American strat vs Mexican strat

[DropD]

I was browsing through Fender's website, I noticed that an American Strat is more than twice the price of a Mexican Strat. What is the difference between two? I can understand that the American model is probably better built, but we're talking 1500$ vs 650$ here (for a Deluxe Fat Strat). Is the Mexican strat an American Strat at a bargain, or is the American Strat really worth such an expense?

[foo]

Better pickups, better tuners, better frets, better fret job, better wood, better paint job, better bridge, better elctronics, better assembly, better case, better resale value, better get the American Strat!

foo

[This message has been edited by foo (edited 01-02-2000).]

[Top Jimmy]

I have to agree and disagree with foo. Yeah the American Strat has better wood and so on but if the Mexican Strat is in your budget go for it. I have one and I'm really happy with it.

[Emeric]

DropD, you can make a big difference by changing the electronics. This is one thing I've found that make cheap guitars sound thin. I can't say as though it will sound like an American strat, but it will sound a hell of a lot better than it does stock. I've been recording with some real cheap guitars lately ($300 Canadian), and I must say.. their pretty damn good. Guitars have improved over the years. The latest one I'm using is a Jay Terser, check them out if you see one anywhere.


[This message has been edited by Emeric (edited 01-03-2000).]

[DropD]

My Nissan Sentra is mexican made too, and it's as reliable as the US made Sentras )

[Lorddiagram]

DropD - - To answer your question "is it worth the expense"?

I think it damn well is - but I wouldn't pay $1500 for a Deluxe Fat Strat I'd pay $550 for a new American Strat (that's what I paid)

Shop around - if you can afford it the American is a great guitar.

[Slackmaster2K]

The difference is going to be day and night. You can feel it and hear it instantly.

The American Strat isn't really an expensive guitar (as guitars go), so there's little reason to purchase a Mexican strat unless you don't have a guitar at all. BTW, the American strat is a pawn shop dream. Since they typically run around $900 new (here), you can usually find em in decent shape at a pawn shop for half that.

Slackmaster

[DropD]

Lord: I forgot to tell you, I live in Canada, the lowest street price I could find for an american Strat is 999$CA, not 550$

I really don't care about the look, what interest me is the sound. If I change the bridge pickup (the one I use 97,4% of the time), can I get the same sound as an American Strat on a mexican strat?

[foo]

If the budget is a real concern (and when isn't it, I guess) try to find a Tokai Strat copy from the early eighties and install Seymour Duncan Vintage replacement pickups on it.

I'm with his Slackness on this - do the pawn shop thing - you'll be amazed at what you can find.
foo

[crazyhorse]

I've got a Squire strat (around $300) that is pretty decent. I'd play it more except my Ibanez Artist kicks major ass! My point is, throw several Mex strats into a pile and most of them will be less-than-worthy but a few of them will be excellant guitars for the price. I put an EMG select in mine and I think it's just peachy.
Also, one of the best tones I've ever heard came from a Hondo, which was a very cheap brand.

[mastahnke]

Well, I would say get the Mexican if you must have a Fender. All fenders (with the exceptions of the JAPS) are made in Mexico anyway. For a guitar to be considered "American" it just has to be 60% ASSEMBLED in the USA. They are made in teh same factory. It takes a while, but you can usually find a Mexican Strat that is really nice, they are made on most of the same machines as the Americans anyway. The real differences are the hardware and the neck treatment.
But my real question is do you want a REAL Fender? Cause G&L is the only company that makes 'em. Get a basic S-500 for a little more than a good mexican and a lot less than the FAT Strat. It will blow any fender that is not custom shop away. Guarenteed. Plus they have locking tuners, and phase reversal switch. The S-500 is Leo's final definition of what the strat should be.

MIKE

[Even]

I am prolly gonna get dogged on this one. I know that everyone swears by their killer guitar or has the dream gem hanging in the shop they are dying for. But heres the ol Even point... find a guitar you like to play. Weather it cost you the family inheritance or was a swap shop special. If the feel is good and plays easy nab it. The more I get involved with gadgets gizmos and effects, I find I get the sounds I want from the outside stuff. I am happy with my "lower end" guitars as far as playability goes. Granted I suppose if I had a Paul Reed Smith I would swear by it and never go back. But as it stands I like how each of my guitars plays.

