Mexican made Fender
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Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Mexican made Fender
I had a MIM strat in the mid 2000's It was a decent guitar, I was not a fan of the pickups or electronics so I swapped everything out to duncans/cts pots/sprage cap and new wires. I swapped the bridge saddles out too. Sure, the neck was not perfect but it was playable. I liked that guitar, it was decent.
Of course, I went to the store to play it before buying it as I would suggest doing with a lot of guitars. If it works, if you dig it; buy it.
I had a MIM strat in the mid 2000's It was a decent guitar, I was not a fan of the pickups or electronics so I swapped everything out to duncans/cts pots/sprage cap and new wires. I swapped the bridge saddles out too. Sure, the neck was not perfect but it was playable. I liked that guitar, it was decent.
Of course, I went to the store to play it before buying it as I would suggest doing with a lot of guitars. If it works, if you dig it; buy it.
ItsaBass
New member
Mexican made Fender
Was it actually a mid-aughts model, or was it a '90's one that you owned in the aughts? The reason I ask is that by the mid-aughts, MIMs were being made with CTS pots, as they still are. For at least 10 years now, pots have been one of the few MIM stock components that really doesn't really benefit from an upgrade. MIMs took a leap forward at some point in the early aughts, when the MIJs were taken out of the mix. Before that, MIMs were more like nicer versions of Squiers. Now, they are more like less nice versions of U.S.A. models.
Was it actually a mid-aughts model, or was it a '90's one that you owned in the aughts? The reason I ask is that by the mid-aughts, MIMs were being made with CTS pots, as they still are. For at least 10 years now, pots have been one of the few MIM stock components that really doesn't really benefit from an upgrade. MIMs took a leap forward at some point in the early aughts, when the MIJs were taken out of the mix. Before that, MIMs were more like nicer versions of Squiers. Now, they are more like less nice versions of U.S.A. models.
Snake Aces
Singlecut Slut
Re: Mexican made Fender
As far as I know it was an early 2000's model. I bought it new at a store in Minnesota that had at least 50 MIM Strats to choose from. For all I knew they had them for a few years waiting to be sold. IIRC I bought it around 2004. I no longer own it or else I'd check the serial number on the body.
As far as I know it was an early 2000's model. I bought it new at a store in Minnesota that had at least 50 MIM Strats to choose from. For all I knew they had them for a few years waiting to be sold. IIRC I bought it around 2004. I no longer own it or else I'd check the serial number on the body.
DreX
New member
Re: Mexican made Fender
http://www.fender.com/guitars/telec...html#productsPerRow=2&pmin=0&pmax=500&start=1
says this MIM Tele is made of Alder. Most sub-$500 Fenders will be MIM, just browse the specs.
http://www.fender.com/guitars/telec...html#productsPerRow=2&pmin=0&pmax=500&start=1
says this MIM Tele is made of Alder. Most sub-$500 Fenders will be MIM, just browse the specs.
Re: Mexican made Fender
Someone here, I think it was Aceman, but blueman also said something like that, launched the idea that we spend too much time worrying about pickups, pots and where the guitar was made instead of getting a good amp. An asian made guitar usualky sound better in a great amp than an usa made guitar in a bad amp.
Have that said, most of local bands here didn't get fenders or gibsons until they become famous... So my advice is, like blueman said, get what you can afford and focus on playing. When you have a higher budget, get what really makes you happy.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Someone here, I think it was Aceman, but blueman also said something like that, launched the idea that we spend too much time worrying about pickups, pots and where the guitar was made instead of getting a good amp. An asian made guitar usualky sound better in a great amp than an usa made guitar in a bad amp.
Have that said, most of local bands here didn't get fenders or gibsons until they become famous... So my advice is, like blueman said, get what you can afford and focus on playing. When you have a higher budget, get what really makes you happy.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Jermo3178
Active member
Re: Mexican made Fender
Some of the older ones where made out of poplar... some where poplar with an ash veneer. I believe some of the Modern Player series is pine. And some of the Squiers are basswood.. but from what I remember MOST, not gonna say all, are now back to alder.
