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No pictures yet... I just got my second one, my Brad Gillis wannabe. I have to say, I was impressed by my first MIJ Fender, this one is every bit as nice, perhaps even nicer, and I'm really digging the painted necks of the premier MIJ Strats.
The MIJ Fenders have this high quality feel... they just have that individual character with that handbuilt feel that's lacking on many newer guitars. I'm not talking about E series Squires. I'm talking about much nicer guitars. I guess with a MSRP starting at about $650 USD and going as high as $1800+ USD with most Floyd models starting at the $1400 mark, they're not cheap by any means, but they sure the hell beat the shit out of all the other imports. And right now they're cheaper than most pro-mods on ebay when you can find them used. Especially look for the ones with Gotoh trems. If the paint weren't flawless on these, if the necks didn't have a technical precision and some deviation that feels broken in and hand shaped... they'd still be amazing guitars. They really have this old school vibe, for a new guitar... like the old USA Charvels and Jacksons did way back when...
I've played many dozens of MIJ Squires, plenty of USA and custom models too. These MIJ strats they're putting out now are just awesome. These newer MIJ Fenders are really a step above most US models and when they come with higher quality components, like the better Gotoh Floyd, upgraded Gotoh tuners (not the generic ones with the embossed logo in the metal, but the nicer ones), they just feel like custom shop guitars overall. The fretwork is top notch, the wood selection appears to be very high grade as well. Imports usually feel ticky tacky, and as another member here put it, kind of plastic or mass produced. These MIJ Fenders feel like true custom shop guitars and withstand that kind of scrutiny.
I'm an admitted custom shop snob. All I'm saying, if you haven't tried one, especially one of the newer all-Gotoh equipped guitars, throw down some money on one or if it's in a store near you, look out for them and give one a try, it's seriously hands-down the best value for the dollar of any guitar I can think of right now.
Fender USA or Jackson USA can't really compete with these either. You'll need to go full blown Custom Shop to surpass them.
The MIJ Fenders have this high quality feel... they just have that individual character with that handbuilt feel that's lacking on many newer guitars. I'm not talking about E series Squires. I'm talking about much nicer guitars. I guess with a MSRP starting at about $650 USD and going as high as $1800+ USD with most Floyd models starting at the $1400 mark, they're not cheap by any means, but they sure the hell beat the shit out of all the other imports. And right now they're cheaper than most pro-mods on ebay when you can find them used. Especially look for the ones with Gotoh trems. If the paint weren't flawless on these, if the necks didn't have a technical precision and some deviation that feels broken in and hand shaped... they'd still be amazing guitars. They really have this old school vibe, for a new guitar... like the old USA Charvels and Jacksons did way back when...
I've played many dozens of MIJ Squires, plenty of USA and custom models too. These MIJ strats they're putting out now are just awesome. These newer MIJ Fenders are really a step above most US models and when they come with higher quality components, like the better Gotoh Floyd, upgraded Gotoh tuners (not the generic ones with the embossed logo in the metal, but the nicer ones), they just feel like custom shop guitars overall. The fretwork is top notch, the wood selection appears to be very high grade as well. Imports usually feel ticky tacky, and as another member here put it, kind of plastic or mass produced. These MIJ Fenders feel like true custom shop guitars and withstand that kind of scrutiny.
I'm an admitted custom shop snob. All I'm saying, if you haven't tried one, especially one of the newer all-Gotoh equipped guitars, throw down some money on one or if it's in a store near you, look out for them and give one a try, it's seriously hands-down the best value for the dollar of any guitar I can think of right now.
Fender USA or Jackson USA can't really compete with these either. You'll need to go full blown Custom Shop to surpass them.
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