I've got a mid-80's MIJ Strat (SSS configuration) that I was considering refinishing the body. Well, the local Fender dealer has a couple of MIM standard Strats on sale for $329 each. One is a color I really like -- Candy Apple Red or a color close to it. So, I'm wondering how compatible the MIM body and MIJ body are in regard to swapping parts from one to the other. Basically, I want to end up with a Candy Apple Red MIJ that isn't dinged up. (The body on the MIJ Strat is dinged up -- or roadworn some would say... not the look I want.)

I'm guessing the easiest thing to do is to just swap the MIJ neck and "loaded" pickguard onto the MIM if that's possible.... Anyone tried this kind of swap?

(Its late here -- 2 a.m. and now I'm conversing with myself here in this thread.)

Just thought of something.... string spacing is probably different on the MIJ compared to the MIM. Would that be an issue when using the MIJ neck with the MIM bridge?... I kinda doubt the MIJ bridge assembly would fit in the MIM since the MIJ uses the Kahler bridge assembly..

If this gets too involved, the alternative is to learn to appreciate the dinged-up Sunburst MIJ body and keep the MIJ intact as is.... and satisfy my Candy Apple Red need by adding an '09 standard MIM Strat to the fold... life is too complicated sometimes...

oldguy01 they should fit Fender has used the same sixe neck pocket on most guitars now for like ever. Most other makers use the same size as well but itis not a given. 3"- 2 3/16"-5/8" even tele pockets are the same but the neck heel cut differs.

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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

Okay, so all I have to figure out is whether the difference in string spacing would be an issue if I use the MIM bridge assembly with the MIJ neck...

Oldguy why go through all this trouble and refinish the body of your MIJ with a nice custom paint job. It would be cheaper and you would not ruin a new guitar.

MiM 2 1/16 and MIJ 2 7/32

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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

Thanks CV and Straycat -- based on your comments, I'll most likely leave the MIJ as is and just deal with the wear it shows. I could always refinish the body if I really want to... Considering the price of the MIM's, my craving for a CAR guitar can best be satisfied by buying one of those. I mean, for $329, you can't go wrong... and, if I want to spend $399, I could get the most current MIM standard with the better neck and trem block..

Hey Straycat -- saw your comment in another post about my other Strats in waiting. Final layaway payment on 7/16 and the Am Deluxe will be mine. CP 50's will follow a couple weeks after that. In the meantime, the dinged up MIJ is keeping me busy...

Hi Oldguy: the necks will swap between the Strats you mention, but as you say there will be problems with the bridge. You either have to use the bridge on the Mexican guitar, or...

Personally, I'd strip and refin the Japanese body.

Or another way to go is to buy a new aftermarket body in the color of your choice and fit your parts to it (it'll involve some careful drilling). You can buy the bod of your dreams from Warmoth - at a price. Cheaper and also good quality are bodies made by WD Music:

http://www.wdmusic.com/finished_strat_r ... odies.html

A nice Fiesta Red on that page, and if you were in the mood for a change there's some very attractive trans finishes. I love both those black burst ones, and the quilt honeyburst near the end is tasty! And there's no picture of the quilt trans wine at the bottom, but the name alone turns me on!

Or you could split the difference and buy an unfinished body and then do that in the color of your choice. Easier than stripping the MIJ. Here's some unfinished options:

http://www.wdmusic.com/unfinished_strat ... odies.html

There's much cheaper to be found out there, but these are good quality.

Whichever way you decide to go,

Good luck - C

PS Written simultaneously to Jay's post, above. Not intended in any way as a contradiction to what he said...

Yeah, I have that effect on people...

I've not heard of people having difficulties swapping between Japanese, Mexican and American Fender timbers. But then I've not followed the stories of all the necks and all the bodies. We must leave omnipotence to other entities...

But yes, parted out bods on Ebay is another good option.

Cheers - C

So, just wondering -- if the string spacing on a MIM is different than a MIJ or MIA Strat, are the poles on MIM pickups spaced narrower than pickups in a MIJ or MIA Strat? I'm guessing the string spacing doesn't make much difference in regard to the pickups since I read here all the time that people replace pickups in a MIM guitar with Custom Shop pickups which, I figure, are standard in some MIA Strats...

I think the narrower spacing lines the strings up over the pickups better than the wider spacing.

You may like the narrow spacing better: the E strings are more securely on the fretboard.

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My other guitar is a Strat.