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Post subject: MIA vs MIM
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 8:17 am
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My son has been playing for a year and is talented. He has an American Standard Strat and we have now been looking at Tele's. I've read the pros and cons on MIA vs MIM to include pups, location of component manufacturing, QC...etc. Based on what I've read, I can't help but think that the only reason the MIA is more expensive is because the labor rate is higher in this country. Other than that, you take your chances with quality regardless of where the guitar is assembled. We alway's purchase locally and set-up is not a concern. I'm interested in additional unbiased opinions.


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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:28 am
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If you purchase locally, just go out and play as many of the different types you can locally, and one will speak to you...as I think most of the MIM vs MIA debate is clouded a bit depending on peoples personal preferences and poltical/economic beliefs/thoughts...To me, it doesn't matter where its made or comes from, as long as I like it and can buy it, I'll get it...

I mean there are differences, but are the differences worth as much as the price difference? I've played Squiers that were just as good as an MIM, and while the MIM cost $200+ more than the Squier, I cannot say that the MIM was $200+ better than the Squier...

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 9:32 am
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satdvr wrote:
My son has been playing for a year and is talented. He has an American Standard Strat and we have now been looking at Tele's. I've read the pros and cons on MIA vs MIM to include pups, location of component manufacturing, QC...etc. Based on what I've read, I can't help but think that the only reason the MIA is more expensive is because the labor rate is higher in this country. Other than that, you take your chances with quality regardless of where the guitar is assembled. We alway's purchase locally and set-up is not a concern. I'm interested in additional unbiased opinions.


I also have an Am Std Strat and recently became interested in purchasing a Tele. I have been playing quite a few years, anyway, I started Tele shopping about a month ago. I suggest playing different guitars without looking at the price or where it was made. Use your hands and ears. To me everytime I picked up a Tele that felt great in my hands it turned out to be MIA so that's what I ended up with. Of course there are well made MIM, but only one I played felt good in my hands, but just not as good as the American Standards which were consistently high quality. The biggest issue for me is that the guitar stay in tune after some heavy bending. So now I'm the happy owner of a Candy Cola w/RR fretboard am std Tele and I love it.
Try some out, you may find a MIM that outshines the MIAs.


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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 5:23 pm
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I love my $450 Tele it sounds and feels like a good Tele should.

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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:05 pm
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Not to open the whole MIM vs MIA debate again.

But my feeling is don't write off the MIMs because the quality in these (especially the newer one) have improved alot. My guess is that Fender has realised that the MIMs are becoming popular and improved them. When I bought mine I played every MIM (I knew I was going to mod it) in the shop the there were some that played great and some not so great.


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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 5:59 am
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Best bet is have him play as many MIM and MIA's as possible then decide from there. Don't emphasize where it was made but how it plays, because if he is talented it is going to sound good no matter where it was made. There are MIM's i like much better than MIA's and vice versa. Happy hunting!


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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:19 am
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The newer MIM's are very nice insturments, as are the higher end Squiers. Fit and finish has vastly improved in recent years. You lose out on value retention but that's the worst downside. As others have said, have your son play the guitar before you buy it to make sure he likes the feel and sound (I even do that with my MIA purchases).

Another option is the USA made Highway One Series. My Tele is a Highway one and I absolutely love it. Made in the USA AND very resonably priced. The best of both worlds.

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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 1:50 pm
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You should buy your son what ever guitar he wants because i am sure he is a good kid! :D 8) .

and he probably also didnt mean to mess up while driving today. :shock:


not that i would know......... or anything like that..... :D


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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:43 pm
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Tanner1994 wrote:
You should buy your son what ever guitar he wants because i am sure he is a good kid! :D 8) .

and he probably also didnt mean to mess up while driving today. :shock:


not that i would know......... or anything like that..... :D



Thanks Son!


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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:53 pm
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dbr2026 wrote:
Best bet is have him play as many MIM and MIA's as possible then decide from there. Don't emphasize where it was made but how it plays, because if he is talented it is going to sound good no matter where it was made. There are MIM's i like much better than MIA's and vice versa. Happy hunting!

I couldn't agree more!!! go by the sound and feel...that is the best way.!


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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:11 pm
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satdvr wrote:
My son has been playing for a year and is talented. He has an American Standard Strat and we have now been looking at Tele's. I've read the pros and cons on MIA vs MIM to include pups, location of component manufacturing, QC...etc. Based on what I've read, I can't help but think that the only reason the MIA is more expensive is because the labor rate is higher in this country. Other than that, you take your chances with quality regardless of where the guitar is assembled. We alway's purchase locally and set-up is not a concern. I'm interested in additional unbiased opinions.
:


MIM guitars are great. All the necks on all Fender guitars are made in the U.S. The MIM necks are made in the U.S and then shipped to the factory in Ensanada, Mexico. The Mexican factory puts the guitars together with an incredibly high standard of quality that Fender regulates closely. Go on line and read about the factory conditions in Ensanada. Look up Fender factory in Mexico and you'll see for yourself. I own several MIA guitars and MIM guitars and their all good. Fenders standard of excellence in how they treat their employees is beyond that of other guitar builders. Be proud that you are able to purchase a high quality instrument at such a great price.


