Fender MIM strats

[10secondLX]

I'm looking for a semi cheap strat ( S S S configuration) and was considering getting a MIM strat. Ideally I'd like a MIA strat, but since I would be taking it out to friends houses etc.. I want something that I can dink up and not really care too much about. I played a couple this past weekend at GC and overall they felt like a pretty decent piece for under $400.00. I didn't plug it in so I can't comment on how the pickups sound (typical GC with wanna be Yngwie's all over the place) but the neck and action were pretty good for an off the wall piece. Any of you guys have newer MIM Strats, and if so what do you think of them? Thanks!

[Super_shredder]

the mim strats that i have played have been pretty decent, the classic player ones especially the 50's neck is awesome

[Dogbone]

I have a MIM Strat. It's been a great guitar. About the only thing I could really recommend would be a pickup change down the road, but other than that, no problems.

[MetalHeadMat]

I found the best MIM strat, Duncans, black finish with mirrored pickguard, headstock was black and MIM on the back, only 21 frets

[nhspike]

There is a sweet USA strat body with a Tokai strat-head neck for sale on chris' guitars that's around that price.

http://www.chrisguitars.com/tokai-neck-std-strat-bk.jpg

Looks like a nice one for what you are looking for.

[Ben...]

They're good. I have two. I have an old one that I modded a bunch and a brand new one I bought at Christmas. I swear I can get the lowest action of any guitar I have with that thing and it sounds fairly good too.

[triplehold]

I notice the newer ones are better- they have beefier frets and a bigger trem block. The bridge saddles have lower height adjustment screws that don't bug you when you palm mute and the necks have a satin finish. I load mine with 1 hum pickguards from Allparts, one has an f-spaced Tone Zone and the other has a JB, they both have maple necks and sound good. Find a used one and save a few bucks if you can, or go with the Fender Straight Six if you can find one.

[Ben...]

or go with the Fender Straight Six if you can find one.

That's the new one I got. It's great!

[markD]

i love mine. it is a true workhorse. back when i was using my PC-1's live, there were a couple of clubs that had lighting rigs WAY to big - the heat would mess with the necks and they wouldn't stay in tune very well. my MIM strat finished quite a few shows. i have often joked that if i went on tour again i'd leave the pricey USA jackson's at home and only bring the MIM strat - then i'd never have worry about a tempermental guitar ever again.....my soloists don't have the same problems as my PC-1s though

[lefty]

I notice the newer ones are better- they have beefier frets and a bigger trem block. .

+ 1. Some of the earlier ones have small frets and a shorter
[7"?] radius fretboard, which may be a bummer if you're used
to a flat board and jumbo frets. Never had a MIM Strat, but I
do have a MIM Tele with the small frets and short radius. They
don't bother me, but YMMV...

[Flatpicker]

After 06 they added bigger fretwire and a larger trem block.
Also, better shielding, in the cavity.
The Ceramic pickups are bright though.

[10secondLX]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm going to see if I can find a keeper either tomorrow or this weekend when I get some free time. I have a couple gift cards from GC which would put my out of pocket expense on a new MIM strat around the $300.00 mark if I can find a good one.

[triplehold]

Hey- wheel and deal and haggle the heck out of those nitwits if you can. You've got the cash- the ball's in your court.

[CharvelRocker]

I looked at one for a few months before buying mine. They are just great value guitars, though I will say some play and are put together a bit better than others (none are just awful, but some do feel a little better). I think there is a reason though why they are kind of the standard for mid range guitars, and that is because they are fantastic values and are very well made instruments. Not to mention they are super easy and fairly cheap to mod.

[texasfury]

I myself am looking for a classic series 50s (not the classic player). I liked it better than the american standard. $700 seems to be a bit too pricey for an import, so i'm looking for a used one