Well, having had both a '85 MIJ (which I still have) and a '92 MIK, between the two I had the MIJ was without a doubt the superior instrument in every way. The "E series" MIJ's...at least everyone I've ever played, are just incredible instruments to say the least. I know there have been some comments on either side of the fence about the MIJ pickups but mine just really sounds incredible and the neck of course is totally fab. I can't even make a bad comment about the body being basswood...very nice quality through and though. The MIK however...quite honestly my '08 CIC Squier Standard is a -far- superior instrument. The neck on the MIK was fair enough and I used it on another project Strat I had built (which got traded recently for an Ovation acoustic/electric) but it really didn't compare with the neck on the MIJ at all (or even the CIC). The body on the MIK...that's another story. Cheap plywood...shoddy routing...crappy pickups...crappy bridge...just really poor quality all around.

Now for the sake of fairness here again my MIJ is an '85 E series (the '84 to '87 models)...and those suckers have a well earned reputation as being really outstanding instruments. Mine has the '62 RI neck and that is really one of the finest necks I've ever played. That said, I've never played any of the later models...it is quite possible that the 90's MIJ's and CIJ's don't compare. From what I've read about the Korean models though, they were really hit or miss...some of the earlier models were almost, if not as good as the MIJ's. Again however my '92 just wasn't even close. I guess as with wines, it really seems to depend on the "vintage"...some years were really delicious and some were just sour vinegar, LOL!

Peace,
Jim

I do believe that the MIJ Squiers are nice quality. My Stagemasters were made in 2001. You can find them crafted in China and Korea. The Korean made ones are superb from top to bottom. Definitely not made of plywood or basswood. Gotta be alder or ash. They're heavier than my '57 RI Strat. The neck-through transition is flawless, fretwork is beautifully done (also better than my '57 RI which is a whole other subject.). Truss rod adjustments are rarely needed.

I checked out a CV 60's strat a while back, and I must admit, I was very impressed with it. It'll probably be the next guitar I go for. Gotta sell stuff to get one though. I personally can't imagine too many MIJs built any better. Certainly not the one's I checked out in the vintage store here in Vegas.

Best Squiers ever?? Not buying it. More like inflated pricing for stigma these days. I couldn't in good conscience buy a used 80's MIJ over a new CV for the same price or a minty Stagemaster neck-through for $200 that would be comparable to a MIJ or possibly even better if it's a CIK.

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HaleAmano- House Of Sharks (Now On iTunes)
http://www.reverbnation.com/haleamano
http://www.haleamano.com

Air Guitars sound better when theres less humidity

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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

But they do , i swear they do.

There is one for sale on ebay right now and it's even a strat


http://cgi.ebay.ca/Professional-Air-Gui ... 2303834120

One of my favorite quotes on air guitars-

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

So to put an end to the myth, I want to know whats better:

An MIA air guitar or an MIM air guitar? what are the tonal differences in in finish??

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In this case I'd have to say the MIM are definately the way to go. The Mexican dessert lends itself to many more tonal variations.

To play faster on FR guitars, you need to feed the strings through backwards and leave the ball ends hanging off the pegs.

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AmDlx HSS
62 Hot Rod
Luke w/Piezo
Carvin Belair

really? wow Ive never heard that one before I wonder what the logic was behind that? perhaps the reverse direction in which way the strings are wound... thats the only possible scenario I can think of

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