MIM Strat?

[LukeM]

I am currently looking into a Strat with a non Maple fretboard, and I have found one in my area.
http://duluth.craigslist.org/msg/688744301.html

The only thing is, it appears as they don't make any new "MIM" Strats.
What exactly does MIM mean, and what happened to them?

 

[ErikH]

Re: MIM Strat?

Of course they still make them. MIM = Made In Mexico. That's the Fender Standard Stratocaster. Go to a local Fender dealer and check them out. They're a big seller.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Blue_Fingers_Jay]

Re: MIM Strat?

Sure they do.

MIM means Made In Mexico
MIJ - Made in Japan
MIA - Made in America

Welcom to the forum

 

[WhoFan]

Re: MIM Strat?

if it was me i'd buy a new one... that price is "not bad" i guess for the complete package but if it's just the axe you want buy new... since Jan 2006 the new MIM standards have had some upgrades... Bigger trem block and bigger frets... for me it's a nicer playing guitar...

www.fender.com/products//search.php?section=guitars&cat=stratocaster&subcat=standard

 

[phil_104]

Re: MIM Strat?

Welcome to the forum!

MIM strats are awesome! Many people will knock them, but play a bunch and you will find a good one. With a pickup change to some seymour duncans, you can get a great sounding and playing guitar. Strats are also very customisable, in terms of sound and looks.

 

[phil_104]

Re: MIM Strat?

if it was me i'd buy a new one... that price is "not bad" i guess for the complete package but if it's just the axe you want buy new... since Jan 2006 the new MIM standards have had some upgrades... Bigger trem block and bigger frets... for me it's a nicer playing guitar...

www.fender.com

Agreed. MIM aren't expensive. It is worth to spend a little extra money and know where the guitar has been, and get those upgrades like WhoFan said.

Also, try maple fretboards as well as rosewood. They have different feels, and pick what you like.

 

[LukeM]

Re: MIM Strat?

Ok. I knew about the Mexican Strats, I just didn't know about the MIM thingy.
Yeah, right know I have an Epiphone SG-310, and am looking to upgrade to a G-400 '66 or a Standard Strat, and for the G-400 maybe get some SD pups.
EDIT: Yes, I currently have a Rosewood Fretboard right now, and I tried my friend's Standard Tele with a Maple and didn't really like it. I think it was Maple.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: MIM Strat?

i just changed the link on my last post... it will take you to the Fender site's section on the MIM Standrad line Stratocasters...

i've been playing 30 years now and own some good guitars... i end up using one of many Standard Strats and Teles a lot more often then my MIA stuff...

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: MIM Strat?

Me loves me MiM, I think they can be great guitars (throw a couple of lemons in here and there though...)

Personally however, if I were to buy a Strat (which I'm not, I LOVE my Strat) today I think I'd be more inclined to look for a non-Fender/Squier, just because you can easily find guitars that are built just as good but have far better hardware and/or pickups than the Fender MiMs (which you can be sure you'll end up replacing sooner rather than later) all for about the same price. I especially like today's Korean (and sometimes even Indonesian) Strats. Plenty of a guitar for a little money...

Case to point:
http://www.swing-guitars.com/ENGLISH/product/new/s100.html (LESS than an MiM, and this thing has Wilkinson hardware and even freakin' rolled fretboard edges!!!)
http://www.swing-guitars.com/ENGLISH/product/new/SWINGstandard.html and
http://www.swing-guitars.com/ENGLISH/product/new/SWINGstandard_ash.html (about as much as an MiM but with REAL Seymour Duncan and Gotoh Hardware stock)

 

[Richard]

Re: MIM Strat?

Welcome to the forum!

Go play all the MIMs you can and pick the one that talks to you... MIMs are nice guitars and you can always find a player....Richard