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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:25 pm
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My best friend has a MIM tele and i have an american made one. some differences are obvious, and others are more subtle. the most important is the sound. the MIM can't compete with the sound of the USA...not even close.


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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:55 pm
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telemaster87 wrote:
My best friend has a MIM tele and i have an american made one. some differences are obvious, and others are more subtle. the most important is the sound. the MIM can't compete with the sound of the USA...not even close.


Your opinion :wink:


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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:42 am
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i have never played a MIM model that satisfied me like a MIA, but that's just my opinion.


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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:06 pm
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I also have both guitars now, a MIM Esquire and a 24 year old 52 ri. In all honesty I cannot compare the two, the 52 ri is well broke in and it is full of mojo. Tons of bumps and bruises, finish wear etc...Now the Esquire that I got is in my opinion, a great guitar as well. It's fit and finish is right there...nice tight neck pocket, the frets feel fine...there's really nothing bad to say about it...I could probably swap out the electronics but for now I am happy with everything. I like it so much that I could ot put it down this past Saturday at our gig. It felt and sounded incredible.

I tried a couple of MIM standards at the local music store and I was not really impressed with either. I guess it's all hit and miss. I got extremely lucky with this Esquire, I bought it off ebay, a first for me, and I have already decided that I won't part with it...it's a keeper. I have always at one time or another had a second guitar. I have had MIM's and MIA'a and neither of them grabbed me like this Esquire has. If you find something that sounds, feels and plays just right for you, who the hell cares where they are made?


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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:46 am
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You don't have to spend a lot of money to buy an American made Tele, nor do you have to purchase one from GC. I just picked up a new one for $699 (case included) at a local music store in Colorado. The cheapest prices aren't always on-line or on ebay. :wink:


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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 2:05 pm
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I always thought the US vs $@! vs Mexican debate was just snobbery.. until I played a US Strat! You really can tell the difference... it sounds better and is easier and more natural to play - I still don't know exactly why, but I guess it's just the sum of all the slightly better woods, hardware and workmanship. :)

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Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:05 pm
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Franck wrote:
Pretty good question: I think most of the difference have been mentioned already especially higher quality woods and maybe better finish... but really in terms of sound I really recommend that you try both.

I'm convinced that overall quality has definitely improved in the Mexican factory and they do produce extremely good guitars now. I'm not a pro but I think that most of the cost difference now comes from 'the legend' itself: you pay more because it comes from the US, a great Fender has to come from the US somewhat, the origin of the brand.

Actually, I was looking for my first Telecaster US this summer. Since I got a new job with good income, I was ready to spend what it takes to get me a great one. Hours later well spent in music shops, playing and listening at many guitars (not only Fender by the way!!) I found it and guess what?
I went for a Mexican Telecaster 72'Thinline, a beauty with the sound I was simply dreaming to find. No comparison even with US Tele or Strat I tried.

So my only advice is to trust your ears, your fingers, your feelings. A Mexican Fender can sound better or as well as US one for less money. You just have to look around and take your time. Good luck and have fun!!

Franck

PS: message for all Fender's Mexican techs: God bless you Guys, I wish I can thank you all for that jewel that is the Tele 72'Thinline that I've just bought. Great job, the sound is just...my soul! For future productions, think about putting a Mexican flag sticker on the neck ;)



Franck, thanks a lot for your kind words towards Fender Mexico, i'll make sure your comments reach the very people that put together your guitar!. And yes, '72 Tele Thinlines are awesome!.


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Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 3:21 pm
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I just bought a Special Edition Strat from Daddy's Junky Music. I was used but in flawless condition. I wasn't even looking for a guitar when I tried it but it just sounded so good and played so well I had to have it! Awesome guitar!


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Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 3:55 pm
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The biggest difference in in the pickups, pots, switch and wirng. If I find a Mexi Strat or Tele, that I really like (and there are lots of them), I usually replace the pickups, switch and pots. The Standard Strat or Tele may have different woods and contours, but there are more expensive Mexican made Fenders that are well crafted. Still, check out the electronics.


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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 7:18 am
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I customize fender basses. I tested the American, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean and the Mexican basses. They all measured the same size. They all weigh the same. With exception to and depending on the wood, some wood is more dense then others. They all sound the same. America does not make anything anymore. The pickups by other manufacturers are better then what comes stock on many fenders, and that's a matter of preference.

As for the major difference i note her from an American Bass verses a Mexican Bass is the price tag. Here is a reality check. If you feel that a Fender decal the says Made in the USA, a set of 60 style Tuners that occupy most of the real estate on the back of the peg head, and the neck adjustment is on the heel of the neck rather then the peg head and you think it is worth anywhere from $1000 to $1500, then go buy a Fender "made in the USA" American Bass.

Fender makes Squires, so BEFORE YOU buy an instrument from one of the competitors musical instruments, ponder a reasonable facsimile of the Fender USA by investing in a Squire. Squires are Fenders, don't believe me read the decal, "Made by Fender". Does it matter who assembles the instrument and who turns the screws?. That's why they are cheaper because the pay sweat shop labor in other countries. Another point

I read a commentary of cheap bass because it is "Made in Japan". I paid $740.00 for a reissue of the 1951 "Pink Paisley" Bass. Owning the same on a fender Telecaster Bass from 1969, I can tell you its a perfect reissue. Contrary to what people think, the Japanese, have very strict quality control on the plane of that of the late great USA. In another time when it was truly a work of art to make things in Americas.


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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:44 pm
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My solution is to purchase Mexican Fenders and give them upgrades. I own a couple of Mexican Telecasters and a couple of Mexican Strats. They all now have either "SCN" or "Vintage Noiseless" pickups and they play and sound great. I selected the guitars primarily on their ACOUSTIC tone. Electronics can be modified, but you have got to have the basic wooden tone to begin with.

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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 4:46 pm
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I have a Mexican Tele and I wouldn't change a thing about it,sure the pickups may not have the output of the American made Tele but that's what they make volume controls for.The MIM Tele still has that wonderful true Tele tone that could cut through steel.

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Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 8:52 am
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It's not a question of tone. I was quite satisfied with the tone of the stock equipment. I upgraded to SCN's in the Tele's to eliminate hum for stage work. There's no appreciable difference in outout levels.

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Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2010 9:15 am
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I`ve had MIM Strats and Teles and the thing that bothered me most was that they didn`t stay in tune and the fret wires seemed a bit rough along the edges. But if thats your budget their good for the price.

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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:01 pm
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I have a Mexican Standard, and I've played an American Standard. The American is a more solid guitar, but for some reason, at least to me, it wasn't so comfy. It was a bit outside of my comfort zone. My Mexican is very nice, though the pickups are a bit more muddy. It has a good-looking finish, though it isn't as all-around good as the American's.

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