MIM fender strats? anyone have one?

[fek]

I believe that the necks on the MIM's are slightly narrower than the MIA's. I have owned, gigged, and loved a couple MIM strats and tele's over the years. I always gravitate toward the MIA necks though. I like the extra space between strings. Is it all in my head? Possibly. I do remember reading a spec sheet somewhere though that told me that I was not imagining the difference in spacing. The last Highway One that I had did have a wider spacing than the last MIM I had. I do know that.

 

[blackba]

I had a MIM strat and every one I've played has some harmonic feedback/resonance on the G string, facilitating the necessity to install a second string tree. Other than that--solid guitar--never should have sold mine.

Interesting. I added the 2nd string tree to my MIM strat since the MIA strats had them. It was added a long time ago, never remember hearing anything weird on the G-string. Maybe my blind mod worked out for me.....

 

[Shask]

I believe that the necks on the MIM's are slightly narrower than the MIA's. I have owned, gigged, and loved a couple MIM strats and tele's over the years. I always gravitate toward the MIA necks though. I like the extra space between strings. Is it all in my head? Possibly. I do remember reading a spec sheet somewhere though that told me that I was not imagining the difference in spacing. The last Highway One that I had did have a wider spacing than the last MIM I had. I do know that.

MIA = 1 11/16" nut
MIM = 1 5/8" nut

 

[King Crimson]

MIM = Made in Mexico by Mexicans
USA = Made in USA By Mexicans
The 2 factories are what ? 30 miles apart?

My beautiful wife Dally, is from Veracruz Mexico.

Dally works at both the Fender Mexico factory and the Fender US factory. She says there is no difference other than salary...

 

[blackba]

I believe that the necks on the MIM's are slightly narrower than the MIA's. I have owned, gigged, and loved a couple MIM strats and tele's over the years. I always gravitate toward the MIA necks though. I like the extra space between strings. Is it all in my head? Possibly. I do remember reading a spec sheet somewhere though that told me that I was not imagining the difference in spacing. The last Highway One that I had did have a wider spacing than the last MIM I had. I do know that.

MIA = 1 11/16" nut
MIM = 1 5/8" nut

Thanks for that. That explains why my 2 MIA strats never felt the same as my trusty old MIM strat. I actually prefer my MIM neck, just cause it was the guitar I started on. Its like going home. The MIA's necks do feel great to me too though, just a bit different.

 

[TeleBlaster]

I believe that the necks on the MIM's are slightly narrower than the MIA's. I have owned, gigged, and loved a couple MIM strats and tele's over the years. I always gravitate toward the MIA necks though. I like the extra space between strings. Is it all in my head? Possibly. I do remember reading a spec sheet somewhere though that told me that I was not imagining the difference in spacing. The last Highway One that I had did have a wider spacing than the last MIM I had. I do know that.

You'd have to check the specific model on that. Fender is really all over the map on string spacing. Many of the MIM models do have the wider "vintage" 2-7/32" spacing at the bridge.
Nut width again is something else.
I put a standard spec neck on a MIM body and though it fit in the pocket, the heel overhangs the body just under 1/32".
The only thing I haven't checked measurement-wise is if the fretboard at the heel side is a wee bit narrow or not.

Somewhere online I saw a chart showing all Fender Strat models and spacings... if I can find it again I'll post the link.

 

[TeleBlaster]

My beautiful wife Dally, is from Veracruz Mexico.

Dally works at both the Fender Mexico factory and the Fender US factory. She says there is no difference other than salary...

I don't know what they are doing with the CNC on the new USA bodies, but unfortunately I was put off by the machining on my Roadworn body.
Not at all specific to the workers, what I'm talking about is the toolpathing. Seems like there are a couple shortcuts taken to avoid tool changes hence increasing productivity.
Also the bridge drill location is not compensated correctly for the hardware they're using.
The first run Roadworns were really bad, but the new ones appear better. Mine was cut November 09 and at that point the bridge location still favors the treble side.

