poopsmith921
New member
Is buying a MIA fender worth the extra couple of hundred bucks? I am interested in getting a strat, and i am wondering if i should get an MIM and have money leftover to get pickups, or save for the MIA
MIM vs MIA fender
- Thread starter poopsmith921
- Start date
big_black
Opaqueologist
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
I have heard there are good MIM Strats out there, but I've never seen one. I would never buy A strat that wasn't MIA or MIJ. The mexicans just feel cheap to me. I know there are plenty of people out there who love thier MIMs. I just feel you get a better quality of material with MIA, rolled finger board, etc.. We all know how sketchy Fender can be material wise. I'd rather not take the chance.
I have heard there are good MIM Strats out there, but I've never seen one. I would never buy A strat that wasn't MIA or MIJ. The mexicans just feel cheap to me. I know there are plenty of people out there who love thier MIMs. I just feel you get a better quality of material with MIA, rolled finger board, etc.. We all know how sketchy Fender can be material wise. I'd rather not take the chance.
Cowboy Dan!?
New member
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
i got a used american.....ran me 490, close to the same amount of a new standard strat. if you dont want to spend the extra money, a used american strat would be great.
i got a used american.....ran me 490, close to the same amount of a new standard strat. if you dont want to spend the extra money, a used american strat would be great.
D
DeadSkinSlayer3
Guest
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
The search function works great.
The search function works great.
JeffB
Let it B
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
I just dealt with this scenario last week and played a bunch of strats
The MIM standard strats are a good value, IMO. The pickups are not so great. Just play a few..they seem less consistent, and some were much nicer than others. Funny thing for me is, I found many of the lower priced strats and squiers had better color options. (Thank god they had the chrome blue I wanted for the MIA, but I think the blue on the squiers is a nicer color!)
I felt though that there was no comparison to the American series strats. Not just overall quality, fit & finish, but sound and playability. The "rolled" fretboard edges are really nice, the american series pickups are very good "stock" pups, the controls/tuners are better/smoother, higher quality tremelo/saddles, etc. etc. I think it is worth the extra $ if it's going to be your sole guitar as it is in my case. I went through a couple of "lower end" 500 dollar guitars and the difference that $375 bucks made was HUGE.
You may also look into the HIghway 1 series. Decent instrument...runs about 6 bills.
I just dealt with this scenario last week and played a bunch of strats
The MIM standard strats are a good value, IMO. The pickups are not so great. Just play a few..they seem less consistent, and some were much nicer than others. Funny thing for me is, I found many of the lower priced strats and squiers had better color options. (Thank god they had the chrome blue I wanted for the MIA, but I think the blue on the squiers is a nicer color!)
I felt though that there was no comparison to the American series strats. Not just overall quality, fit & finish, but sound and playability. The "rolled" fretboard edges are really nice, the american series pickups are very good "stock" pups, the controls/tuners are better/smoother, higher quality tremelo/saddles, etc. etc. I think it is worth the extra $ if it's going to be your sole guitar as it is in my case. I went through a couple of "lower end" 500 dollar guitars and the difference that $375 bucks made was HUGE.
You may also look into the HIghway 1 series. Decent instrument...runs about 6 bills.
Mkf411
New member
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
The standard Strat MIA or MIM doesn't really scream quality for me. My friend just picked up a MIA standard Strat for $750 brand new. It's nice but the neck wood is really light colored and it's overall not that impressive. I've seen MIA G&L strats for $900 to $1,000 that blow it away and they usually come a G&G hardcase (think plywood, not molded plastic) and have locking tuners and a badass looking tremelo.
If I was going to go Fender, I would consider the Jimmy Vaughan signature strat. I like the tuning keys and the pickups and the neck. Overall a good value and maybe collectable.
The standard Strat MIA or MIM doesn't really scream quality for me. My friend just picked up a MIA standard Strat for $750 brand new. It's nice but the neck wood is really light colored and it's overall not that impressive. I've seen MIA G&L strats for $900 to $1,000 that blow it away and they usually come a G&G hardcase (think plywood, not molded plastic) and have locking tuners and a badass looking tremelo.
If I was going to go Fender, I would consider the Jimmy Vaughan signature strat. I like the tuning keys and the pickups and the neck. Overall a good value and maybe collectable.
Chi3f
Member
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
really not trying to take the thread over.. honest
but are the MIJ strats any good. I hear some people say they are great some people say they are worthless.
I found one on ebay... it's got everything i was looking for in a strat. Ash body, original floyd (recessed and not a liscenced). H-S-S. has a factory dimarzio in the bridge(supposedly factory anyways) rosewood fretboard and 22 frets. Also has a nice sunburst finish. the only reason i haven't bid is the whole MIJ, and ebay scares me when it comes to buying guitars so waiting for more pics from the guy.
really not trying to take the thread over.. honest
but are the MIJ strats any good. I hear some people say they are great some people say they are worthless. I found one on ebay...
it's got everything i was looking for in a strat. Ash body, original floyd (recessed and not a liscenced). H-S-S. has a factory dimarzio in the bridge(supposedly factory anyways) rosewood fretboard and 22 frets. Also has a nice sunburst finish. the only reason i haven't bid is the whole MIJ, and ebay scares me when it comes to buying guitars so waiting for more pics from the guy.
O
Old Ghost
Guest
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
You get what you pay for in this world.
You get what you pay for in this world.
marty_the_westie
New member
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
There are plenty of Mexican Strats that are excellent. The Jimmie Vaughan, Powerhouse Strat, Super Strat, Robert Cray Strat, the new Deluxe Players Strat are all prime examples of excellent Strats. For anyone to tell you otherwise, is absolutely untrue. You do not need to buy an American Strat to have a good quality guitar. The afore mentioned guitars are a definate step above a standard Strat, and run around $550.
There are plenty of Mexican Strats that are excellent. The Jimmie Vaughan, Powerhouse Strat, Super Strat, Robert Cray Strat, the new Deluxe Players Strat are all prime examples of excellent Strats. For anyone to tell you otherwise, is absolutely untrue. You do not need to buy an American Strat to have a good quality guitar. The afore mentioned guitars are a definate step above a standard Strat, and run around $550.
drew_half_empty
Looking for Real Life
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
how exactly do the pickups differ
how exactly do the pickups differ
JeffB
Let it B
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
I am not 100% positive, but it is my understanding the MIMs have ceramic mags whereas the Americans have alnico.
You can hear the difference, And there was quite a diff between the American series pups and the Texas something or others in the Highyway1 I played as well.
AFAIC the stock pickups in my MIA strat are impressive. Very warm, yet defined and still "stratty". Even the bridge single coil will take massive amounts of gain without getting muddy or losing definition, which is rare in my experience.
drew_half_empty said:
I am not 100% positive, but it is my understanding the MIMs have ceramic mags whereas the Americans have alnico.
You can hear the difference, And there was quite a diff between the American series pups and the Texas something or others in the Highyway1 I played as well.
AFAIC the stock pickups in my MIA strat are impressive. Very warm, yet defined and still "stratty". Even the bridge single coil will take massive amounts of gain without getting muddy or losing definition, which is rare in my experience.
rinse_master
Member
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
So the "Delta Tone" thing is just a hyped up no-load tone pot?
So the "Delta Tone" thing is just a hyped up no-load tone pot?
rinse_master
Member
Re: MIM vs MIA fender
Interesting, I'd heard of it before although I thouigh they were pickups or something :smack:
Interesting, I'd heard of it before although I thouigh they were pickups or something :smack:
