Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

[IMENATOR]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Minimum wage is lower, that along with Dollar vs Peso going up and up makes for a guitar that is a small investment for Fender with a LOT of revenue for them, exploiting Leo's brand and the Strat historical appreciation to the core. Even American Line is over priced. Back to the question, MIM strats are good instruments mad to be moire affordable, you definitely go out and try it, last time I played a Blacktop HH it was such a nice sounding guitar for hard rock, if you wanna go Metal then Charvel MIM is a great choice.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Here are some differences between the mexican stansard series and american standard:

Mex std: zinc trem block
Am std: steel block

Mex: 6 screw pivots on trem
Am: 2 point pivot

Mex: ceramic pickups
Am: alnico pickups

Mex: single height tuners
AM: staggered heighbtuners

Mex: poly finish
Am: nitro finish



Similarities:
Both have full size cts pots, same tone cap, same switch
Both have flat sawn necks and big@$$ frets
Both have plastic nuts
Both are overpriced

Let the flame war begin!

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

My MIM Dave Murray was a terrific guitar. Great player.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

I put a fat block on the bridge, change the pickups and only change tuners if the stock ones don't work properly. Other than that, I really like the Mexican Fenders.

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

I also bought mine used and both have bome nuts now.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Mex: poly finish
Am: nitro finish

Comparing Standard/Standard, the American Standard is also poly; although I believe it's actually Polyacrylic (?) vs. Polyurethane, in any case it does not feel the same and is quite a bit thinner from my experience. Of course, both American and Mexican guitars outside of the standard range can both be nitro.

I take into account the fact that a lot of Mexican bodies are made from multiple slivers of wood, as pictured. Not saying it's never happened on a US guitar, but I haven't seen it.

Both have full size cts pots, same tone cap, same switch

I've had older Mexican guitars with tiny micro-pots; did they switch recently?

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Comparing Standard/Standard, the American Standard is also poly; although I believe it's actually Polyacrylic (?) vs. Polyurethane, in any case it does not feel the same and is quite a bit thinner from my experience. Of course, both American and Mexican guitars outside of the standard range can both be nitro.

I take into account the fact that a lot of Mexican bodies are made from multiple slivers of wood, as pictured. Not saying it's never happened on a US guitar, but I haven't seen it.



I've had older Mexican guitars with tiny micro-pots; did they switch recently?

You're correct on the finishes. MIM guitars have a polyester finish. The MIA guitars use polyurethane.

The MIM pots have been CTS since the mid-90's. The switches, pots, and tone cap have been identical to the USA guitars for at least 20 years now.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Sorry guys. Didnt realized they changed the finishes again. I just checked their website and it looks like the lowest priced US strat with Nitro is the $1899 Eric Johnson model!!!

 

[Scatabrain]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Used MIM is an even better deal if you can play it first and know what to look for. Then changing out parts as a matter of taste if desired. Very easy to work on. Tons of parts that fit. That's the route I took.

 

[Coma]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

I dont get it - most fender brand guitars have opaque coating. So why bother with veneer at all?

 

[Dahla]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

I dont get it - most fender brand guitars have opaque coating. So why bother with veneer at all?

No glue joints to worry about?


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[Coma]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

No glue joints to worry about?


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You glue pieces together properly and then sand them, won't be any joints to feel, only to see. Which will be covered by the finish.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

I dont get it - most fender brand guitars have opaque coating. So why bother with veneer at all?

Sunburst.

 

[Coma]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

Sunburst.

But most sunbursts aren't see-through either. And even them, wouldn't it make more sense to just veneer those few ones?

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Why are Mexican Strats cheaper?

The veneer covers the joints
The wood may shift or swell differently
The veneer keeps it even

I can see it
Even if this isn't the reason