What should I do to get the most out of my MIM strat and also to make it last long (inexpensive). I want to be able to get the most out of my awesome axe.

Thanks!

just take care of it

just do what u think is right for me that means nothing if it gets scrached dented w.e long as i can plug in a play a blues its fine by me

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03 black stratocaster maple
05 50s RI strat (brownie)
06 american std telecaster (sunburst)
05 fender Blues Deville
68 fender bandmaster with 2x12 cab
69 fender bassman with 2x15 cab
73 music man HD130=

lots of stuff in my garage

Some people just carve their name in 'em and play 'em.

I try to take care of mine, but natural relic'ing just happens.

yea i dont hit mine with a bad a few times befor i go to play haha but iam not gona cry and try to buff out a little scrach or condition the fret board weekly haha
id rather just play the damn thing ha gotta love ther durability tho

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03 black stratocaster maple
05 50s RI strat (brownie)
06 american std telecaster (sunburst)
05 fender Blues Deville
68 fender bandmaster with 2x12 cab
69 fender bassman with 2x15 cab
73 music man HD130=

lots of stuff in my garage

One of the many good things about a Strat is all the abuse they can take and still sound and play great

Play the hell out of it! It only gets better!

first, get a hardcase if you still do not have one. Clean your guitar and strings everytime after you play before keeping it back to the case. Make changing strings a routine practise.
I recommend Fender polish cloth (untreated) to clean your guitar. You can use a different cloth to clean the strings.
Gig bag just don't give our guitar enough protection as a hard case. We will all need to bring our strat outside of the house sometimes...

Fender has it's line of care products formulated by Meguiar's, of auto-polish fame. Since many historical Fender colors were born as automotive paint, depending, Fender-Mequiar's products make sense.

D'Addario, the instrument string people, has a nice media-based area on their Internet site including good info on WHY periodic finish care is important for musical instruments, fretboard care, and general finish care. Which products to use depends on finish, or lack thereof, that a given guitar-maker uses.

The D'Addario site makes the point:

"All kinds of damage can occur when a fretboard is neglected. Here is a list of common ailments:
• Cracks
• Chipping
• Loose frets
• Discoloration
• De-lamination
• Loss of sustain
• Premature ware"

The least that should be done to preserve the finish that currently exists is to wipe off the instrument after each use to remove grit and body oils. Fender's Mist & Wipe and a microfiber cloth are ideal for their Stratocasters, for instance.

Periodic maintenance such as the things that have been mentioned should be enough, I would also check for loose hardware and spray the pots when they sound scratchy.

Aside from that, you'll be amazed how resilient a strat can be, play the heck out of it and enjoy.

X

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Custom Shop Pro Closet Classic
American Deluxe Strat "V" Neck
American Deluxe Tele
American Deluxe "FMT"
G&L Comanche - Honey Burst
Jackson Randy Rhodes
Cybertwin SE
Vox AD60VTH
Mesa Boogie 2X12 Rectifier Cabinet
Line 6 Pod XT
Swart AST

sorry, I made a mistake, not untreated,
should be Fender treated polish cloth,
that type which can be use by itself alone,
it is what I been using for past many years....

Ever wonder where are they now...?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!