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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 5:16 am
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Was this a comparison of a modern 2 point trem versus an older 6 point trem ?
Was your old MIM set up ? Was the nut's string slots filed correctly ? That is contoured for the strings which are round and was the angle of the string bed correct ?

Saying that your old MIM never stayed in tune without including how it was set up or not only serves to add fuel to the fire " MIM's are totally inferior to Mia's period "

This has to be a detailed thus credible comparison based on the guitars and how they were set up which has to be equal..

I have never had a problem with a MIM, MIA or a custom shop. But all my guitars always needed to be set up to my preferences. If the problem is with the neck/body joint then the easiest and most rigid fastening is to install brass wood inserts and fine threaded screw/bolts.
Actually something that in a Deluxe model and above should be standard..

But YMMV

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:00 am
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Oh its this topic again... I almost forgot why I quit hanging out here. Now I remember.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2015 11:52 pm
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donnycraven wrote:
Oh its this topic again... I almost forgot why I quit hanging out here. Now I remember.


What ever. There is no compulsion to read the thread if it doesn't interest you. Noting there seems to be three threads running concurrently on similar subjects, it obviously interests somebody.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2015 12:39 pm
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I've made a few posts about how don't care for MIA necks and prefer my MIMs but played my brother's '78 a few weeks ago and gotta say - I really liked it!

Was as comfortable as my MIA but as expressive as my MIMs. Maybe my MIA just has a radius I don't like. Is great for barre chords but just don't like it for playing lead. I have to work a bit harder with my MIM necks but I can get alot more personality out of them than my MIA.


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:44 pm
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Comparing an MIA instrument to an MIM and arguing the MIM is inferior, is like pointlessly comparing a Toyota to a Lexus and arguing Toyota is inferior product despite the price difference..

You can't compare MIA vs. MIM unless they are in the same price bracket. Both origins are great instruments in their own right and no-one can argue with that.

How about a MIM strat made to exact American Standard specifications? would it still be inferior?? ponder that one..

:mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 12:00 am
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XR6_Falcon wrote:

You can't compare MIA vs. MIM unless they are in the same price bracket. Both origins are great instruments in their own right and no-one can argue with that. ...


I think that is a reasonable comment. Road worn, Classic Player, Lacquer and MIM Signature guitars are all around the same price as American Specials.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 12:25 am
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American Standard are brighter guitars. MIM are just too dark for rock'n'roll use.
So I guess the secret component has something to do with making the guitar a little bit brighter and lighter in sound.
It's also a better quality overall. More solid and more complex construction.
That said, a lot of R&D has obviously gone in those inexpensive MIM models as well.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 11:28 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Have you got a pic of the "Vegas Gold" Strat, T-bone?

I'm not familiar with that color.

Arjay

Lol, sorry for the 4 month wait Arjay, didn't see this until now (disappeared for massive work hours for a time). I don't have a face on pic right now, will try to snap one and post it tomorrow. In the mean time, a Google search on Vegas Gold Stratocaster will get you some shots. It's basically a bright gold sparkle finish. I still quite like it, also like the flat 12 inch fretboard radius and the 69 Custom Shop pickups (also have this guitar in Sonic Blue).

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 3:50 am
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"How about a MIM strat made to exact American Standard specifications? would it still be inferior?? ponder that one.."

Yes, nice one! In my opinion that's probably the most relevant comment I've read!

Although I only buy MIA, in truth I've had some right dogs, including a new CS Custom Deluxe that had to go back to Fender for a new nut shortly after purchase. Other MIA's may as well have come in kit form, they've needed so many adjustments just for factory setup specs!

OK, off-topic, but a couple of years ago I bought a new Martin D-28, which the shop replaced, again due to a defective nut. I was so taken by the sound that I didn't originally notice that the string slots were in the wrong place! So it's not just Fenders.

All of these are expensive guitars in England. So, in the light of my experience, MIM could hardly be any worse. UK prices (especially secondhand) make MIM's very attractive, and the available colour range is better.

So why do I only buy MIA's? Purely for the feeling that I'm playing the original, and the inspiration that gives me. Non-US Strats are like Portugese/Polish/Bangladeshi etc Levi's - perfectly serviceable but not 'original'!

