NGD Mexican Strat

[voggin]

So, long time since my last NGD. Saw this on kijiji (Canadian equivalent of Craigslist) and couldn't resist. Fender Mexico Vintera 50s strat in Sonic blue. Okay, I'll admit, I'm shallow: it was the colour that sold me. Has a 7.25 radius (my preference in Fenders). Workmanship seems really great, frets are great. I thought I would probably need to swap the pickups, but so far (about a week) I think they are really good. The neck in particular has that "crispness" that I associate with a vintage strat sound, and the middle is reverse wrapped, so 2 and 4 are noise cancelling.

I have a 90's AVRI strat, and while I would never say the Mexican is as good as it (it has quite possibly the nicest piece of rosewood I've ever seen on the fingerboard and the nitro on it is sublime) I've got to say, for 1/3 the cost of a new AVRI 2 or whatever they're calling them these days, this is a pretty amazing guitar. Great setup (done by a local tech by the original owner), no choking on bends all the way up the neck, low action. I'm really loving it. Here she is:

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:

And here she is with her sister, 1993 AVRI 60s.

It has been a long time since I played a Mexican Fender. I realize there are probably hardware or electronic differences with the new American models, but damn, at one third of the price, a few bucks for pots and switches and a setup (if needed), and even if it needs new hardware (but really, does anyone make crappy tuners anymore?) it's still a bargain.

 

[kramersteen]

A gentleman's guitar :headbang:

 

[Mincer]

That blue is wonderful. And I am sure the pickups are just fine for nailing what a Strat should sound like. I'd only change them if you want something noiseless or if you didn't need it to sound like a Strat.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

The blue looks cool!

I've got a Mexican Partscaster too (Mexican body and Mexican neck), and it's a really cool guitar. Mexican Fenders are cool.

 

[fretburner]

Is this a newer model? 4pc or 3pc bodies?

I have 2 MIM fenders, and I think both have 4pc bodies.

 

[voggin]

Is this a newer model? 4pc or 3pc bodies?

I have 2 MIM fenders, and I think both have 4pc bodies.

It's a 2022. Not sure of how many pieces in the body. It's not particularly heavy, I'd guess around 7 lbs.

 

[donaldr]

I have a 2006 MIM Fender Strat like your AVRI '60, but I swap the pickguard to a tortoise

I got it for low money so I put the cash for a Graphtech nut, a set of custom Rose pickups, an Hipshot bridge and new pots/switch/jack, plus a full tuneup from a well regarded luthier in Montreal. I left the MIM tuners in, as you said they don't need to be changed. When the luthier was done, I asked my friend to come pick it up with me. He tried my MIM and said it was better than it's MIA. A full tuneup can do wonders on some guitars.

 

[fretburner]

It's a 2022. Not sure of how many pieces in the body. It's not particularly heavy, I'd guess around 7 lbs.

I wish Fender would state how many pieces they use on their MIM. 3pc is pretty standard on MIA.

The Player series are really so much better than any MIM before it -- 22 frets, 2pt trems. But my MIM JV is really nice. My first guitar with a "satin" neck which is almost like an unfinished feel. It's supposed to be a "soft V" but it's more like a "U". And I like hotter pups, so the tex-mex are staying in for the moment. Will swap it out with DMZ injectors and HS4 soon coz I am an Yngwie and PG fanboy.

 

[ErikH]

The Fenders made in Mexico the last 4-5 years are miles better than those before then. The Players Series Strats are amazing too.

 

[Mincer]

The Fenders made in Mexico the last 4-5 years are miles better than those before then. The Players Series Strats are amazing too.

I had a few late 90s MIM Strats that were excellent guitars, though.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

FWIW, my own MIM Fender is not miles ahead of the old Chinese Squier CV that I had. It's just better-spec'd (2023 roasted Maple neck and 2010 nitro-finished relic'd body), and the hardware and electronics is usually better than it is on the CV stuff stock (IMO).

Not to say the MIM stuff is bad... it's just the CV stuff is really that bang-for-the-buck.

 

[jeremy]

even cheap stuff can be decent these days, baseline quality has gone way up over the years.

 

[cliffenstein]

That's a maple neck, not rosewood...and Mexican Strats can be flat out UHmazing!!!! My favorite strat I've ever owned (and still own) is a 2015 Road Worn '50s black one. It's literally perfect in every way and I use it all the time. I've owned a TON of strats over the years and this one is just THE one! So congrats and enjoy!!!!

 

[Chistopher]

Mexican Fenders are the best. I have a MIM Standard Strat, a MIM EVH Wolfgang, and a MIM Charvel San Dimas PJ bass that are not only reasonably priced, but among my favorite instruments.

I also just aquired a new MIM Fender that I will be making a post about soon.