I'm in the process of saving for a new guitar. I'm currently using an Ibanez, and I've always refused the Strat because it just seemed to iconic. But after playing one properly for a while, I will admit I'm in love. I just can't decide whether I should get a Mexican made Strat, or wait a while and get an American Standard? I'm in the U.K. so our currency is taking a beating just now. The cheapest I can find the new 2008 American Standard is over £1000, but I can get a Mexican Standard for £399. What should I do?!

And can anyone actually tell me the real difference between the two. I know the joke that Mexicans Strats are made by Mexicans in Mexico, and American Strats are made by Mexicans in America too. But is there any significant difference in build quality or hardware that make the American Standard worth all that extra money?!

I would save up. There is a difference that has been discussed a hundred times here on the forum. Do a search on MIM versus MIA and you'll find hundreds of opinions. Welcome to the forum my friend! Also look at the specifications of the guitars here on this site and see for yourself!

There's always the Highway One series as far as American Strats go. The Mexican Strats are really nice too though. I own a 2008 MiM Strat and mostly prefer it over my 1961 Gibson Melody Maker (all stock).

Yah you can get a highway one strat which is an amazing guitar and it is an affordable price for an american made guitar

Its definitly worth the extra money for an American. I've got both, I have a "higher end " Mexican, and its still really lacking in quality and materials compared to the American models. You should be able to pick up a year old one relativly cheap. People were asking insane amounts for them for a while on ebay and craigslist (though they never sold), but now they're in real world prices. An example is a 07 american deluxe that's been on craigslist for a couple months, it started at $1000 (which is actually a lot less than other people were tylrying to get) but now its down to $750. So you could probably get an American Standard that's 5 or 6 years old for $500. Be wary though, people still think their strats go up in value every year, they don't. I saw a guy asking $600 for a 03 highway 1, I have an old catalog from that year for a chain store and they were less than that new back then.

Yes, we have been down this road many times. The MIMs are outstanding instruments. Yet, I agree that paying the extra $600 ( or so) for the MIA is worthwhile. With the MIA you will get:
- Better choice of finishes
- Better trem
- Awesome HSC
- More detailed and "richer" neck
- Better pickups
- 22-frets

That all being said, a MIM Standard is really only a new set of pickups away from being a serious rival to any MIA, especially if you do not use the trem much (which most of don't).

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

if you can possobly swing it,go for the American.Some of the differences are sonic ones,but it really is a much better instrument.The new American standard is an amazing guitar and the new case is awesome.Great colors too.

MIM = comes with gig bag
MIA = comes with hard case

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Fender Forum member # 152,101 and proud of it!

I have no friends here,,,-snif- snif-

Hello everyone!

I've been reading this forum for a long time but have just started posting

I have Highway 1 Stratocaster. I bought it in 2005. It is really nice guitar. At the time I want to upgrade pickups. So I would recomend you to buy Highway One. I played American Standart and i have not seen a lot of changes. When I was playing American Deluxe it was NICE, it WAS DELUXE! Deluxe guitar is really nice. In other hand you may buy Mexican strat and put good pickups, for example Fender vintage noiseless (i want to buy these pickups) and you will get nice sound. You may find these pickups on gak.co.uk for 125 pounds. Fender Vintage noiseless pickups are used on Deluxe series guitars.

As I know body of guitar for Mex is made of two pieces of wood, but American is made of teh whole piece of wood. So you will get better sound from American with any configuration of pickups.

You guys got ME wanting a highway one now, I better leave.

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Fender Forum member # 152,101 and proud of it!

I have no friends here,,,-snif- snif-

I would go in between with the HWY 1. I own a HWY 1. It is American Made. PLays nice, good tone. I would play all three models (several of each models) and decide which one you like best. The choce should be easy.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I would just say get the one you like. The MIM is a great value for what you get without a doubt. The HWY1's have many followers so there must be something said for that. And the Amerixcan Standards are just great guitars. There is a big difference between them all in the quality of items used in the builds, (controls,pickups, tuners, blocks , saddles) lower cost comes from somewhere not just labor Fender is in business to make money. Also remember the American Standards have a Bi flex truss rod which the others do not you can compensate concave and convex when doing a set up on the Amer. Stand. because the Bi flex applies force both ways.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

You can get deluxe's for £900 avg mate. The standards go for £650-£750

I dont like internet shopping but i wouldnt pay a grand for an american deluxe, which i would pick for a first fender for a seasoned player.

http://www.dv247.com/invt/48087/
Standard

http://www.dv247.com/invt/34754/
American deluxe.

Get a US one and you've got a guitar for life, its that simple. I'd act quick, i've a feeling that as the next batches of instruments start landing the prices are going to rise. The shops will keep their prices as low as they can but word has it that fender are putting the prices up. Soon as the new roadworn guitars arrive the prices will rise.

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No no and no

The least important factor in picking the right guitar is point of origin. The second least important factor is price. You need to get out there and find a guitar that is right for you.

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http://www.reverbnation.com/dirtbeggers

mim's are great ! got mine....2007 standard strat, sounds fantastico...beats my old guitars...


now dont consider the mim or the mia...


consider fender...

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fender standard strat/squier by fender cali series strat /fender 25fm dsp/ line 6 -floor pod/yamaha fx370c/ fender ce-60