I was under the assumption that the way you can tell the difference between american made strats and mexican made ones were that american made ones had 22 frets and MIM had 21. I understand also the fretwire is different also. I ask this cause I constantly see Strats labeled as American made but they only have 21 frets.. I personally have a MIM, which I am totally happy with. Its been modded with lace and junior JB pick ups. I also had it shielded so its whisper quiet..

I've seen American and Mexican made Strats with both 21 and 22 fret fingerboards...it depends on which models you look at.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

American Standards and American Deluxes have 22.
American Vintage reissues and some specialty models have 21.

_________________

Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

As above, the reason is bend a full step to complete an octave on the fretboard

_________________

I'd second that. Also true vintage strats before the 1980's had only 21...

_________________
"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


facebook.com/313DBC

I have new American '62' Strat Vintage re-issue and it has 21 frets. My Tele Custom Classic has 22 frets. Also American.

Ken, Toronto

_________________
Ken