Are Mexican Telecasters even worth owning? Good playability?

[SFW]

That is quite the nice custom finish you've put on it!

lol! Just call it the firecaster.

 

[glassjaw7]

They are pretty nice actually. BUT-look for a used USA G&L ASAT. You'd be surprised how cheap they can be had...

Don't the necks on the G&L ASATs feel different though form a MIM Fender?

Yes, they feel BETTER! Seriously, they're in another league, but they should be. The MIM teles and strats are a bit hit/miss for me but I've played some really nice ones for the price. I think Fender's standard radius is 9 1/2? (not sure though) The G&L's are 7 1/2" on the classic and Special, and a more shred-friendly 12" on the ASAT Deluxe. (my fav)

Also, the Indonesian made Tribute series outplay the MIM Fenders. In my experience they feel more solid, have better necks and pups, and are way more consistent. THis one is awesome. Can't beat it for the price, unless you find a USA ASAT for cheap, which happens often actually...

 

[blackba]

They are pretty nice actually. BUT-look for a used USA G&L ASAT. You'd be surprised how cheap they can be had...

Don't the necks on the G&L ASATs feel different though form a MIM Fender?

Yes, they feel BETTER! Seriously, they're in another league, but they should be. The MIM teles and strats are a bit hit/miss for me but I've played some really nice ones for the price. I think Fender's standard radius is 9 1/2? (not sure though) The G&L's are 7 1/2" on the classic and Special, and a more shred-friendly 12" on the ASAT Deluxe. (my fav)

Also, the Indonesian made Tribute series outplay the MIM Fenders. In my experience they feel more solid, have better necks and pups, and are way more consistent. THis one is awesome. Can't beat it for the price, unless you find a USA ASAT for cheap, which happens often actually...

When I was looking for another strat, I tried out Legacy and S500's from G&L and I thought they were great guitars, but the neck felt different than my MIM strat, that for me was a deal breaker at that time (about 10 years ago). I am not as particular about next feel as I was then, much more used to a variety. So, I need to try a G&L again, this time an ASAT. I do have Tele Gas, but not budget for one at the moment.

I just wanted to confirm on the ASATs what I found on the Legacy and S-500 as long as you are fine with the neck differences from a Fender, then they are a great way to go.

 

[polaris20]

I love my MIM Strat, but the stock tuners really, really blow. I would say be prepared to swap them with some Schallers or Sperzels. The pickups also sucked, so I replaced them with GFS noiseless, and despite being cheap pickups they're definitely better than stock.

Overall though the build quality is pretty awesome. I paid $275 for mine used, mint condition w/ an SKB case.

 

[K-mark5]

SFW - what body wood is that and what finish did it used to be? looks like a sanded wine red of some sort..
AMAZING!!!

 

[Gooseman]

I love my MIM Strat, but the stock tuners really, really blow. I would say be prepared to swap them with some Schallers or Sperzels. The pickups also sucked, so I replaced them with GFS noiseless, and despite being cheap pickups they're definitely better than stock.

Overall though the build quality is pretty awesome. I paid $275 for mine used, mint condition w/ an SKB case.

That's a hell of a deal!

 

[dmtnt]

A buddy of mine is a manager at the local Guitar Center, he told me that the Fender rep confessed to him in confidence that ALL Tele necks are MIA, none of the necks are MIM...

I obviously cannot post anything confirming this, take it for what it's worth.

 

[glassjaw7]

A buddy of mine is a manager at the local Guitar Center, he told me that the Fender rep confessed to him in confidence that ALL Tele necks are MIA, none of the necks are MIM...

I obviously cannot post anything confirming this, take it for what it's worth.

What would the logic be in that? if the MIM necks are MIA, they would only hurt their own reputation and sales by Putting out the general consensus that they are inferior and a lesser quality standard than the American ones, and they can't sell them for as much. Doesn't make any sense. Also, there's a big difference in feel.

Edit: immediately found a link to more info on this. Seems some (not all?) are in shipped to Mexico in raw form, but finished, sanded, etc there ( which would account for the feel difference).
This is the only thing I have ever found to be even somewhat official. I found this on a forum dated in 2005.

It seems like people are continually asking whether they should by Fender Mexican Strats or Teles and what the differences are from the American guitars. As I have had a lot of sucess myself using Fender Mexican guitars and only replacing the electronics, I highly recommend this route for anyone looking for a quality, but inexpensive guitar. Here is some information about American & Mexican Fender guitars that I posted previously...