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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:59 pm
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testratomarsh wrote:
satdvr wrote:
My son has been playing for a year and is talented. He has an American Standard Strat and we have now been looking at Tele's. I've read the pros and cons on MIA vs MIM to include pups, location of component manufacturing, QC...etc. Based on what I've read, I can't help but think that the only reason the MIA is more expensive is because the labor rate is higher in this country. Other than that, you take your chances with quality regardless of where the guitar is assembled. We alway's purchase locally and set-up is not a concern. I'm interested in additional unbiased opinions.
:


MIM guitars are great. All the necks on all Fender guitars are made in the U.S. The MIM necks are made in the U.S and then shipped to the factory in Ensanada, Mexico. The Mexican factory puts the guitars together with an incredibly high standard of quality that Fender regulates closely. Go on line and read about the factory conditions in Ensanada. Look up Fender factory in Mexico and you'll see for yourself. I own several MIA guitars and MIM guitars and their all good. Fenders standard of excellence in how they treat their employees is beyond that of other guitar builders. Be proud that you are able to purchase a high quality instrument at such a great price.


When it comes right down to it, MIM's are made in Mexico by Mexicans and MIA's are made in America . . . by Mexicans. :D

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:05 pm
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mthorn00 wrote:
testratomarsh wrote:
satdvr wrote:
My son has been playing for a year and is talented. He has an American Standard Strat and we have now been looking at Tele's. I've read the pros and cons on MIA vs MIM to include pups, location of component manufacturing, QC...etc. Based on what I've read, I can't help but think that the only reason the MIA is more expensive is because the labor rate is higher in this country. Other than that, you take your chances with quality regardless of where the guitar is assembled. We alway's purchase locally and set-up is not a concern. I'm interested in additional unbiased opinions.
:


MIM guitars are great. All the necks on all Fender guitars are made in the U.S. The MIM necks are made in the U.S and then shipped to the factory in Ensanada, Mexico. The Mexican factory puts the guitars together with an incredibly high standard of quality that Fender regulates closely. Go on line and read about the factory conditions in Ensanada. Look up Fender factory in Mexico and you'll see for yourself. I own several MIA guitars and MIM guitars and their all good. Fenders standard of excellence in how they treat their employees is beyond that of other guitar builders. Be proud that you are able to purchase a high quality instrument at such a great price.


When it comes right down to it, MIM's are made in Mexico by Mexicans and MIA's are made in America . . . by Mexicans. :D


that is as true as it gets!


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Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 8:13 pm
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MIM are really good guitars (for the money)
you notice how people always add that tagline for the money
and yes it is true. That being said not to offend anyone but
i have had 2 mim strat and tele and now own two americans
why because they are better I don't know why but when anyone
says anything about build orgin the mex owners get super
defensive and start saying their mexicans are as good or even better
than any american ever made no they are not they are good
but the mia is better the question is are willing to pay for
the better guitar is it worth it to me it was to you maybe not
thats fine but don't run down the American standards because
you take offence to the topic
bottom line 9/10 proffesional muscians prefer american
standards or american deluxe ........ WHY?????

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Post subject: Re: MIA vs MIM
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:53 am
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testratomarsh wrote:
satdvr wrote:
My son has been playing for a year and is talented. He has an American Standard Strat and we have now been looking at Tele's. I've read the pros and cons on MIA vs MIM to include pups, location of component manufacturing, QC...etc. Based on what I've read, I can't help but think that the only reason the MIA is more expensive is because the labor rate is higher in this country. Other than that, you take your chances with quality regardless of where the guitar is assembled. We alway's purchase locally and set-up is not a concern. I'm interested in additional unbiased opinions.
:


MIM guitars are great. All the necks on all Fender guitars are made in the U.S. The MIM necks are made in the U.S and then shipped to the factory in Ensanada, Mexico. The Mexican factory puts the guitars together with an incredibly high standard of quality that Fender regulates closely. Go on line and read about the factory conditions in Ensanada. Look up Fender factory in Mexico and you'll see for yourself. I own several MIA guitars and MIM guitars and their all good. Fenders standard of excellence in how they treat their employees is beyond that of other guitar builders. Be proud that you are able to purchase a high quality instrument at such a great price.

Try em out though, The MIA standards and the MIM standards may all have necks cut in same place. but they have a different feel to them after completion.


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