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Post subject: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:28 pm
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Is the Robert Cray Signature Strat that is currently listed on the Fender website at $899 MIM or USA made? Seems a bit spendy for MIM even if it IS a "Signature" Strat. Yet rather inexpensive compared to other USA made Strats.


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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 2:43 pm
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Now, it's exclusively made in Ensenada. Early on there was a MIA signature edition but it's been discontinued for several years now.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:32 pm
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Does it matter where it's made? :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:32 pm
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John Sims wrote:
Does it matter where it's made? :wink:


Yes! For several reasons, to me at least, I would rather have a MIA product. And for those that will invariably leap to conclusions, I think that MIM are fine, even great, and I own and have owned plenty of MIM and others, but my preference is MIA.

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 11:48 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Go look elsewhere for a pissing contest, pal.

I merely related the facts.

Arjay


Wow! That's a bit unnecessary. I was merely having a joke, hence the smile, relative to another thread.

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 3:58 am
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shimmilou wrote:
John Sims wrote:
Does it matter where it's made? :wink:


Yes! For several reasons, to me at least, I would rather have a MIA product. And for those that will invariably leap to conclusions, I think that MIM are fine, even great, and I own and have owned plenty of MIM and others, but my preference is MIA.


There is a Custom Shop version, but hang on to your wallet!!! :shock:

8)

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:13 am
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I can't stand the wait time or the price of new CS, but good used ones can found for reasonable prices. I once owned a Custom Classic '54 in Blonde with Birdseye Maple neck, purchased for $1300, but at the time I wanted more of a rock guitar, so I let that one go. That's one of those "I wish I had kept it" guitars. :(

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:56 am
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I own two MIM Deluxe Players Strats and they are both outstanding examples of Fender guitar making. As well, I own a 91 American Standard Strat Plus (has the Wilkinson Roller Nut) and a 92 American Standard Tele. The reason for the question was not to qualify or disqualify the Robert Cray Sig guitar. I ordered it sight unseen while at GC in Medford, OR last week. I will be picking it up this coming Sunday. When I ordered it, I asked the salesgirl if she knew if it was MIA or MIM and her reply was that as far as she knew, all Signature guitars were MIA. So I will know the truth on Sunday afternoon :D


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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:58 am
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shimmilou wrote:
I can't stand the wait time or the price of new CS, but good used ones can found for reasonable prices. I once owned a Custom Classic '54 in Blonde with Birdseye Maple neck, purchased for $1300, but at the time I wanted more of a rock guitar, so I let that one go. That's one of those "I wish I had kept it" guitars. :(


Ha.. Ha... :( I can compare notes with you on the 2001 56 NOS Stratocaster that I sold a couple years back. Same regret, but fortunately there is always a new gem waiting to be discovered...

As for the underlying thread question. I think where signature models are concerned I would most definitely prefer a made stateside sig model, but again it's about Fender being astute and offering a lower priced replica. Marketing wise it is a shrewd move, there are not that many buyers willing to spend 5 figures and up for signature model, for many it is out of their discretionary income...

My choice for signature models would be the following.
(1) Eric Johnson
(2) Mark Knopfler
(3) Bonnie Raitt
(4) David Gilmour
(5) Eric Clapton
(6) John 5
(7) John Mayer

I have played all except the Bonnie Raitt and John 5, Raitt obviously is extremely difficult to find and J-5 I just have not researched for it... The John Mayer I was impressed, which is odd considering I have no interest in his musical statement whatsoever, but his signature Stratocaster is a really nice understated work horse. So is the Eric Johnson Strat, both are actually very similar.
One model that I wished was on the roster would be a Tommy Bolin sig model. Very underrated and most deserving of a model as his musical contributions far outclasses some of the current signature offerings.

I appreciate that in some cases Fender offers signature models at various levels of craftsmanship and the debate over " I would not pay this much or that little for a guitar is an entirely subjective matter.
I'm sure some here would have an issue with the price tag of the car I choose to drive. So if one wants and can spend 25,000 for a Clapton Blackie, then by all means but really not for anyone to throw stones thru their glass house to anothers...
It's really about what rocks your boat eh.... ???

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:40 am
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Lynn Nicholson wrote:
When I ordered it, I asked the salesgirl if she knew if it was MIA or MIM and her reply was that as far as she knew, all Signature guitars were MIA. So I will know the truth on Sunday afternoon :D


You have the truth within your grasp right now.

Examine your receipt and note the Fender P/N for the guitar -- if prefaced by a "010" then the instrument is US-built. If it reads "013" the guitar was made in Mexico. I suspect it will be the latter.

Case closed.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 2:43 pm
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Arjay, first, I live 350 miles from the Medford GC. I was camping near Crater Lake when I went into the Medford store looking for a Robert Cray guitar, which they did not have on-hand. So, I ordered one sight unseen, as this model has the combination of ingredients that I was looking for. I ordered it delivered to the Medford Store. This weekend we are going back to the area and plan to see the band Chicago play nearby on Tuesday next. And, having it delivered to the store where I can pick it up, eliminates the possibility that I would be away from home if it were delivered here instead. I've alreadyrecieved notice that the guitar is in the store waiting for me. I'll pick it up on Sunday 6-21-15.
This is the "Description" line of my receipt: "Fender Artist Series Robert Cray Stratocaster Electric Guitar Regular 3-Color Sunburst: 511263 064 03".
I suspect that since I ordered something not on-hand in the store, they did not have the P/N or S/N of the specific guitar that would be shipped. So, I'm still in the dark.
But it's OK. Unless it sucks when I plug it in at play it, I'm taking it home whether it's MIM or MIA. And I'm pretty confident that I will like it :D


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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 2:54 pm
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Lynn Nicholson wrote:
Unless it sucks when I plug it in at play it, I'm taking it home whether it's MIM or MIA. And I'm pretty confident that I will like it :D


As am I.

Every RC I've ever played or inspected as well as the one I own has been a fine instrument. If there's any quibble at all with the guitar, it's simply the limited number of colors it's available in. I'd love to have one in Ice Blue Metallic.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:07 pm
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I used to have a Robert Cray Strat and it was Mexican-made. I had to trade it for a saxophone (its a long story). The sax now sits unplayed and I really miss the guitar. The pickups had a unique sound and the neck was very chunky.

Here's a clip of it in action.


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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:56 am
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omar59 wrote:
shimmilou wrote:
John Sims wrote:
Does it matter where it's made? :wink:


Yes! For several reasons, to me at least, I would rather have a MIA product. And for those that will invariably leap to conclusions, I think that MIM are fine, even great, and I own and have owned plenty of MIM and others, but my preference is MIA.


There is a Custom Shop version, but hang on to your wallet!!! :shock:

8)


+1!

http://www.fendercustomshop.com/series/ ... rd-violet/

Image


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Post subject: Re: Is theRobert Cray Signature Strat MIM?
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2015 8:09 am
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From what I've heard, the Custom Shop RC model is no longer made. The only one made now is the MIM one. AND, I picked mine up last Sunday (Father's Day), and I must say, having noodled around on it for almost a week, I cannot discern a difference in craftsmanship, quality, feel, or playability as compared to the MIA Strats. The neck-body connection is perfectly solid and I feel the resonance of notes and chords transferred very well into the wood of this guitar. Sustain is outstanding. Fit and finish are superb. Hardware is excellent. Unless mine is an anomoly (which I doubt), I would betcha there is no one on this forum who would disagree if they had the chance to play mine. I cannot speak to other RC Signature Strats, but I'm very pleased with mine.


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