This forum is chock full of questions and discussions about the difference between MIA, MIM, CIJ, MIK, etc. Clearly there is a great deal of interest and concern among ordinary everyday guitarists about the country of origin of a given Fender guitar. I don't think the concern completely centers around the price point because the MIMs and CIJs are increasing in price faster than the MIAs, at least where I live, and the price gap is closing more each year.

My question is this:

If there is clearly so much concern over the issue of country of origin why has FMIC ceased publishing this data in both the Frontline catalog and here on the web site product pages? I have back issues of Frontline dating back to 1997 and I can assure you Fender used to consistently publish this information.

How about it, Brad? Or anybody? What are they trying to hide? And please don't tell me it's publishing costs. That would be just too lame an answer.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Hi BMW-KTM: I suspect the names "American Standard", "American Deluxe", "American Vintage" and "American Special" are fairly heavy clues as to place of origin as far as those models are concerned. No further information is required in the spec sheet regarding those.

Elsewhere, at least one factor is that Fender shift manufacture of some models from one location to another from time to time. These days very few models from Fender Japan are available (officially) outside the Far East. That is in part because many models that used to come from Japan are now made at the Mexican plant.

I think therefore that Fender has a two-pronged strategy. They attach the name "American" to those guitars that are made at Corona because they know it has a certain cache in many people's minds and helps justify to some the higher price point of those instruments.

On the other hand, as far as the rest of the catalog is concerned they would like us to buy by model, rather than by factory of origin, because that might change every so often. The country is still marked on the instrument, so it isn't actually a secret. They just don't think it should be in the front of our minds when we're shopping.

Frankly, I've seen very good and less good product from all the manufacturing locations, including Korea, Indonesia and China as well as Mexico and Japan. Personally, I like good instruments: I couldn't care less the nationality of their makers...

I don't believe in a "terroir" theory of guitar building.

Cheers - C

Ceri,
Well said! I really could care less about the country of origin! I have an MIM Tele which is an absolute gem. The finish is flawless, the fret work is exceptional and the neck and tone are to die for! I don't care that it says made in Mexico on the back of it. It is a truly exceptional guitar! In reality the Mexican factory has a turnover rate of employees of less than 1% since 1993...go compare that to say Gibson in Nashville. I am not Gibby bashing just trying to make the point that if the instrument plays well who cares if it is MIA, MIM, MIJ, MIC, MOM(Made on the Moon) especially when you have fine craftsmen making them. I love my Fenders so to me it is all good.
ABS

True that. It is truly a global market place and country of origin is of little significance.

The argument I read of Fender instruments from other countries being "knock-offs" and not worthy of bearing the Fender marque is as flawed as somebody saying a Camry is not a Toyota, a Sentra is not a Nissan, or an Accord is not a Honda because they were built in the USA instead of Japan. That line of thought is just asinine.

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

Yes of course those are the obvious ones but are there not other MIA models which do not have "American" in the name? Artist siganture series for example? I know some of those are MIM and some are MIA. Hot Rods? There must be others as well.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.