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Post subject: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 10:08 am
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I don't have much experience in this field as I only have one MIM and two American Strats. I have played a number of MIMS however which have varied from pretty damn good to pretty horrible.

My MIM was nicer than I expected (it is an FSR, so has perhaps had a little more attention payed to it) and I have now fitted a number of American components. It is a very nice guitar, but it still isn't the same as an American and I don't know why.

What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better? One would hope it is something as why else do we pay more?

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 10:41 am
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John Sims wrote:
What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better?


Advertising hype.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 10:41 am
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First the rosewood/maple, now this one. You're on a quest to open all cans of worms, right?


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 10:42 am
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John Sims wrote:
I don't have much experience in this field as I only have one MIM and two American Strats. I have played a number of MIMS however which have varied from pretty damn good to pretty horrible.

My MIM was nicer than I expected (it is an FSR, so has perhaps had a little more attention payed to it) and I have now fitted a number of American components. It is a very nice guitar, but it still isn't the same as an American and I don't know why.

What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better? One would hope it is something as why else do we pay more?


The magic ingredient is part of an ultra top-secret government agency......I'd tell you what it is, but then I'd have to kill you :D


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 11:06 am
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jmattis wrote:
First the rosewood/maple, now this one. You're on a quest to open all cans of worms, right?


Mythbusters! :D

All joking appart, these things do interest me. I had considered the American advantage to be a myth but certainly consider mine to be superior.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 11:43 am
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John Sims wrote:
What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better?

The decal with Made in USA on it?
Is it snobbery that says "if it ain't got Made in USA" on it then it can't be any good?
John Sims wrote:
One would hope it is something as why else do we pay more?

The top end Mexican models are very nice indeed.
The real reason that USA built models cost more is because of higher labour costs in the USA


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 12:50 pm
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Some American standard may sound better than other American standard. Same for MIM guitars .

Could the best MIM may sound as good or better (?) than the worst American Standard ?


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 2:14 pm
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The MIMs strats are great guitar. The only thing I can say is the pickups on the lower end Standards are ceramics and not to alot of peoples likings , but those can be easily changed. The higher end MIM strats are right up there with the MIAs I believe. You can get a lacquer version of the Classic Series with a hard case for 899 street. Tough to beat. That being said , I love my American Standard with the fat 50s. It really comes down to personal choice and maybe budget.


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 3:29 pm
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Quote:
What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better? One would hope it is something as why else do we pay more?


First reason we pay more is that most MIM Strats come with a gig bag, while most MIA Strats come with a hard shell case (there are exceptions to both).

Other reason is labor costs are less in Mexico. There may be more, but in general, I can say that my MIA are no better than my MIM Strats. I have 11 total, 4 are US (2008 spec American Standard, 2012 American Standard, 2009 Clapton Model and AVRI 62 from 2008) and 7 MIMs, a Classic 50s, a 2008 Road Worn 60s, a Kenny Wayne Shepard signature model, 2 Classic Players 60s Strats (one is Sonic Blue, the other an FSR in Vegas Gold) and 2 Classic Players 50s (one in Shoreline Gold, the other a 60th Anniversary model in Desert Sand Lacquer).

All are great guitars. Should be noted I don't have any of the MIM standard models. And 4 of my MIMs are Custom Shop designed, with either American Vintage or 69 Custom Shop pickups. But the other two have Tex Mex and Mex vintage pickups, and they are quality too. Really happy with both the value and quality of my MIMs, and judge them as equal to my MIAs. That said of course, in terms of dollars, the MIAs still will bring a higher price- IF I were to sell them. But I have no intention of doing so!

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 3:39 pm
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Categorizing is helpful... but only to a point.

The off-shore manufacturing allows lower prices making these instruments accessible to many more than if we all had to pay MIA prices. Think of how MIA prices would skyrocket if demand was only satisfied out of Corona !

In most cases, it all boils down to the individual instrument in question.

There are some Gems coming out of Ensenada and some Dogs coming out of Corona !

I say in most cases because some models do use superior raw stock and/or hardware.

But, you have to consider that most people want to do good in their work... produce the best goods they can. The Mexican workers in Ensenada strive just as hard as their Corona counterparts to produce the best instruments they can... it is their Life's work as well.

