Fender Strats

[GodWentPUNK]

The other day I tried one of he MIM stats and found it to be a pretty decent guitar. What I liked most about it was the neck shape. So I checked out fender.com and found that it is a 9.5 radius--modern C, the same as the USA Deluxe. the MIM are about $400 vs the $1200 usa counterparts. I realize the the USA one has upgraded parts to justify the price increase. But for a gigging guitar, is the MIM guitar worthy or is it best to spend the extra $800.

Again, I'm a lefty so I have only a few models to select from.

thanks!

joe...

[jwoods986]

The taco Strats are a great deal. Most of them are decent quality, but play as many as you can until you find "the one". I have gone into stores a number of times and found a really nice playing Mexi Strat, then would pick up a USA and the MIM was at least as good feeling (for $500 less). And if you're talking about the deluxe, save yourself $800 and get the MIM. And since it's for gigging, you won't be as worried about dents, dings, etc.

[Metaled1020]

The taco Strats are a great deal. Most of them are decent quality, but play as many as you can until you find "the one". I have gone into stores a number of times and found a really nice playing Mexi Strat, then would pick up a USA and the MIM was at least as good feeling (for $500 less). And if you're talking about the deluxe, save yourself $800 and get the MIM. And since it's for gigging, you won't be as worried about dents, dings, etc.

Agreed! MIM guitars are great,especially the the higher end MIM`s. But if you find a good Standard,for the price they can`t be beat!!!

[KennyF]

Yup!!! I'm in total agreement with the above two posts.

[kelly user]

speaking of leftyies
i once saw this explorer, that a a guy had set up for left handed use. i was dumbfounded...........

[PittJitsu]

The MIM is not an alder body though right? I Would go for an older Jap model. they are flawless and only show their difference to the US models by being a tiny bit smaller in the neck width (smaller hands )

[markD]

i do gig with a modded mexi strat. it has saved my butt on stage MANY times!!!! i do agree that you need to play a few to find the one....

here is mine (again):

[KennyF]

The MIM is not an alder body though right?

I'm pretty sure they are adler.

[markD]

mine is alder

[Firebird V]

Nice mutt! That looks killer.

[heartfielder]

I bought one on a whim and was very pleasantly surprised. I loved it although a trade came along where I had to let it go.

Pretty much all around good, great tone and power. Nice neck feel. Great for the price.

Here she is:

[IMG][/IMG]

[PittJitsu]

Check this out.

http://www.fretplay.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi/YaBB.cgi?board=guitar;action=display;num=1154552805

Your all Major Charvel and Jackson players, I'm guessing. This is not a bad thing by any means. I love mine too. But when you get the Strat GAS then you will get pickier about these too. I stated with a squire, then bought a USA, then a CS. then a Eric Johnson, which for the money, is not the most expensive, but Best Strat I own. Then Just this week I went and played some vintage 57's and a 62, 63 and a 65. When you put your ear to the top horn and strum, that dry vintage wood sustains for days and the tone explains why you just keep baying more and more for these relics. Nothing beats age for an ax, so why not bu some free Mojo and go as used as you can afford. there are great $500 fenders hiding out there, wood does not know where it was put together, just that its a good piece or not IMO

[Acidhouse]

The Mexi's should be alder or something equivalent. Mexi's are nice Strats, the MIA's will hold their value better and some will go up in value. That's how I justified buying an MIA over an MIM. I agree that you can find some good mojo strats out there but they don't all have to be Fender. I have a Squier Pro Tone that I think stands up as well as my two MIA Strats. Of course the Pro Tone is solid ash and made to Fender specs using Fender parts so it is not exactly your normal basswood Squier guitar with the cheapy parts.

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

like i mentioned in the other Fender thread ..... Jump on a JAPAN Fender. 1985-86 is a good year for them.
Think how nice the Charvel Models are and apply that to the Fenders made in Japan. There are stories how Fender shit their pants when they visited the factory where these were produced. They shamed the USA made Fenders at that same time period.

[DonP]

I saw somewhere that older MIM strats were poplar then they changed to alder. Don't know when, but I'm pretty sure my 1996 is poplar.