don't be to surprised if other posters tell you so!

But to the point: for certain both guitars are excellent machines upon which great music can be played. Either can be owned with satisfaction.

I do believe there are real and material differences between them, though on a good example of each model I think those differences come down to a matter of taste.

For example: the MIM has a polyester finish, the MIA is polyurethane. (Not nitro, except on certain select vintage and signature models.)

More importantly, the MIM currently has a six-screw bridge, the American a two-point trem. That's a matter of personal preference.

The MIA has rolled fingerboard edges, which to me is a serious step up in comfort and playability. I really notice that difference. Someone was saying the other day that MIMs now have that too - but I haven't seen it and don't find it listed in the specs.

The pickups are different. Your ear must decide on that.

The MIA has staggered tuner posts which means you only need one (or no) string tree. I like that, but it's a tiny point. The MIA has a double action trussrod. I've never used that feature on mine and don't recall hearing of anyone else who has. I think this is a notional improvement at most. Similarly the microtilt neck adjustment on the MIA.

In most of these differences the MIM is in fact closer to the "classic" Strat design of the past - which some people value as an issue in itself.

Horses for courses; strokes for folks.

Size up those differences and make your choice - and then enjoy!

Cheers - C

Ceri,
Thanks for the thoughts. I agree that personal taste has everything to do with which guitar you play. My thinking is that for the difference in price, you can buy a lot of staggered tuners and pickups! I'm not saying one is "good" and one is not, just wanted some thoughts from other players on what they see, feel, and hear.

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Custom made all Koa Strat SSS
"FrankenStrat" P90s
Nashville Tele
Light Relic Baja Tele
Tele 1980s Vintage
Gibson Les Paul Special
Gibson Custom Shop "Montana Gold" J200
Fender "Blues Deluxe"

Hi again CrazyUncle: well, that depends what you want. If you want exactly a MIM Standard, 'cept with different tuners, then for sure it makes sense to mod a MIM.

On the other hand, if someone planned to buy a MIM and then do all the upgrades to turn it into a MIA (putting aside the bits you can't easily change, like the finish and fingerboard edges) - they'd discover that it would be cheaper to just buy the American model.

No mystery: it's simply because Fender can buy those parts much cheaper than the rest of us. On the stuff they do in-house (the woodwork and finishing) there is not a vast differential between MIM and MIA. Some, but not huge. The cost differences come in on the hardware.

The best thing is to draw up a list of dream specs and then work out the best route to getting it. MIM; modded MIM; or MIA.

Cheers - C

Since you say "nitro" we must then be comparing an MIA Highway 1 to a MIM Std, correct? Well, to me, these guitars are pretty different. The finish is a huge difference. The pickups are very different. The Hwy 1 also has a more-detailed 22-fret neck (instead of 21).

Also - although only a styling item - the headstocks are very different. The MIM Std has the smaller style, while the Hwy 1 has the '70s style. Personally, I am a fan of both.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

PLEASE LETS END THIS. I have 3 MIJ Fenders they are great guitars from the 80s I dont own an MIM but I hear only great things on the forum about them. The bottom line is that neither is ever going to be on equal ground with anything MIA. NO MATTER WHAT IT IS JUST THE WAY IT GOES . JUST BE HAPPY YOU HAVE A QUALITY AX AS DO YOU REALLY THINK MOST PEOPLE CARE OUTSIDE OF GUITARIST WHAT IT SAYS ON YOUR GUITAR.

Depend on who you ask. Yes, there are a ton of difference. To some people those difference don't matter, they don't notice or appreciate them, or won't/can't pay extra for them.

For me, there are huge difference, all of which I can feel, notice and appreciate, and I'll pay for that.

Interesting my AmDlx has a poly finsih
Hwy1's and maybe some other models may have a nitro finish.

If they are put together well they should play well no matter where assembled.

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Keep on Truckin, Going full speed ahead down the highway to hades.

The answer is always the same. Play every strat on the wall in that guitar store and a few others till you find YOUR guitar.

"The wand chooses the wizard, Harry"