EASY QUESTION just answer... Thankz

Both

I like the feel of the MIMs better as they are much more traditional. Making a guitar personal to me usually requires at least a pickup change so there is no practical advantage for me to buy a MIA. Besides, I've been asking here for years for someone to PROVE to me that the MIMs are inferior instruments. To date, no one has ever done so.

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You dig?

+1

I favor the MIM re-issues for their vintage appointments. And money saved by purchasing these less-expensive guitars is used to upgrade the bridge and pickups, pay for a pro set-up, and buy a proper G&G case.

YMMV

Arjay

I vote for MIM customized they way you want it.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

My vote is MiM and I am not sure it NEEDS any mods.

I have done nothing to mine and it is a tone machine, if you are looking for the classic SSS strat tone.

Depending on what your style is, a pup swap might be in order, but the basic frame of the guitar is really good.

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http://www.facebook.com/UCtheband
2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam

This poll makes NO sense!!!!
What models of MIM and MIA are we comparing? Standard, vintage reissues, Deluxe, Highway 1, Classic Player etc etc.???

Be more specific and avoid blanket statements. There is more than one MIM or MIA Strat these days.

For example:
I'd vote MIA if we're talking about a modded MIM Standard compared to a MIA Custom Shop Strat.

I'd vote MIM if we're comparing a MIA Highway 1 to a modded MIM Classic Players Strat (which actually doesn't need any mods to kick the Highway 1's butt).

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

Thats ok, nobody has been able to prove to me that the MIM is equal to the MIA either.Seriously, I think its all based on perception anyways.I will say that the neck of the deluxe strat with the 12" radius "feels" inferior to the neck of my SRV in comparison.The neck of the SRV feels smoother .I am talking about the way it feels when I run my hand back and forth on the neck as I play.Is it inferior?Maybe not, I much prefer the SRV to the deluxe and they are very similar,but I like the features enough to pay extra for it.To me its like trying to prove a lexus is superior to a toyota.Both are made for different groups of people.

The crux of it all is the owner's satisfaction with his or her instrument. I'm completely satisfied with my MIM and you, with your SRV. It's all good.

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You dig?

Yep,Fender knows how to market successfully to a diverse group of people with alot of different tastes.I agree ,its about being happy with what you have.And really , the country of origin has less bearing on it than it once did.

MIM's are straight forward work horses. they have everything you NEED for a gigging guitar. they mat not have everything you WANT. If i ever go back on the road, i will pick up a couple of them, and leave my more expensive guitars at home.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

I agree with other posters, both. It just depends on your pocket book. You forgot one more option, MIA with mods (Heaven forbid, but I have heard they're out there.)

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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

I am not a fan of the MIM necks...never have been. thin fret wire is not for me.

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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

MIM if you are playing in your bedroom.

MIA if you are gigging for real.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

That makes sense to me from a financial point of view if the guitars are stock but we're talking about modded MIMs here. The price point doesn't really come into play anymore as it is quite conceivable the total dollar value invested in the modded MIM may very well excede the stock MIA. I mean we've got tuners, bridges, string anchor blocks, pickups, pots, jacks, switches, pickguards and knobs which can all be upgraded and that doesn't even include other mods like additional controls like TBX, alternate wiring, coil splitting on HSS guitars and the like. The term "modded" has pretty broad implications. I mean you could even go to extremes and have the neck refretted if you prefer medium jumbos. How about scalloping? When you think about it with enough time, effort and money you could theoretically build a MIA killer with your MIM. Then the differences would be ... what? Neck profile? Number of pieces in the body wood? Available colors and finishes?

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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.