I have both 2 Mexicans and 1 1980 Standard and i can not really tell the difference.

My Modded Mexican Standard actually sounds better than my American and i have made it my main Guitar.

So what am i really paying for when i buy an American Standard Labor, Name or Quality?

To Tell you the truth i think i should have payed 1 thousand for my Mexican stratocaster.

A 1980 Standard isn't anything like a current standard. The 1980 Standard marked a return to the smaller headstock, with a decal that read "The Strat," and featured the dreaded "X-1" bridge pickup and brass hardware. I'm surprised an owner of such a guitar didn't recognize it was something unusual.

I was in my local shop the other day... and a guitarist asked the sales man that same question..
He said this mim plays real nice what's the difference?
The sales guy walked over and played a little though the MIM, it sounded like a strat.
Then the sales guy took down a MIA and played it. the sound was crystal clear, louder, punchier, and cleaner.

Then the debate (not including a recent price increase across the board), if he took the time to upgrade the pickups and a couple of other little pieces; the price on the mim jumped up close to another $300~$400 and you'd still have just a gig bag.
The MIA comes with a SKB case and the tone out of the box, we’re not talking playability here. Just tone.

So ask yourself... 500~600 for the mim + 300~400 pickups + 130 hard case that's about 1100+ there.
or just jump to the MIA without the work?

If I could hear the difference with my deaf ears, I could imagine what a person with 'real' ears could hear.

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This is my guitar, there are many like it but this one is mine.

That's all that matters. Play what you like.

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-Classic 50's Strat.
-Std. Telecaster.
-Mike Dirnt P-bass.
-Custody of SE Strat.
-Peavey Predator/Dean Evo/Epiphone DR150/Gibson Slide (much older than me).

Rellik Productions Inc.

Main differences between MIA & MIM:
1) 22-frets and more detailed neck
2) Better finish selection
3) Better bridge
4) Better pickups
5) Beautiful HSC

Is this worth the additional money? Absolutely, especially when considering that MIA's will always be sought after.
Can a MIM be an amazing guitar with just a few mods? Yes, definitely. My '04 is a perverbial killer.

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

That is not quite true. There were two stratocaster guitars offered in 1980. The regular Stratocaster and a new model called "The Strat" which had the smaller headstock and brass hardware as you describe. The regular Stratocaster also had the X-1 pickup in that time frame. I can tell you first hand that the X-1 bridge pickup is absolutely the best thing about that guitar. I've owned one since 1980. It was my first strat and I took the bridge pickup for granted because I thought they were all like that. When I got my '62 RI, it took me a long time to adjust to and accept the more subdued bridge pickup on it. The main reason I still hold on to that 1980 strat is because of the X-1 pickup.

If you want one you'll pay for it. Trust me the quality difference from new guitar to new guitar is there. How do you price more attention to detail in construction or greater attention at the qc level. you pay 100% more for a 10% increase in quality, thats true across fenders range. Esp, Gibson, Jackson infact all mass producers are the same. Is my customshop £800 better than my hotrod, i dont know the timber is nicer and its near indestructable. It was worth paying the extra for in my view. Whether you can justify it, i dont know. I would speculate that if you have to ask then its not worth it to you.

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No no and no

Makes a lot of sence to me but this is one of those debates that will never end. And theres alwayss someone who will not agree It is fun to hear everyones thoughts on the issue.

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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

I love reading these debates, and you are correct, they will never end!! lol

I have played a few MIM guitars and they are ok, I prefer the MIA's myself

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

My take on the MIA vs MIM is this: The MIM is a great value. It will have great sound and playability. For someone who is just starting out or can't/won't spend a lot of money, it is a good choice. But there are differences. It is not just the name or where it's made. The MIM uses some cheaper components which will not give you the reliability you will need if you are a professional musician. I suspect there is less quality control with the MIM instruments. I have a MIM jazz bass that had a high fret when I first bought it. It should never have left the factory like that. When I examined the electronics, I found the wiring to be kind of flimsy compared to a "real" fender. I would expect that the pots and switches (if it had any) would not hold up to professional use.

Also I think it is false ecomomy to buy the less expensive MIM guitars and then start upgrading components left and right. You will end up paying something close to the cost of the MIA instrument but it will never have the resale value of it.

Thanks for the clarification, gadabout. I always imagined that "The Strat" was the only model offered in 1980.

Still, a pretty big difference between 1980 and now. I don't think there's much of a comparison to be made.

gadabout you better be ready for a incoming missle strike for saying the MIM is not a "real" fender Thats like sending out a heat seeking signature to a few.

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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

+1 Can't say it any better. It doesn't really matter what we think, but thanks for asking!

Totaly any speculation as to validity is useless. It ultimately comes down to the player. My faves a MIM simply because ive had it so long and the neck has become so comfortable with wear. Will my mia strats wear the same way over time, i hope so they were near perfect new.

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No no and no

horray another MIM vs MIA!!! search function on the forum must not work!