Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

[Bananagab]

Hey,

I am currently on the lookout to buy my first Stratocaster towards the end of the year. As I was looking at the range, I saw that the new MIM Deluxe series Strat offers similar specs to the American Standard Strat and is around the same price as an American Special Strat.

My question is, is there a point to pay more for the American Special because it's made in USA even if the MIM Deluxe Strat has more features?

MIM Deluxe http://intl.fender.com/fr-CA/guitars/stratocaster/deluxe-stratocaster-rosewood-fingerboard-2-color-sunburst/

American Special http://intl.fender.com/fr-CA/guitars/stratocaster/american-special-stratocaster-rosewood-fingerboard-2-color-sunburst/

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

I'd go used American Special; but you might as well go used American Standard. They show up around $600 pretty regularly, which is a steal for what you get. The American Special has a six point trem (like it or not) and (I believe) lacks the bi-flex truss and some other things.

I think recent Fender US construction and quality are excellent; there are still more misses with the Mexican guitars, although some/many are excellent. Sight unseen new, I'd go US and count on excellent fretwork and craftsmanship out of the box.

 

[baritone]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

My advice on this is to try 'em out. It's worth it to pay more if you can tell the difference. After playing for 19.5 years, I usually pick the cheaper one, since I usually can't tell the difference.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

The newer MIM stuff is really good. Not every one is a gem, but I can say the same thing for the American stuff. In fact, I can't believe what Fender USA gets away with sometimes.

Bottom line with Fenders...get your hands on it before you buy it.

I'm also going to throw a shout-out to the Squier "Classic Vibe" series. If you haven't looked those up yet, do. Also, check out the blindfolded challenges on youtube for fun. As with the others, duds are possible, but all in all, with the Classic Vibe series, you simply can't get more Strat for the price

 

[Wattage]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

Well my Baja Tele is a killer, liked it better than all but some of the very high end MIA stuff

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

The new MIM Deluxe Series is REALLY REALLY good. I tried 2 Strats at 2 different stores, and in both stores both me and the sales guys were marveling at how good they were. Perfect frets, seemingly no corners cut, serious specs.

The Deluxe Series are the first MIM Strats with stock locking tuners, noiseless pickups, S-1 switching, and contoured heel - these were previously American Deluxe specs. You can gig with these out of the box after a setup. No need to swap out any parts.

Fender American Specials are definitely solid and likable. The main advantage they have over MIM is the rolled fretboard edges. Those are super comfortable, though to me they don't make or break things.

Seriously, check out the new Deluxe Series. I would currently choose that over American Special, if only for cost - lower base cost + fewer parts to swap out.

 

[Bananagab]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

Thanks for the replies guys!
The concensus seems to be that they both have the potential to be good and I should try them out. And so I will. But the MIM Deluxe seems to definitly more bang for my buck.

I'd go used American Special; but you might as well go used American Standard. They show up around $600 pretty regularly, which is a steal for what you get.

The used market is **** in Canada. $500-600 for an used Mexican Standard Strat is pretty much the norm.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

I've played stellar examples of each. I've also played dogs from each. Also, do you plan to do any modding? If so, it would tip it towards the MIM, as you shouldn't pay MIA prices for parts you aren't going to use.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

Aren't used Godins plentiful in Canada? I would consider their strat offerings, i have their Session model, its a good guitar and got it for around the price of CV strat new.

 

[Archer250]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

Aren't used Godins plentiful in Canada? I would consider their strat offerings, i have their Session model, its a good guitar and got it for around the price of CV strat new.

This. Godins are ridiculously good for the price.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

None of the MIAs I've had needed any fretwork while all of the MIMs I've had did (that being said, with a little bit of work & upgrades the MIMs can be made into killer guitars.) Some of the not so obvious specs (radius, nut width, tremolo spacing, etc.) are different so I would encourage you to play before you pay.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

The newer Squier CV/VMs as mentioned are of quite good quality; I'd grab one before most MiMs. I have a 'commitment' to myself I'm unlikely to keep, to only go Squier or American from here on out. I often feel CV/VMs are just excellent period let alone for the money, and all recent US Fenders I've tried have been nothing less than stellar... But MiMs have a lower 'pass' rate for me and seem to be a bit of a cash-in for Fender. Don't know if the Deluxe series is victim to the laminate bodies, but the Squiers aren't and are less expensive. Again, they all can be good.

