$1000 average run-of-the-mill Mexican Stratocasters how did we get to this point ?
- Thread starter JMP/HBE
- Start date
Hsb
Well-known member
If what I was told years ago is true, the only difference between the American and Mexican Strats is where they are assembled. Fender dealer told me years ago that the Mexican Strats were using the same American parts as the American Strats, they were just being assembled in Mexico vs the US.
That may have been a line of crap, if it were true, things could of changed along the way but if they are the same parts as the American Strats, there isnt much difference between the two except where the parts were assembled.
That may have been a line of crap, if it were true, things could of changed along the way but if they are the same parts as the American Strats, there isnt much difference between the two except where the parts were assembled.
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
Well yes & no. Not all FB radius as the same, not all pups / trems [2 point vs 6 point or Floyd] Not all wood types are the same. Some bodies are one piece, some are several.
I can tell you Mexican Strats used to be had for $300 - $400 now folks want $1K or more and now for every one Mexi Strat i see there are 20 Squires on the same page where it used to be the other way around.
Im seriously thinking of getting out of the game.
I can tell you Mexican Strats used to be had for $300 - $400 now folks want $1K or more and now for every one Mexi Strat i see there are 20 Squires on the same page where it used to be the other way around.
Im seriously thinking of getting out of the game.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
What?! I got an MIM about 5 years ago for $200 with a set of EMG SAs.
Glad I got mine back then.
Glad I got mine back then.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Paid $200 for my MIM Tele in around 2008, the guitar is a beast. Truth be told there is probably $500 -$600 in aftermarket pickups and hardware on that guitar. I can't see paying current MIM prices and putting that kind of investment into a guitar. I could get something off the shelve that would better suit me for less.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Right before the pandemic hit, I got two MIMs for under $300 each, both with Fender hard cases.
One had Fralin Vintage Hots (still does); the other was all stock. But the MIM pickups sound great.
One had Fralin Vintage Hots (still does); the other was all stock. But the MIM pickups sound great.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
OP is disingenuous saying run of the mill MIMs are $1000, they are $850.
Responders are disingenuous quoting prices they paid used years ago.
JMP/HBE, I simply don’t know. I guess the answer is that people were buying them hand over fist and the price increases every year dis nothing to slow those sales. I remember buying them new at $299 and it doesn’t seem THAT long ago. Well it was, it was 21 years ago but who’s counting. (And the sunburst was $20 more since it needed a two piece body)
If they kept pace with inflation, a $300 MIM in 2002 would be $500 today not $850. Are they better than they were in 2002? Yes. That much better? Though to say. I can tell you in my industry all manufacturing moved out of Mexico and to the Asian countries because Mexico costs too much and have the skills to match now.
Responders are disingenuous quoting prices they paid used years ago.
JMP/HBE, I simply don’t know. I guess the answer is that people were buying them hand over fist and the price increases every year dis nothing to slow those sales. I remember buying them new at $299 and it doesn’t seem THAT long ago. Well it was, it was 21 years ago but who’s counting. (And the sunburst was $20 more since it needed a two piece body)
If they kept pace with inflation, a $300 MIM in 2002 would be $500 today not $850. Are they better than they were in 2002? Yes. That much better? Though to say. I can tell you in my industry all manufacturing moved out of Mexico and to the Asian countries because Mexico costs too much and have the skills to match now.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
If you NEED a new one, well, that's on you.
If you just want one: $550
https://reverb.com/item/49104610-fe...001-mim-midnight-wine-maple-fretboard-gig-bag
If you just want one: $550
https://reverb.com/item/49104610-fe...001-mim-midnight-wine-maple-fretboard-gig-bag
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
That is much better but to get the guitar where I would want it would creep over $1000
Babicz bridge $225
Locking tuners $75
Humbucker ~$125 - $300
Pickguard ~$25
LSR nut $30
Once again I am better off buying off the shelve at that point. I bought all 4 of my MIM guitars because they were great platforms for mods and projects. They were akin to going to the hobby shop as a kid and buying a model kit. I am itching to do another Strat project but when I crunch the numbers they don't make sense anymore.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Most Fender, and all of the Gibson prices don't make sense anymore.
chadd
Well-known member
JMP/HBE
Well-known member
I don't pay that sh*t. They can get on deez nuttz
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I've never payed attention to Mexican Fenders... or Fenders in general, TBH.
But isn't a PRS SE like the same price?
PRS SE's are made well, but they come with no-name pickups, ok-at-best tuners, plastic nuts, multi-piece bodies, and PRS-designed bridges that just look like PRS, but are not made of the same materials at all. Not saying they don't function well, but they're certainly not as expensive to put in a guitar as Duncan pickups, Schaller tuners, etc.
They used to be 3-400 dollars new at some point in the 2000's too.
And pretty sure wages are lower in Indonesia than Mexico.
I don't mean to say PRS SE's are bad like at all. But I remember you have a PRS SE that you claimed you like. I don't know if you got a deal on yours or what, but new, they're not cheap. And I can totally understand why you like yours. I've had a few that were good too. But objectically speaking, I don't understand why a Mexican Fender is that far worse in order for you to find it so unthinkable for them to be asking same price for one as a PRS SE, TBH.
But isn't a PRS SE like the same price?
PRS SE's are made well, but they come with no-name pickups, ok-at-best tuners, plastic nuts, multi-piece bodies, and PRS-designed bridges that just look like PRS, but are not made of the same materials at all. Not saying they don't function well, but they're certainly not as expensive to put in a guitar as Duncan pickups, Schaller tuners, etc.
They used to be 3-400 dollars new at some point in the 2000's too.
And pretty sure wages are lower in Indonesia than Mexico.
I don't mean to say PRS SE's are bad like at all. But I remember you have a PRS SE that you claimed you like. I don't know if you got a deal on yours or what, but new, they're not cheap. And I can totally understand why you like yours. I've had a few that were good too. But objectically speaking, I don't understand why a Mexican Fender is that far worse in order for you to find it so unthinkable for them to be asking same price for one as a PRS SE, TBH.
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Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
The demand curve for Fenders is inelastic. This means that Fender can charge higher prices without demand lowering in proportion. Therefore the equilibrium price sets higher. There ya go monkey boy.
Just be glad that Fender is in monopolistic competition rather than almost a true monopoly like Hammond.
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If you are doing all those upgrades, you could start with a $400 squire and end up with the same guitar. Of course it wouldn't say Fender on the headstock.
And that name on the headstock is what allows them to charge as much as they do.
