Unless you are a paid, seriously paid working musician why would you go MIA instead of MIM............please explain the differences that would make you go one way or the other.................

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Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

At the moment i am boycotting Fender and only Buying Gibson if i have to spend 2,000 dollars i would rather go with a Les Paul than to go with a overpriced Stratocaster.

I know some working musician friends that play MIM Strats and can tell you that they were purchased instead of MIA for several reasons. They are less expensive, they play well, and they are of good quality. Music doesn't know, or care, where the instrument it emanates from is made. If the person playing a MIM or MIJ or MIA or made wherever musical instrument has the talent and skill the end result will be the same. Great music that people enjoy.

In this economy I'd go used over new, but if I had to buy new I'd get a MIM simply due to the savings in cost. I mean the only terrible con about buying MIM is if you want to trade it in or sell it the resale value is poor compared to a MIA. Also make sure you get very picky about the feel of a MIM, sometimes (sometimes-not all the time) the wood just isn't as good compared to MIA, so make sure you play quite a few. <_<

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Buy MIA

MIM's don't really increase in value, more of the opposite actually. I think the last Strat I purchased (08 MIA) I paid $875.00 and now they are well over 1000 on ebay.

I have MIM's also so don't start a MIM vs. MIA war. I own both and they are both great instruments.

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http://twitter.com/cu_jarrett

I just bought a new MIA Tele before the price increase, but with the current prices I'll almost certainly get a MIM (or used MIA) next time around. $1300+ with tax just seems too much to pay for a guitar unless you're using it to earn a living...

Forget the economy. Which one do I like, and which one can I afford at the moment?

I've played both. Both are glorious instruments in their own ways.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

To show off online or at open mic nights... Sorry.

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Custom Shop '59 Strat with John Cruz Master Design Pickups
Vibro King
Fulltone Clyde>Deja-Vibe>TS-808>TS-9>Boss Tuner

If the purpose is paying less I would absolutely go with the MIM great guitar

Depends on how much you're willing to pay. Use craigslist.org. I'd go with MIA just because of the value it'll rack up through the years.

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"You won't part with your's either"

Fender American Standard Stratocaster 2006

Fender Standard Telecaster 2007

Hello Trauma,

My next Fender guitar will be a
new, made in USA model.
Because I like em better.

Cheers.

Hmmm, I have both, and both are good. I prefer the USA ones because they are better. Better quality hardware, and things you can't get on a MIM one - like S1 switch (which I personally like , locking tuners and little things like abalone markers.

As far as the bad economy: for that reason you should be able to find a good deal on a used American,

Not saying MIM is bad, but it's not the same animal - a close cousin, but different.

But that's just my opinion.

As long as you have the cash, buy American. If ya don't save up, and buy American. I tend to think MiM are cheaper ($ wise) for a reason.

Peace,
84

If you want a cheap guitar, buy MIM. If you want a quality guitar, buy MIA. Yes, they are higher--but they are better quality, they have a better chance of appreciating in value, and there are numerous chocies for an MIA Strat that are low-budget.

Many complain about pricing, but keep in mind that if you spend the money for a good quality guitar it will last you for the rest of your life... considering that, I'd say $1000-2000 is a good price for a quality instrument. (Now Custom Shop is another matter--well-built but very pricey!)