Difference between american and mexican strats

[zippysguitar]

From what ive read the mexican strats use different pickups to the american models, is there a huge difference in tone between them? Is it worth paying the extra for an american model or are the mexican ones better value for money?
Also are there any other differences between american and mexican strats?

[StratDen]

Hi Zip,

Let me just open my reply with this statement. There is no one-size fits all answer to this long discussed topic. There are so many personal variables that all you can try to do is listen to the variable opinions of others and then based on your own tastes, budget and judgment try to arrive at which route is best for you. Some may even say this is indeed the Pandora's Box of controversy sort of question.... But I think we all just have different tastes, needs, desires and budgets at varying times that lead to the differences of opinion.

To the heart of your question: Yes, There are indeed real differences between Mexican & American Strats, and to better answer the specific difference it's easier to identify the 2 or more models you are comparing. But generally speaking you will find the MIM guitars have a high quality to them that compares well with their American counterparts. If you're like me, you will try different approaches from time to time in determining what you want to buy at the time.

For instance, I recently ordered a MIM '60s Classic Players Strat. I have found these guitars to be very Vintage right and with a few changes here and there it's my opinion that it can provide alot of satisfaction. Another advantage is you can pick the upgrades you want to make. For instance, I will likely upgrade the pickups to the CS '69s which I find found have more output/bite than the stock '69s put in the MIM. Will it make it a CS '69? No. But there also is a gap of $1600-$1800 in cost difference. Again, what definition of value (guitar, $, CS logo, etc) applied better helps determine your view.

If say you are just comparing a Standard MIM Strat to a AM Std Strat and you are wondering if the difference in price is justifiable, I would say a resounding Yes! The '08 Am Std Strats are the nicest contemporary guitars I have seen from Fender, hands down. And while the MIM standards are fine guitars, the difference to me from one of them to the new AM Std is very measurable in sound and feel before any changes or swap outs on the MIM (this is where personal taste/perception comes in).

I own or have owned a range of Strats from a Custom Shop Relics down to Squier Bullets. Each one means or meant something different to me and there really is no right or wrong, they're just different and provide different approaches to ownership in what I was looking for at the time.

My recent buying has been around some Squires to have them upgraded as well as buying a '50's Classic Strat and the above mentioned '60s Classic Players Strat to have them tweaked to my own preferences/likes.

My advice: Look around take some notes and identify what makes your heart race when you think about buying it. There is no wrong answer or bad choice if you follow your own desires and criteria of what makes you happy.

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by StratDen

My advice: Look around take some notes and identify what makes your heart race when you think about buying it. There is no wrong answer or bad choice if you follow your own desires and criteria of what makes you happy.

Yup.

FWIW: I've seen used MIM models that have had TLC, setup and slight mods that are a nice step up from new off the shelf. My area has a shop that does this with used ones they buy and individuals have had them for sale on craigslist etc..... That's a way to get good value.

Used copies of any model is also a way to get great value. You have delayed gratification but rewards once it happens. I got my Am. Dlx. Ash Strat and a DRRI for the Musician's Friend/Guit Center street price. Both were truly mint, and I must say that the instrument is very nice.

You also take little to no hit when you buy used and sell again. I sold one guitar I got used for $50 more a year later.

[softmonkey]

I've always bought used until my last two guitars. One great thing about used guitars is they've already done what they're going to do, in terms of changes in the the wood or neck or whatever due to the elements. Another thing is that it will always look better-- especially if it's a little beat up-- as you'll be discovering the original-intended beauty of it as time goes on, whereas with a new guitar it can only start looking worse (lol).

[StratDen]

Originally Posted by imwjl

Used copies of any model is also a way to get great value.

Excellent point. eBay is a good source too, or even better a local Store that gives you a return period in case you find it's not for you.

[StratDen]

Originally Posted by softmonkey

as you'll be discovering the original-intended beauty of it as time goes on, whereas with a new guitar it can only start looking worse (lol).

