I've searched around, but can't seem to find just what year the Mexican Strat/Tele was introduced. Anyone?

i think it was 1987 or 1988

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So if someone is trying to sell you a 1981 Mexican Strat, beware!

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+1

Wow, I thought the MIM had been around longer than that. So I guess the older import models were Japanese? I know MIJs are pretty well regarded. Weren't there some made in China too (not including the modern Squires)? I don't know why I care about this, I've just been curious.

Hi bjk: I have an idea the Mexican plant at Ensenada opened in 1987, but I think perhaps they didn't start making guitars till 1989.

But I'm away from my books and can't check that for you right now. I don't know what the first model they turned out might have been.

Cheers - C

Mexico first produced squire guitars. Without any evidence i thought the first fenders were released from there in 1990.
The site dater lists the earliest serials as 1990
http://www.fender.com/support/mexican_instruments.php[url][/url]

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No no and no

you are correct - NOT before 1990

Ooo, that seems firm.

I found this:

http://www.strat-central.com/

They say:

And also:


I wouldn't take any website as gospel. Is that one wrong?

Cheers - C

Yes Fender had opened a factory in Mexico in 1987 but it was only making amps and cabinets which started to appear in 1989. They did not start making or releasing MIM guitars till 1991. Please refer to the book "50 years of Fender' by Tony Bacon" on page 100 (Chapter called 1991 - Down Mexico way) pulished by Balafon Books 2000.

Excellent: I have that book - unfortunately 200 miles from where I am at this moment. I'll look it up when I get home.

Thank you!

Cheers - C

It is also in Totally Guitar also by Tony Bacon...he says...."Fender amps started to appear from the Mexico factory in 1989, which had been established in 1987, with guitars to follow soon after, by 1992 the mexican factory was producing around 175 Standard Stratocasters per day. One estimate in the late 1990's had Mexico assembling 150,000 Fenders per year, compared to some 85,000 at the corona factory. The workforce was around 1,000 at the mexico factory and 700 at corona. The first two guitars to come out of Mexico were the Toronado and the Cyclone Models"
Hope this helps...any questions..just ask...

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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

Another Fender timeline:

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/article/1 ... line-.html

Cool. Thanks for all the info.

Were Japanese Fenders ever imported to the US in quantity? All I've seen is individual sales.

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