ridgeback
New member
I dropped a Carvin HSS is my MIM and I'm way happy with it's sound. Fit was already good. FWIW
M
mrface2112
Well-known member
for the same price as a new MIM you can typically pick up a used 80's american made. my '83 is a wonderful playing and sounding guitar.
personally, i'd FAR prefer an american made one. but that's me.
oh, and +1 to that Blender pot. I've got one in mine along with a JB Jr in the bridge, and the blender really helps smooth things out (b/c i can dial in a little neck to the bridge).
cheers,
wade
personally, i'd FAR prefer an american made one. but that's me.
oh, and +1 to that Blender pot. I've got one in mine along with a JB Jr in the bridge, and the blender really helps smooth things out (b/c i can dial in a little neck to the bridge).
cheers,
wade
H
Horsedoc
New member
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the CIJ/MIJ (Japan) Fenders. Very good quality (some say better than US made), most with US electronics, at a very reasonable price. I've got a '62 reissue CIJ Tele that's very nice.
Milnoque
Resident Curmudgeon
If you decide to go MIM play it first. You can find a good one every now and then. The quality control isn't nearly as good as the American ones. I strongly urge you not to get one mail order. Some of them are real dogs.
Before you buy, try out a G&L Tribute. JMHO
Before you buy, try out a G&L Tribute. JMHO
Zaphod B
Raccoons-Be-Gone, Inc.
mwthompson
Croisaandwich
I would recommend that for any guitar you're going to purchase. I sold my brand new American Made Gibson 333 just a couple of months after purchasing it because I hated it. Plus, I still feel lucky that I like the Custom Shop Strat that I bought blindly through eBay. Ok, really like.
mwthompson
Croisaandwich
Oops.
It's printed on the Internet, so it must be true. Anyone else's personal experience is just ass-talking.
jcmm
Kwality
I've had a MIM for around 5 years. Nice guitar for the money, and it has served me well. A couple weeks ago I bought a brand new American Deluxe V neck.
The difference is more than huge.
Put whatever pickups you want on a MIM, it will never be an American like mine. They just aren't made of the same thing in any facet. The SCN pups are amazing because they actually do what they are advertised to do. And the bridge, neck and tuners are all better.
I still have my MIM, and will keep it forever, but there is nothing I can do to it that will make it like this V neck. The 2 guitars sound completely different, and thats exactly the way I want it!
The difference is more than huge.
Put whatever pickups you want on a MIM, it will never be an American like mine. They just aren't made of the same thing in any facet. The SCN pups are amazing because they actually do what they are advertised to do. And the bridge, neck and tuners are all better.
I still have my MIM, and will keep it forever, but there is nothing I can do to it that will make it like this V neck. The 2 guitars sound completely different, and thats exactly the way I want it!
DrewPeterson7
Sage of the Order
It's been a while since I played a new-in-the-shop one, but aren't MIM's 21 frets, while Americans are 22? Not the end of the world, but if you want that 22nd fret, well, I remember years ago (I bought a '97 in late '98, as my first "serious" guitar, and never looked back) that one of the big differences for me was that the American Standard had an extra fret, so you could bend up to a high E.
The other big difference for me was the trem - at the time the deciding factor for me was comfort, that the smooth saddles on the American Standard trem were way more comfortable than the bent metal on the MIM. The extra mass probably doesn't hurt either, but to be fair some people do prefer the tone of a true "vintage" style trem... The other big difference is a two-point knife edge trem vs. a 6-point pivot. I can't argue the merits very well based on my experience, but I've heard it said that 2-points are easier to set up to float and will return to pitch a little easier. At the very least, though, they're a hell of a lot easier to replace - I'm now rocking a Wilkinson in place of the stock Fender American standard, and it was a simple drop-in replacement.
Anyway, though... We've all heard stories about guys finding a MIM Strat that blows away everything else in the shop. Fender's QC is a little spotty so definitely play everything you can get your hands on and buy the one that you like the most, regardless of where it's made.
However, MIA Strats have come up in price a lot in the last couple years, and honestly if you're going to drop a grand on a Fender, you almost might be better off sucking it up and spending a bit more on a G&L, or a LOT more on an Anderson or Suhr. If I was in the market for a Strat today instead of ten years ago, I would be looking at G&L's and wondering if I could swing an Anderson.