 

[baritone]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

Well my Baja Tele is a killer, liked it better than all but some of the very high end MIA stuff

That is such an @$$-kicking guitar!

 

[philthis]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

a few pointers-
having purchased several of both MIM and MIA strats I have found in my own experiance
1-The American Strats are usually set up better from the factory-this is no big deal as most setups are around $25 bucks-but the American may play better then a Mexican initially till you set up the Mexican if it needs it.
2-The hardware and electronics are usually better on American Strats but if your gunna tweak it with aftermarket parts that doesnt matter anyway
3-Wood quality is similar between inexpensive American and Mexican models
4-Mexican models tend to have heavier finishes-meaning they may not resonate as well as American modals with lighter finishes-Yes it does make a difference-if you cant tell or dont care then who cares anyway.
5-you can pick up a cheapo Mexican Strat and tweak it with aftermarket parts and it will sound better than a cheapo American with standard parts-resale value will not improve so save the original parts if you want to sell it.
6-tweaking a cheapo American often times makes it sound nearly as good if not better then many of the more expensive American models
7-If you plan on customizing an American Strat then I would buy one used. "oh no" I know but listen......you will save cash upfront which can be used to tweak the used American Strat often times to sound and play much better then a regular new one.
8-dont worry about buying used if its in good shape-guitars are not baseball bats, people generally dont beat the hell out of them. It may have bings and scratches but hey its a strat not a Les Paul, as long as the neck is in good shape who cares, just pay less and mod it baby

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

Yaaaaaaay... Strats!

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

I've been a Strat player for many, many years and owned a vintage 1960 Strat that bought in 1972 and played heavily for 20 years. But I sold that Strat in the early '90s and replaced it with a G&L Legacy. For me, the Legacy has the perfect upgrades to a vintage Strat, yet it retains that vintage vibe. Fender has nothing that even interests me, unless I want to go Custom Shop for mega-bucks. I now own 18 G&Ls, including Legacys, S-500s, Comanches and Legacy Specials. G&L is a custom shop; they have a ton of options that Fender won't do.

So my advice is simple: take a look at G&L. These aren't Fender CLONES, btw...these are the guitars that Leo designed with the company he founded after he sold Fender. So in a sense...these are the real Fenders, with Leo's DNA all through them.

Bill

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

I love G&L; the Fullerton factory is a couple blocks from me so it's easy to connect with them on that level. But they're stellar guitars. I initially set out to grab one instead of the mahogany American Deluxe I eventually wound up with, but fate intervened. I'm happy playing my Dad's when I'm able to, though

There is a price premium for the G&L vs. a Standard or Deluxe Strat, used they come up only infrequently under $1k US from what I've seen.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

My MIM Deluxe is slightly heavier than my MIA Hwy1, and I feel I get more tone from the body of the Hwy1 than the Deluxe.
But the fit and finish appears equal between the two.
The single coils on the Hwy1 are also better sounding. The Deluxe pickups are less than stellar IMHO.
Both necks feel great, but the Hwy1 has a wider string spacing.
I love each one and reach for both equally when playing.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

The two point trem on the mexican should be easier to keep in tune than the six point on the am special. That deluxe has spme impressive features. Me want!

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Fender Strat - High Spec Mexican vs Low end American Special

I read the specs on both models you posted. The USA has 9.5 fingerboard radius, the MIM has 12" fingerboard radius. This is the fingerboard radius and must not be confused with neck thickness, that's something else.

Those numbers mean that the MIM can be set-up with lower action. Thus it is more cumfortable to play. If you dont beleive me ask your local guitar tech.