Im a novice - been playing for three years. Started with an epiphone sg, liked the look and cheaper price than a real Gibson. Now I played my instructors american strat - loved how low the strings were set - it plays so easy! I tried to get that nice low action on my "cheap" version of an sg and couldnt achieve it without buzz etc. My question is this - if I buy a standard (mexican?) strat, can I expect the same lack of precision in the neck structure? I know one gets what you pay for, but what exactly will I give up by not getting an American Strat? Do they play similarly?

Thanks
Rockingeezer

Go to your local guitar source and play as many different MIM's as you can. You'll find they will fit the bill. Do a search here on the forums and you'll see a lot of members love them. Welcome to the forum. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Welcome to the Forum.

Remember that each guitar is going to be a little different as to setup.

I have owned Squier Strats, and Fender MIM, MIJ, and MIA Strats and I have been able to achieve pretty low action on each. And each one was a decent playing guitar.

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Chet Feathers

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

Cool name; welcome!

Mostly by buying a Mexican one, abbreviated, "MIM" for, "Made in Mexico", by and large the most you will be giving up is frills; not quality, precision, etc. The MIMs believe it or not, play more like older Stratocasters with a more traditional feel. As a rule, the US models and the MIMs from 2006 and on play and are made exceedingly well. Many, many experienced and accomplished players even right here use MIMs as their #1 guitar totally by choice. I'm one of them and I've been playing over 42 years.

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You dig?

Hi rockingeezer and welcome to the forum. Try as much MIMs as you can, don't forget to try the Jimmy Vaughan MIM with hotter pups. Good luck with your search.
Claude.

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, after playing my instructors, Ive got to have one. Artic white with maple neck I belive. Dont think I'll part with the SG tho. I installed some Gibson 500t and 496r pups (almost what the guitar cost!)and it does sound slick thru my Hot Rod Deluxe. Im getting the equipment, now all I need is the ability on the same level! Im a real late starter - Im 56, but I do have a solid music background. After 3 years things are really starting to come together- found another guitar player and a good bass guy. Playing with them has really helped. Im thinkin the strat will help too - or at least make it more fun.

'Especially hip with Chet and Martian, with another thought.

A hot pro tech should be able to get veritably any guitar playing really slick. Low acton is this picker's preference and Third Coast in Chicago gets them strings down and comfy and precise intonation, pretty much regardless of brand or place of manfacture.

That said, some guitars, like a Mosrite Mk I are made to be exceptionally low-strung, while others, like an ES-175 are just never going to be that low, tho both are magnificent instruments.

An MIM Strat can be set up to be a truly fine guitar, as said above, much like a 'vintage' Strat. The American Standard and American Deluxe are just plain better quality and build. Fender is dreadfully honest here; you get exactly what you pay for.

Welcome and have fun!

I own 4 Strats a 78 Standard/89 ultra/95 Floyd rose and a 08 MIM H.S.S Strat..I bought the MIM last November and since i have installed a Seymour Duncan Pearly Gate on the Bridge and Suhr v60's in the neck and mid position..I paid $320 for the MIM Strat new and still to this day think it is the best bang for your buck guitar on the market...I have been playing for over 25 years now and have never ran across a guitar that had the action and sound in that price range that my MIM Strat had stock..
The reason i added the upgrade pickups had nothing to do with the poor quality of the pickups that were in the guitar..It actually was for the opposite reason i felt the quality of the guitar deserved the best i could do with it ..The Guitar was great with the original pups but now with the pearly gate and Suhr v60's it is something to brag about..
I think the MIM Strats are a much higher quality then the lower priced Gibson /Epiphone products on the market..I would say that the quality of a MIM Strat is equal to the quality of a $750 Epiphone..If not more...With Gibson you get a pop instead of a bang for your bucks...

You no what I say to this question?

Just better odds with the M.I.A. guitars

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I agree plus the MIA resale value is better
also if you dont want to pay over $1,000
u can buy it used for the same price as a New MIM
i see American standards on eBay for $600 all the time
I sold my all blk, maple neck American STD last year
For $650 .. Wish I didn't though needed cash but I sold it fast

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USA 1989 Clapton Signature Strat in 7up Green
USA Standard Telecaster all Blk w EMG 81/85
ESP Eclipse II w EMG 81/60
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier & Road king 4x12

My experience has been that some epiphones have extreme lack of precision. I don't think you'll see that in a MIM Strat.

An American Strat will have more attention to detail in most cases and some other things that you don't get on a MIM (bi-truss rod, rolled fret edges, etc..)

As suggested, play a bunch of them. Only then will you find what is best for you.

Good luck!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Rockingezzer Ithink you will be impressed with the quality of the neck and Fretboard of the mim Strats...

Do you all know the bifference between MIA and MIM Strats?


$600 Dollars and 30 miles...:>)


Thats not exactly true ..But the $350 dollar MIM Strats quality is far superior to Epiphones $350 dollar guitars...