In an interview I read the head of Fender said something similar about the quality of the Mexican guitars. Not all the parts are made in America, but their site says "Fender® Mexico guitars and amplifiers are made using many U.S. components, again maintaining the highest standards..." Here is a list of differences I found on the Fender Europe site:

Standard Series (Mexico)
Body: 5 to 7-piece alder with maple or birch veneer. Sunburst models have maple veneer Note: due to periodic material availability issues, alder cores are sometimes used

American Series (U.S)
Body: Current specs: 3-piece alder for solid colours and 3-tone sunburst. White blonde and natural are 2 or 3-piece ash (Non-Veneered)

Standard Series
Body Routing: 1-humbucking, 2-single coil
American Series
Body Routing: Current specs: 3-cavity universal rout(hum/sing/hum). Older models have the "swimming pool" rout

Standard Series
Body Finish: Polyester (finished in Mexico)
American Series
Body Finish: Polyurethane (finished in USA)

Standard Series
Neck: 1-piece maple milled in the Corona plant
American Series
Neck: 1-piece maple milled in the Corona plant

Standard Series
Truss Rod: Standard headstock adjust (single rod).Relies on string tension for concave adjustment
American Series
Truss Rod: Bi-Flex headstock adjust. Allows for true concave and convex adjustment

Standard Series
Neck Finish: Polyurethane
American Series
Neck Finish: Polyurethane

Standard Series
Frets: 21 standard frets (small)
American Series
Frets: 22 highly detailed Medium Jumbo frets

Standard Series
Machine Heads: Imported cast/sealed
American Series
Machine Heads: Fender/Schaller cast/sealed

Standard Series
Logo: Silver transition logo
American Series
Logo: Vintage spaghetti logo

Standard Series
String Tree: 1-standard butterfly
American Series
String Tree: 1-hardened steel "Easy Glider." Reduces friction thus improving tuning stability.

Standard Series
Neck Attachment: Standard 4-bolt
American Series
Neck Attachment: 4-bolt "Micro-Tilt." Allows instant string "action" adjustments

Standard Series
Pickups: MIM standard single coils with slug pole-pieces and ceramic magnet on bottom of coil. Mid pickup is reverse wound/reverse polarity Pickups:
American Series
Pickups: MIA single coils with alnico magnets. Middle pickup is reverse wound/reverse polarity

Standard Series
Electronics: CTS Pots, Grigsby switch
American Series
Electronics: CTS Pots, Grigsby switch

Standard Series
Wiring: Original (no tone control for bridge pickup)
American Series
Wiring: "No Load" tone control on Bridge & Mid pickup. Standard 250k tone control (neck pickup)

Standard Series
Bridge: Imported standard Synchronized tremolo. 6-mounting screws; stamped saddles
American Series
Bridge: MIA 2-Point Synchronized tremolo –mounting screws; hardened stainless steel saddles.

Standard Series
Strap Buttons: Vintage style
American Series
Strap Buttons: Schaller straplock ready (straplocks & embroidered strap included)

Standard Series
Case: Optional SKB molded case (guitar can be ordered with case)
American Series
Case: SKB standard molded case

Standard Series
Assembly/Tune/Test: Mexico
American Series
Assembly/Tune/Test: U.S.A.

 

[ewill52]

I know you asked about Tele's but I have a MIM HSS Start with a maple neck. I installed Graph Tech saddles and a Duncan JB pup and this guitar is every bit as good as the American made one that I have. Again, not a Tele but does speak to the MIM series.

+1 Mirrors my experience with MIM strats. A nice Tele is on my list of guitars to get. I wouldn't hesitate on a MIM Tele if it spoke to me when I tried it out. I suggest playing a few though before you pull the trigger. I have also hear really good things about the road worn series.

Same experience. I have a MIM strat and it's a fantastic guitar. Would not hesitate to pull the trigger on a MIM tele.

 

[GregM]

I haven't read the rest of the spam-bumped thread, but I also love my Mexican Strat. I got rid of the bridge pickup but other than that, it had the best setup and playability out of the box compared to anything else I own.

 

[glassjaw7]

I have a MIM tele. Nice guitar but the fret ends are awful and stick way out, especially in the winter. Going to file them down one of these times. The necks are always the difference between Mexican and USA Fenders for me.

 

[Hua and a tele]

The few I have are parts guitars that ended up being about the same price as a Mexican but with the specs I wanted

 

[Hamer95USA]

I bought a used Reverend Eastsider T guitar in tobacco sunburst from someone on the TGP website about 2 years ago.
https://www.reverendguitars.com/guitars/eastsider-t

It's one of the best T style guitars that I've ever played after a proper set up/intonation. Locking tuners, graphite nut, 22 fret maple or maple/rosewood neck, compound radius, good hardware, korina body comes stock on the guitar. The only thing that I changed is that I installed a pair of EMG T pickups/SPC module on mine. I won't look at a Fender American Standard, American Professional, or MIM Tele guitars now that I've got the Reverend. Check them out!

Guitar George

 

[thenine]

I have 2 Baja's and after changing the bridge pickup they are rippers

 

[skullfxr]

I have over time had a dozen MIM teles. They are hit and miss, i would not buy blind. I think with new electronics or at least pickups and cap, they are right up there with the best. I was flipping them for a while casually, that is why I have had so many. I feel that the maple fretboard models have better quality than the rosewood, don't know why.

DiMarzio twang Kings are awesome.

 

[Jack Luminous]

Friend of mine bought a MIM blonde Telecaster last year (about $600 new if I recall right) and I've had the pleasure to play with it numerous time. It's a great sounding guitar. Only drawback I can find with it is it's a bit on the heavy side for my own taste. Apart from that it's perfect !