I'm thinking about buying a strat so here's my connundrum(my big word for the day) I like the american deluxe $1600 but don't play much is there a huge differance in the mim strats? besides the switch system. Some one told me that all the parts in a mim strat were mim electrtronics included what do you guys think?

There are quite a few guitars at price points between the MIM Standard and the American Deluxe. A Highway One or American Standard would serve you well for less money than the American Deluxe. The electronics of the MIM Standard are fine, except you might not like the ceramic pickups; so look at some of the higher-end MIM models.

Go to your favorite local Fender dealer and try out about 20 guitars ...



+1 for almost spelling that big word correctly!

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Mim strats have come a long way. There are many cats on the forum that love and stand by theirs. I concider them a damn good bang for the buck.

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"coretta" '71 tele thinline
"domino" '97 lonestar strat
"marie" squire strat
"lexy" jag-stang
"owa" martin 000

tone=fingers; fingers=tone

I agree with your thinking. If you are still in the learning phase or a partime player there are a lot of great guitars you can buy in the $600 range that will play and sound great. And if you dont stick with it or eveolve as a player you are not out a grand. If you go forward you can always sell it and then upgrade. Good Luck.

I've been taking lessons and practicing for almost a year now. I have a 2008/2009 MIM standard Strat. I'm very happy with it. Because GC was not going to be stocking midnight wine/rosewood fretboard in their stores anymore I got it for $294.00!

Someday when I can play really well and have the $$ to treat myself I'll be looking to upgrade to an American made.

Hope this helps.

Certainly do wish I had had this conundrum fifty years ago. I wonder do they know how lucky they are. Tell you something Orville, of course I am in full agreement with your recommendation to 'kiss a lot of frogs', but the options available are the province of the vendor's guitar buyer. I rarely see 'on the wall' a representative cross-section of Fender stock. As well, I find older inventory hanging. So a knowledge of the serial number system is a must.

What the OP really needs to do is to shop the products inventory online, make notes as to what's of interest, and then go out and visit many dealers, looking for those specific guitars. Unfortunately here, we seem to have some time constraints.

Doc.

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"Another day in paradise!"

I have both a MIM Strat and an American Deluxe strat. I think that there is a big difference (I love my American Deluxe to death). However......I've always loved my MIM and use it all the time. It's a real work horse, and I put a lot of time on it. If that is where you're price range is at........you won't be disappointed.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Are you serious? I'm sorry if I sound like a jerk, but are you for real?

If you are serious, and have the cash, just play em and buy what suits you best. In the end your opinion is what matters most. Honestly, there is more attention to detail in the MIA necks.

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

<----I'm one of them.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

Mike,,I didn't see any mentions about possibly looking at used gear. I played around for months at the Local GC and smallmusic store in town and must have played around with every Strat that was in either place new and used and finally it just hit me. I came across a 1995 American Standard Start and it just grabbed me. The price was much less than a new one and to me it just sings out.

Bottom line don't forget to check used gear if you can there are some real gems out there.

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MBBreen
1999 American Std Strat
1999 AVRI 62 Strat