True. It certainly takes out the initial blow of being the one who gave it the first taste of being a relic... Not to mention that value is adjusted usually down from new if it's a contemporary model that's not a limited or rare issue.

For example, the savings on the EJ Sig Strat I bought in May was $600+ less than a brand new one, has a super low serial # (within the first 50 made - appealing to me), and remained in excellent condition.

[softmonkey]

For example, the savings on the EJ Sig Strat I bought in May was $600+ less than a brand new one, has a super low serial # (within the first 50 made - appealing to me), and remained in excellent condition.

Nice, that's definitely the way to go. I had a shot at an '06 EJ sunburst for $1,100 which I passed on as I didn't have the cash on hand at the time (actually the one in the photo if you click my guitar avatar, lol).

[StratDen]

Yep. I'm on the record here a few times saying that the EJ Strats are as every bit as good or better as most any Team built Custom shop offering. For all intent and purpose, it really is a Custom Shop guitar without the CS logo.

It's become that guitar that answers the question if I could only own one, it would be the EJ.

[Fenderon]

I started playing with a American Standard Strat. It could be because of that I prefer American Standard Strats, late 80s, through late 90s. I have a couple vintage RI Strats and one MIM Strat. They all play nice but I when I pick one out to play it seems like American Standard Strat or Tele is what I choose. I also like the resale of the American Standard/Series. I believe they could be part of ones retirement portfolio, thats how I justify all my guitars to my wife.

[bobthecanadian]

I read that the only difference between the two was which side of the border the Mexicans were working on. I am sure that there is more, but it's something to think about.

Bob

[StratDen]

Originally Posted by bobthecanadian

I read that the only difference between the two was which side of the border the Mexicans were working on. I am sure that there is more, but it's something to think about.

Bob

Bob, From what I have seen, the Ensenada, Mexico plant is quite the State-of-the-Art facility and the workers do an amazing job on the guitars being produced there. No doubt in my mind they are on-par with the American production. I've had no problem calling some MIM's some my favorite and prized guitars.

In a related point, I just posted in another thread how I just found out the MIM 60's Classic Players Strat actually comes equipped with the USA Custom Shop wound '69 pickups. If that doesn't underscore the value, not much else will.

[softmonkey]

What do they run, out the door, compared to the Lite Ash?

And, are the Teles of equal value?

[StratDen]

Originally Posted by softmonkey

What do they run, out the door, compared to the Lite Ash?

And, are the Teles of equal value?

The '60 Classic Player Strat sells on MF for $799. I picked up a S&D (Scratch & Dent) for $608 which I feel is a pretty good deal. It shipped yesterday, but so far all of the S&D's have been anything but, save for the one solder issue (easily remedied)on the 50's Classic I recently purchased.

Over on the TDPRI I think you'll find the MIM Teles get a huge following and a good deal of praise. It seems some people won't go any other way than to buy an MIM and tweak it to their own liking.

[bobmac]

I bought a new MIM Tele last year, in the shop it seemed OK so I bought it but after I got home and spent a bit longer playing it I started going off it. A week later I hated the bloody thing - heavy & uncomfortable, cheap finish on the parts. A month later I sold it for a loss.
I recent bought a 2nd hand 15 year-old MIJ Strat and I love it madly, I've had it for 2 months now and love it more and more everyday. A few years ago I had a Highway One Strat that was excellent and I regret selling it.
So my verdict is buy USA or MIJ Fenders.
Furthermore, there's not a big price difference between the Highway 1s and the MIMs, so draw the line at the Highway 1s and don't go lower.

[StratDen]

Bob, there may be something to what you are saying there about spending time with them. I'm finding I like the EJ and even the Squier a lot better than the MIM Classics. A certain departure of my initial assessment.

[bobmac]

I think guitars are very much like dogs and women, you don't know what they are really like, or how much you really like them, until you spend some time together. That's why most folk try living together for a while before marriage. It would be nice of you could take a guitar home from the store for a 3 month try before buying it.

