I am looking for a MIM. Used or new. Doesn't matter to me.

as for the used ones, are there certain years that seem to be better then others? For example are the ones made in the 90's considered better sounding then the ones created from 2000 to now? Or are the new ones on the shelf now better then previous years?

Is there something I should be looking for in a MIM or more importantly is there anything I should stay away from?

Is the MIM catalog the same year for year as the MIA one? Just wanting to know how I can research any possible MIM I might consider buying.

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to end up with the best Strat in the end and I figured there would be no better place around to get my Strat edumacation

More recent MIM's have a better reputation. But of the earlier MIM's I have encountered, they seemed pretty good too.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

The mid-90's ones I saw were pretty rough. The necks were okay (once nut and fret issues were dealt with). The hardware and electronics were really bottom of the drawer stuff.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

The early ones I remember were both Jimmy Vaughan models, so probably they weren't the same as the run of the mill production run?

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I have 3 MIM Strats, a 1996 HSS w/ vintage style neck, a 2001 Standard SSS, and a 2003 Classic Series 50s Strat. Along with that, I own a 2002 Standard Telecaster. All were bought used, with very little playing time on them.
In my humble opinion, I find the build quality of all MIM guitars to be quite high, and I find no major differences between the 1996 and 2003 models. Mind you, I have had all of my guitars taken apart down to the last screw, so quality issues tend to make themselves known at that point. I also feel that I have enough experience in choosing a "good one" so to speak, so I do not end up buying a non-playable instrument. That just comes with 30 years of playing, repairing and tinkering with over 100 different guitars I've had.
Everyone will tell you on this forum, each guitar is different. The ones I bought, I did so because they were intact, original, playable, sounded good, and were a good price. I tend to go for the "different" models rather than the plain Jane ones, so what I think is good for me may not be for you.
Overall, I think the MIM Strats are a great deal, and make a great platform for modifications. Buy a 1960s Strat and keep it stock. Buy a 2001 Standard Strat and modify to your hearts content!!!

I have a 94 MIM that I love, but I've also done a lot to it over the years, and broke it in a lot. It was in no way comparable to my 98 MIA, though people will argue about difference they don't notice or car about but that make a huge difference to me.

That's a good point about each guitar being different. 15 years ago when I bought my Strat, I rejected literally hundreds of guitars in favour of that one.

I chose an MIA, so probably it colours my perception, bbecause I didn't buy the MIM. But to put in perspective, I rejected 4 or 5 MIM's but I literally rejected over 100 MIA's, and chose only one. So the point probably is, there is one guitar out there you will like best. there will be quite a few you like, but not quite as much. And there will be a ton you don't like. But someone else may favor one you reject.

try it out, don't pay attention to where it was made, but how well it was made.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I had a 1991 MIM standard strat and it played nice. The neck had vintage frets and I never had a problem with them sticking out from the sides and slicing my hand. The only issue was that the electronics were not very good. The pots started getting dead spots and static and the pickup selector switch was a little iffy going to 2 and 4.
I now have a 2008 and really like it. The new ones (2006+) just have more upgraded features. The electronics are better now. The bodies are shielded. The necks on the standards now have MJ frets.

I have a 2004 MIM Standard which I play all the time. I've had it since 2005 or early 2006. No issues.

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In '06, they enacted a bunch of upgrades that ... most notably ... includes a larger trem-block. The pre-06 are still great guitars, though. But if you do get a pre-06, just remember to upgrade the trem-block at some point (which is just three simple screws).

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

I should have stated that the current ones are much improved.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

I own 4 Strats #1..73 American standard #2.. 89 MIA Strat ultra
#3. 95 Floyd Rose Strat and a 2008 MIM Fat Strat...The 95 mim is a great guitar excellent construction and quality..Not only is it a Floyd Rose but it also has the micro tilt adjustment on the neck..But the stock pickups absolutely sucked..
The 2008 MIM Fat Strat was even higher build quality and probably the best bang for my buck guitar i have ever bought..In this one i actually thought the pickups were pretty good..
I have heard and i have no idea if this is true or not that the late 90's and early 2000's Strats suffered in quality and they began getting better in 2005 with the best years being 2007 and 2008..Then also that the new 2009 model is also a high quality MIM...
If someone has heard these rumors also or if there is a reason for these rumors please comment..I have always thought they were just rumors ..But i would like to hear if others have heard the same thing ..