JCMM, again I haven't been out playing high-end Fenders in a shop in some time, but I HATED the first generaton of Fender Noiseless pickups. Have they redesigned them? I eventually opted for a set of Gold Lace Sensors, as the Clapton Strat equipped with a set sounded much more natural plugged in than the SCN's in a Deluxe, I think, and yet the LS's seem to have kind of a bad rap with Fender fans...
The other big difference for me was the trem - at the time the deciding factor for me was comfort, that the smooth saddles on the American Standard trem were way more comfortable than the bent metal on the MIM. The extra mass probably doesn't hurt either, but to be fair some people do prefer the tone of a true "vintage" style trem... The other big difference is a two-point knife edge trem vs. a 6-point pivot. I can't argue the merits very well based on my experience, but I've heard it said that 2-points are easier to set up to float and will return to pitch a little easier. At the very least, though, they're a hell of a lot easier to replace - I'm now rocking a Wilkinson in place of the stock Fender American standard, and it was a simple drop-in replacement.
Anyway, though... We've all heard stories about guys finding a MIM Strat that blows away everything else in the shop. Fender's QC is a little spotty so definitely play everything you can get your hands on and buy the one that you like the most, regardless of where it's made.
However, MIA Strats have come up in price a lot in the last couple years, and honestly if you're going to drop a grand on a Fender, you almost might be better off sucking it up and spending a bit more on a G&L, or a LOT more on an Anderson or Suhr. If I was in the market for a Strat today instead of ten years ago, I would be looking at G&L's and wondering if I could swing an Anderson.
JCMM, again I haven't been out playing high-end Fenders in a shop in some time, but I HATED the first generaton of Fender Noiseless pickups. Have they redesigned them? I eventually opted for a set of Gold Lace Sensors, as the Clapton Strat equipped with a set sounded much more natural plugged in than the SCN's in a Deluxe, I think, and yet the LS's seem to have kind of a bad rap with Fender fans...
3
357mag
New member
This is nonsense. The finish on Mexican guitars and even guitars made in China or Korea are every bit as good as the Americans. I just sold a Epiphone Thunderbird bass that had an absolute flawless finish compared to my American made Les Paul that came with damn orange peel on the varnish.
I have a Mexican body on my Strat and there's nothing wrong with it.
S
Sailjunkie
New member
Someone mentioned Japan made Strats...
I'm actually keeping my eye out on CL for the 70's reissue (Ash body with the rounder headstock). I see them from time to time, and they go for around $400.00. They are supposedly very nice playing guitars. I have an early 90's Squire...I may just drop a Gilmour pre-wired pickguard in (although I don't have any major issues with the way it sounds)...
I'm actually keeping my eye out on CL for the 70's reissue (Ash body with the rounder headstock). I see them from time to time, and they go for around $400.00. They are supposedly very nice playing guitars. I have an early 90's Squire...I may just drop a Gilmour pre-wired pickguard in (although I don't have any major issues with the way it sounds)...
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EZchair Pickin
New member
I own both MIM and american standard fender strats and teles. IMO, there is a noticeable difference between the two. The biggest differences for me is the neck and fret work on the american standards as well as the balanced tones. I've put MIA electronics in MIM instruments and while they sound good, the MIAs always sound better. The necks are what really does it for me though. I can set up the MIA's exactly how I like and they play unbelievably. My MIMs play nicely as well, but even after having a professional fret level and dressing done, they still won't dial in the same way. This is something that you can't really tell at the store by trying them out though since most guitars at the stores (IMO) regardless of price point are in desperate need of a good set up.
That being said, I think that the MIMs are certainly serviceable instruments and am not trying to knock them at all. Due to mass production, there can be good and bad guitars and inconsistancies regardless of price.....so make sure to play as many as you can to find the 'one' that speaks to you best.
That being said, I think that the MIMs are certainly serviceable instruments and am not trying to knock them at all. Due to mass production, there can be good and bad guitars and inconsistancies regardless of price.....so make sure to play as many as you can to find the 'one' that speaks to you best.
J
jaybunting
New member
MIM's are still great guitars. However, they really can't touch the MIA's, especially the necks.
