Can someone tell me the exact differance is it just the electronic's or is it the grade of the wood we already know the mexican labor is almost free .I bought a Mex Strat 2 years ago and I would like to update to all american parts if it is worth doing on this guitar it plays like a dream I really love the action on it

_________________
whats professional you mean if i've gotten payed for a gig then yes i'm a pro

Unless it has a problem or you don't like the pickups, I wouldn't change anything.

If it isn't "broke" then why waste time/money/energy in a futile attempt to fix it?



Arjay

_________________
"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

The plants are about 15 miles apart so . . . .

Aside from having better electronics (which you won't truly notice unless you only play "clean", no signal processing) and usually fewer pieces of wood in the MIA body (who gives a damn, unless it's a transparent finish).
USA made "fit and finish" is usually a bit better.
Otherwise:
MIA = Made in the USA, by Mexicans
MIM = Made in Mexico, by Mexicans

Play what feels right.

_________________
"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

If you want to just switch the electronics, that's one thing, but beyond that, you may run in to some problems. The MIM strat will have a 6 screw "vintage" tremelo bridge, the MIA has a 2 point (2 screw) tremelo bridge. I believe the string spacing at the nut may be different as well.

+1
I have both, and love them, and my lite ash is Korean, and it's my favorite of all...although I don't think mexicans built that one

_________________
"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"

If we're talking abut the Standard Strat; isn't the spacing the same as on the American Standard? But anyway, I don't see the 6-point bridge as being a disadvantage compared to the 2-point version.

Really? When did the plants move? Did they move both or just one? Where are they located now? Oh, wait. Mapquest says Corona and Ensenada are about 180 miles apart. Are they wrong?

Guess geography's not your stong point, eh?

_________________
Bill

Too general of a statement, there are many MIM Strats with Am parts. It would help to know exactly which MIM model that the OP has.

_________________
---> "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.

He was asking about switching to American parts. I was just pointing out that a 2 screw bridge isn't gonna bolt right up to where a 6 screw bridge once was without some modification (drilling and such). I was not making a quality comparison.

As far back as 2000 the same "electrics" were used in both AM and MIM's CTS pots etc. Pickups would be changed first. Perhaps a new switchcraft input jack.

Neck and body fit and finish are more refined on the MIA. 21 frets vs 22. Bridge. Make sure you have the large block on your bridge, otherwise buy a MIM 2008 or newer Bridge assembly. If you Stat is as new as you say - 2 years, your OK on everything except pickups.

Your Nut can be changed to a Tusq nut. It allows better tuning stability.

That's about it. Have a blast fixin up your guitar.

I don't recall MIM guitars using no-load tone pots. I believe the 5-way switch on the MIA is of better quality as well.

Did I say anything about no-load pots? CTS pots is what I said. The 5 way is the same switch in all 2008 or newer ones I have ever worked on. The Cap is the same, open one up and look for yourself. The wire used in both is the same.

We can see what you said in the quote above, "same electrics".

Correct. In fact the same switch and pots are used in my $1500 AVRI 52 Tele.

_________________
Bill