[StratDen]

Originally Posted by bobmac

I think guitars are very much like dogs and women, you don't know what they are really like, or how much you really like them, until you spend some time together. That's why most folk try living together for a while before marriage. It would be nice of you could take a guitar home from the store for a 3 month try before buying it.

Musicians Friend seems to accommodate that approach to buy and try for 45 days, with just a return ship fee if the guitar turns out not to be one that can be bonded with. Since my local fender dealer only gives 7 days for a return, I spend as much time in the store with it as possible, albeit not the best way to get a complete feel and assessment. Of course the last few times I decided i wanted to go for a guitar at the local shop after playing over the course of a few days, it got sold out from under me...

The EJ I purchased was one I didn't want to miss out on, and that purchase is probably one of the better ones I've ever made. It turns out that if I go for another guitar down the road, it could be either another EJ or a Am Dlx.

[Orlando Mike]

Originally Posted by bobmac

I think guitars are very much like dogs and women, you don't know what they are really like, or how much you really like them, until you spend some time together. That's why most folk try living together for a while before marriage. It would be nice of you could take a guitar home from the store for a 3 month try before buying it.

Hi Bob, just out of curiosity, can you name a single product in the 1000-2000 dollar range that allows that? It befuddles me to read on these boards and others the sense of entitlement that we guitar players feel in regard to what we spend our money on....it just does not make buisiness sense...the 30 day grace period offered by GC and Sam Ash is more than generous in my opinion, and honestly, if you are buying lower cost (quality) instruments such as the MIM or some of the MIJ's expecting to play something that feels and sounds like a custom shop, we are being unreasonable. I can tell within an hour if a guitar is gonna suit me, and EVERY guitar I have bought new took some getting used to...just my opinion of course,
regards,
mike

[Shades of Blue]

Originally Posted by Orlando Mike

Hi Bob, just out of curiosity, can you name a single product in the 1000-2000 dollar range that allows that? It befuddles me to read on these boards and others the sense of entitlement that we guitar players feel in regard to what we spend our money on....it just does not make buisiness sense...the 30 day grace period offered by GC and Sam Ash is more than generous in my opinion, and honestly, if you are buying lower cost (quality) instruments such as the MIM or some of the MIJ's expecting to play something that feels and sounds like a custom shop, we are being unreasonable. I can tell within an hour if a guitar is gonna suit me, and EVERY guitar I have bought new took some getting used to...just my opinion of course,
regards,
mike

I don't see how you can tell if a guitar is for you in an hour. I bought a MIM Strat and LOVED it in the store, but the thing doesn't sound as good in a recording atmosphere as my Squier. I agree with Bob on this. If you pay that much for something I feel that it would be great to be able to try it out for more than an hour. Yes the 30 day period is enough, but I took a guitar back to sam ash because the switch bugged out in a week and it was an act of congress to get them to replace it.

You simply cannot test drive a guitar to fit your needs in a guitar shop. you have to have your own set up and hear it in YOUR environment. They only time I see an hour cutting it is when it's a kid choosing his first guitar.

JB

[bobmac]

I live in Thailand and my home country is Australia, and I've never heard of anybody trying out a guitar for 1 month, so if you guys in the USA can do that, then it's wonderful. No way here in Thailand could you do that, and I've never heard of it in Australia. A month is heaps of time to know if you have bonded with the guitar and if it's a keeper or not. My earlier remark about 3 months was just in jest (I did say "It would be nice" - like you say it would be nice to win a lottery) But if you can try before you buy for one month then that's a wonderful arrangement. It really is important to find a guitar that you love to pick up and play because that's exactly what you will do all the time. Whereas a guitar you're not in love with tends to sit in its case under the bed.

[bobthecanadian]

Originally Posted by StratDen

Bob, From what I have seen, the Ensenada, Mexico plant is quite the State-of-the-Art facility and the workers do an amazing job on the guitars being produced there. No doubt in my mind they are on-par with the American production. I've had no problem calling some MIM's some my favorite and prized guitars.

