I am looking to buy a standard stratocaster, but i dont know if it sounds as good as the more expensive ones. Any suggestions?

Also, where can you find one in neon green?

I have an 08 MIA Standard and it sounds great. As far as a Deluxe or anything else goes, while they may sound different that isn't necessarily better. You'll have to try a few and figure out which sound you like.

+1 except mines a 2002 MIA standard

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Guitar- Amp

Welcome to the forum. I've got a MIA '98 Std. and I just brought home a 2008 MIA Deluxe. Both are wonderful guitars. The Deluxe offers more tonal options with the S1 switch. The Mexican made guitars are great instuments as are the Squire series guitars. Especially the Squire Classic Vibe guitars. Amazing value for the money. There's so many Strats that Fender offers the best advice I can give you is to try out as many as you can. You may find one that just feels like the perfect guitar for you. As for neon green. Not sure you'll be able to find one in that color unless its some type of custom paint job.

Russ

Do you mean the MIM Standard or the American Standard?
You really have to go to your local shop and try as many Strats as you can. Some MIM's stack up very well against the MIA's. As for the neon green, you may be out of luck there.

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Fender CIJ Jerry Donahue Telecaster
Vox Pathfinder 15R

Mr Zebra, how are you with a spray can?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Welcome to the Forum.

I suggest you go out and play as many as you can and find the one you think sounds best.

As for Neon Green, well, you will probably have to paint it yourself.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Welcome and like the vets recommend, go out and play as many as you can, with maybe something like a higher-end Mexico as well.

Maybe a Buddy Guy, and finally, try an an American Standard for comparison and an Americn Deluxe to get blown away by how high a Fender can go in quality.

A Standard can be a great longg-term pal, they are fine guitars. As soon as you get it, go get a pro setup, it'll make an enormous difference in playability.

Best of fortune.

I've tried out a couple of regular standards the other day, and i tried out a more expensive one, they felt the same and sounded the same, but i was using a puny amp at the store. I think i'll settle for a standard and try it out on my tube amp. And i'll probably have to get some kind of car bodyshop to paint it.

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DEAD ZeBRA

I have 07 MIA standard and to my ear it is tonally better with current rock very goot with distortion (hotter stock pickups than in 08 and later). It even gets John Mayer funky sounds when tweaked through eq (digital on iMac). New 09 MIM standards are awesome too with the good setup.

Good luck (please don't ask MIM vs MIA question everybody on this forum is getting allergic reaction to this question).
Play as many as possible and buy what ever you

1. like
2. sounds great to you
3. $ afford now

If you are talking about ones made in Mexico....You may want to put in some new pick-ups first and maybe new pots depending if you are going hotter or more output.

I personally have not found one worth buying in the last 2 years. (not to ruffle any feathers of anyone who has) I just did not like the way they played or sounded. My last 2 purchaces were a Highway 1 Stratocaster and a Squire Classic Vibe 60. And yes, the CV blows any stock Fender MIM Standard out of the water and is a little cheaper on the pocket book. (just my opinion when I went out looking last month and I played just about every MIM Standard in 3 different stores.) And I am confident enough to play a Squire and not worry what other people think of my gear.

If you have the money, just buy a American Standard and be done with it. As mentioned play as many as you can and see if there is one with your name on it whether it is a MIA or MIM.

RK

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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

Well, the MIM's are good. MIA's are better. Is an MIM just like an MIA in every way? Of course not. It's an outsourced version with corners cut with the goal of saving money for Fender and for the buyer, so no, it's not "exactly" as good as the MIA. Anyone that tells you it's the same is either lying or doesn't know what they're talking about.

If you can afford a MIA, get it. If you can't afford an MIA, an MIM is pretty good for the money. I have one of each, love them both (and both heavily modded) but love the MIA more for various reasons.

Some quick notes about MIM's....

- very inconsistent. some are great, some are turds. play a lot of them to find a good one
- great starting point if you want to get a cheapie and mod it as you go along
- you'll never "need" another guitar if you have an MIM. though you may "want" a more "refined" one later on as your playing and instrument taste progresses