I used to own both U.S. and Japan Floyd Rose strats made in the early 90's. They were both good quality guitars. Personally I preferred the japanese model because it had a few features that the US strat didn't. Plus it weighed less. The US strat was made of alder. The MIJ is basswood. But it was a personal preference thing. I ended up selling the U.S. strat for a good penny and buying another Japanese strat for less.

The made in Japan Strats are great in fact if you read fenders biography it says that the Japanese Reissues in the early 80's are what brought the company back, so many artists wanted them it created a boom with consumers.

one of my good friends has a 57

I recently bought a MIJ Re Issue manufactured in '88-'89 and have to say that I positively love it! As many have pointed out, the electonics on them can be iffy depending on year and model. But over all my pups are some of the hottest stock pups i've ever heard. The only thing I relish more than playing my MIJ strat is having only paid $250 for it.

My Friend found his 57 in a pawn shop in Cocoa Beach for $140 with case.

I am still very jealous til this day, so if you have time on your hands stop into a pawn shop maybe they'll have a jem like that.

i have a 98 "Crafted in Japan" Strat '54 or '57 ressuie and the quality is perfect. Like the holes cavities for exemple, the neck fits perfectly in the body(I never saw such a perfect fit in the U.S. models)

The only thing is some Japanese models (including my) has a Basswood body instead of Ash or Alder



http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/200 ... caster.htm

i have the MIK lite ash strat and if the MIJ craftmanship is anything
like the MIK craftmanship than i can understand what you are saying.
the craftmanship of the MIK (Korea) made lite ash strat is fantastic.

i would also say that most asians take a lot of pride
in there work and the MIK lite ash strat displays that.
were can i find a MIJ strat?

since fender has been focussing on the mexican guitars in North America, it seems the japanese sguitars are made for domestic, or regional consumption, where prior they were mainly for the export/value market.