Hi,
I understand that there is a big price difference between a MIM Strat and a MIA Strat.
Is a MIA strat worth the money, or with a few tweaks could the MIM best it?
Also, what is the difference between the MIA Standard and MIA Deluxe? Is the deluxe worth it?
Thanks

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Hi, There are no answers for this... The best thing you can do is get to a shop and try ALL of them out for yourself.. and YOU decide what is better...
Personally, I have Americans and Mexicans.. I am very happy and satisfied with both!

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

I have to agree with what Bill said. I have both MIA and MIM Strats and Teles. I played a tone of different MIA and MIMs before I bought each one. One of them will speak to you. let it be through your ears not the origin of manufacture.
ABS

if you look hard enough you will find there are some MIM guitars that compare to MIA, but typically the MIA models have better hardware and they get their pick of the wood before sending what's left to the Mexico factory.

As far as Am Dlx vs Am Std - the Dlx has modern features and expanded tonal options (thanks to the S1 Switch). The Std typically is more of a traditional strat with vintage style hardware and electronics although occasionally there are more modern piece of hardware like with the 2012 Std which uses the same bridge that is on the Dlx.

If you decide you'd sooner go for an MIA model and aren't sure what's best, here's my advice... figure out what features you want most, find the model that has those features and then try as many examples of that model as possible until you find THE guitar for you.

The differences you'll find are in neck size, fretboard radius, nut width, and string spacing. All of these things to me determine how a guitar feels when playing. MIM and MIA have different options, respectively. I'd agree with the others and suggest playing different types and finding out what feels best when playing. Pickups/hardware can be upgraded and changed, but what effects how you play is how the guitar feels in your hands.

Biggest difference is when you go to sell it MIM doesn't hold value.

Really?

The MIM Classic Series Strats ('50s, '60s, and '70s) command a greater percentage of their original MSRP on the secondary market than do the AmStd's and AmSpec's.

The price for an Ensenada-made '50's model on Ebay is about $600 -- an equivalent-year AmStd is often only about $50 more. Quite a disparity when the list price for both instruments when new is factored in.

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

on paper Americans are made with better quality wood (usually 3 pieces as opposed to the mexican 5 pieces and a veneer top) and better pickups and metal parts.

I was torn between buying a mexican and up grading it or buying an american strat. I played mexican strats but it came down upgrading would only save me maybe 200 bucks and in my mind i always wanted an american strat and i knew i would later just save up again and by an american one so i just bit the bullet and got it and i havent regretted it.

Take your time, the right guitar will pick you.
I took 6 months of every shop in Perth looking for the right one.
Some guitars sounded abysmal some ok but the one I chose eventually just seemed to talk to me.
I was out with the Wife and just happened to pass one of the stores so we popped in.
Oh, That,s a nice looking Strat. Off the wall it comes and the neck just fitted the palm just right. A few minutes unplugged to hear the resonance of the wood.
At this point I didn't even know where it was made or even what model it was.
Over to the counter to get a lead and get the ok to plug in to an amp.
A few mins of tinkering and this was like an angel. Even the Wife commented that that sounded nice. Now I looked at the price tag... $2200.00 WTF is this, Eric Claptons personal guitar in the shop on loan???
Back on the wall. Lets try some others. Nope nothing come anywhere near to it.
What you have got to remember is I didn't even know Strats where made in different places so I was merrily shopping everywhere just looking at the $1000 bracket that where in eyesight range for months!
Ok , out the shop to continue shopping but was back within 20mins, after a little chat with the wife, to buy it and take it home. And I got it for $1800.00 too. (About $1750.00 more then the Wife thought guitars cost.)
To show how daft and blind without my glasses I am, I didn't even see the S1 switching or the push button tone bypass until I got home or notice that it was a AM DLX until I read the paperwork.
As I say, the guitar will find you.
Keith

Hold value isn't a problem for the moment, as I am hoping to get a guitar which keeps me going for the next 10 or so years.
Would the MIM Strat do that, or are there other options ( anything up to about $850).

About the S1....
Probably a stupid question, but is it possible to install an S 1 on a MIM? Thanks

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There is no clear answer as to which is better. Play all guitars you can within your price range and let your sences help you decide. Every guitar is different, even within the same series or run.

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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

It is indeed. It's not really a make-or-break feature but it is nice enough.

And yes you could definitely use a MIM as your player for many years.

But as all have said, just try out as many guitars as you can. I've tried MIAs that I thought felt cheap compared to guitars with granted lesser components.

I'll shoot you a big tip: The CV Squier line is awesome if you want the best bang-for-the-buck guitar. For a < $400 guitar the Classic Vibes 50's Strat seems a real winner.

Welcome to the forums, and please use the search function. There are about 2 million threads on MIM v MIA. If you are playing a squire, a MIM would be the next logical step. Good deals can usually be had on used MIMs. Do a search on what to look for to make sure you are getting a legit deal.

An instrument is an investment. My main thought is If im going to purchase something I want the best possibly quality. I dont mind paying extra for an instrument especially if im going to play it or have it for a while.