A
abuscus
New member
Are mexican strats total crap compared to american models?What are the exact differences?
jcmm
Kwality
This was gone over in a thread not too far back.
Opinions seemed mixed. I can only speak from experience.
I just bought a Mexican standard. Cost me $313.00 w/bag so I thought I got a deal. Before i made the purchase I tried the "Highway" americans, Fat strat (usa), Clapton signature, and Deluxe. The price range was from around $550.00 up to $ 1200.00 and yes, there was a difference.
Sounds and feel were all different but mostly feel for me. In the end I found that while the Mex neck (maple) didn't seem as smooth, the guitar still produced the "Strat" sound and since I record only I thought it was the best use of my limited funds. I was looking for a guitar I could tune down with since my main guitar has a Floyd Rose and changing keys just doesn't work without screwing around with it.
If you have the money and are hell bent on getting an american model there are added bonuses. Hardshell case, and different wood. I think one is made of poplar, and the other Ash but someone here cold probably point it out with more accuracy than me. I was also told the electronics were different but I found that to be the case in most of the different American models also.
An American model will retain its value better, but you should just go to a store and test drive a few different models to see for yourself.
In a nutshell, are they total crap??
Not in my opinion, if you want to feel crap, pick up a Squire Strat.
Good Luck
Opinions seemed mixed. I can only speak from experience.
I just bought a Mexican standard. Cost me $313.00 w/bag so I thought I got a deal. Before i made the purchase I tried the "Highway" americans, Fat strat (usa), Clapton signature, and Deluxe. The price range was from around $550.00 up to $ 1200.00 and yes, there was a difference.
Sounds and feel were all different but mostly feel for me. In the end I found that while the Mex neck (maple) didn't seem as smooth, the guitar still produced the "Strat" sound and since I record only I thought it was the best use of my limited funds. I was looking for a guitar I could tune down with since my main guitar has a Floyd Rose and changing keys just doesn't work without screwing around with it.
If you have the money and are hell bent on getting an american model there are added bonuses. Hardshell case, and different wood. I think one is made of poplar, and the other Ash but someone here cold probably point it out with more accuracy than me. I was also told the electronics were different but I found that to be the case in most of the different American models also.
An American model will retain its value better, but you should just go to a store and test drive a few different models to see for yourself.
In a nutshell, are they total crap??
Not in my opinion, if you want to feel crap, pick up a Squire Strat.
Good Luck
bongolation
New member
What's different? Virtually everything.
I'm not sure what parts are the same, but there are only a couple, and they're not significant. I've checked out the parts lists on these about a year ago to answer the question for someone else, but I don't remember the details.
All the stuff that looks the same isn't. It's all cheaper import knockoffs versions of MIA and MIA Vintage parts. Morons are always telling you that the only difference is where they're made, but that's a crock. The bodies and necks are cut in the US Corona plant, but they are not the same bodies and necks as on the MIA instruments. The finish on the MIM instruments is coarser and cheaper, too.
I really can't stand the MIM Standards. They're just too cheaply done with too many corners cut. Yes, the price difference between MIM and MIA is justified.
If you want a MIM Standard Stratocaster, get a used one for $100-$200 (Guitar Center has sold them for $199.99 brand new, so don't pay more than that for a used one). You can then get out of it later without a loss.
People always buy these things and then waste a bunch of money on aftermarket parts to try to make a better instrument out of them, and wind up paying about what they would have spent on a MIA on sale and still have an inferior guitar. Don't do this.
I'm not sure what parts are the same, but there are only a couple, and they're not significant. I've checked out the parts lists on these about a year ago to answer the question for someone else, but I don't remember the details.
All the stuff that looks the same isn't. It's all cheaper import knockoffs versions of MIA and MIA Vintage parts. Morons are always telling you that the only difference is where they're made, but that's a crock. The bodies and necks are cut in the US Corona plant, but they are not the same bodies and necks as on the MIA instruments. The finish on the MIM instruments is coarser and cheaper, too.
I really can't stand the MIM Standards. They're just too cheaply done with too many corners cut. Yes, the price difference between MIM and MIA is justified.