If there's any significant factor at all, it's probably consistency. Fewer Dogs out of Corona, and fewer Gems out of Ensenada.

It's also why you should forget labels and try to play every guitar you may be considering. You might have to play more MIMs until you find the one which speaks to you, but it's surely out there.

I want as near perfect an instrument as I can find within my budget, not looking for Braggin' Rights. I'd rather have a Mexican or Indonesian Fender that is exceptional than an MIA that is just so-so.

I own 5 Fenders, all of them Gems. Three came out of Corona, but one came out of Ensenada and one came out of Jawa Timur, Indonesia.

I think the MIA's retain more of their resale value over time, but since you pay more for them upfront, the point is mostly moot.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 5:07 pm
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Comparing my MIM to my MIAs there are a couple of aspects which make the MIAs feel more of a quality product.

The MIM has a thinner scratch plate. Yup, it's a silly small thing but I don't like it. It deforms around the screws and bellies a little at the top. Great if you like to stack your picks there - but I don't. The edge hasn't been polished either. It's a silly thing but I find it sufficiently annoying that it is going to be replaced.

The neck fit isn't as good - there is a slight gap on the underside of my neck on one side - and I do mean slight. I almost want to try tightening the screws but am concerned that it may have been shimmed and don't want to misalign it by poncing about.

I have no issues with the sound of the guitar, nor the finish of the neck but, for some reason, it just doesn't feel quite as nice to play. Perhaps it is a badge thing and, had I no idea of any of the guitars country of origin, I wouldn't feel the way I do.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 5:47 pm
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John Sims wrote:
Comparing my MIM to my MIAs there are a couple of aspects which make the MIAs feel more of a quality product.

The MIM has a thinner scratch plate. Yup, it's a silly small thing but I don't like it. It deforms around the screws and bellies a little at the top. Great if you like to stack your picks there - but I don't. The edge hasn't been polished either. It's a silly thing but I find it sufficiently annoying that it is going to be replaced.


Hmmm....you sure about that? Because I have an MIM pickguard an it seems identical to the American Standard. I have a '93 American Standard that currently has an after market pearl guard and I want to restore it back to its traditional appearance. The MIM guard - which was obtained from a friend's '09 MIM Standard - even has the full foil shield as the American. The only difference is that the mounting holes have changed over the years, but it has nothing to do with the country of origin.


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 6:47 pm
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John Sims wrote:
What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better? One would hope it is something as why else do we pay more?
Frets
Pickups
Bridges and other hardware
Resale value (that's the big one)

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 7:01 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
John Sims wrote:
What is the magic ingredient which makes an American Strat better? One would hope it is something as why else do we pay more?
Frets
Pickups
Bridges and other hardware
Resale value (that's the big one)

Basically... that's it in a nutshell... but I'll add my 2 cents :twisted:

The lower end Mexi's are not on par with the MIA guitars... I don't like the Mexi Standard's for example. Every one I've played is no where near an American Standard in quality or playability... but, even with those, I'm sure you can find a jem out there somewhere if you look hard enough.

The only exception I've found with a Mexi being on par with a USA Fender in the $500 street price arena were the BlackTop line. I have one (Strat) with the HSH config... It's fantastic. Fit, finish, playability... it has it all. I haven't "upgraded" a thing on it however, I will say this... if there is an "upgrade" at all for this guitar... I think it would have to be the bridge saddles. Swap those out for some bent steel saddles... or perhaps just upgrade the entire bridge assembly with a BladeRunner or something but, the stock bridge does work well and I'm not in any way saying the it sucks... frankly, it's pretty decent and does what it should. No probs with it in any way.

Another thing worth mention with the BlackTop... The electronics are very good. The stock pups are awesome... a lot of folks don't seem to like the buckers on these guitars... but, I think they're fantastic. The cavity is fully shielded as is the back of the pick guard.... tuners, jacks... all the hardware is high quality. It's a Pro-Level instrument at about 1/2 the price of an American Standard. If you see one out on Craig's or Gumtree... and it's in good shape... get it... you can't go wrong with these.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri May 01, 2015 7:16 pm
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Difference ? Litte over 112 miles, my new deluxe roadhouse is amazing. Had an am dlx, have tonssy this mim is as good. Actually sounds better to my ears.


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