Mex. Strat verses USA Strat

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

j_wlkr wrote:

There is more to the difference than just pickups and switches. Tuning keys, fret board, fret types, rolled edges, staggered magnets in the pickups, the sound from the different pickups available, the bridge itself. Some have good sustain, others have great sustain. Being able to bend the strings and not have to tune again after every song. Hold and play them both, and the difference is huge. Not to mention one will deppreciate in value, and the other will appreciate in value. Try getting your money back for a MIM when you want to trade or sell to get something else. You find used MIM everywhere you look, but a MIA is harder to come by. I would buy a used MIA over a new MIM any day. When I upgrade the parts, I have a MIA customized to what I wanted.

IMHO, if you are mentioning Fender MIA Deluxe or Select or "above the MIA Standard"
line of Stratocasters, I can agree with you.

But, the American Standard (low end nothing special but still MIA) Stratocasters
are, IMHO, the same as the MIM's. I own both and have followed the subject over time.
And, MIM Strats such as the Fat Strats, and Tex Mex type Strats and the Classics Series
MIM strats are extremely well made and have a good following.

IMHO, Similar MIA models will retail $250-$500 more than retail similar MIM models.
And, if what I say is near truth, the MIM's are a better buy.
Then, in five years, selling both the MIA & MIM in near mint conditions,
IMHO the MIA WILL NOT get the initial cost difference when selling.

Another observation is that (in general) 2000-2012 Fender guitars do not appreciate.
In, fact, I have bought guitars less than the original seller purchase price.
IMHO, 2000-2012s Fender guitars are not a good "investment". You will lose money.
(PPPlllllleeeeeeeeaaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeee do not throw the reissue limited custom edition
crud at me. Were are talking of the normal Fender production runs like Standard, Deluxe, Classic, Select, etc.)

Buy most any guitar and sell it five years later ~ see if you actually made money.
Toppscore

j_wlkr · **Joined:** Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:05 pm **Posts:** 4

The 2012 Fender American Standards are not the same. They have all custom shop hardware and pickups. The HSS has Custom shop Fat 50's, Diamondback Humbucker, Rolled edges, Medium Jumbo frets, Bridge:2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Vintage Style new Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots, Copper Infused High Mass 100% Metal Bridge Block, Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines, Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance,4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-Tilt,Bi-Flex™ Truss Rod System. These are not the standard for a MIM Strat. IMHO, you get what you pay for. I think you may mean the American Special is low end, The Standard is not..IMO.

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

j_wlkr wrote:

The 2012 Fender American Standards are not the same. They have all custom shop hardware and pickups. The HSS has Custom shop Fat 50's, Diamondback Humbucker, Rolled edges, Medium Jumbo frets, Bridge:2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Vintage Style new Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots, Copper Infused High Mass 100% Metal Bridge Block, Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines, Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance,4-Bolt Neck Plate with Micro-Tilt,Bi-Flex™ Truss Rod System. These are not the standard for a MIM Strat. IMHO, you get what you pay for. I think you may mean the American Special is low end, The Standard is not..IMO.

Right in two ways. MIA's have to have a reason to charge more. Fender knows this.

Therefore Fender may add all the component upgrades you stated, but the cost of those
upgrades over their MIM counterparts, IMHO, is not that much more when compared
to the higher price amount Fender charges for a MIA guitar.

As an "IMHO example", if a MIM cost $400 and Retail Lists MSRP for $700, and the
nearly same MIA costs $500 with the upgrades, it might Retail Lists MSRP for $1200.
. . . . . . . rough "guess-iment", but you get the picture.

I say IMHO that Fender makes more margin on MIA guitars than on their MIA or MIJ guitars.

I say IMHO that Fenders MIM MIJ MIK MIC guitars are designed for the lower end
competitors markets so Fender has a chance to put a Fender in someone's hands
than miss that sale all-together.

Question:
"IF" what is say has truth to it . . . . . .
would you rather pay $500 market rate for a MIM $400 guitar that MSRP's for $700?
or
would you rather pay $900 market rate for a MIA $500 guitar the MSRP's for $1200?

OK. Just my wondering Economics & Marketing background
trying to make sense of it all
Toppscore

tbazzone · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:15 am

Lets not forget cost of labor between mexico and the US, Regulations and such. There are more reasons why they cost more other than parts.

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

tbazzone wrote:

Lets not forget cost of labor between mexico and the US, Regulations and such. There are more reasons why they cost more other than parts.

Agreed. Labor probably a big reason why the MIMs are
becoming very popular and well received this past decade.

I have a 2008 MIM HSS Fat Strat
All three pickups upgraded to Seymour Duncans
But, the rest of the guitar is excellent.
I have no need to search for another HSS Strat or HM or Showmaster guitar

Arjun_M · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:18 am

How's the wood quality of the Blacktop line, compared to the other Mexican Strats? I spoke to a strat enthusiast who owned a Mexican Deluxe and sold it, and is now selling his American Standard Strat to buy a metal guitar, and he told me to avoid Mexican strats. He said the wood is of a low quality, and is rejected from American factories, and hence Mexican strats are of a lower quality.

