my dad is tryin to tell me that there is no difference and im saying other wise cuz i no there is

as far as the quality of craftmanship on the body and necks
as far as i'm concern there is none. the electronics thats
a differnt story.

about $400 and some electric bits. Go find a MIJ, they're much better!

_________________
"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

The differences between them as I see it are these,on the MIA neck 22 instead of 21 frets and a glossier finish.
Tuners on the MIA are staggered,not on the MIM,
. tremelo is 2 point on the MIA and vintage style on the MIM but has a narrower screw spread than say a MIA vintage style trem. 2 1/16" vs 2 3/16".The pots and switch are comparable but the MIA is wired slightly differently with the Delta tone.The pick ups are different and the MIA's are superior although nothing to get misty about. If you look real close there are differences is a MIA worth roughly double thats up the the beholder.There is nothing wrong with a MIM that a great amp can't fix and the MIA is a beautiful instrument that also comes with a really nice hardshell case and the MIM comes with a gig bag.All in all it's your money take your choice you can't go wrong.cheers

Your dad sounds like a practical guy. Personally, I like the MIM's and I don't think you're giving up much getting a MIM instead of a MIA unless you're a working musician. (The MIA electrical stuff is a step above the MIMs, so I've been told, and therefore are probably a little more durable.) Like everyone here says, play 'em all then pick the one that feels right (and fits your budget)... just my humble opinion...

Hello Maiden Fan,

Other things to keep in mind is:

Mex nut width is 1.65 and the USA is 1.687
small but it makes a differance

Mex has Polyester finish & USA is Urethane,
urethane is the more durable.

The USA also sports a hand-rolled fingerboard
translating into a most comfortable feel.

A little more, is more expensive, so only
you and your pop can make the value call.

Cheers.

Im not sure what the differences are but i will say this. I used to buy import guitars, upgrading guitars gets old and it kills the resale value. If you replace EVERYTHING on the mim you still dont get a mia. Tone comes from wood too. And the US plants get the first pick of wood. But its your call.

What else needs to be said? Parts, quality, craftmanship, and lets not forget about the price. If you are on a budget, then buy a MIM and make upgrades as you go. If you have money to burn, buy MIA and be done with it.

In the end you are the deciding factor whether you like the "cheaper" model or like the "expensive" model. I have read the following things that most MIM owners change out are:

1. Tunners
2. Pickups/pots
3. Saddles
4. Nuts

It is true than MIA Fenders get the choice wood for necks and bodies which play a very important part in tone.

It just sounds like your dad does not play guitar, and to a non-musician a guitar is just a guitar. At least he is not trying to have you get a Starcaster.

RK

_________________
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

Ahh the failcaster.

Or a Hondo.

The MIMs are quality instruments, and give you a lot of bang for your buck! I have an American Tele and a MIM Strat. I'd say the MIA is about a 15-20% better instrument than the MIM, but it also cost more than twice as much!

Keep in mind you can do upgrades to the MIM (replacing the pickups, hardware, etc.) if you want to at some point down the road.

this has got to me the most common subject on this forum. You have to try them out for yourself. I've noticed the quality of the MIMs have improved over the years.

+1 I'd also like to add that the usa model has bent steel saddles, 2 point trem, better frets (in my opinion) and I'm assuming better choice of woods "in general". You get a nice case with the MIA. I do like the pickups/electronics of the MIA better. I still think the MIM is a wonderful guitar even with the price hike.

the 2006 MIM standard strats to present. Body and Neck.

Body - 3 piece select Alder.

Neck - rock maple with jumbo frets

the body on the MIM standard is flawless
3 piece select Alder very smooth cuts no
ruff cuts.

the neck rock maple/ jumbo frets
the neck is very smooth the frets are also
very smooth no ruff edges simply a A+ job.


the MIA american standards.

Body - 1 to 4 piece select Alder

neck - rock maple medium jumbo frets

the body are also cut very smooth and
and mostly flawless also.

the neck is also very smooth no ruff edges
on the frets. A+
both the MIM and MIA strats come from state of
art factory's are cut from the same type of machines
and use the same woods. the craftmanship on the MIM's
are on the same level as most MIA's.

when you put out $550 for a MIM standard strat
your basicaly paying for the qaulity of craftmanship
on the Body and Neck.

now thers a few people that will disagree its always
the same people. but there are many other sites out
there that rate the 2006 to present MIM standards.
and a ton of guitarist pro and none pro
that own this model and year that have done modds
and you will see i'm pretty much on target.

also cant forget the fender ping tuners that
come with the MIM standards and some MIA strats.
the ping tuners i like very much for the simple reason
there easy to use and keep your strat in tune much
better than the vintage tuners. the fender ping tuners
are great all around tuners.