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Post subject: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:51 am
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Hi all, I am new. My name is Liz, L for short. I have been playing the guitar for about 6 years. I first started out with an acoustic guitar then I bought my first electric guitar a year after getting my acoustic. It was a Fernandez guitar, FR-55s with the sustainer pickups. Rather fancy stuff. But I decided to expand my guitar collection despite my amateurish playing with a Stratoscaster. I've been reading a lot about the different MIM and MIA Strats. I was reading this article about Top 5 reasons to get an MIM and MIA. One of the reason was that the MIA Strats will have an increased in value over time and may even be a family heirloom if it is taken care of properly. While the MIM Strats doesn't have this capability, is this true?

So right now comes the dilemma, I want a guitar that can last a life time and if ever so possible an increase in value should I ever need to sell it. Of course the instrument would have to be taken care of properly to sell for a good price. I am looking at the American Standard Strat and the Deluxe. What would you guys recommend? I mostly play blues, pop, rock and hard rock.


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 4:28 am
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LizzieSpitFire wrote:
I was reading this article about Top 5 reasons to get an MIM and MIA. One of the reason was that the MIA Strats will have an increased in value over time and may even be a family heirloom if it is taken care of properly. While the MIM Strats doesn't have this capability, is this true?

So right now comes the dilemma, I want a guitar that can last a life time and if ever so possible an increase in value should I ever need to sell it.


Sounds like something you'd read on a retailers website. Modern guitars aren't going to appreciate in value. Just not happening - too many guitars made today to make any of them worth anything significant in 20+ years time. Increased value is the preserve of 50s and 60s vintage guitars, and that's all based on history and mojo.

A modern US made may well hold its value better than a Mex, but you pay more for the US up front. You're still losing money either way. Family heirloom is more likely; that's all sentimental value.

Play a few, pick the one that feels and sounds best and enjoy it, forget about recouping $$.


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:00 am
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If you want something that will increase in value look for a good deal on an older model or a special edition and have it authenticated. They have only been going up in value. A new MIA standard "might" increase in value but it would have to be time machine mint in 50 years. These things sometimes depend on inflation and the market. Or for instance if in 50 years a new Strat cost 3,000 then the one you paid 800 for is certainly going up if it is in perfect shape.

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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:21 am
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It might be best to choose a guitar that most likely will just hold its value.
Making any real profit on the 'vintage market to come' would mean a substantial amount of cash invested today, and even then it's risky.

So: take your time, buy a MIA or MIM Strat when you get a killer deal. Test different models beforehand, so you know which ones you like to play.
Comes a time you want to sell it, chances are you get what you paid for.

My personal hint: Highway1's and Lonestars seem to be attracting people more and more. No guarantee on profit margins, though.


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 7:57 am
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Personally I love the fat 50's in the MIA Standard but again that's just my opinion
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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 9:54 am
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L, while I understand your concern about value, that is the wrong reason to select a particular guitar.

The guitars which have the highest potential to appreciate and retain value are going to be the ones which are the most expensive to get into now... Ltd. Editions, Custom Shop, etc.

Reading articles is a good way to learn about the various models.

But the only way to pick a guitar is to get down to your music store and play as many of them as you can. You'll know the one which sounds, plays, feels and looks right to you.

Only YOU can pick YOUR guitar!

Pick the right one, and whether MIA or MIM, it will last a Lifetime. !

Good Luck !

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 11:48 am
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If "the investment" is a major criteria for you, keep in mind that the "resale" market will always follow behind the "new" market until the vintage aspect comes into play (25 years or so). New MIM Stds sell for $500, while a nice used one can be had for $300. New MIA Stds sell for $1250, while a nice used one can be had for $800-900. Your best bet is buying a nice used MIA (standard or better) based on your budget. Buying used means the "depreciation" has already been taken out. Buy it bone stock, keep it that way, and keep it pristine. You won't lose money, and as values slowly creep up, so will the value of your guitar ... and during all those "price creeping" years you will have an awesome guitar to play. And don't plan on this being a major part of your retirement plan ...

