American vs Mexican Fenders

X

Xandeeno

New member
I am looking at a Mexican standard telecaster hh. I will mod it.
I am wondering weather to buy an American standard neck for it.
Is there any real difference other than the label between American and Mexican components, not just the neck, but the full guitars in general, Mexican standard vs American standard?
Thanks!
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

Different quality standards, parts and specs.

MIM are great guitars to mod, but I prefer the American specs (particually the necks.)

You can put an American neck on one but it would probably be cheaper to just order a neck to your favorite specs through Allparts, Mighty Mite or Warmoth.
 
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Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

I'll just say: if you can get an American Fender used for ~$600 that's a bargain and a better guitar 90% of the time.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

I was looking into a Tele, and found the US/MIM thing to be quite vague at times.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

Davii that's my problem. The American will obviously be slightly better, but is it at all worth it or are you just paying for the label?
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

Xandeeno said:
Davii that's my problem. The American will obviously be slightly better, but is it at all worth it or are you just paying for the label?
Click to expand...

Totally depends, price does not equal value. Play several and see what you think.

Some specs are only available on the USA models. Some time periods of the MIM and MIA offerings were pretty junky but quality standards across the board for Fender seem to be up. Even Squiers have greatly improved.

Play several MIM and MIA and pick the one you like.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

American necks have compound radius fretboard
Mexican necks are mostly 9.5 radius
Squires are mostly 12 inch radius
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

You're gonna mod it so the quality of the electronics doesn't matter. The Am and Mex body dimensions are identical so that doesn't matter. The only thing left is finding a neck with the dimensions you like.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

I'd recommend actually disliking the MIM neck before going through the work of shopping for and installing an MIA neck.

Lots of MIM Fender guitars, in whole or in part, are very good. Sure, there are some dogs, but that's why you go to a store and find the ones that feel and sound the best.

Also, as others have pointed out, there are many, many Tele models out there, whether MIM or MIA, with different necks. MIM alone has radii ranging from 7.25" (Road Worn) to 9.5" (Standard) to 12" (Deluxe). With so many models out there, there are no hard and fast rules.

You can swap out many things on a MIM Fender, but neck is pretty low on that list for me. I buy guitars because they have nice necks; it would make no sense for me to buy a guitar with a neck I didn't like.

OP, check out the 920D store. They have some sweet-looking already-modded MIM HH Teles with Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio pickups.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

stratguy23 said:
I'd recommend actually disliking the MIM neck before going through the work of shopping for and installing an MIA neck.

Lots of MIM Fender guitars, in whole or in part, are very good. Sure, there are some dogs, but that's why you go to a store and find the ones that feel and sound the best.

Also, as others have pointed out, there are many, many Tele models out there, whether MIM or MIA, with different necks. MIM alone has radii ranging from 7.25" (Road Worn) to 9.5" (Standard) to 12" (Deluxe). With so many models out there, there are no hard and fast rules.

You can swap out many things on a MIM Fender, but neck is pretty low on that list for me. I buy guitars because they have nice necks; it would make no sense for me to buy a guitar with a neck I didn't like.

OP, check out the 920D store. They have some sweet-looking already-modded MIM HH Teles with Seymour Duncan and Dimarzio pickups.
Click to expand...

Not to mention nut width, most MIM are slightly thinner in the nut than the MIA.

A quality fretjob can do wonders for those MIM necks.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

Xandeeno said:
Davii that's my problem. The American will obviously be slightly better, but is it at all worth it or are you just paying for the label?
Click to expand...

I tried to test some out the other day, but the shop was busy with customers, and deliveries, so I managed the complete wrong time to do it. I'll be having another go tomorrow, or Monday. At quick glance, there was certainly a big difference in price - £500 for MIM, and £1295 for MIA (though I think I spotted a MIA one at £725) :-S
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

Depends on the year, production run etc. Some MIM's were just assembled in Mexico with American made parts. I have had many MIM Fender's one in particular was a GC Factory Special Run, I bought it with the intention of changing out the neck (I really liked the three tone sunburst ash body) but once I played it, I fell in love with the neck. Only changed the pickups out and it plays better and smoother than any MIA strat. Keep your eye on CL and see what pops up, there are some hidden gems out there.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

There is nothing wrong with MIM Fenders for the most part. But you will need to baby the frets, maybe replace some hardware, and realize it has virtually no resale value. I have two MIM basses and I like them, but I hate string-thru on basses so I'd probably have spent more on the murican if that wasn't the case. Everyone is different.
 
Re: American vs Mexican Fenders

Finally got the chance to try a few out earlier today; My fave was a MIM 50s Classic (or such title), which had a nice chunky neck that didn't widen, or flatten out on the bottom towards the 12th fret as much as the others I had a play with. All were nice and comfy at the nut. Prices moved a lot mind you, from around £500 to £1295 in the store. I didn't get to plug them in, which was a shame, but I was more about how they felt to play etc.

There wasn't anything obvious to pick on as to MIA vs MIM, prices for both seemed to mingle a bit in/around the £1k mark too, so, er, none the wiser for the OP :p

Came across a nice Jazzmaster Road Worn too. I don't care for the whole road worn business at all, but sure did sound purdy :)
 
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