What are the differences between Mexican made and American made fenders?

[Wyatt]

A lot depends on the model, the "higher end" MIM guitars, like the RI's often get the same hardware as MIA and a polyurethane finish (common on most MIA models), lower end models get Ping hardware and polyester.

[rock-lobster]

A lot depends on the model, the "higher end" MIM guitars, like the RI's often get the same hardware as MIA and a polyurethane finish (common on most MIA models), lower end models get Ping hardware and polyester.

 

 

not to hijack the thread- i thought polyester and polyurethane were the same type of finish?

[littlemilo]

Mine doesn't.. It's clearly 5 pieces on the back. The front is a veneer, of course, but they made no effort to hide the multiple body pieces.

 

 

Yours doesn't look like a standard.

 

My 2002 standard is a veneer on both sides, but according to Imarock they don't do that anymore. I guess I gotta keep up with the yearly model changes.

[larry50]

USA all the way for me.

[samuraiBSD]

one's a "Fender" one's a "7ender"

 

I don't think playability-wise there's much difference, but I've heard tell of USA versions being one piece as opposed to laminated

[DavidMgT]

I've been told there isn't really much difference. But I'm not sure myself. So, ? Thanks.

 

 

there is a difference if you aren't tone-deaf:thu:

 

In all seriousness though, there are some MIM gems out there.

[Crisco]

http://reviews.photoweborama.com/allthingsguitar1/fendertour/guitarbody.html

Here ya go....it seems they aren't laminating the bodies as I thought, but could've sworn I'd seen something about 'Laminating' earlier on.

[Help!I'maRock!]

http://reviews.photoweborama.com/allthingsguitar1/fendertour/guitarbody.html Here ya go....it seems they aren't laminating the bodies as I thought, but could've sworn I'd seen something about 'Laminating' earlier on.

 

 

MIM fenders have gotten consistently better over the past 10 years. they started out as plywood and eventually moved to 7 piece bodies. then 5 piece bodies. now they're 3 to 5 piece bodies. my MIM 50s Classic Tele is 3 very large pieces with a very small 4th piece near the output jack.

 

honestly, it could be made out of 12 pieces of wood. the defining factor of a guitar is if it sounds good and plays well. unfortunately, people hear more with their eyes than they do with their ears.

[Brian May]

$1000 - $400 = $600.. $600 = better pickups and electronics, better shielding, 1 fret, different serial number and headstock text, more attention to the fine details, better body wood, and the pride of owning a clasisc American made Stratocaster.. Any more questions?

And a hardcase!!! How could you forget the damn hardcase?

[lndianScout]

I have a MIM and an American, there is no comparison in the necks & electronics..

[Brian May]

I never liked the finish on the necks of the Mex Standard Strats I tried...the were nice enough, but when I played a USA Strat they were immediately more smooth and comfortable to play...and they sounded a little sweeter to...thats wood as much as PUPs...but the Standard Mex uses ceramics to the USA's alnico. I think the Standard(mex) Strat is good value for money and a decent enough guitar...but for me its gotta be USA...hence I have 3 Strats all USA.

[lndianScout]

my new american quacks so bad I had to get a duck license