FWIW, a Standard MIM, will make you a really nice guitar with just a proper set up.
Some of the older ones where made out of poplar... some where poplar with an ash veneer. I believe some of the Modern Player series is pine. And some of the Squiers are basswood.. but from what I remember MOST, not gonna say all, are now back to alder.
FWIW, a Standard MIM, will make you a really nice guitar with just a proper set up.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Mexican made Fender
I had an old MIM Poplar Strat--and after having the pickups & electronics upgraded and some fretwork done, it played and sounded very nice. For a tight budget the MIM and Squires can be made into great guitars. But just being MIM doesn't mean it is bad just like being MIA doesn't mean it's awesome.
I had an old MIM Poplar Strat--and after having the pickups & electronics upgraded and some fretwork done, it played and sounded very nice. For a tight budget the MIM and Squires can be made into great guitars. But just being MIM doesn't mean it is bad just like being MIA doesn't mean it's awesome.
Jermo3178
Active member
Re: Mexican made Fender
Damn skippy... I recently found out my #1 is poplar/ash veneer. my 2nd favorite strat is alder... MIM's. When considering a guitar, country of origin doesn't make or break anything. It's as much about you, as it is anything.
I've played MIM's that I've liked, loved, and loathed... Same with it's MIA cuz
Damn skippy... I recently found out my #1 is poplar/ash veneer. my 2nd favorite strat is alder... MIM's. When considering a guitar, country of origin doesn't make or break anything. It's as much about you, as it is anything.
I've played MIM's that I've liked, loved, and loathed... Same with it's MIA cuz
SoundAt11
Member
Re: Mexican made Fender
Regarding wood "quality", there were pics going around from Fender factory tours on Fender's site showing 5-6 piece bodies on the MIM bodies. US bodies are usually more likely 3-piece bodies (2-piece if you're lucky). It's up to you wether or not this matters to you and your budget.
Hardware-wise, I've worked on several older MIM guitars and the hardware did not hold up over time. It was all very prone to rust. That said, I've run across some great sounding Mexican Strat's, Tele's, and Basses.
If you can find a good deal on a used American Fender, that might be a better deal than a new-Mexican model or dealing with the cost and hassle of upgrading the heck out of one.
Regarding wood "quality", there were pics going around from Fender factory tours on Fender's site showing 5-6 piece bodies on the MIM bodies. US bodies are usually more likely 3-piece bodies (2-piece if you're lucky). It's up to you wether or not this matters to you and your budget.
Hardware-wise, I've worked on several older MIM guitars and the hardware did not hold up over time. It was all very prone to rust. That said, I've run across some great sounding Mexican Strat's, Tele's, and Basses.
If you can find a good deal on a used American Fender, that might be a better deal than a new-Mexican model or dealing with the cost and hassle of upgrading the heck out of one.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Mexican made Fender
I've heard of Poplar as a poor man's Alder...but I thought Poplar sounded amazing. A CNC machine cuts the same in Mexico as it does in American and Korea–the differences to me are the attentions to detail, which usually can be felt on the necks IMO. Ultimately one should just play a guitar before casting judgment...
I've heard of Poplar as a poor man's Alder...but I thought Poplar sounded amazing. A CNC machine cuts the same in Mexico as it does in American and Korea–the differences to me are the attentions to detail, which usually can be felt on the necks IMO. Ultimately one should just play a guitar before casting judgment...
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Mexican made Fender
+1. I have a couple MIM jazz basses, they're nice instruments.
+1. I have a couple MIM jazz basses, they're nice instruments.
