I've owned plenty of both and this is just not the case. The upper end Mexican made strats are made went plenty of attention to detail and craftsmanship. There is a reason the Classic Player's cost more than the Highway ones IMO. Maybe the lower end MIM offerings aren't up to par always, but the top end stuff is pretty spectacular. I own a couple of MIA strats ( Artist series, Custom Shop 65) and I go out and get a CP 60s right now if I could spare the cash. I used to own one, I actually traded an American Standard to get it because it was a much better guitar, but YMMV

To my amazement, my local shop has the three in stock which I'm going to try on Saturday. Have to say, the pics of the hway 1 on here look sweet. Like the rosewood fretboard on that. Will just have to see which one sounds and feels better. The advice here is helping greatly too!

Jon

Because they are "Made in the U.S.A." I think all fenders have some type of alloy trem block, and just as all the HWY1's aren't junk, Neither are all the Mexican models. But when it say's "made in the U.S.A." it can't not be. I had a Roadhouse strat. MIM, still a great guitar. but not MIA. it said Made in Mexico on it.

I agree about the higher end Mexican made guitars-- The Classic 50's of which I have a Strat and a P bass are really well made- play good and sound excellent. I have put pickups in both of those. I have a Roadworn P bass that honks. I put a pickup in that also. I'm not "Mr. Puts a pickup in every guitar guy". My guitars for the most part sport stock pickups. But those are all USA axes. If anything I'm not real convinced Mex guitars have the best stock pickups. Even the higher end ones. If someone wants to give me one(Mex guitar) to prove me wrong- that will be okay.

The Classic Player models do. The 50s has 57/62 the same as AVRI 50s and 60s strats, and the CP 60s has CS 69s. There have also been a few High End Mexican strats that have had texas specials like the Vintage Player strat. The Baja tele has a Twisted Tele PU set.

Just checking in to see if there are any new statements/opinions on MIA vs MIM. NO!!

Please carry on!

Thanks fhopkins. But I could have used the reality check a little earlier in the thread. This one is going nowhere fast.

Okay == MIA vs. MIM = = MIA better overall. That's my opinion.

I understand this is a debate which, to many, isn't new, but for someone looking to venture out to the American market for the first time, I think it has been extremely helpful. Surely for those who feel they already have the full knowledge and experience with these guitars didnt really need to browse this forum? Especially adding comments to a forum which do not add weight to the debate. If anything, your wasting your own time as well as others.

There we go, on wards on upwards.

Cheers all,

Jon

Dude- excuuuuuuuse me!!! I will leave you to your own devices. Wow!

The most important thing about buying a guitar is not where it's made or even who made it. The most important thing is, "Do you love playing it?"

I've played every manner of Strat made in any manner countries. Some are good and some are bad. I’ve played American Strats were downright awful. I also played a Custom Shop Strat that needed a major fret dressing. I thought I was going to cut my hands as I played. It sounded amazing, but the frets were very sharp.

Play the guitar. Forget the name or where it's made. If it was built well and you love it, then get "that" guitar. In 2004 I played 4 other 50th Anniversary American Series Strats and it was the very last one that had the magic. The rest of them were kind of bland to me. Whatever it was about "that" guitar it caused me to fall in love.

I've also played a bunch of the Road Worn Strats and I've loved three of them and hated all the rest. Mostly it has to do with poor fret dressing. But the three I loved were awesome and I would have purchased them on the spot if I had the money to spend.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

Can I just say thanks for all the info on the classic players strat. Bought her on the weekend and haven't been able to put her down since.

You can see my guitars in my sig. Overall you will just have to play them and see which one is best for you. As for me, you can see which ones came home with me. Don't get caught up in MIA vs MIM. A good guitar you love to play is what you are looking for. Let us know your decision. Have fun with your adventure in buying a new guitar.

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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