If you want a MIM Standard Stratocaster, get a used one for $100-$200 (Guitar Center has sold them for $199.99 brand new, so don't pay more than that for a used one). You can then get out of it later without a loss.
People always buy these things and then waste a bunch of money on aftermarket parts to try to make a better instrument out of them, and wind up paying about what they would have spent on a MIA on sale and still have an inferior guitar. Don't do this.
jimistone
long standing member
i have to chime in and give you the other side of the coin.
i bought a mex strat about a year ago. im not a teenager who fiddle farts around on the guitar every once in a blue moon...i gig every weekend and i play very hard. i am very happy with the mex strat. i also have a vintage american strat that will soon need a fret job, so, i retired it to the studio and got the mex. i did what bong said not to do...put texas special pickups and new pots in it. this is less than 200 bucks to do that. it sounds better than a stock american....no doubt about it. i do not like the "noiseless" pickups that are stock on the american strats. DON'T PUT A HUMBUCKER ON MY STRAT MAN!! so i would have changed pickups on an american strat too. the body on a mex is poplar instead of ash...i like the tone of poplar so that was no big deal to me...i like the neck on my mex too.
let me cover some key points:
1) "resale" american strats are aprox. $900 new (the one that has the texas specials is more i believe) and a used one brings $400 ......a mex strat is less than $400 new and a used one brings $250....am i the only one that can do math?
2) "pickup change" it costs you the same amount to put new pickups on an american as it does a mexican
3) "bodies and necks" you get a poplar body on a mex strat (the jimmy vaughn signature strat has a poplar body...it has a darker tone than ash...which i like.)
i see nothing whatsoever wrong with the mex strat necks...i string it with 11's...i did have it strung with 12's but i was pulling the fingernail apart from my ring finger on bends (shit that hurts)...the neck and the body held up to being strung with 12's very nicely. i can't say that for some "cheap" strat copies...they just won't hold up to that kind of string pressure. the only difference i can see in the necks is that one the american strats the edges of the necks are rounded off and the frets are bigger...the mex strats have vintage style frets
4) "hardware" as far as tuners, once the strings are stretched i can tune up for a gig and do 4 sets without having to retune...unless i do "voodo chile (slight return) and get radical with the tremelo.
as far as the saddles...they are the vintage style, which i prefer over the "better" american saddles. who cares if they are a cheaper "import" saddle...i mean...how many times have you seen a fuckin' saddle wear out? as for the tremelo plate ( this is one of my biggest beefs with the new american strats) the mexican has a 6 point tremelo pivot (spelling?) like a strat is SUPPOSED to have... the american has a 2 (or maybe 3..can't remember) point tremelo plate (why in the hell did they do this?). GIVE ME 6 SCREWS ON MY TREMELO PLATE MAN!!
5) "finish" I mean..who really gives a shit about the finish anyways. if you play as much and as hard as i do the finish is going to be wore in 5 years regardless.
don't get me wrong, im not saying that mexican strats are a better made guitar than the americans. (the ARE set up from the factory more to my liking though...you have to pay extra to get an american strat set up like i want) i AM saying that they are good guitars...as much as i play and as hard as i play a cheap guitar would not have held up and kept me happy.
what gets me is why you have to pay a fortune to get a strat set up like it was in 1959...that should be cheaper than the "improved" new ones.....i used the term "improved" loosely...IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT! (or redisign it)
i bought a mex strat about a year ago. im not a teenager who fiddle farts around on the guitar every once in a blue moon...i gig every weekend and i play very hard. i am very happy with the mex strat. i also have a vintage american strat that will soon need a fret job, so, i retired it to the studio and got the mex. i did what bong said not to do...put texas special pickups and new pots in it. this is less than 200 bucks to do that. it sounds better than a stock american....no doubt about it. i do not like the "noiseless" pickups that are stock on the american strats. DON'T PUT A HUMBUCKER ON MY STRAT MAN!! so i would have changed pickups on an american strat too. the body on a mex is poplar instead of ash...i like the tone of poplar so that was no big deal to me...i like the neck on my mex too.
let me cover some key points:
1) "resale" american strats are aprox. $900 new (the one that has the texas specials is more i believe) and a used one brings $400 ......a mex strat is less than $400 new and a used one brings $250....am i the only one that can do math?
