What!!!!

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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

Its all a matter of if YOU think the money is worth the difference in appointments.I have yet to pick up a MIA with fret sprout in the store, yet i have played a bunch of MIM and the fret sprout is fairly common in many of the MIM that I played, from the road worn down to the standard.I dont know if that issue speaks to the quality of the wood or the quality of the setup , but I am willing to pay more for a nicer feeling neck.To me the neck is the most important part of the guitar.

Bottom line: If you have only the cash, get an MIM. But look for the right one that feels "right" to you. You will never "need" another guitar for the rest of your life. Garage band, hobby player, local band, national act, soundtrack recoding - there is no professional that would "need" anything else. Outstanding guitar that will be a life long friend. My 94 still is and has done it all.

But if you can afford the MIA, get that. You'll appreciate the differences, albeit subtle to some.

A luthier is just a guitar builder, there is no test to pass or minimum skill level to attain. If you've built a partscaster, guess what. You built a guitar. You're a luthier.

Of course, some luthiers are better than others. However, the point of this thread is to explode the myth that the Mexican Fenders are inherently inferior and part of that myth is that they are inherently inferior because of their origin. This is simply not true.

Also, if you think in Ensenada trained monkeys are pulling parts out of bins and slapping them together while in Corona skilled luthiers are lovingly crafting parts by hand and assembling them to the tightest tolerances, you are mistaken. I am friends with several Fender Corona Alumni, and some of them (I hope they aren't reading) are just trained monkies. Plus, one of the finest luthiers I've ever known, who has made guitars for the likes of Larry Carlton and Abraham Laboriel, is currently doing set ups at Kaman in Ontario and building high dollar acoustics in his garage on the weekends. So, being a pay check player on the guitar line ALSO does not equate to a lack of skill.

Are the American Fenders better? I think so. I own one. I love it. I'll never sell it. But I also own a MIM, and what ever luxuries that guitar lacks, it is NOT a victim of shoddy workmanship. They are both pro guitars that have both paid for themselves several times over. One is like a hot rod Nova, one is a Mustang. They both jump off the line pretty quick. And even owing a MIA, I'd still look at a MIM as a serious guitar, and would buy another tomorrow if it felt and sounded right to me.

You said it!!! Old school feel and sound and old school price tag. Now you can't get any more old school than that.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/gmlasam

I currently have a Malmsteen Strat which is a great guitar but I'm strongly considering picking up a 60's Classic Strat which is Mexican made. I've always been fond of the 60's Classic Strats. The disadvantage of the scalloped neck is that you must land squarely on the string when you fret. If you don't that note is lost. It's like standing on the edge of a cliff. If you place a foot on air you will fall off since there is no ground to support you to stay in place.

I'm also looking at an American Vintage 62 body and putting my Robert Cray neck on it.

You have read into a post further than what is there and taken a quote out of context.

I know what a luthier is and agree there is no set skill level or degree to be one. I would also venture to guess that the majority of the factory workers in either plant (or the Gibson plant, or any Japanese, Korean, and so on, plant) are not luthiers. Most of them have a specific job that they perform. They are pros at that particular aspect. The '69s wound by Abigail Ybarra are desirable because that is what she does and she is the best at it. Not because she spends 2 days making pick ups then runs off to sand necks or do final assemblies and set ups for a day. I don't think she is a luthier, but she is THE best at what she does. That is the point I was making. That's why I said that comparison is more like comparing a CS Strat to a Standard, regardless of where it is made. Guess that wasn't as clear as I thought.

I don't necessarily think the Corona or Ensenada workers are on average any more luthiers than their counterparts. I would guess they most likely get the same same job training and indoctrination. I don't even buy into the American factory getting all the good wood and the Ensenada plant only getting second dibs.

To me they are both the best guitars available in their respective price ranges. It is a matter of opinion and personal preference which one an individual would rather have. If either was offered for free, I'd take the American every time. If I had to buy them at their street prices, then I'd debate the pros and cons of each and go from there. My cons may be your pros and vice versa. A big part of why these type polls/threads end up in a big mess more often than not.


I got my American Deluxe this past Friday. Awesome guitar, beautiful, love it, could not be happier (within reason). Since then I've taken it out and played it twice. It sang beautifully both times and felt wonderful. I could already play better and faster on it. On the flip side, I've played not one but both of my MIM Squier Series that are generally considered the crappiest of the MIMs every day. At this point those are the ones that just feel more natural. The trem fights me more, the pickups are raunchy and hum a little, they go out of tune fairly easily. Right now that still feels right. Probably helps some that the MIMs are grab-n-go, not in cases. They are my faded jeans and t shirt. The Deluxe is my 3 piece Armani suit. I'm still growing into it and learning how to tie a Windsor knot.

I cant say that!!!! Anyone can put a bolt on neck guitar together. Try it from a blank or try doing the woodwork that you seen Ceri do when he rebuilt a body by adding wood the recutting it. Try replacing a brace in an acoustic or repairing a top. an acoustic bridge, Reattach a set neck, changing a fret board or even frets. rescue a truss, repair a peghead ,proper refinishing. When you can do all that then you may be a luthier!!!! It's alot more then screwing together a parts caster. Try setting a 2500.00 acoustic guitar on your bench and fix it!!!! I have taken years doing this stuff and learning and doing on the side for extra money Just ranting

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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

Never thought of that. EASILY could be.. I'll ask. Thanks.

I'm sorry you feel that way, but the definition of the word luthier is someone who makes or repairs stringed instruments. That's it. The definition just doesn't support any elitist criteria. Also, the root of the word refers to lute making, which very few luthiers actually do. Sure, I agree it's much more difficult to make an acoustic, but that is not a requirement of the definition. And truthfully, anyone with a modicum of skill can get a Stew Mac kit and build an acoustic as easily as anything else. Perhaps you could make that argument for the term "Master Luthier", but that is adding a qualification to the term luthier, isn't it?

And, again, the point of this thread and my posts is to determine the quality of Mexican Fenders. And while I never said the MIMs are equal to the MIAs, they are never the less a worthwhile and professional product, and there is no shame in having one.

Like all MIA vs MIM vs MIJ vs This vs That topics, this one is starting civil war. Can't we all just get along ?

platypbri,
It seems to me you answered you own question!!!!Your question Quote (And, again, the point of this thread and my posts is to determine the quality of Mexican Fenders.)
Your own answer.
Quote (And while I never said the MIMs are equal to the MIAs, they are never the less a worthwhile and professional product, and there is no shame in having one.)


Semantics is the study of meaning. The word "semantics" itself denotes a range of ideas, from the popular to the highly technical. It is often used in ordinary language to denote a problem of understanding that comes down to word selection or connotation.

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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

That wasn't a question. It was a statement. The OP asked, are Mexican Strats good? I have consistently said yes. And I pointed out that their is nothing inherently inferior about Mexican guitars or guitar builders. I never questioned any of this.
As I own both Mexican and American Fenders, I feel I can speak to their relative quality with some degree of objectivity. At least, to the extent that you can be objective about something as individual as a guitar. And there actually ARE situations where I prefer the MIM. I am not, however, a MIM evangelist, so I do like to point out there are valid reasons to seek out the American guitars. Most of those reasons, however, are matters of personal preference and not actual ability of the instrument to perform.

Black is not a color? When did this happen?

I was also not being serious. Just having a little fun with these "which is better" threads. I don't seriously think color makes a difference in tone.

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The time has gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say.

These type of threads always and only cause trouble between posters that ALL love Fenders. Sad!