Well, I don't know if this is right section to be asking this question, but I am new to these forums and guitars in general. I was given a fender squier acoustic guitar as my first guitar, I am just starting (as in I know a very few songs and don't play them very well). I practice when I can and my friend is also teaching me how to play, but me and him but don't own a electric guitar. My uncle owns a electric guitar that me and him use when we go over there but we want our own to use whenever we want. So I decided I was going to buy my first electric guitar, I didn't want to to go and buy a 2+ thousand dollar guitar or something crazy as it is my first guitar, so pretty much my options are american and mexican fender strats, I noticed the mexican strats are around the 500$ range and the americans are in the 1,000-1,200 range. I've looked up a lot of comparisons online between mexican and american strats and I've read a lot of people saying you can't tell the difference some people say there's no comparison american strats are on another level. I'm assuming that the american obviously should have a overall better sound quality since it is almost two times more but is the difference really that big? or should I just get a mexican start. I could afford both but if the difference isn't that big I was just thinking about getting a mexican fender if it is I'll buy the american strat. Remember this is only my first guitar I just want something for now. Also if anyone could recommend a amp for the mexican/american fender would be great. I'm looking to buy ASAP.

i have an american standard and it is amazing. they are similar but the little ways they are different make it much more enjoyable to play than my mim. if you have the money i would say buy the american.

I voted for the Am but you should get the one you can afford or the one you liked better after you try both. The mim versions are many so try them all. Try as many guitars as you can and don,t rush into it. Take your time because the one you get may just keep you interested and then you will become great.

The Mexican Stratocasters are great beginner guitars for their price mark. I would buy one in a heartbeat! Oh wait! I DID!

_________________
You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

I chose not to cast a vote, because both are valid choices. It's totally up to you. The American strat is a better guitar and will hold it's value, but the MIM is also excellent. It's your choice. Your money would be well spent in either case.

Don't worry about general mexican vs american. For instance you will se that mexican classic 50's (the one that says custom shop designed) is the same price as american standard. Classic player (mexican) is again similar in price as american special. Also look at the discontinued HWY1 american is almost the same price as mexican standard.

My point in the suggestion is to play as many of them if you can and you will find the one. Don't worry where is made.

Also be open to Squier Classic Vibe 50's and 60's models. You might like one of them and with the extra cash, buy the better amp.

Hope that helps

No vote from me either. I would try out as many as I could in the shop. Get a food feel and listen to their tones. The "one" will present itself to you. I have played great Fenders and some crappy Fenders. Some of them were even the same year and model. Every guitar has its own personality.

IMO both the Standard and the American Standard have their ups and downs. Stay within your budget.

Have fun and let us know what you decide. Post pics when it comes home.

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

+1 I didn't vote either for the same reason. I have one of each and they both play well. You should play as many as you can until you find the one that suits you.

Personally, if this is going to be your -first- electric, I'd suggest a Squier instead...something like a Squier Standard or even a Classic Vibe as Danial suggested. The simple truth of the matter is that if your a beginner, chances are you're not really going to appreciate any of the subtle nuances from one model of Strat to another...so at this point don't spend a lot of money on something where you're probably not going to be able to notice much, if any of a difference. Honestly I've been playing for close to 30 years now and I own 1 MIM and 2 Squiers (and one partscaster made with a Squier Standard neck...they're really sweet). Don't let where it was made fool ya...it really don't make that much of a difference these days.

If I had to choose strictly between the MIM and the MIA, I'd say go with the MIM for exactly the same reason. Whenever you post a thread like this, inevitably you're going to always have someone saying to just go with the MIA or that MIA's rule or whatever but the truth is there really isn't -that- much of a difference...certainly not enough to warrant $500 to $700 for a person just getting started.

Again, check out the nicer Squiers...they're usually really sweet instruments for the price and then you can spend the difference on a decent amp...after all, even a $4000 Custom Shop Strat isn't going to do you much good without an amp! A good amp will usually make a half way decent inexpensive guitar sound good but even a top of the line or vintage instrument will always sound like crap through a cheap amp.

As always, just my $.02 worth,
Jim

It's good advice to try as many as you can before you buy and see what you like. Something will grab your attention, I can almost guarantee that.

I have 2 Mexican and 2 American Strats and they are all fine guitars,in fact my most recent is a MIM Jimmy Vaughn that I prefered over the 5 or 6 MIA Strats I tried,but then again that was my preference based on the sound and feel I wanted-close to a 60s era vibe.A Mexican Strat can be a great starting point and you can't beat the price.

_________________
'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.

I guess it really depends on what your disposable income is..If you have the cash and it wont hurt you go American ..
But if your like the majority of the people in this world were money is an issue i would say start with a MIM..
That way you don't drop a Grand finding out if guitar is for you..I have had many dedicated students that have lost interest in guitar after a year or two of playing ...
In my best guess i would say that maybe 1 out of 25 stay with the guitar as a life long study..
With the majority dropping out in between 6 months and two years..
After someone plays for five years very seldom do they ever lose touch with there guitar for long periods of time although i think many including myself have taken major time off..

Personally, and this is only an opinion, if you are looking for the truest "traditional Strat experience," IN THIS EXPERIENCE, a nice MIM 50s Reissue is closest to a real, original Fender Stratocaster as made about 1960 or so.

IN THIS EXPERIENCE, an American Standard is a lovely, lovable, versatile guitar, but it is somewhat refined in almost every way and not as pure-crude as the MIM.

Personal first Fender was an '89 Am Std in Fiesta Red which is magnificent. Second Fender and Strat was a MIM Surf Green 50s-reissue which is a little cruder, a little less modern...

...the go-to guitar to expeience what a vintage one was like (and yes, 'have pplayed a number of real ones from that era).

Just an opinion. Best of fortune.

I voted for American, but used. There are plenty of used baragains to be had in this economy. Since this is your first guitar, if you lose interest in it or want to upgrade you can resell it for the same price or more than you paid for it.

But you are kind of vague, are you looking at new MIM Standards and MIA Standards only? As others have mentioned there are high end MIM's that rival low end MIA's. The lines are blurred these days especially with the dozens and dozens of model variations of the Strat that Fender has. You just can't put a blanket statement over the whole Mexican vs American debate.

All guitars are made of wood and each will be a little different. I'd say go to the guitar store and try a whole bunch and pick the winner. Good luck!

_________________
Obligatory gear list: Fender, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Gretsch, Vox, Martin, and more Fender.