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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:00 pm
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Yes yes, I have come to realise that I had indeed made a grave mistake to justify my purchase with an intention to sell in the future. I am really grateful for the inputs, and I will make a trip down to the local guitar store and try all the different ones.

But what I'm encountering is...the local guitar store that I go to only has MIM Fenders Strats. Another guitar store, which is more pricey, has MIA Fenders but that requires a lot of trouble accessing as I need to make an appointment to try out the guitars and such.

No, without taking into consideration of the silly future value to which I have earlier asked, would anyone educate me on the difference between MIM and MIA Fender? My guitarist and vocalist told me that MIM used to be "not too good" but "it has become much better in the recent years". He said I should consider getting one over an MIA.

What kind of stuff would I encounter if I get an MIM and does the MIM and MIA share the same kind of pickups? Or does the MIM get a crappy one?


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:11 pm
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Buy the guitar that you like. If you buy a guitar as a investment, it is all most certain you will lose money. Buy a used mim strat. You will be happy with it I am sure. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 2:41 pm
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LizzieSpitFire wrote:
What kind of stuff would I encounter if I get an MIM and does the MIM and MIA share the same kind of pickups? Or does the MIM get a crappy one?

The MIA has better quality hardware (the bridge and pickups, in particular) and a HSC. Also keep in mind that a MIM Std has 21 frets if that matters to you. The MIM Std is a very well-made guitar including nice fret work ... there is nothing "crappy" about it.

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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:48 pm
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This...
Drubbing wrote:
Play a few, pick the one that feels and sounds best and enjoy it, forget about recouping $$.


The main difference between MIA and MIM is in the component quality. Much of the cost difference is a result only of higher labour costs in the USA. The workers in the USA factories are mostly Mexican, and many of the managers in the Mexican factories are American. I am not implying that they are equal. You do get what you pay for, just maybe not twice the value for twice the price :-)

I own two MIAs and one MIM, and I love all three. Visit some stores. Play some guitars. Buy the one that "speaks" to you. You will be happy with it for many years.

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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 3:56 pm
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OK. I realize that I am sort of contradicting my own post (above), but since you are about to make a big decision I guess I should come clean about what I believe to be true...

MIA has more "snob appeal". I am not saying this to be a smart-ass. And I'm not trying to insult anybody on either side of this opinion. But the truth is you will get a different reaction from many guitar players when you tell them your Strat is MIM, and when you tell them it is MIA.

I really try hard not to be the kind of person that cares about this kind of nonsense, but even I can't always help myself. If you can afford the MIA, buy it. You will feel better about it unless you really (and I mean really - in your heart of hearts) don't care what other people think.


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:14 pm
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LizzieSpitFire wrote:
What kind of stuff would I encounter if I get an MIM and does the MIM and MIA share the same kind of pickups? Or does the MIM get a crappy one?

The MIM / MIA debate is what keeps most forums chugging along. That suggests to me there's really not much in it between them. Except the $.
allanr wrote:
I really try hard not to be the kind of person that cares about this kind of nonsense, but even I can't always help myself. If you can afford the MIA, buy it. You will feel better about it unless you really (and I mean really - in your heart of hearts) don't care what other people think.

This is why many people buy the US guitar. An intangible feel-good, brought on by a higher price tag, a Made in USA sticker, and salesmen that swear you've got a far superior guitar in your hands.

Try guitars with an open mind and buy what feels and sounds best to you. The cost or savings will justify themselves.


Last edited by Drubbing on Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 5:21 pm
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A high end Mexican model will be very close to the bottom rung of the american guitars. I personally would rather buy something Mexican with interesting specs/finishes or something than a bone std bottom of the rung US guitar. To be honest the 'std' design Fenders don't really do it much for me.


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Post subject: Re: My first Fender Stratocaster purchase dilemma
Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 10:56 pm
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I have mia and mim strats the mia strats are better but not 2 or three times the price better. Put on a Callaham tremolo assy and maybe up grade the pickups you have a nice strat.


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