Get a used MIM for real cheap, and do some mods. I picked up a used '05 Floyd Rose MIM strat in perfect condition for around $350. Swapped out the pickups with a set of Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers and a 500K volume pot, with a nice pearl pickguard. Killer "double fat" Strat for under $500 - upgrades and all.

I just bought MIA before the price increase..it plays better than the MIM I played, the color wasn't available as MIM, and if I'm gonna spend the money, i'd rather get something that's going to age well and still hold it's value in 20 years...MIM just doesn't fit that criteria.

As far as used- I picked up a 2004 MIA Deluxe this weekend for $850 used. When I went home and checked completed listings on ebay, they are currently going for $1150+. Instant $300+ in appreciation in value

Now a MIM has it's own benefits too. They aren't as much an investment as they are a workhorse. I can play mine at gigs and not have to worry about damaging or even theft, because (I wouldn't want it to happen) but I would feel horrible if my USA one was stolen.

Another plus to a MIM. I can mod it without having to worry about devaluing it.

My MIM Tele is a beautiful ax with a one piece maple neck/board, which I bought specifically for the purpose of modding.

I intend on routong it for a trem (just for kicks) and install an onboard fuzz/boost (ala Andy Summers) And I may just make a super-tele with HBs in both spots.

I recently went out to purchase a new strat, I wasn't sure what i was going for (MiA or MiM) but i tested them both. I finally chose the MiM because it had the sound i was looking for and it was also custom shop designed so all the hardware is good quality, locking tuners, etc. So honestly I would say if you can find a reasonably priced MiM that has good quality hardware then i will always be going MiM.
Also, about the way MiA go up in price I always say the same thing, A guitar is for life not just for christmas.

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50's Standard MiM Strat(Alice) >> Crybaby >> Zoom G7.1ut >> Fender Blues Deluxe

I would go for MIM even MIA is better in quality.
The reason is I don't have enough money to afford MIA.

When I bought my most recently purchased strat it all started when I played a MiM Roadhouse Strat when at a music store just messing around.
I was very impressed with it for the price, so then I started going to other stores looking for more of these MiM gems. I checked out the LoneStar, I liked it as well...
Then after a little more study I finally decided I would step up to a MiA standard, slowly changed my mind choosing a MiA Deluxe...
Then I played the MiA deluxe FMT with ebony fretboard (tabacco sunburst) & actually put it on layaway.

See how that worked on me Fender?? LoL

If that wasn't enough, I also fell in love with this sienna sunburst rosewood

I put it on layaway as well but I lost my job be4 I could pay it off and had to let it go...
The reason for my choice is simply that the MiA is a superior instrument. I have toured professionally, opening for some known groups (on stage in front of thousands of people playing all originals) in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am not RiCH, but I have a passion for electric guitar that will never die! For me spending the $$$ is worth every penny and then some.

Currently I am researching to find my first telecaster. I am trying to talk myself into a MiM but I keep finding myself looking at MiA's. I still have not bought a MiM Fender yet and when I do it will likely be used, but it will happen. No doubt about it.

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explorationx

Well I own a '08 STD HSS Strat and it is pure love....

Ahhhh, the MIM vs MIA debate continues ... it warms the heart.

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

If you're buying a MIM and planing on yanking the pickups, pots out of it; you're only fooling yourself..
you might as well buy the MIA in the first place.
Add the MIA's hardshell case and the "upgraded" MIM now costs almost as much as the MIA.

If you find a MIM that you like, play it.

There is a sound difference between a MIM and a MIA but don't be fooled into thinking you'll save money.

Would an audiance tell the difference?
Not a chance.

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

The old saying you get what you pay for holds very true especially in the world of musical instruments.I would go with 1-mia, 2 cij ,3-mim.If you,re asking the question it means you,ll want the mia model,in the back of your mind.

I bought the MIA. Why, because I could afford it, and it is professional quality.

I would have been happy with a MIM, but I think I would have kept asking, if the MIM is this good, how great would a MIA be? I may have been upset if I bought a MIM and then upgaded to MIA to find it sounds no better.

For me, having nice equipment serves to make me want to play even more. When I look at my three tone SB MIA STD, its a thing of beauty. The finish on the MIM just was not as rich looking. I would never have been as drawn to it personally.

With that said, if I want to get a strat to mod someday, I would start with a MIM probably. I feel no need to mod the MIA, it sounds very rich

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

I have never bought a guitar as an investment. However, looking at Ebay, my guitars have not lost much to any value over the years. When you look at that way, not bad, the residual value if I sold them, I would have played guitar for the last 25 years for just a couple hundred dollars at most and for free possibly. That is a lot of entertainment for a couple hundred. Certainly not a wealth accumalation tool, but well worth the $$$$

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

Umm.... OK

No one suggested they would.

But since you raised the issue: My mint '04 Deluxe (50th Annniversary) cost me $850 last saturday. It is worth at least $300- 500 more than that. It was an appreciation of a minimum $300 the minute I walked out of the store with it.

As with anything that has value, the idea is to "buy low - sell high"

They ARE an investment, but it all depends on the deal you can get for it.

i have both. when i want a new one i will test out both. the one sounds better will be mine.

cheers