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Post subject: Whats the difference...
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:38 pm
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...between American and Mexican Strats? I bought a Mex Strat recently and it plays like a dream. I got a vintage Gibson (we all know its American) and it plays just as good if not slightly better. Or is it just the fact that its American made?


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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:41 pm
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Here's some good info for you here http://www.guitarstop.com/tour/guitar.htm


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Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:01 pm
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American Strats use better paint, better pickups, arguably better electronics, and other minor differences.

It should be noted that several of the major parts for Mexican Strats are made in the US, though all the assembly is done in Mexico.

I'm told that when Fender first opened the Mexico factory, the quality was iffy and just barely above Squier quality. But nowadays the MIM Strats are pretty dang good. Personally, I don't think the difference between the Standard Mexican Strats and the Highway One USA Strats is enough to justify almost doubling the price. Same goes for the American Standard Strats, though the differences are more important. I just don't think they're $600+ worth of important.


As far as Gibson's stuff goes, what model do you have? If it's a LP Special, they're relative (as opposed to total) crap IMO, even if they are made by hand in the US.


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Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 9:47 pm
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better body wood quality, how many pieces of wood are used in the body [Mexican Strats are usually made with a multi-piece body which is cheaper to manufacture, but also has much less sustain than a 1 or 2 piece body], better electronics, pickups, switches, pots, and hardware [bridge and tuners], and a fully adjustable Bi-Flex truss rod, and hardshell case versus a gig bag are the main differences between the USA and Mexican guitars. but the Mexican Strat's and Tele's are still great guitars for the money.

if you don't think it plays great, take it to a guitar tech to have it setup. your Gibson will have a flatter radius, so you can get the action a little lower on that guitar versus your Fender. but a good qualified tech can make your Fender play amazing. you should give that a shot and see how you like it.

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Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 6:39 pm
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I have a Mexican too, and to be honest I think they're Fender's best kept secret.
When buying a guitar, you really need to bond with it before shelling out your money. I paid £400 for mine, but I spent three hours playing everything in the shop before I handed over my cash. I went through three different Mexicans just finding the right feel, and the right wood grain (mine is made from a single piece of wood, no join). After that, I felt like we'd already had three dates, so i just took her home and banged the hell out of her all night....

Anyway, the point is, I'm a relatively new guitarist, but I really can't see where all the extra money goes. Yes a USA strat does have that extra something when you play it, but I really don't think they're twice as good, to justify twice the price.
So to summerise, I think there are great Mexican Strats, and there are not so great ones, I feel I'm lucky, coz I have an awesome one, and if you're lucky enough to find a great one too, you're gonna have the time of your life with it :D


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Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 7:27 pm
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if you're happy with your MIM strat, that's all that matters. many guitarists play MIM strats. they're cheaper, and they can sound amazing.

is it worth 600 dollars more for an american? to me, yes.

am i going to look down on someone who plays a MIM strat? of course not.

but i like the better quality wood etc.. if that stuff doesn't matter to you then it's not an issue.


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Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 8:54 pm
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I like the fact that the MIMs DO NOT have the MicroTilt neck pitch adjustment like you'll find on most MIAs.


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Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:38 am
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The general principle with guitars, amps and probably most other things is that you must spend 100 percent more to get a 10 percent improvement in quality.

By that logic, double the price will get you a better instrument, and if that is what you want, that is what you must spend.

On the other hand, the same logic also dictates that the less money you spend the better the value for that money.

Thus, an Affinity Strat is the best value on the planet. And it is! It just ain't the best instrument.

We have the choice: which matters to us more?


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:19 pm
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I have a good friend that has a MIM strat - it looks and sounds great. Personally, I prefer USA made guitars for the most part because I think they just sound, look and feel better overall.

But at the end of the day - we are both happy and rocking! And that is the important thing.

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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:27 pm
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well of course the MIA strats will sound better out of the box, but after some love and care for the MIM, you can make it sound just as good, if not better than the MIA's. Most of your tone comes from your fingers anyway, pair that with good pups and amp, then you're set.

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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:58 pm
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One thing no one has mentioned is the resale. The American made Strats will hold their value, if not even appreciate over time.

When I was a kid and couldn't afford an American, I bought a Japanese Strat (Mexicans were not available yet). I still have that guitar, and it is worth slightly less than what I paid.

The Les Paul I bought a few years later is probably worth at least 5 times what I paid for it.

That would be similar with an American vs Mexican made Strat. That being said, I have found the Mexicans to be a great alternative for people who are just starting out, or maybe can't afford an American.


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Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:49 pm
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I have both a MIM Standard Strat and an American Deluxe Strat. I love my MIM strat and it's been a real workhorse for me, and still is. However, when I first got my American Deluxe, I could immediately feel the difference, and the workmanship was much better. But most of all......the sound difference was incredible. Don't get me wrong......I still love my MIM Strat to death, and still play it all the time...but I much prefer my American Deluxe.


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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:22 am
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The quality of the MIM Strats today are very good for smaller value.
Test your favorites in a store near you.


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Post subject: set-up & profile
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:23 am
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The neck profile, fretwork and the set-up is going to have huge influence on the playability of the guitar.

Regardless of the producers origin.


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Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:40 am
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call me crazy, but i prefer MIMs for one reason:

sort of like a blank canvas...its half the price of a MIA, so if you mod it, you dont feel like your doing anything wrong.

personally speaking, if i have a guitar i spent 1200 or so on, im probably goin to leave it as is, maybe tweak the setup a little

but I plan on putting EMG's in my mimmy , since its an HSS its gonna be a hummer and 2 singles , i wanted the david gilmour preset pickguard but its only for an SSS i think :(


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