Notwithstanding the more expensive bits and pieces on the MIA's, it's only ever going to be a matter of opinion, though, isn't it? If I could play like Jeff Healey did on his Japanese Squier I'd be very happy!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 4:20 am
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John Sims wrote:
donnycraven wrote:
Oh its this topic again... I almost forgot why I quit hanging out here. Now I remember.


What ever. There is no compulsion to read the thread if it doesn't interest you. Noting there seems to be three threads running concurrently on similar subjects, it obviously interests somebody.



Or there is obviously nothing else for most of these posters to entertain themselves with than the same drizzle I been reading here for about 6 years.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 5:59 am
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Take it from one who comes from the 'My Generation' generation - you'll be old one day, Donny!

Meaningless drivel gives me something else to do!


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 6:43 am
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With mia you get a hard case, strap, cable, custom shop fat 50s. Rolled finger board edges ,case candy etc for $1299

With mim you dont even get a gig bag anymore.

And they raised the price to $599.


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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 8:15 am
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donnycraven wrote:
John Sims wrote:
donnycraven wrote:
Oh its this topic again... I almost forgot why I quit hanging out here. Now I remember.


What ever. There is no compulsion to read the thread if it doesn't interest you. Noting there seems to be three threads running concurrently on similar subjects, it obviously interests somebody.



Or there is obviously nothing else for most of these posters to entertain themselves with than the same drizzle I been reading here for about 6 years.


On the other hand, who is wasting more of their time?

Is it poster A who has engaged his mind to consider a question, and applied themself to formulate a considered answer?

Or

Poster B who continues to read something that, apparently, they have read previously over 6 years; despite the item under discussion having changed over that period...and then complains about people giving the subject their consideration.

Funny how it is frequently busy people who find time to do things while those that have little to do just complain about people wasting time.

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 8:35 am
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Hi Gang,

I've read this thread from the beginning to the most recent post and found it to be hilarious at times, with the directions the conversation has gone in.
The original question was, "Are American made Stratocasters better than the ones made in Mexico?"
For what it's worth, they are different but only in minor ways. What is it that really matters in a guitar? How good it sounds? How friendly is it to play? Or just where it was made?
I've never owned a MIM Strat, but I've played a few of the early ones, and the most notable differences I found was the feel of the neck in the MIM was wider and flatter as opposed to my USA made Strats, and the pickups were a bit weaker in the MIMs I tried. ( I believe these were the MIM standard guitars). I have several USA vintage Strats and three MIK Showmaster guitars which I have modified and upgraded because they needed that. I am about to take the plunge and get a Deluxe Roadhouse Stratocaster because it looks like it's a guitar that I can use for live shows, that might even allow me to take only one guitar to a show instead of two or three. This is a MIM guitar I'm talking about, but it comes with Texas Specials in it, and also has an onboard preamp with a six position selection switch. The beefier pickups, and the tone selections seems like good prospect for this to be the only guitar I take to a gig.
Since I'm a good player, I sound good on any guitar I play, even if it's a cheap LTD, made in Vietnam or Indonesia. The point is: No matter where a guitar is made, it may need some sort of upgrade or even a correction from the factory! I've had USA made Strats that were total duds, and the ones I still own are some of the sweetest sounding and playing instruments on the planet!
So in response to John Sims: It doesn't matter where your guitar was built, you could have ended up with a MIA that is tempermental like your MIM. Personally, I think your MIM could be made into a fantastic guitar that you might enjoy as much as your MIAs. It just needs a bit of TLC on your part to get it that way.
BTW, All my Stratocasters get upgraded with brass bridge blocks and compensated spring claws, and the pig metal blocks are used as weights and tool holders.

And one final note: I don't ever recall anyone coming up to me after a show and commenting about where my guitar was made. They only commented about how cool it looked or how good it sounded! For me, that's all that matters.

Harley 8)

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Post subject: Re: American Strats ARE better than MIMs? Your thoughts.
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2015 9:07 am
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HarleyHexxe wrote:
And one final note: I don't ever recall anyone coming up to me after a show and commenting about where my guitar was made. They only commented about how cool it looked or how good it sounded! For me, that's all that matters.


+1000!

Arjay

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