Im the same way. There is nothing wrong with the mexican strats really. I just thought the American standard was nicer and I bought mine used for just a bit more then the mexican. Its my main guitar and I love it. You can find all kinds on craigslist. Good luck with whatever you decide. Either way you will be happy with the MIM or MIA when you decide to make the move

There are advantages to having both large and small hands. SRV had huge hands and Randy Rhoades had the hands of a 10 year old and both were great.

Early 50,s and 60,s, and many of the vintage sacred holy grails were built mainly by a Mexican labor force in Fullerton anyway. So even "American" Strats have a huge tie to Mexico, like it or not, oh!, and then there´s the Ensenada plant........

Thanks. Well, I figured it out at two in the morning when I couldn't sleep and felt like a total dumb arse who is suffering from cranial rectal syndrome. Thanks for the clarification. MIM, MIA, (pointing to my head saying MT)

PS--guitslinger, can you post some piccies of the guitar? That would be cool.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

I also own a Jimmy Vaughan strat very nice for the money. The soft V neck could be your ticket. Great sound also.

Hi Lady VA I posted pix of my new baby on the forum page.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Hi Lady,

I've only ever bought MIM strats. I've had 3 over the years, plus a MIM HSS strat. One of the strats I bought from Musician's Friend was a piece of junk and I sent it back.

The HSS is an awesome guitar and I did some upgrading to the tuners, but that's it. I did it myself, so I just paid for the tuners.

What's my point? Play some guitars and spend some time playing each one you think you might want. You can do this with wild abandon at one of the superstore retail guitar center's, pun intended. But, don't buy your guitar at the superstore because it's already used after all the kids get done hammering on it.

Stick with the mom and pop place for the purchase and maybe ask them to bring in a guitar that you like because of color -body, fretboard, pick guard. Try some other guitars. Get a feel. Sometimes the MIM is a more playable guitar FOR YOU than the MIA guitar. It's personal preference.

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Charlemagne Ray

Guitar Lessons DVD

That JA-90 Tele has a 12 radius. The neck was more like a Gibson SG neck than a Fender. The bridge is also like a Gibson. The shop owner that showed me this guitar a while back referred to it as a Gender, part Gibson and part Fender.

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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives." Blazing Saddles...

Hi all , I have a MIM 50's Strat. I love it. being a 50's type it has a 7.25 radius neck.. Someone help me out on this.. But 7.25 and 9.50 are not how wide the neck is but how much curve is in the neck.. Not winder just more curve. Or how else could all the necks be inter changeable??... About the only thing I want now is a Strat with a 9.50 neck.Other wise my MIM 50's Strat with t/s pups is an outstanding buy.. Just my humble opinion.. Play what feels and sounds good to you.. Aloha, Mark

American Deluxe V neck is a good one for those with small hands.

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10-4 good buddy, over and out!