Fat Strat: MIM, USA, HWY1

  • Thread starter Thread starter VTgreen81
  • Start date Start date
VTgreen81

VTgreen81

Active member
What are the real differences that a novice player would notice?

Feel of the neck?

Weight of the body?

Sound/tonal quality?

Length of sustain?

Residual value?


I've pretty much decided I want a Fat Strat, but can't decide if I should get a new MIM or a used USA. I'd rather have a new instrument, but if the MIM is gonna leave me wanting in a year or so, I'd go with a used guitar of better quality.
 
Personally I'd go for the US made instrument, I have one and it is a quality instrument. The only MIM I have tried had narrow fretwire and I was told they all come like that which put me off, but it is a personal thing, the only real option is to try several and get the one that grabs you the most.
 
I'd go with the American one for ethical reasons. I'd take a Mexican Fender over a Asian guitar anyday, I hear Fender treats their Mexican workers fairly (Or so they say.)

Yeah, you can hate me, I'm a liberal ;)
 
post.aux.fader said:
I'd go with the American one for ethical reasons. I'd take a Mexican Fender over a Asian guitar anyday, I hear Fender treats their Mexican workers fairly (Or so they say.)

If they treat them fairly, why wouldn't you buy a Mexican one?

If they treat them unfairly, why would you buy an American one?

I have an older American Strat and a newer American Ash Tele, but I've played a number of Mexican models and think they're great guitars for the price. I chose American, but if I a Mexican was all I could afford, I'd be pretty happy with that too. Can't help you specifically with the fat strat.
 
VTgreen81 said:
What are the real differences that a novice player would notice?

None...

......and I own both Amer and MiM Strats. Both are excellent values. The Highway1 I don't have much experience with, with except playing them in the stores. And...I still don't think you will notice major differences after a year either. Infact, after playing guitar for 40 years, I think the MiM Strat is a killer guitar. The "skinny" frets....or referred to as "vintage" frets have advantages and disadvantages. Personally I believe, if you are a decent guitar player, items like that can become a personal preference, but shouldn't limit your playing on whatever you play.

I would buy the guitar that says; "TAKE ME HOME"... at whatever price it is and is within your budget.
 
mixmkr said:
I would buy the guitar that says; "TAKE ME HOME"... at whatever price it is and is within your budget.

That's really the best way to buy guitars.
 
VTgreen81 said:
I've pretty much decided I want a Fat Strat, but can't decide if I should get a new MIM or a used USA. I'd rather have a new instrument, but if the MIM is gonna leave me wanting in a year or so, I'd go with a used guitar of better quality.


Go with the used USA, like you said if the MIM is going to leave you wanting!
If you go the USA I doubt very much you will be left wishing you bought a MIM.
;)
 
mixmkr said:
None...

......and I own both Amer and MiM Strats. Both are excellent values. The Highway1 I don't have much experience with, with except playing them in the stores. And...I still don't think you will notice major differences after a year either. Infact, after playing guitar for 40 years, I think the MiM Strat is a killer guitar. The "skinny" frets....or referred to as "vintage" frets have advantages and disadvantages. Personally I believe, if you are a decent guitar player, items like that can become a personal preference, but shouldn't limit your playing on whatever you play.

I would buy the guitar that says; "TAKE ME HOME"... at whatever price it is and is within your budget.

That sounds like the best advice to me, seems so obvious now :rolleyes:

So I'm off to the music store to embarass myself out loud as I chunk out all three of the chords I know on as many axes as they have in my price range and a few high end instruments to see how an expensive guitar compares.

Thanks to all
VT
 
Back
Top