MIM vs MIA fender

[Imp]

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.

MIJ or CIJ are pretty much always gorgeous instruments. i'd pitch mine against a new MIA any day. go for it, and get it seymourized right away :32:

i've never heard of a BAD japanese fender, but of course that might be just me. beautiful fat necks as well.

the MIM stuff seems to have more of a 'generic' neck shape- the japanese one i have has almost a 50's D profile. i LOVE it.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: MIM vs MIA fender

Most of my guitars are MIJ Strats that I put Duncan pickups or Fralin pickups in. My buddy AJ plays a MIM Jimmie Vaughn Strat I put Duncan pickups in. So I would say there's no reason to avoid non-USA made Strats. I think the Jimmie Vaughn is one of the nicest Strats Fender has ever made...even the Tex-Mex pickups are very good...though AJ's sounds alot better with the Duncan SSL-1's.

Shop wisely and if possible pick the best MIM guitar out of a half dozen or so.

Although I buy everything used and have had very good luck that way...buying sight unseen.

Lew

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: MIM vs MIA fender

I know it's a little more of a "rocker" strat but my Sambora MIM strat is pretty doggone nice. I'm really wanting to get a JV strat though.

 

[rhmcfarland]

Re: MIM vs MIA fender

The MIM Tele is a great value.

American components assembled in Mexico is the basic idea.
Got the guitar for $500. Installed Stew-Mac compensated brass saddles, a Fralin Blues Special neck pickup, and an Antiquity bridge (compliment of Lew). It sounds great, and is a very resonant guitar.

You can hear it on my soundclick website (link below)...

 

[Imp]

Re: MIM vs MIA fender

yea, replacing the pups are a must i think. not much experience with MIA, but a texas hot in the neck of a strat is one *hell* of an improvement. even more so with the bridge pup.

 

[Thames]

Re: MIM vs MIA fender

The MIM Deluxe and JV are the best bang-for-buck. But at this price, you can get a nice used-but-mint MIA. Grab a sunburst or see-thru color to get better wood.

MIJ/CIJ are great ones too.

MIM Standard, no.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: MIM vs MIA fender

Depending on the color of the body I actually like this contrast. Dark body, light colored neck looks best to me, with a light color body I like a darker colored neck. The light maple neck/board contrasts nicely with the blue body on mine.

That makes sense. But this wood was so light, it just didn't look good. I like a bit of tint on the wood for more of a vintage look.