Ok, I admit it (don't kick me!), I never liked the MiM Strats. I've had about 30 in my hands so far and NONE ever came even in reach - not to mention CLOSE - to any of my American Strats.
Now I got a 2009 MiM Standard Strat, black, maple neck, stock condition, as brand new, for a very fairly price. I decided to give it a try, with the price I got I would've even made some extra cash if I had to resell it.

What can I say? This baby blew me away! Superb manufacture quality and a tone to literally melt away!!
Best MiM Strat I EVER had in my hands! The sound commes very near my way more expensive American Buddy Guy Signature Strat. Same sparkle in tone, almost the same tone charakter ..... wooohooo, I'm in love!!!!
It sounds like my Buddy Guy Sig with less output (B.G.S has Lace Sensor Golds, active).

Ok, it doesn't have "Buddy's" growl when giving it a full blast, but man, this baby has a beautyful clean tone. Even with low gain settings it is always very clear and defined. Very surprising, considering the other MiM pickups I've heard so far. The pickups ALWAYS were the biggest "NO!" on every MiM I played.

Where's light, there's shadow as well: one of the tuners doesn't run smooth and the pickups can't handle higher gain settings (like Walter Trout stuff) very well.

What the heck! I might exchange the tuners but that'll be it. I ain't gonna switch pickups, I love their tone!

I exchanged PU covers and knobs for black ones! Just for optical reasons.

Here ya go:

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

NICE Family !!! Congrats

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Nice family shots!

I'm guessing the Ibanez are RGs modded to look like JEMs? Although I never owned one I always liked that blue flower pattern JEM back in the day. I can't tell if your's is floral or blue/black paisley but either way very cool!

The yellow one is a RG 350 MYE, updated with an Edge LoPro trem (the Edge III sucked big time!) and vine inlay stickers. Modified it's a true and great playing rocker, I love it to death!

The blue flower is an original JEM 77 BFP with the rarer 250k serial. Must be from 1990.
I got it just about 4 or 5 months ago used off the bay.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Guitar-Henge !!!
Glad you like your new MiM !!!

Guitar-Henge, ha ha ha, that's cool, dfrain.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Very cool work on the RG. Sorry for mis-iding the JEM; I just didn't see the monkey grip in the group shot on the dark carpet. My monitor here isn't the best and it kind of "filled in" the grip area with the background. Of course now that I've seen it on the white carpet I can also see the grip outline in the group shot. Those 77BFPs are pretty rare; they were always my favorite look for the JEMs.

No reason to apologize, John, it's difficult to see in the family pic.

Yes, the BFPs are beautyful but I also like the other FP.
The changes on the RG were minor only. Very little work on the trem routing and that was it.
Maybe I will exchange the pickups but the stock ones are pretty good already.

Other than that it's stock, no further modifications.
I just received my truss rod cover today, now it looks like new.

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Thanks!

Man, the pic of your Antigua blows me away every time I see it. Makes me drooling all over the place, and keyboard, and .... wow!

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!