 

[Tawlks]

A big quality difference in Mexico/Asian guitars Vs american is quallity of wiring componants.

BULLSHIT! I've had many MIM & American Strats and Jazz Basses over the years. There's no difference other than the MIM phobia.

Save yourself some $$$ and go with the MIM and don't mess with the guts unless there is something wrong there.

And learn to spell..."Components & American."

It's not bullshit. The last three import guitars I've had have had some problem with wiring and I haven't fucked with them either. look at Epiphone and LTD vs Gibson and ESP. Maybe you've just had a different experience.

I spelt American right, I just forgot the capital. You're right about components.

 

[Shask]

I believe that the necks on the MIM's are slightly narrower than the MIA's. I have owned, gigged, and loved a couple MIM strats and tele's over the years. I always gravitate toward the MIA necks though. I like the extra space between strings. Is it all in my head? Possibly. I do remember reading a spec sheet somewhere though that told me that I was not imagining the difference in spacing. The last Highway One that I had did have a wider spacing than the last MIM I had. I do know that.

MIA = 1 11/16" nut
MIM = 1 5/8" nut

Thanks for that. That explains why my 2 MIA strats never felt the same as my trusty old MIM strat. I actually prefer my MIM neck, just cause it was the guitar I started on. Its like going home. The MIA's necks do feel great to me too though, just a bit different.

Yeah, I have dabbled with the idea of getting a Strat for years and modding it, and I have always preferred the feel of the MIM guitars. I would rather have a MIA for quality alone, but I will probably honestly one day buy a new MIM since they feel better to me.

 

[King Crimson]

[I spelt American right, I just forgot the capital. You're right about components.

BULLSHIT!!! Spelt is British, Spelled is American, the greatest country on GOD's green earth...take note of it!

 

[viking22]

I didn't try the new MIM Strats but the ones i tried were probably the first MIM's imported in Europe and they were real bad !The necks were awful.It looks like they improved a lot since then.

 

[troublehead]

I'll say this.....I've owned 2 American Standards, a $2k Custom Shop Classic, 2 MIM Robert Cray sigs, and a MIM 60's Player. The MIM 60's plays and sounds the best. It was a train wreck out of the box as far as setup goes. But once adjusted, it is perfect to me. It is my
most played guitar and I haven't touched the tuning keys in about 3 weeks. I don't use the trem, but I do some serious bends. The custom shop 69 pups are just an added bonus.

I would put the Custom Shop and the Cray sig 2nd and 3rd. I personally think the MIA Standards are not worth the money. The tuners are better, but I prefer the necks/finish on the MIM models.

I will say that strats are one of those guitars that you need to play alot of them before you decide to buy. They vary quite a bit one to the next. But a good one is the greatest guitar you could ever have IMO. And leave the single coil in the bridge and learn how to use it!

 

[iplayloudly]

i have a MIM tele, and i LOVE it. Like someone else said above... it was the best sounding/playing Tele in the whole store. Bought it used for $200.

Having said that, I have owned 2 other MIM teles in the past, and they were both complete garbage. So I guess its hit & miss.

 

[blackba]

And leave the single coil in the bridge and learn how to use it!

What do you mean by that? How is the proper way to use a Bridge SC, since I generally have not liked the bridge SC alone, curious to see what I am doing wrong. Only bridge SC I really liked was the Fender Cobalt noiseless bridge pickup, that this a 12kohm DC measuring noiseless pickup, so its not your typical SC. On my one MIA SSS strat, I don't use the bridge SC (Suhr FL) alone much at all.

 

[9ball]

well i told the guy i'd trade if he brought his guitar over and let me check it out last thrusday i think. i texted him friday to ask if he was still interested - he said he'd be over yesterday.
haven't heard from him, so i'm guessing he changed his mind. or didn't want to let me actually check the guitar out lol. either way i guess it doesn't matter now lol

 

[bravedude2]

MIM = Made in Mexico by Mexicans
USA = Made in USA By Mexicans
The 2 factories are what ? 30 miles apart?

love it !!!
i have 3 they play and sound great.