Hey guys, looking to buy one of the two fender startocaster MIM or MIA standard 09 model, it's my first elecrtic and i honestly have no idea which model to choose from, im really into my grunge music and punk if that helps make a decision

Im also in australia so if anyone knows where i can pick up a decent price or has an estimate of what each model would cost please reply, thanks heaps

http://www.shiremusic.com.au/site/index ... code=10124

this is the model im looking at also, is that the mexico?(because it has the gig bag)
ive been told the mexicos go for around $600 bucks when this site is around $900 :S maybe the guy was quoting me US prices on the forum.

Don't know how this translates in to Aussie money, but most websites you can get a brand new MIM for $499 USD.

i think the dollar is around $1 aus to 92c us or something.. jeez would be cheaper getting it sent over here from the us

Trust me mate thats not the case. Once you pay shipping and import taxes and VAT on the guitar and the shipping costs, your better off buying at home.

I suggest you look at the Highway1 HSS model. Its American made, a fine guitar. Will get you the sounds you want now and as your tastes change it will evolve with you. The humbucker will help get all the grungey sounds you want.

http://www.guitar.com.au/guitars/electric/fender/electricguitars/strats/highway1series/highway1strathss.html
At $1899 AUD (£1054/$1747US) thats very expensive and in no way worth the price. It is worth a call to them though to find out exactly what their selling them for. They seem to have a RRP listed thats way above actual real world cost. For instance they list the RRP price on my Vintage hotrod as being £2100 there abouts. Yet they sold a custom shop model that I own for £2200. Theres around £1000 difference between the prices for the two guitars here in the uk, not £100 as they suggest. That shop could be using a very high RRP price and a great actual price when you ring em up to find what their selling em for. Its worth a call.

Other than that you may do well to look at fender japan guitars. They seem to be very popular in Oz.
Heres one on ebay a japanese conteporary strat. Their becoming quite collectable these days. I'd want to see some decent photo's before buying but $650 AUD is a far more realistic price.
http://tinyurl.com/ykreee2

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No no and no

To me it sounds like you would be happier with humbuckers.

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you should get a made in mim standard and spend the rest of your money on a quality amp. do you already have an amp?

the amp is just as important if not more important then the guitar.

a crap guitar will sound good through a great amp...but a great guitar will not sound that good through a crap amp.

the mim strats are very good guitars play several and go with the one you like most.

spend whatever money you have left on the best amp you can afford.

hey guys thanks for your replies.... The MIM standard goes for around $900AUS, i really wish it had a humbucker... what are some of the cheaper models that have a humbucker??? it seems like everyone is telling me to get that if i want my grungy sound... i dont wanna spend crazy abouts ive already talked myself up around another $200 for a guitar hahah, im going to spend around $300AUS for a bedroom amp with a few features.