2) "pickup change" it costs you the same amount to put new pickups on an american as it does a mexican
3) "bodies and necks" you get a poplar body on a mex strat (the jimmy vaughn signature strat has a poplar body...it has a darker tone than ash...which i like.)
i see nothing whatsoever wrong with the mex strat necks...i string it with 11's...i did have it strung with 12's but i was pulling the fingernail apart from my ring finger on bends (shit that hurts)...the neck and the body held up to being strung with 12's very nicely. i can't say that for some "cheap" strat copies...they just won't hold up to that kind of string pressure. the only difference i can see in the necks is that one the american strats the edges of the necks are rounded off and the frets are bigger...the mex strats have vintage style frets
4) "hardware" as far as tuners, once the strings are stretched i can tune up for a gig and do 4 sets without having to retune...unless i do "voodo chile (slight return) and get radical with the tremelo.
as far as the saddles...they are the vintage style, which i prefer over the "better" american saddles. who cares if they are a cheaper "import" saddle...i mean...how many times have you seen a fuckin' saddle wear out? as for the tremelo plate ( this is one of my biggest beefs with the new american strats) the mexican has a 6 point tremelo pivot (spelling?) like a strat is SUPPOSED to have... the american has a 2 (or maybe 3..can't remember) point tremelo plate (why in the hell did they do this?). GIVE ME 6 SCREWS ON MY TREMELO PLATE MAN!!
5) "finish" I mean..who really gives a shit about the finish anyways. if you play as much and as hard as i do the finish is going to be wore in 5 years regardless.
don't get me wrong, im not saying that mexican strats are a better made guitar than the americans. (the ARE set up from the factory more to my liking though...you have to pay extra to get an american strat set up like i want) i AM saying that they are good guitars...as much as i play and as hard as i play a cheap guitar would not have held up and kept me happy.
what gets me is why you have to pay a fortune to get a strat set up like it was in 1959...that should be cheaper than the "improved" new ones.....i used the term "improved" loosely...IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT! (or redisign it)
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64Firebird
New member
jimistone, every time I read one of your posts I like you more. I agree with everything you said.
People always complain about "sub-standard electronics," who cares as long as it works? Does the switch change the pickups? Does the volume pot make it get quiet?
I think that if these MIA snobs couldn't see the MIM tag on the headstock they wouldn't know the difference.
People always complain about "sub-standard electronics," who cares as long as it works? Does the switch change the pickups? Does the volume pot make it get quiet?
I think that if these MIA snobs couldn't see the MIM tag on the headstock they wouldn't know the difference.
jcmm
Kwality
64Firebird said:
Well Said !
I sat in the same chair with the same amp and plugged them all in one after another.
The difference was not as big a deal as the price demands.......
And I grew up playing a 1975 Strat.(purchased new) I wore that thing out so I know them well.
jimistone
long standing member
"I sat in the same chair with the same amp and plugged them all in one after another.
The difference was not as big a deal as the price demands....... "
i did the same thing jcmm. i went to the music store with $1000 in my pocket with the full intention of buying an american strat. i had preconcieved notions and had played my 1966 strat since the mid 70's...i pretty well KNEW that a mex strat would not be up to my standards....based on what i had read on this and other boards. i spent hours in the music store playing americans, reissues, mexicans, and even squires. the best playing strat in the store was the maple fretboard mexican that i bought. it blew me away that the mex's were that good...i mean, i played them both side by side. There wasn't a dimes worth of difference in the playabilty of these guitars (certainly not 500 bucks worth of difference)
"I think that if these MIA snobs couldn't see the MIM tag on the headstock they wouldn't know the difference."