In a related point, I just posted in another thread how I just found out the MIM 60's Classic Players Strat actually comes equipped with the USA Custom Shop wound '69 pickups. If that doesn't underscore the value, not much else will.

In my original post I wasn't saying anything bad about MIM Fender guitars, quite the opposite actually. I think the quality on either side can be excellent, and often is. The comment relates to the people worked in Fender factories in the early years. My understanding is that there were more than a couple of Mexicans working in them and the early guitars are of good/excellent quality, as well as being highly sought after. So, at this point of time, where a guitar is made is not as important is how it was made or the quality of the parts used in assembly.

If I could find more MIM guitars here in Taiwan I would be inclined to try more of them.

No matter how you slice it, if it says Fender, it's still a Fender.

Bob

[Orlando Mike]

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

I don't see how you can tell if a guitar is for you in an hour. I bought a MIM Strat and LOVED it in the store, but the thing doesn't sound as good in a recording atmosphere as my Squier. I agree with Bob on this. If you pay that much for something I feel that it would be great to be able to try it out for more than an hour. Yes the 30 day period is enough, but I took a guitar back to sam ash because the switch bugged out in a week and it was an act of congress to get them to replace it.

You simply cannot test drive a guitar to fit your needs in a guitar shop. you have to have your own set up and hear it in YOUR environment. They only time I see an hour cutting it is when it's a kid choosing his first guitar.

JB

If you have a squire that sounds good recorded, you have an exception...and MIM electronics and pickups are inferior...in an hour you can tell if the neck feels right to you, and in my opinion, that is foremost...I can modify almost anything on a guitar, but if it doesnt feel right, it's a lost cause...I do see what you are saying, but if you are looking in the 300 dollar range for recordable instruments, you are barking up the wrong tree

[bobmac]

I'll make this comment in a very general sense as there are several models I've never seen, let alone handled and played, but my feelings are that the MIM deluxe and artists models are very good guitars and may well be equal to the MIAs, but the Standards are inferior guitars. Personally, I wouldn't bother with an MIM Standard or a Chinese Squire; the MIA Highway 1s are where I draw the line, below that I'm not interested.

[Boris Bubbanov]

In its stock form, I'd say my MIM Jimmie Vaughan is my best Fender Strat.

I have 3 US Strats, 2 Ensenada Strats. Because of peculiar circumstances, none of the 5 were very expensive; I think at $ 477 the Jimmie Vaughan cost the most.

The US Strats are a Highway One "upgrade" ( $ 388.60 ) and two Am Se 60th Anniversary "Cubic Zirc" Strats (no case, either) for $ 404 a piece. Fine, first quality instruments, just being blown out at GC. ( BTW I have played numerous examples of these models before and since I got these, and I'd say they are at least better than average examples of these models.)

I don't NEED all these guitars, but what having them does is, it liberates me from any psychological investiture in any of these models. I paid I guess $ 299 for the MIM Std FSR Strat I have, but mostly these guitars all cost somewhere around the same. So I don't have to rationalize which one should be better, based on what I paid for it. I might have to 'like' a guitar if I paid 3 times as much for it, or forfeit my self worth.

I've got about $ 350 in aftermarket parts tied up in the Highway One, but this stuff can be taken off and used elsewhere in about 20 minutes. Perhaps because of the characteristics of these parts and maybe not the base guitar, I like the Highway One the most right now.

Perhaps if I went the way of the AV series or CS Strats, I'd be crowing about the US Strat's superiority. But until Fender Musical Instruments Corporation puts the types of parts I crave on their US bread and butter models, I will continue to see them as essentially on par with the Ensenada models. If you gotta go change everything anyway, what difference the level of finish on that part now consigned to the parts drawer?

Bubbanov

[Scotocaster]

Hi Folks, i have a 50's classic mim . i installed a set of 57/62 pups i had and it sounds great. I've also installed the super switch and it's sure got some nice tones. I have ordered the fender vintage gold tremolo system (six screw) and wondered if anyone has made this modification. Like..... do the 50's