Hi guys,
not meaning to start a mim vs mia debate here, but i understand mim and mij/cij bridges are made by ping. just a question, has anyone noticed any difference in quality between these ping bridges and mia bridges?or are they much the same?
cheers, ray.

pretty much the same.

Where did you find out they were made by ping?

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No no and no

Weird... my saddles are all stamped Fender.

My tuning machines, however, may be either Fender® or Ping®. It is not specified.

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I can't really say if the bridges are made by Ping or not...I wouldn't think they are but it wouldn't surprise me either. Even if they are made by Ping I can't say I really have a problem with that specifically...many of my guitars have Ping tuners and the quality has always been very good.

Now that said, there are some differences between the various bridges Fender uses. The MIM's for example typically have stamped steel saddles (which I've never had a problem with) but up until recently they had the smaller, half sized zinc alloy trem blocks...those dinky blocks will really suck the sustain right out of your Strat. The newer MIM's do now have a full size block but from my understanding, it's still that zinc alloy. In contrast, the MIA's have always typically had full size steel trem blocks and models such as the Am Std and such typically have stainless steel saddles now (powdered stainless I read somewhere?). Also many of the MIA's use a "pop in" trem arm where the MIM's typically use the more traditional screw in arm.

It's also worth noting that the newer MIA's have been advertised as having "copper infused" trem blocks...it's supposed to have an effect on the tone. Honestly I tried a brand new American back around the holidays and I really wasn't that impressed at all. Not saying that the copper infused blocks are bad but I wouldn't go out of my way for one either.

Another big difference between MIA and MIM is the spacing...MIM's use a slightly more narrow string spacing than MIA's do (MIA's use standard, MIM uses metric). Also, obviously many of the newer MIA's (such as the Am Std or Deluxe) use a 2 point trem where as the MIM's typically use a vintage style 6 point trem.

Now the MIJ's seem to be a bit different from what I've seen. I can't speak for the newer MIJ's or CIJ's but I know on my '85 Squier MIJ, while it has a vintage style trem (with unstamped vintage saddles and full size zinc block) it's a standard spacing and -not- metric like my MIM's. Again here though the quality of the components isn't bad at all...the saddles and bridge plate seem decent enough, I just wish it had the steel block.

As you might have guessed, the bridge parts between an MIA, MIM and MIJ are NOT easily interchangeable depending on what you have and what you're looking to do. If you're looking to upgrade or replace, make sure you get the correct replacements (2 point vs. 6 point, string spacing, mounting screws, etc)!

Now I have to add here that the block makes a -HUGE- difference on these instruments. On my '96 MIM for example, I swapped out the stock half sized zinc block for a Callaham and -WOW- what a difference! Nearly as dramatic as the new pickups were. I recently put a brass block from GFS on my '03 MIM and while the difference was significant compared with the small stock zinc block, it wasn't as significant as the Callaham block was...however I don't know if that's just the difference between steel and brass or Callaham and GFS or what. Either way with a decent trem block these bridges can sound very different indeed...the block really does make a huge difference.

These are of course just my own opinions as always but from my own experience, except for the smaller trem blocks, the bridges on the MIM's and the MIJ's are actually very good parts. It's not like we're talking pot metal parts for the saddles or anything such as you find on some really cheap knockoffs. Some people might try and argue that the MIA stainless saddles somehow "sound better" than the stamped steel saddles, but Fender's been using those stamped steel saddles since the beggining...at least it's not something I'm going to get bent about. That said if this is something that you're truly worried about, I'd suggest getting something like Callaham replacement parts...they're a bit pricey compared with the GFS stuff or what you might find on Ebay but they're worth it...top of the line stuff. If you're upgrading an American you might not notice much of a difference with the Callaham parts but if you're upgrading an MIM or even an MIJ, you'll probably notice a really big difference...better sustain, better tone, etc.. That's not to say the MIM or MIJ parts are "bad" by any means, it just means the Callaham parts really are that good.

Just my $.02 worth,
Jim

Big difference in my opinion. The metal is not the same. It's cheaper on the MIM's.(Ping made) I had a good change in sound and sustain installing reissue saddles on my Classic 60's Strat. Going with a Gotoh from Stewmac improved sustain and tuning stability because they machine the bevel on the bridge plate correctly, like the old ones. The holes for the strings on the saddles are correct too. Read about the differences on the Callaham site. The Classic 60's Strats have the 2 7/32" string spacing.

my bridge has a 2 7/32 screw and string spacing i believe, what would any implications be of putting a USA Fender trem in which has a 2 7/32 screw spacing, but "70s correct" 2 1/16 string spacing?
Also are there any after market 2 7/32 fender usa bridges available?

The saddles on my MIM have the rotated Fender name stamped on them. You have to rotate it 180° to read it properly. The ping seem to be oriented the same on both sides of the saddle.

I love this place. I keep learning new stuff every week!

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