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Post subject: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:27 am
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I was putting new strings on my tele’s today and thought I'd make some casual observations/comparisons about the necks. The MIC is a classic vibe 50’s. The MIM is an FSR standard ash, and the MIA is a ’52 AV HotRod. All 3 have tinted glossy necks.

Image

Finishes
The HotRod of course has a nitro lacquer finish and the other two are poly finish. Although a lot of people prefer the nitro finish, be aware that it takes quite awhile for the “stickiness” to wear off. After 2 years of playing mine, the frets still have lacquer in the less frequently played spots. The back of the HotRod neck was satin when new but quickly became as shiny as the fingerboard. The poly finishes are slick and smooth and built to last. The Squier is 4 years old and only a close inspection of the frets shows any evidence of even being played.

Frets
All three have medium jumbo frets although I would swear the Squier’s frets are fatter. They all play nicely and chord nicely but the similarity ends at the craftsmanship. This is where the Mexican fails miserably and the Squier really shines. I live in the Ohio valley region and we get the full range of seasons (and humidity) throughout the year. In the winter time, the ends of the frets on the Mexican feel noticeably different than in the summer. They are so rough that it’s like running your hand across a cheese grater. The Squier never changes and is so smooth, you could run a silk cloth across them without it snagging year round. The HotRod, although not quite as smooth as the Squier also remains the same year round. This may also speak to the quality of the wood used and it’s response to humidity.

Shape
All three have a 9.5” radius fret board and play similarly. The HotRod is “U-shaped” and feels really nice in your hand. The other two are a “modern C-shape” and feel a bit thin as far as tele’s go.

Tuners
The Squier and the HotRod both have vintage style tuners and the Mexican has modern tuners. When installing new strings, the modern tuners tune up and hold tuning better than the vintage style. The Squier is the weakest here. It always takes a good bit of playing and stretching before the E and B strings settle in. But once they do, it holds tuning nicely. The HotRod tuners are not nearly as bad and since I prefer the look and operation of the vintage style tuners over the modern, the HotRod comes out on top for me.

Nuts and Truss Rods
There is no significant difference in the nuts as far as I'm concerned. The truss rod on the HotRod adjusts from the body end and requires removing the pick guard. The other two adjust at the head stock.

In conclusion, of the three, I would probably have the fewest complaints about the Chinese neck. The craftsmanship is outstanding and the playability leaves little to be desired. The HotRod is my favorite guitar (for many reasons other than the neck) and the neck is probably the prettiest because of the lacquer finish. It is darker than the other two, and for me, the darker the better! But I don’t like seeing lacquer peeling off the frets for years after purchase and like I stated, it took quite awhile to wear off the “stickiness”.

HotRod – lacquer on frets:
Image

Mexican fret ends:
Image

Fret work – Squier on top, MIM on bottom:
Image

Blondes have more fun! :D
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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2014 8:25 pm
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Interesting observations. Nice trio!

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 7:47 pm
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My buddy and fellow forum member Blinkers, bought a Vintage Hot Rod '52 Tele with the Duncan mini 'bucker of course.He brought it down to let me try her out and I was floored by the comfort of the neck-it was like someone had measured my hands and arms and built a neck to suit me.The tone of the guitar also threw me for a loop.Anyway Blinkers told me that he didn't like the Tele-why I'll never understand,I believe the treble bite of the Tele is a bit too cutting for his liking-so he quoted me a great price on it and I nabbed her then and there.I have a MIM Tele and the neck is extremely comfortable too but the '52 Hot Rod neck is just incredible.I haven't tried a MIJ Tele yet though,so I can't make a comment on that model but if the MIJ Strats are any indication of what the Teles are like,they should be over the top.

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 12:28 pm
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So, you're telling me to buy more MIJ Tele's Guitslinger? :D

I'll be looking at the Fender DMC and VSP models. Soon....very soon!!


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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 12:44 pm
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Blinkers wrote:
So, you're telling me to buy more MIJ Tele's Guitslinger? :D

I'll be looking at the Fender DMC and VSP models. Soon....very soon!!

Hello Blinkers. Love those VSPs!

Something else that caught my eye recently is the MIJ Tele TL66B/ASH:

http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/tl66b_ash.html

Oh baby - a maple fingerboard and a double-bound natural ash body! How could it get prettier than that? Interesting pickup set too.

Another one for the GAS tank...

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 1:00 pm
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I bet that's a smokin' tele.

Here's on for sale in Japan now....it's nice!

http://www.digimart.net/cat01/shop4695/DS02044844/


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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 1:07 pm
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Blinkers wrote:
I bet that's a smokin' tele.

Here's on for sale in Japan now....it's nice!

http://www.digimart.net/cat01/shop4695/DS02044844/

Yummy! 8)

99,360 yen converts to about US$958, $1058 Canadian.

Not a bargain basement price - but then it ain't a novice's guitar! Here's a pic for those as don't want to click:

Image

Gotta love a bound Tele!

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 5:20 pm
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As Rob Chapman said in his video on how to buy a guitar: " if you run your fingers along the edges of the fret board ad they come away bloody- don't buy that guitar."

I only have the one Tele, but I agree with your Assessment of the CV's neck. Mine's the 60's version- in burst, no blonde for me nya nya nya. ( sorry, couldn't resist a poke at the "it MUST be..." crowd.) I love the neck on mine, and find it very playable whenever. I'm also a 4 seasons belt guy.

The gloss neck was a bit of a shocker, but I got over it and now like it fine. I also haven't noticed any tuning problems. As I have 10 guitars and only two hands they tend to go unplayed for a while. It's my habit to give each one a quick go with the tuner on my trusty Musty whenever I first pick it up.

The CV's are a hell of a guitar- and not just "for the money".


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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM vs MIC neck shootout
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 7:08 pm
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Ceri wrote:
Blinkers wrote:
I bet that's a smokin' tele.

Here's on for sale in Japan now....it's nice!

http://www.digimart.net/cat01/shop4695/DS02044844/

Yummy! 8)

99,360 yen converts to about US$958, $1058 Canadian.

Not a bargain basement price - but then it ain't a novice's guitar! Here's a pic for those as don't want to click:

Image

Gotta love a bound Tele!

Cheers - C


cool pic Ceri! 8)

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