3
357mag
New member
I've read this time and time again about how American instruments hold their value and instruments made in other countries don't. It's not totally true. Buy a Les Paul today at $2300 and if you sell it a year later you will be lucky to get $1500 or $1600 for it. You're taking a huge loss immediately.
Yeah you will be able to sell it for more since it's American but you're still taking a huge hit. This is because the resale value of musical instruments sucks. The only instruments that command a high price are vintage ones which most of us do not have.
And people are extremely tight with the buck I've noticed. I've sold many guitars on Ebay and everybody wants your axe. But they want to get it for next to nothing.
That's simply the way people are and you can't change them.
DrewPeterson7
Sage of the Order
Yeah, and an Epi Les Paul at $799 will maybe go for $300 a year down the road, if you're lucky. It's not like American instruments are worse, exactly.
As for the "fit and finish argument," well, Light generally knows what he's talking about. Normally I'd just leave it at that, but if you don't trust him, let me at LEAST offer one personal observation of my own - QA seems to be better on the American guitars. I've played a lot of American Fenders and a lot of Mexican fenders in my day. Every once in a while you'll find a Mexican Fender that just smokes, however that's the exception and not the norm. Meanwhile, every once in a while you'll pick up an American fender that's an absolute dog. Again, the exception, not the norm. On average, the American Fenders I've played have been noticeably better than the Mexican. Individual guitars here and there will buck the trend, and with some customization and a bit of luck you can turn a Mexican Fender into something truly special. However, your odds of reaching into a stack of 10 guitars and pulling one out that will impress you is definitely higher with American Fenders, compared to Mexican.
Also...
Geez, I've already been a member here almost a year? Time flies.
S
Sailjunkie
New member
Well, after lusting after a MIA Stratocaster...
I just bought one (for $599.00!!)! Today. Nothing against MIM's at all though. I have what is turning out to be a rather extensive collection of guitars and the two gaping holes for me are the MIA Strat and Tele. I don't have the Tele yet (but someday maybe). The Stratocaster I just brought home is (I think) an American Standard (White with white pickguard)...2008. Very clean! I purchased it at Music Go Round (in the Metro Detroit area). They buy and sell used instruments. Anyway...this thing is awesome! Sounds very cool through my Blues Junior Combo amp.
I just bought one (for $599.00!!)! Today. Nothing against MIM's at all though. I have what is turning out to be a rather extensive collection of guitars and the two gaping holes for me are the MIA Strat and Tele. I don't have the Tele yet (but someday maybe). The Stratocaster I just brought home is (I think) an American Standard (White with white pickguard)...2008. Very clean! I purchased it at Music Go Round (in the Metro Detroit area). They buy and sell used instruments. Anyway...this thing is awesome! Sounds very cool through my Blues Junior Combo amp.
3
357mag
New member
I have an American made Malmsteen neck on my Strat. The nut could have been cut better. It buzzed on the open A string right in the nut slot. If American craftsmanship is so much better why did this happen? It happened because American craftsmanship is not better.
The craftmanship in American factories has slipped over the years while the craftsmanship in other countries has improved considerably.
The craftmanship in American factories has slipped over the years while the craftsmanship in other countries has improved considerably.
DrewPeterson7
Sage of the Order
You're basing your impression on the nut of one particular guitar you've played?
...
Oh, nevermind. It's not even worth the effort.
S
Sailjunkie
New member
I have an early 90's Squire, and now an American Standard, and I can very easily see the difference (primarily in electronics). We can all justify our guitars. The bottom line is play what feels most comfortable. One guy might like Epiphones more than Gibsons (because he has a bunch of Epiphones)...same goes with MIM's vs. MIA's. And, yes, as I get somewhat attached to my guitars, I am still occasionally playing my good, old, cheap Squire.
3
357mag
New member
Does not matter. It's American made isn't it? Isn't the craftsmanship supposed to be flawless?
Take the famous Steinway. One of the most expensive in the world. Crafted in New York. I've taken lessons on more than just one that was total junk. Clink...Clink...Clink...Tinny...
I've got a Kawai that totally blows those out of the water.
Take the famous Steinway. One of the most expensive in the world. Crafted in New York. I've taken lessons on more than just one that was total junk. Clink...Clink...Clink...Tinny...
I've got a Kawai that totally blows those out of the water.