i pretty much agree with that firebird....especially if the guitars they were comparing were both already broken in. im envious of your '64 firebird....I WANT ONE!! (im such a huge johnny winter fan its pitiful)
The difference was not as big a deal as the price demands....... "
i did the same thing jcmm. i went to the music store with $1000 in my pocket with the full intention of buying an american strat. i had preconcieved notions and had played my 1966 strat since the mid 70's...i pretty well KNEW that a mex strat would not be up to my standards....based on what i had read on this and other boards. i spent hours in the music store playing americans, reissues, mexicans, and even squires. the best playing strat in the store was the maple fretboard mexican that i bought. it blew me away that the mex's were that good...i mean, i played them both side by side. There wasn't a dimes worth of difference in the playabilty of these guitars (certainly not 500 bucks worth of difference)
"I think that if these MIA snobs couldn't see the MIM tag on the headstock they wouldn't know the difference."
i pretty much agree with that firebird....especially if the guitars they were comparing were both already broken in. im envious of your '64 firebird....I WANT ONE!! (im such a huge johnny winter fan its pitiful)
Hard2Hear
New member
Whoever said that Mex strats and US strats are totally different couldn't be more wrong. What I'm stating below are facts, not my opinion. I have personal friends at Fender and know the company well. They also send me my NAMM passes each year when I want to go.
The bodies and necks of US and Mex strats are sawn and created at the exact same place together. The same exact woods are used (specifically depenging on the exact model) as are the same exact machines to cut the bodies. In many, many circumstances the same electronics are used (aside from varying pickups model to model), and trem and tuner choices are by the specific guitar, not by place of manufacture.
The largest difference in the two guitars is the finish, which are 2 completely diffferent finishing processes in the US and in the Mex plants, and the fit and finishing after the guitars are assembled. But the Mexi plant has been getting better and better at factory finishing the guitars recently. This really shouldn't matter if you buy from a good dealer. All guitars a good dealer sell will be well set up and finished up anyways, i.e. fret leveling, intonation, etc..
If you look at the different models within the US lineup and within the Mexi lineup, you will see varying types of guitars within each. The best bet are the guitars like the Deluxe's and the reissues, which are made in the mexico plant and recieve upgraded pickups, hardware choices, and sometimes woods, depending on the model.
Hope this helps you in your decision.
H2H
The bodies and necks of US and Mex strats are sawn and created at the exact same place together. The same exact woods are used (specifically depenging on the exact model) as are the same exact machines to cut the bodies. In many, many circumstances the same electronics are used (aside from varying pickups model to model), and trem and tuner choices are by the specific guitar, not by place of manufacture.
The largest difference in the two guitars is the finish, which are 2 completely diffferent finishing processes in the US and in the Mex plants, and the fit and finishing after the guitars are assembled. But the Mexi plant has been getting better and better at factory finishing the guitars recently. This really shouldn't matter if you buy from a good dealer. All guitars a good dealer sell will be well set up and finished up anyways, i.e. fret leveling, intonation, etc..
If you look at the different models within the US lineup and within the Mexi lineup, you will see varying types of guitars within each. The best bet are the guitars like the Deluxe's and the reissues, which are made in the mexico plant and recieve upgraded pickups, hardware choices, and sometimes woods, depending on the model.
Hope this helps you in your decision.
H2H
Blue Bear Sound
New member
A friend and I went guitar shopping in Montreal last summer (being bored with Ottawa stores!)........
I'd never even seen Mexican Fenders before then.......... we were going thru the bass section and noticed these incredibly inexpensive Precisions on the rack..........
We pulled one down and started messing with it.......... pots almost hanging off, wobbly, switches go both up and down and side-to-side, bad feel, bad playability, bad tone............ ugh....
Figured it was a messed store demo, we pick up another - same thing -- they were all like that.... we still hadn't noticed where they were made.... we called the sales clerk over asking him what the hell is the story with these bush guitars??? He said, "...oh... those are the Mexican Fenders.... "
We then checked out the MIM guitars and found them in exactly the same state as the basses....
Hmm.... I see......... we
walked over to another section and found the MIAs......... need I actually tell you if there was a difference???
If you guys are happy with the MIMs and they work for you, great! But you couldn't pay me to touch one ever again - let alone buy one - after what I saw with my own eyes and hands..........
I'll take the MIAs, thanks........!
I'd never even seen Mexican Fenders before then.......... we were going thru the bass section and noticed these incredibly inexpensive Precisions on the rack..........