This bloke may be a cork-sniffing customer, and knows a lot about woods and woodwork, since his uncle is in the profession, and though it's been a while since he encountered those lesser strats, he's still not convinced. After all, they are so much cheaper, and people still buy American strats. Although he may have more money to spend and more trips to the United States unlike me, wood quality has been my biggest concern about the Blacktop line, since there are none that I can test out here.

rkreisher · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:43 am

My Blacktop is made with an Alder body, rosewood finger board, and maple neck. My guitar tech was impressed with the quality of the craftsmanship. He is definitely not one to hype up a sub-par guitar. It does have a swimming pool route for the pickup cavity which worked for my needs when I modded it.

In my opinion it is not made as well as an American Standard or American Deluxe, but made just as well as any other MIM model.

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

Arjun_M wrote:

How's the wood quality of the Blacktop line, compared to the other Mexican Strats? I spoke to a strat enthusiast who owned a Mexican Deluxe and sold it, and is now selling his American Standard Strat to buy a metal guitar, and he told me to avoid Mexican strats. He said the wood is of a low quality, and is rejected from American factories, and hence Mexican strats are of a lower quality.

This bloke may be a cork-sniffing customer, and knows a lot about woods and woodwork, since his uncle is in the profession, and though it's been a while since he encountered those lesser strats, he's still not convinced. After all, they are so much cheaper, and people still buy American strats. Although he may have more money to spend and more trips to the United States unlike me, wood quality has been my biggest concern about the Blacktop line, since there are none that I can test out here.

Is not the BlackTop line MIMexico? It is.

Consider all the wood to be the same. Fender is not going to have
good wood in MIA and bad wood in MIJ MIC MIM MIK.
That would kill sales in those mfg Fender plants.

I would say that the only special wood is for maybe $2000(+)
Blonde and stained wood bodies where the tree grains are visable.
Don't you think?

I say, ALL FENDER WOOD IS GOOD from MIA Strats to MIC STARcasters.
It has to be. Nobody wants returns.

I say, the differences are how the wood is handled, the add-on components,
pickups, fretboards, bridges, wiring, nuts, tuners, etc. . . . . . and extras
make good wood Fender guitars priced at various levels.

What do you say????
Toppscore

guitslinger · **Posted:** Thu Aug 30, 2012 5:46 pm

I couldn't give a tinker's damn where a guitar or its parts are made as long as it isn't made in a sweat shop such as Cort uses and that it's of very good overall quality.I have both MIA and MIM Fenders and they are all exceptional guitars.My MIM Strat is a lefty that I strung right for Hendrix covers and it really gives me the authentic Strat quack and bell-like harmonics that Jimi got on his first 2 albums.Whether played clean,raunchy or anywhere in between it's a great guitar and I wouldn't change a thing about it.I can't see why so many people still have that knee-jerk reaction to change the pups and hardware etc. of MIM Fenders when there is absolutely nothing wrong or inferior with them.Granted the hardware etc. may not quite be up the standard of the MIA Fenders but it still is of superb quality and way above the quality of just about every guitar in its price range.It's about time that people put these old misconceptions behind them for once and for all.MIM Fenders are of excellent build quality,playability,sound etc. and are far ahead of the competition in every way and are still the best bang for the buck you can get in guitars.

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

guitslinger wrote:

I couldn't give a tinker's damn where a guitar or its parts are made as long as it isn't made in a sweat shop such as Cort uses and that it's of very good overall quality.I have both MIA and MIM Fenders and they are all exceptional guitars.My MIM Strat is a lefty that I strung right for Hendrix covers and it really gives me the authentic Strat quack and bell-like harmonics that Jimi got on his first 2 albums.Whether played clean,raunchy or anywhere in between it's a great guitar and I wouldn't change a thing about it.I can't see why so many people still have that knee-jerk reaction to change the pups and hardware etc. of MIM Fenders when there is absolutely nothing wrong or inferior with them.Granted the hardware etc. may not quite be up the standard of the MIA Fenders but it still is of superb quality and way above the quality of just about every guitar in its price range.It's about time that people put these old misconceptions behind them for once and for all.MIM Fenders are of excellent build quality,playability,sound etc. and are far ahead of the competition in every way and are still the best bang for the buck you can get in guitars.

How 'bout a Hoover Dam???
Tell me what you think of my Left-Handed MIAmerican Standard Stratocaster
FLIPPED to a Jimi Hendrix clone. What did you do different with your MIM Strat?

Bought my 2011 Fender American Standard LEFT-HANDED Guitar three months ago.