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JimmyO
New member
Re: Mexican made Fender
I haven't much experience with the tele's but I have spent a lot of time with a 2012 US standard Strat and an early 2000's mexican strat. In my opinion the main differences for the US version vs mexican were:
- nicer pickups (custom shop fat 50s vs generic ceramics)
- more comfortable neck with rolled edges and satin finish
- 2 point tremolo stays in tune better and allows you to put a spring down the hole to keep the arm tension nice.
- comes with a hard case vs a gig bag
- overall the complete integration of higher quality parts and build provides an overall better experience, at least for me. With both guitars stock the U.S. one had a richer tone to me.
Now I was also able to find the US version on sale for $799 2 years ago as they had discontinued the color, so would definately recommend looking around at the model end of year sales.
The mexican versions are good quality and are very good workhorse guitars. With some upgraded pickups and potentially upgraded hardware they can be very nice. Just depends on your budget and you may end up spending close to the price of a U.S. one.
Another option would be to consider a Squier classic vibe that are getting great reviews and slap some antiquities in there.
Best of luck.
I haven't much experience with the tele's but I have spent a lot of time with a 2012 US standard Strat and an early 2000's mexican strat. In my opinion the main differences for the US version vs mexican were:
- nicer pickups (custom shop fat 50s vs generic ceramics)
- more comfortable neck with rolled edges and satin finish
- 2 point tremolo stays in tune better and allows you to put a spring down the hole to keep the arm tension nice.
- comes with a hard case vs a gig bag
- overall the complete integration of higher quality parts and build provides an overall better experience, at least for me. With both guitars stock the U.S. one had a richer tone to me.
Now I was also able to find the US version on sale for $799 2 years ago as they had discontinued the color, so would definately recommend looking around at the model end of year sales.
The mexican versions are good quality and are very good workhorse guitars. With some upgraded pickups and potentially upgraded hardware they can be very nice. Just depends on your budget and you may end up spending close to the price of a U.S. one.
Another option would be to consider a Squier classic vibe that are getting great reviews and slap some antiquities in there.
Best of luck.
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Mexican made Fender
Remember... There's LOTS of different Mexican-made Fender models, and they run a wide spectrum of specs.
That said, Mexico puts out some darn fine guitars! I have a few.
What I love about the MIM Standard Teles is that even though they come with a modern bridge you can drop an ashtray type bridge on there with zero drilling.
Remember... There's LOTS of different Mexican-made Fender models, and they run a wide spectrum of specs.
That said, Mexico puts out some darn fine guitars! I have a few.
What I love about the MIM Standard Teles is that even though they come with a modern bridge you can drop an ashtray type bridge on there with zero drilling.
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Mexican made Fender
If it sounds good it is good. Who cares how many pieces it's made of?
Tone is a quality, not a quantity.
If it sounds good it is good. Who cares how many pieces it's made of?
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Mexican made Fender
A few years ago, I bought two examples of single guitar model, because a) they were high demand at the time and I knew I could flip the one I didn't keep for a small profit and b) one of them was a one-piece body and everyone was seeking those out as the superior examples of the model.
The one-piece sounded good. The 3-piece sounded better.
I don't see any reason that a 6-piece couldn't be a stellar example of a given model. Other than aesthetics, I don't see how the number of pieces of wood determines much of anything, really.
A few years ago, I bought two examples of single guitar model, because a) they were high demand at the time and I knew I could flip the one I didn't keep for a small profit and b) one of them was a one-piece body and everyone was seeking those out as the superior examples of the model.
The one-piece sounded good. The 3-piece sounded better.
I don't see any reason that a 6-piece couldn't be a stellar example of a given model. Other than aesthetics, I don't see how the number of pieces of wood determines much of anything, really.
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DreX
New member
Re: Mexican made Fender
Can you tell me how six pieces of wood sounds different from one, two or three pieces?
Want to see something interesting? This is a Martin neck:
Can you tell me how six pieces of wood sounds different from one, two or three pieces?
Want to see something interesting? This is a Martin neck:
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Mexican made Fender
Wow, that's gorgeous.
Wow, that's gorgeous.
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