[PannyDeters]

Stop right there. In a perfect world you get what you pay for. But in the real world it isn't always so.
Go to a store and play an American, play a Mexican, play a Korean, etc. I've played some really awesome (feeling) mexican fenders and turned right around and picked up an American that felt like the frets had not even been smoothed down on the edges.
As far as materials, I dunno, but you CAN get really good cheap guitars and really shitty expensive ones. The only way to really know is to play them.

[DropD]

That is true. I recently bought a Yamaha Pacifica 120S because I liked the look. I paid 250$CA for it!! And it actually sounds very good. It's made in Alder, like an american strat. I love it.

[DALtune]

Buy a Gibson.

I picked up a Blueshawk a few years ago for a little under $500 U.S. and I have yet to be let down in the tone department.

[Fast_Eddie]

I have a Mexican Strat and to tell you the truth, it sounds EXACTLY like the American Strats I've played! Maybe I got a little lucky, because it also sounds better than any other Mexican strat I've played too...

The only thing I wish it had way a Floyd Rose trem. The standard sucks ass!

[Daddy-O]

For around $1500, you can buy a good late '70's ( a.k.a vintage ) strat and you will be getting a better sounding and better built guitar than most new instruments. However, guitars in this catagory are usauly not the prettiest in the world. Yet they have a character and feel not possible with most new cookie- cutter guitars. Make sure the pickups are original and correct- they are the heart of ANY vintage strat or tele. Yes, the new Fenders are shiny,you have a choice of cool colors, and can sound o.k. to a degree, but to truely enjoy the strat experience---------it needs to be an old strat.
P.S. You can still find '82 and '83 Squires
for about $200-$350. These "strats" were made from left over '70's bodies and necks. The pickups are not as good, but they have the wieght and "feel" of the an old strat.

[bluesfool]

I've had a '91 USA Strat since that year, and it's still going strong. The frets are getting hammared pretty good, but I'm a blues player and I bend a lot.

The one thing about this instrument with which I'm always impressed is the build quality. The fit and finish are excellent, and I have no doubts about its long-time playability. Within the next five years, I'll probably get it refretted, and within the next year I'll upgrade to Blue Series Lace Sensors. After that, it should last me the rest of my life. I doubt a Mexi Strat is that kinda lifer, especially if you play for, say, an hour or more a day. Go with a good ol' American Standard.

[Viking]

SCREW FENDER (CBS) BUY A G&L!!!!!!!!!!

G&L guitars are GOD! And they are reasonably priced for the wares. I would say that they are closer to a vintage strat than any american standard made since about 70'. And they play better.

Viking_______________________________________

[XXXDiablo]

Straight question / Straight answer.... is the American Strat better? YES.

But... did you know, that the Fender factory in the US is only 30 miles
from the factory located in mexico?

The materials made in both guitars are pretty much the same now.

All the materials for both factories comes from the same place
and they share them.

The only reason there is a mexican strat in the first place is price point.

In other words... if you can pay a mexican worker $6.00 an hour to build the same guitar as an American who works for $30.00 an hour, you would rather
only pay $6.00 an hour and make a bigger profit right?

The problem Fender had when considering this move was that Fender guitars are considered an "American staple".

If ALL Fenders were made in Mexico, they would go out of business because their reputation would crumble immediately.

So... what they decided to do was raise the price of the American Strat a bit and then offer a Mexican strat at cheaper price point.

They only had to downgrade the electronics a bit in the Mexican strat and hire a few less quality control people there to justify the difference in
the price.

The craftmanship of the Mexican Strat MAY be slightly less quality than the American Strat, but the only real major difference (ever since the two factories have moved closer together and share materials) is the
electronics.

To begin with, change out the electronics and you will have a decent Strat.

In all honesty... the American factory will always recieve the best quality
materials. The necks and bodies are seperated in the warehouse by "first quality" and "second quality". 1st goes to the American Strats and the 2nds go to the Mexican factory.

Also... the quality control guys and the finish work in the American
factory will do a better job most of the time.

But, if this suggestion makes you nervous, spend the extra money for the American Strat. you can't go wrong. It only cost a little more to go
first class in this world.

