I've always had cheap guitars. But when I brought my American Deluxe Strat home on Christmas eve, '04, and plugged it in to my cheap Peavy practice amp, I was blown away by the difference.

Unplugged, the guitar was sleek and perfectly finished. Beautiful and lustrous. But, when I turned on the amp, clean channel, I could hear the ghostly overtones that are the definition of single coil, Fender Stratocaster
cream. Merry Christmas to me. What a night.

Of course, snobbery is stupid, especially if one doesnt have the chops to back it up. Musical ability and growth is what matters.

That being said, there is a difference. A $1000+ difference that means something. Otherwise, why would Fender hold something back for those
willing to pay more?

And with Fender, you get more if you pay more. Unlike some outfits that operate, sometimes, on name alone. To Fender's credit, they offer many entry level options.

Oh dear, why does someone always have to spoil it with their puerile, my dad's bigger than your dad routine? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Now off to bed kiddies, it's 7pm and you've got school in the morning.

I proudly own a MIA '62RI Stratocaster and a MIM Telecaster (it has classic styling; 50's logo, a bridge that would accept an ashtray/bridge cover, etc).

I have unabashedly played both at gigs and in the studio; the only preferential treatment the Strat gets is because it has a fairly pristine Fiesta Red finish (even though it is now 18 years old).

I have also replaced pickups in both (Pete Biltoft Vintage Vibe SP90's in the Strat, a Mighty Mite P90 in the neck of the Tele), modified the switching on each of them and changed out little cosmetic things like the pickguard, etc...not because the originals weren't any good, just because I like my replacements better.

They both sound amazing, and if anyone were to tell me that my Tele was not a "real" Fender, I would laugh at him and assume he is a jackass...it's just as much a Fender as my 199? 1962 Reissue Strat is, or my old 1964 Fender Mustang was or the old 1971 Musicmaster Bass I used to own was, etc.

Many of the fantabulous Vaughan Brothers' Strats had replacement necks from Charley's Guitar Shop in Dallas--were those not "real" Fender guitars any more? Look at all of the modifications done to the various signature series instruments--it's not the way Leo designed them, so are those not "real" Fenders as well?

Maybe since my Stratocaster is a 1962 "re-issue" instead of an actual 1962, it shouldn't be considered a "real" Fender. I assume the afore-mentioned jackass also thinks that the Hot Rod series amps aren't "real" Fender amps, either, since they're hecho-en-Mexico...Since he's so high-and-mighty, he might consider Silverface Fender amps to be non-Fender as well; God forbid we bring up a Silverface with a master volume in his presence!!

If I had to replace my Stratocaster for whatever reason, the Mexican-made models would be just as seriously considered as the American ones; possibly even more, due to the state of the current Screamin' Armadillo national debt.

If it says Fender, it's a Fender...period.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

What if its made in the bahamas, nigeria or indonesia?:lol:
All the Irish Guinness is sold in europe i think.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Like I said, some Lamborghini's are made in Mexico. If you bought one of those what would you tell people you drove?

CC

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Fender Stratocaster (parts build)
Fender Telecaster 72 Custom RI
Fender Telecoustic Deluxe
Gretsch Electromatic Pro-Jet
Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
Gibson ES-135
Zenith Type-17
Marshall 70's JMP Superbass 100w
Blackstar HT-5

At this point, I could honestly care less about if it's a real Fender or not. I own an '07 MiM standard Strat and I have yet to come across another American Fender that can show it up (or any other brand for that matter).

The MiM's are fine instruments. So are the American ones, don't get me wrong. But as far as anything is concerned, the only difference between the two is the price and where they're made IMO.

I forgot to put up a picture<G>



Mine looks like a real Fender Stratocaster to me!




[/code]

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Still looking for that One Guitar To Rule Them All since 1964...
FSR Fender 60 Anniversary Strat HSS MIM, Gibson ES 335, Taylor 555, Ovation Custom Balladeer-12, Baby Taylor, Fender Princeton Chorus (stereo), Fender Champ 600

I'd own and play that guitar proudly.

Who gives a $@!&? Honestly, play it from you #$@*&!% soul, what does the name on the headstock matter?

$@!&, a good player on a Squier will outshine a jobber on a Custom Shop Masterbuilt any day. So what really matters?

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This is really ridicules. I would be worrying more about how good I can play and my chops (something that cant be bought) than this nonsense. Unless you just want to be a straight up collector and nothing else then that is where it would matter.What matters most is what you can do with what you have, if someone plain out sucks and owns a pre CBS Strat and a 59 Burst what does it matter. I think Vanhalen showed everyone when he spent $180 on a neck and body that was a second and turned the world on its $@!, that it comes down to playing.

two-thirds of the tone is in the hands. I play a $30.00 modded Starcaster and the thing kicks a**. Ill put it against any Strat, MIM, USA...whatever.

A $1000.00 guitar isn't gonna make anyone a better player than a $100.00 guitar...Practice will.