We pulled one down and started messing with it.......... pots almost hanging off, wobbly, switches go both up and down and side-to-side, bad feel, bad playability, bad tone............ ugh....
Figured it was a messed store demo, we pick up another - same thing -- they were all like that.... we still hadn't noticed where they were made.... we called the sales clerk over asking him what the hell is the story with these bush guitars??? He said, "...oh... those are the Mexican Fenders.... "
We then checked out the MIM guitars and found them in exactly the same state as the basses....
Hmm.... I see......... we
walked over to another section and found the MIAs......... need I actually tell you if there was a difference???
If you guys are happy with the MIMs and they work for you, great! But you couldn't pay me to touch one ever again - let alone buy one - after what I saw with my own eyes and hands..........
I'll take the MIAs, thanks........!
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Blue Bear Sound said:
with all due respect that is complete bullshit.......
Blue Bear Sound
New member
Sorry Gidge... it's absolutely true.........
...I'm not sure why you'd think I'd post a lie, when I've been straight-up since the moment I started posting at hr.com!
Regardless, that is an exact account of my only hands-on experience with Mexican Fenders................
...I'm not sure why you'd think I'd post a lie, when I've been straight-up since the moment I started posting at hr.com!
Regardless, that is an exact account of my only hands-on experience with Mexican Fenders................
muzeman
New member
I don't know about Strat's,but I have a Mex. Tele.
I played all the Tele's and Strat's they had,from $300 to $3000,this one sounded the best.
The nut was cracked though,I had to repair it.
Pete
I played all the Tele's and Strat's they had,from $300 to $3000,this one sounded the best.
The nut was cracked though,I had to repair it.
Pete
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
I have a 98 American made Strat and one of my best friends has several MIM Strats. My guitar is much more substantial. It just feels.....better. No snobery here, just my personal observation.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Re: Sorry Gidge... it's absolutely true.........
i really didnt insinuate that you lied or this didnt happen.....if it came across like that, i apologize......it does kinda sound far fetched though....
ive never pulled a MIM Strat or bass off a rack and seen any of those things youve mentioned so i would think you were in a second hand store or somewhere where customers are allowed to absolutely trash the guitars....but what can you expect in Canada....friggin' savages.....
Blue Bear Sound said:...I'm not sure why you'd think I'd post a lie, when I've been straight-up since the moment I started posting at hr.com!
Regardless, that is an exact account of my only hands-on experience with Mexican Fenders................
i really didnt insinuate that you lied or this didnt happen.....if it came across like that, i apologize......it does kinda sound far fetched though....
ive never pulled a MIM Strat or bass off a rack and seen any of those things youve mentioned so i would think you were in a second hand store or somewhere where customers are allowed to absolutely trash the guitars....but what can you expect in Canada....friggin' savages.....
Blue Bear Sound
New member
I will say this -- it IS possible that this was bottom-of-the-barrel stock that they were blowing out the door or something.... who knows... but I'm sorry - there was a significant difference in those particular MIMs and the MIA that I own.... and it was VERY obvious!
(This also isn't snobbery -- just my own experience!)
(This also isn't snobbery -- just my own experience!)
Badger
Active member
Blue Bear Sound said:
But.....I thought the tone was all in your fingers...
I'm confused..
Blue Bear Sound
New member
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
Don't be confused little soldier, I can make either one sound great.
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
I will agree that it is easier to find a GREAT MIA Strat than a GREAT MIM Strat, but there are MIM's out there that are just as good as MIA's.....
but im not gonna sit here and argue that a MIM is better or just as good as a MIA....that just isnt the case.....i just know that the Mexican Strats arent the pieces of crap that Bruce's picture painted....and im talking as a whole, not the wall of shame that Bruce came upon....
but im not gonna sit here and argue that a MIM is better or just as good as a MIA....that just isnt the case.....i just know that the Mexican Strats arent the pieces of crap that Bruce's picture painted....and im talking as a whole, not the wall of shame that Bruce came upon....
Blue Bear Sound
New member
I agree....
I seriously doubt they're as bad as what I saw....
I seriously doubt they're as bad as what I saw....