I'll admit I've always been snobbish. I consider the American strat to be very well priced for such a high quality instrument so I figured why not just always buy American. Not to mention that some earlier MIM's I've tried I didn't like at all. They had really skinny vintage frets, which I hate. They had terrible fret work. You could cut your hand running it up and down the fret edges. They had horrible electronics, and a thin-blocked cheap bridge.

Recently just for kicks I picked up a white MIM strat at GC to test out an amp. I only picked it up because it happened to be closer to me than the American strats. I'd have to say I was really really surprised! (two reallys)

This guitar wasn't bad at all. The wood is much improved. The finish is much improved. The frets are medium jumbo and the fretwork was flawless. The electronics are better and even the bridge has a thicker block and much better sustain. For $500 these things aren't bad at all. That's really cool for guys that can't afford expensive stuff. You can get a nice quality guitar at a reasonable price. I guess they finally got their QA figured out in Mexico. Kudos to Fender.

I don't own one yet, and maybe the one I tried out was a fluke, but if they're all built like that one I'll definitely consider buying one if I find myself in the market. I don't know when these new upgraded models came out but they're nice.

Yup the MIM's have made huge strides in quality over the past few years. They are good quality instruments at a very reasonable price point.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Love my 2 MIMs. There getting a re-crown tonight. Theres nothing at all wrong with MIMs and hasnt been for plenty of years. Like all guitars at that price point you need to play before pay.

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No no and no

Test drive before you buy?!
Shocking!

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Love my MIM's.

Who said they were all that bad?

Mine is perfect...

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08 American Strat - Blizzard Pearl
04 MIM Strat - Black Maple Neck
07 Gibson SG - Heritage Cherry
11 Gibson Les Paul Studio 60's Tribute GT
Martin Acoustic - 00CXAE
Marshall Class 5 Head
Blackstar HT5 Combo
Mustang V Head
Behringer AT108

As a species (since 2006), I they are truly excellent. I have absolutely no complaints with mine either; although I did sit and play it for about a half hour before I bought it. These are great guitars which can be had at great prices!

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You dig?

I agree. As a matter of fact, I'm going to go and play my 07 HSS Strat MIM right now.It's a beautiful instrument.

Gridlok

That's good to know.

I found their necks to be nice and quite servicable (once any problems are dealt with). So you're sayin' the rest of 'em aren't bad either. Okay.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

My first strat was a 94 MIM. Fell in love and played the crap out of that. Two fret jobs, completely broken in and modded, and it fits like a glove. That thing has so much vibe to it, I can always pick it up and never have to think what to play. It's so great that ideas just flow out and everything sounds perfect to the point where I'll just play and play and play on it without any thought involved at all.

MIM's can be very inconsistent though. Mine's great. When you find a good one, they're great guitars that can last a lifetime in any scenario.

When I got my MIA in 98, it was even nicer and more refined and that become my #1, still is. The red MIM is still a great guitar that I can take anywhere and never have to worry about.

I got my first Strat when I was in high school. It was a 91 MIM Standard (Black and Maple). Yes, it had the skinny vintage frets but I never had a problem with them and the neck played nice. The one problem I had was with the electronics, especially the pots going bad.
My new one is a just a newer version but it is definitely nicer. I do like the mj frets better and the body does resonate better.
Personally, I am thankful that I found one last year when they were only listed at $400. But even at the new inflated prices, it is still a hell of a lot of guitar. Besides, if you want to customize it, you have that option.

I do not own a MIM but have heard nothing but rave reviews from players on the forum. You are always going to have the guys who dont want nothing to do with anything that is not MIA but I also seen the same guys say the same thing about 80s MIJ which I do own a few of so I know nothing is going to sway some peoples minds as my MIJ are killer guitars .I mean when I bought my Clapton strat and the bridge pup died 2 years later was I supposed to say dont buy a MIA Clapton $@!& happens. I can only say that every Fender I own or have owned was built like a tank and have never given me any major problem.

I don't even bother with the MIA Strats anymore. The MIMs are solid guitars and they don't have that infernal two point bridge.

I have a FSR Deluxe Ash Strat. I put Fralin Hot Vintage pups in it, but in a blender pot, and wired the middle tone for master tone control. Total cost (doing wiring work myself) was still less than a stock American Standard.

Yep, they're very good for the dollar Doesn't break the bank and I wouldn't flip so much if it got a hard scratch or anything.

And in this opinion, the MIMS have their own very appealing vibe.

This picker usually feels this- or that- guitar-y when getting down for some playing.

And an MIM is perfect for being laid back and casual in the extreme, kinda the fast food and beer out of the bottle kind of guitar.

Just great, hits the musical spot, when that is what you are craving.

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