I'm looking to buy my first Strat and was looking to get a Standard but not sure if it is a mim. I do not want a mim Strat. Model 0144600306, can someone tell me if this is a mim and how I could tell? Any other advice about buying my first Start would be much appriciated.

Model numbers with the prefix "013" and "014" are MIM.

What's your beef against Mexican instruments?

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Really it's just my preferance. If i'm spending this much $$$ I want it to be mia. I try to, when possible, keep my large purchases american made. I am also looking at a 50's Classic Series (0131002304) but it was $200 more that the Standard. What is the cheapest mia Strat? Thanks for the help.

The cheapest MIA Strat you buy may not sound or play as nice as the most expensive MIM Squier hanging right next to it in the store. You just never know until you try them. Why not do some serious shopping and let your ears and your hands decide?

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

MIM Strats, affordable excellent quality.
On the subject of American Made Only. Ok..... take apart your/an MIA Strat and research where the components were manufactured, surprises await you, not all the components of a MIA strat are manufactured stateside.
Blindfolded you would not be able to differentiate between which were MIA or MIM strats, if you had 10 to test out.
Fender does own the manufacturing plant in Mexico which is just over the border, the difference being a lower labor cost which allows Fender to sell a high quality instrument at a lower price point. That is a plus for the consumer.
I seem to remember California was once part of Mexico
As far as made in America Only... We've been in a global economy for more than a century, it is just recently that the internet / tech has reinforced that fact.

Forget about the distinction and buy the strat that fits you, regardless of where it was made.
BTW 50's Classic Series are MIM's. The reason the 50's Classic is more expensive is because it is a higher quality guitar than the standard and is made to replicate 50's vintage attributes at an affordable price point.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I would love to shop around, but unfortunitly there are very few choices in the music stores around here. I'm about 1.5 hrs from a decent music store, so I was considering ordering one online.

Beg...Borrow or Steal ( just rhetorical ) to play a guitar you are considering. An hour and a half is not that long when you consider waiting for shipping and never being sure if what arrives will be the one. Guitars have to be played, than purchased.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

No problem wanting to get MIA (though MIM can be pretty good too, especially the Classic Players and other similiar models).

Highway 1, American Special, American Standard, Am Dlx, etc. seems to be the low to high of MIA. Go to Products and check out the differences, and see which represents the best value for you (I like Am Stndrd - great value!). As mentioned, always better to try out THE actual guitar before buying on-line (and often cheaper too).

I haven't had any problem with new Fenders though where I would worry too much, as long as the place had a return policy of some sort.

I agree with 53magnatone about trying before buying. I disagree about being able to tell the difference between a Mex and Am model blindfolded though. The fret edge finishing on the Am models for one thing, will give it away just about every time. Mex models are great guitars, but the Am models are a bit better on fit, finish and feel, especially the necks. I have yet to have a Mex model that didn't immediately need the fret ends dressed to keep from snagging my hand on them (fret sprout, not covered by warranty). Not one Am model that I've ever had has needed any fret work like that. All of my guitars have been in the exact same environment, so the conditions for each are the same.

The American Special is one of the cheapest Am model at around $849, and is a great guitar (Texas Special pups ) . A good used one would be a great value if you are concerned with price.

Here is a good used one in CAR for $739:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-American-Special-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar-105766869-i1502368.gc

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Look around and you can find some new Highway Ones that are on clearance at Guitar Center. They've hidden some in their used sections. Anything made in 09 or older seem to be what they're clearing out.

Same with mim's. They seem to be doing it with everything. Used stuff is dropping as well. I just bought a guitar yesterday there and the deal truely was too good to pass up.

The thing to notice is that the Highway One and Special have the large, CBS style headstock. If you don't like it (I don't...sorry), then go for a standard or head to the used section. I've seen very, very, very nice used guitars available lately.

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

Though I was referring to guitars set up for the test, not off the rack, last I was at GC, every strat I picked up was fret proud and most were MIA's. That syndrome is a case of moisture loss which is critical to any guitar and must be at or above a certain point or else the wood does dry out (shrink ) severely. All wood has a certain moisture content, regardless of being finished or a blank.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I wonder if there might be a difference in finish material/thickness on some Mex models that could be responsible for more fret sprout on some models. I note some specs will have Polyester listed as the finish instead of Polyurethane. It seems to me that many Mex models will also develop the small finish cracks in the body at the neck pocket. The cracks are no problem at all if you ask me, but they are still there more so on the Mex models.

But, one thing is for sure, the Am models have the hand finished fret edges which are much smother than the Mex model frets. Just my personal experience, but in this case at least, the Am are just a bit better, worth the extra $. I've fixed up a few Mex models that were killer, and as good as an Am model, but it took time and effort and a few $. Maybe I'm just getting lazy?

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Hmmmm.

Music stores close by = limited choice

Order on-line = no chance to try out before hand

Music stores 1.5 hours away = many choices

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I'll put my modified MIM Standard Strat up against an American Standard Strat any day. Hell, I'll put my modified Squier Affinity Tele up against an American Standard Tele too.

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Bill

No such problems on either my MIM Standard Strat or Squier Affinity Tele.

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Bill

Good point bluesky636. Putting some of yourself into an amp or instrument make them very special indeed.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.