If you opt for the Mexican, do the following "upgrades" as desired (and as you can afford them) in the following order:

1. Change all of the electronic componants (not just the pickups)
2. Chance the tuners
3. Change the bridge (only if you don't like the one that came with it)
4. Get a really good fret job
5. Buy a better case for your new and improved strat

At the end of the day, you may spend slightly more by upgrading the
Mexican Strat than if you were to just buy the American Strat in the
first place. But it's sort of like a payment plan. You can pay for the
improvements as you are able to afford them.

Bottom line... if you have the money for the American and you want a
good guitar for a lifetime, buy the American Strat.

[XXXDiablo]

Originally Posted by Fast_Eddie

I have a Mexican Strat and to tell you the truth, it sounds EXACTLY like the American Strats I've played! Maybe I got a little lucky, because it also sounds better than any other Mexican strat I've played too...

The only thing I wish it had way a Floyd Rose trem. The standard sucks ass!

A Floyd doesn't belong on a strat.

[famous beagle]

Originally Posted by mastahnke

Well, I would say get the Mexican if you must have a Fender. All fenders (with the exceptions of the JAPS) are made in Mexico anyway. For a guitar to be considered "American" it just has to be 60% ASSEMBLED in the USA. They are made in teh same factory. It takes a while, but you can usually find a Mexican Strat that is really nice, they are made on most of the same machines as the Americans anyway. The real differences are the hardware and the neck treatment.
But my real question is do you want a REAL Fender? Cause G&L is the only company that makes 'em. Get a basic S-500 for a little more than a good mexican and a lot less than the FAT Strat. It will blow any fender that is not custom shop away. Guarenteed. Plus they have locking tuners, and phase reversal switch. The S-500 is Leo's final definition of what the strat should be.

MIKE

I've never seen a G&L that cheap. Where can you find them?

[XXXDiablo]

Originally Posted by mastahnke

Well, I would say get the Mexican if you must have a Fender. All fenders (with the exceptions of the JAPS) are made in Mexico anyway. For a guitar to be considered "American" it just has to be 60% ASSEMBLED in the USA. They are made in teh same factory. It takes a while, but you can usually find a Mexican Strat that is really nice, they are made on most of the same machines as the Americans anyway. The real differences are the hardware and the neck treatment.
But my real question is do you want a REAL Fender? Cause G&L is the only company that makes 'em. Get a basic S-500 for a little more than a good mexican and a lot less than the FAT Strat. It will blow any fender that is not custom shop away. Guarenteed. Plus they have locking tuners, and phase reversal switch. The S-500 is Leo's final definition of what the strat should be.

MIKE

They aren't made in the same factory. But close. The two factories are only 30 miles apart. One is in the US and One is in Mexico.

[WERNER 1]

I recently went down this road... http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/sho...d.php?t=152644

I still say I should have kept the blond mexi I had, and only paid 200 bucks for......truly a "Best bang for your buck" item!

I played so many strats over the last couple of weeks it's not even funny! Most of them didn't justify the cost in my opinion.....but the one I bought did........but then again, it did cost me a pretty penny.

One difference I did notice was in the fretts. The Standard strat (MIM) has smaller fret wire on it, where as it's American counter part has Medium Jumbo fret wire. Also the moder trem/bridge on the American standard is in my opinion much, much better.

If you want the best of both worlds, you can by the "Lite Ash Strat", it comes in three colors- Natural, black, and Vintage white. I came really close to purchasing one of these, but the fret wire eventually turned me away. They say they have medium jumbo wire on them, but in reality it's like what is on the Mexi's......not what's on the American Standards.........other than that this is one nice axe for about $550.00 US. It's got a birds eye maple neick and fret board, moder tremolo, seymour Duncans, and decent tuners.....plus an lite ash body. I was able to find two of these to actually play, and they both played well.......nice low action and feel. Maybe I should have bought this one and just had some fret work done on it (You'd be amazed at what just having the frets "polished" will do for the feel of your axe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), but I had some money burning a hole in my pocket, so I spent it.

Rick

[Hard2Hear]

wow, you just drug up a 5 year old thread.

amazing.

H2H