MIM Strats -- Questions

[RGN]

I am thinking of picking one up at GC.

They have a couple for $299 and most of the rest are $349

Anyone know what the difference is? I did ask the salesman but he was so completely incompetent it was a waste of time. His answer was "it is because that one for $299 doesn't have a sunburst finish.." I then looked up at about 10 for $349- none with a sunburst finish :laugh2:

Are the stock pickups decent? I am just craving a strat sound for some things. This guitar won't be used on a daily basis.

Everyone pretty happy with their MIM strats?? I played MIA and MIM and couldn't tell much difference (this wasn't plugged in). Then again, this was GC and a few of them looked like they had been tour with Hendrix or something- very "broken in".

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

Most of the differences in price I noticed at GC in the MIM strats were the fat strat vs the 3 single's. Other than that I don't know any difference.

The MIM's are very decent guitars for the $$. The main difference in the necks vs a MIA is the 21 frets and the fretwire. The MIM's have vintage fretwire, where as the MIA's have medium jumbo. Probably not a huge deal if it's not going to be your everyday player. The stock pickups are pretty decent, expecially the middle, neck positions. The bridge is the weak spot IMO, but I feel that way about most strats.

I think for $300 you're hard pressed to find a better deal on a strat.

 

[Bones]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

Check the years on them. Maybe the want to clear out the older ones. I know you will try before you buy. I hope you get a good one.

 

[mrid]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

Check the years on them. Maybe the want to clear out the older ones. I know you will try before you buy. I hope you get a good one.

Maybe a difference between poplar and alder?

 

[RGN]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

yes i will try. I noticed big differences between them all. Some seemed unplayable and others played nice.

 

[Artie]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

If you look over the less expensive Strats at Musicians Friend, you'll see that most of them have a low priced version in an "undesirable" color. So its possible, that it was just a matter of the finish, even if the salesman got the exact color wrong.

 

[Maggot]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

I've been playing for years and had lots of great guitars. An MIM standard Strat is now my #1 guitar. I strongly recommend getting one IF you play one that particularly agrees with you. I think they're generally well done guitars, but not every one is great. The pickups are good enough, but not fantastic. I replaced mine, but it's not necessary. A good Standard Strat can do anything a Strat is supposed to do. As an every once-in-a while-guitar, it definitely wouldn't need new pickups.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

I like the vintage reissue MIMs, and own an MIM 72 tele custom, but I'm not such a fan of the MIM standards. That's mostly my preferences for looks and neckshape, though. The standard's neck will probably be closer to what you like, given your general taste in guitars. Put on graph-tech or fender saddles and duncans and you're off...

Take your time, and play as many as you can physically stomach playing. Unless there's a defect, don't worry too much about playability, as you can always have a setup done. Listen to the guitar unplugged, and see which one has the best tone. If you play enough of them, you'll find a good one.

 

[Maggot]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

One more comment on the Standards - Usually I'm a Rosewood guy, but the necks seem to be nicer on the maple neck ones. This one changed my mind about maple necks.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

I just got a MIM Satin Candy Apple Red/Maple fretboard about 2 months ago and I'm very happy with it.

The C shaped neck feels very good to my hands. Nice smooth edges, built solid.

I do think the pups are lacking, but I like the playability of this 1 so much, I'm upgrading the pups and getting rid of my other 2 axes.

With 3 pups you can get alot of versatility out of Strats.

I think they are good value.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

This has been said before but have you tried the US Highway 1 strats? You can get these at or very near the sort of prices you are quoting for a MIM strat and frankly they are better value. The maple necks are superb and the bodies are great, pups are okay and I think for a few dollars more you will not regret it.

 

[strat_master]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

my guitar is a MIM strat and it plays like a dream. Being compared toan american fender would be a mismatch but for the money you cant go wrong. As for the pick ups i'd change at leasr the bridge pick up the neck isnt that bad and the middle is ok although the middle pick up never gets any use from me.

 

[SARUM]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

Hi there,

Standard stratocasters as they are known on the Fender website all have alder bodies. The bodies and necks are all made in Cailfornia and shipped across the border for assembly then shipped back. I've had one for a couple of years now and really like it. The colour is blue agave, a colour that seems to be only used on Mex strats - a sort of light metallic blue so you may want to hunt for one of that colour if you want something a bit different. I put on a pearl pickguard and it looks great. I prefer rosewood necks for a darker sound.The pickups are ok but if you start getting fussy you will find the neck and middle mushy and the bridge a bit weak and tinny.
I changed to SD Vintage SSL2 - neck, Alnico Pro11 in the bridge and a SSL Five Two (RW,RP) in the middle. I also installed a Dimarzio push/pull switch in place of one of the original switches. to allow bridge/neck and bridge/middle/neck combinations.
:burnout: It is now a great sounding strat especially middle/bridge combination. A few professional musos have commented that it has a lot more grunt than the average strat. This is due to having a cleaner. more positive bass not because the pickups are any louder.
The stock pickups have a higher output ( I believe) and are quite different in construction from those used in USA strats. They are ceramic bar and kind of look like they have been put together using a hot glue gun.
Having said that I believe you could not go wrong buying a Mex strat as they are great value for money.
Another guitar to consider is the awesome MIM Nashville 3 pick up Telecaster
They are a bit more expensive but very cool.
Hope this helps, Cheers Norm (from New Zealand)

 

[mrfjones]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

i started playing on a MIM strat and i still play one. I have loved that thing from the day i got it. You won't regret picking one up for 300.

 

[strat_master]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

yup same with me its my first real guitar and i love my MIM strat

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

Ah, dang it the GAS is starting up again..........got to get another strat!

 

[RGN]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

Thanks for all of the input! I am going to go check out some MIM strats tomorrow. My wife will probably kill me if I come home with one so it was nice knowing you all.....

 

[midnite_man]

Re: MIM Strats -- Questions

http://www.allthingsstrat.com/

This is the best website I have ever found that gives a totally objective comparison between MIM and MIA Strats.
It told me why I'd rather have a U.S. or American made model instead of a MIM.
Hope it helps.
....Bob