Had it FLIPPED and restrung RIGHT-HANDED ala Jimi Henderix Style.
Had the Nut FLIPPED and Filed for RIGHT-HANDED guitar play.
Had LEFT-HANDED Schaller Strap Buttons installed on the Small Horn and rear positon,
but left the original RIGHT-HANDED Schaller Strap Button on the Big Horn.
Had Three (3) Guitar Fetish reverse wound dedicated Jimi Hendrix pickups installed.

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

guitslinger wrote:

I couldn't give a tinker's damn where a guitar or its parts are made as long as it isn't made in a sweat shop such as Cort uses and that it's of very good overall quality.I have both MIA and MIM Fenders and they are all exceptional guitars. I can't see why so many people still have that knee-jerk reaction to change the pups and hardware etc. of MIM Fenders when there is absolutely nothing wrong or inferior with them. Granted the hardware etc. may not quite be up the standard of the MIA Fenders but it still is of superb quality and way above the quality of just about every guitar in its price range. It's about time that people put these old misconceptions behind them for once and for all. MIM Fenders are of excellent build quality,playability,sound etc. and are far ahead of the competition in every way and are still the best bang for the buck you can get in guitars.

I agree with what you are stating.
The benefit is that "us in the know" can get good deals on MIM & MIJ guitars,
until the word spreads. MIA Fenders have top of the line components, but IMHO
the difference in qualtiy is not much and not nearly double the MSRP retail price.

I love my 2008 Fender MIM Fat HSS Stratocaster.
All I did was upgrade the pickups:
* Bridge: Seymour Duncan JB Humbucker (original was Tex-Mex Fat Strat Humbucker)
* Middle: Seymour Duncan Classic Stack Plus (original was Tex-Mex Flat Pole Single Coil)
* Neck: Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack (original was Tex-Mex Flat Pole Single Coil)

Please tell me what you think???
Thanks. Toppscore

guitslinger · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2012 5:08 pm

Sweet guitars Toppscore,I especially like the job done on your Hendrix flip.All I did was flip and file the nut and change the strings over to a right hand configuration,then of course I did a set-up of the bridge and intonation and then decked the bridge so that the strings would return to being in tune even after an agressive whammy workout such as in I Don't Live Today,The Star Spangled Banner or Machine Gun.BTW mine is black with a white pickguard and rosewood fretboard-a mirror image of the one that Jimi used through all except for one song at Monterey Pop.

How are the Hendrix pickups that you used,are they similar to the Fender 57/62s or Tex-Mex ?I find the Tex-Mex pups on my Jimmie Vaughn Strat to sound and respond very much like the pups on my original '65 Strat.Also are they configured to be used in a flipped Strat?

Toppscore · **Joined:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:16 am **Posts:** 2337

guitslinger wrote:

Sweet guitars Toppscore,I especially like the job done on your Hendrix flip.All I did was flip and file the nut and change the strings over to a right hand configuration,then of course I did a set-up of the bridge and intonation and then decked the bridge so that the strings would return to being in tune even after an agressive whammy workout such as in I Don't Live Today,The Star Spangled Banner or Machine Gun.BTW mine is black with a white pickguard and rosewood fretboard-a mirror image of the one that Jimi used through all except for one song at Monterey Pop.

How are the Hendrix pickups that you used,are they similar to the Fender 57/62s or Tex-Mex ?I find the Tex-Mex pups on my Jimmie Vaughn Strat to sound and respond very much like the pups on my original '65 Strat.Also are they configured to be used in a flipped Strat?

IMHO, they are bright and fat, if that is possible.
Or fat with more punch.
Plus, I cannot pin-point, but maybe the "upside-down-reverse-flipped" winding has something to do with the awesome sounds.
Frequently, I get to create unique tones from a variety of my axes & amps.
Soon, I will write them down

"The latest creation from the GFS Labs- "The Jimi set features reverse stagger" - makes those Strat power chords hotter and thicker!! Jimi didn't flip a righty guitar around to play lefty 'cause it looked cool- the reverse stagger creates a slightly stronger "A" string and a slightly smoother "B" string- subtle but powerful.

Besides the cool features, these are based on our finest Strat pickups- RW/RP middle pickup for noise-free position 2 and 4 on your 5 way! We've taken our popular vintage Alnico pickups and added real fiber bobbins, authentic 42 gauge plain enamel wire, cloth leads, even premium German alnico rod magnets
We have spared no expense in designing these pickups-with all the vintage accouterments:

50's style black fiberboard bobbin
Reverse, lefty stagger
Reverse wound Middle pickup
Alnico 5 Magnets
Vintage style Beveled polepieces
Cloth covered leads
Wound quite hot to really drive an amp
Accurate 42 gauge plain enamel wire
For that round, sweet, fat vintage Strat tone with plenty of bite. Custom designed to provide all the great vintage tone with an amazingly complex mid-high balance and THUNDEROUS low end. Going back and forth between these and a "VERY EXPENSIVE" set of "Boutique" pickups it was easy to notice the added sparkle, low end Womp and Stevie Ray "swamp" tone with the GFS pickups!"

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