I just built one, Considerably less money compared to buying - Fender - I just bought the HSH Deluxe body Mex.($250 Pre finished), and the Maple+Maple fret Pau Mex($250 prefinished) he showed, the difference is all my hardware is from the American Standard, sounds amazing TBH, In total I spend alot more because I bought Fender Preassembled pickguards in SSS, HSH, and HSS configs that are just drop ins to my preferred sound as well a couple Duncan Seymore drop ins, all I did was create quick disconnects for the plug. Other than that its around $800 and its basically more something that stratles the Frankenstrat to regular strat depending on what I want it to be. To me this is a proper strat, American Strats and Gibson's for some reason have been costing an arm and a leg and the defects are bad, When I spend $2500 I shouldn't have to do Fret work, I know shipping and Wood contracting and expanding causes instruments to need to be worked on at POS, but, at that point I my as well build my own or have a Luthier put it together and do what I typically have to do anyways.
When it comes to strats, build, build, build. I’ve owed strats of all kinds...Mexican, American, Squier, the works. My favorite ones have always been the ones I’ve built. Because I’ve made them the way I wanted them. Want a great, 57 soft v? Buy one when you find a deal. Want a specific pickup configuration (which I always do...)? Locking tuners, brass bridge blocks, reverse headstocks, deluxe saddles, roller trees, custom decals, bone or tusq nuts. You can build it all into a guitar for WAY less than the price of a factory job with similar features. You just have to be patient and let the deals come to you. I’ve been sitting on one build for over a year while collecting the various parts and it’s made the cost even easier to absorb.
Build, yes. I'm upgrading 3 of my strat style bodies. A Davidson I bought for $69. Got a pretty good fixed bridge for $20. Bought a Dragonfire humbucker for about $50 (slime green on a black body). Might pick up a new neck I saw on eBay for $33 (like a MM1 or OLP). So altogether that was $83 (not including labor costs). Old Harmony rebuild is also low cost. Had a Floyd Rose type system laying around that originally had costed $40. Dragonfire Zebra bridge and a white Seymour Duncan single at neck (gift from a buddy) and a neck as mentioned above at $33 (not finished and needs electronics and pickguard. Looking for clear). Last is a Fender Starcaster. 3 single Dragonfire, red (red body too) and a gifted Floyd Rose system (same buddy). All 3 (final cost to be determined) still comes under a well made new guitar. So though I'm not at the finish line, it's better (IMO because I did a mod on my V and sounded great with the 2 Dragonfire Humbuckers, red) to mod because you can create what you truly want and at the same time, learn about your guitar. In some cases you really get what you pay for and buying exactly what you want will give you what you wish about. Cheers and good luck to all on whatever you choose.
Janayah Laurelle go to your local luthier, thats what I did last week and got myself a partcaster strat fender license. Maple body and neck and rosewood fretboard. 60s vibe pickups for neck and middle and a Wilkinson kinda PAF for the bridge and the price was about USD$400
Everyone seems to forget, that what's really the best about moded guitar is the process of upgrading itself. You learn a lot and it can be so much fun!
One piece of advice for people who find themselves "stuck" with a Mexican Fender guitar: Stop complaining, don't believe the critics of Mexican-made instruments, and practice more.
I'm always surprised that people complain so intensely about the mim strats, I love mine. I'm aware it's not as nice in some ways as more spendy gear, but I still love it.
The way i see it the difference in quality and playability between beginner guitars and mid range guitars (mexi strat) is usually pretty significant. But the difference between mid range and expensive or top of the line becomes a little more negligible, at that points its more about being picky about certain things.
I agree - I have 2 E series MIJ 1980's Strats, an upgraded Squire Tele and a US Strat with Texas pups and your Mex beats them all on tone. Must get some Mexican ceramic single coils. You do the best and clearest tone comparisons on UA-cam. Many thanks Darrell :)
The modded one sounded a little to thin and I kinda liked the MIM and standard squire better because the MIM is classic warm sound and the squire has a more modern spanky sound to it
Darrell, I picked up a used MIM HSS strat and it is DARK, like Zero Dark Thirty Dark. What would be a good sounding, with a minor consideration to budget, set of bright, chimey HSS pups for a Mexican? I'd like to be able to split/tap, forgetting the correct term at the moment, the humbucker for that Strat single coil bridge pickup sound (but would like to also have a ripsaw humbucker when needed!) Also, would you replace the whole bridge on a MIM or just the saddles? I'm leaning towards just the saddles as they gouge the edge of my hand/pinky area! I'd like to replace the whole bridge, but budget is a real consideration! But I'm open to suggestions @@@DarrellBraunGuitar
In terms of sound, sure there's a difference but I feel like one can take any of the 3 and play onstage and no one would notice the difference, assuming everything else is constant. The comfort of the neck, tuning stability, fretwork, hardware on the other hand would justify the difference in the price though.
Got me a MIM for $220 buckaroos with a 10ft cable, 3 packs of strings and a fender gigbag. Thank god for all the guys/gals that lost interest on learning guitar.
As someone who has been playing for 20 + years, I say find the guitar that is the most comfortable to play in your price range. Pickups can be changed, but most of your tone comes from your fingers and your amp, so dont worry about guitars tone so much as how it feels when you play it.
I absolutely support built. For roughly $500, i was able to fit my strat with a telecaster bridge, all new dimarzio humbuckers, all new electronics, 70's vintage tuners, a string through body, and a wireup
I do like the warmer sounds of the MIM.... BUT(everybody's got a big but right) I prefer the build over all. Gotta love a beater that can shred it with the best that money can buy and last time I checked, you keep the art on the wall and the money maker in the car. Peace!
I'm all for the cheaper initial investment, and adding to it. I think that's a great way to learn about your guitar and know the ins and outs of the guitar.
I bought a new Vintage Modified Strat (it’s like a 60’s Classic Vibe with those ceramic Duncan Designed pickups in that MiM) and then eventually wanted to add a Clapton mid boost after listening to that for a long time. I ended up getting Zexcoil pickups first (it’s a genius way of doing noiseless where every magnet has its own wind). I got the Z-Texas Blues set which is a lot like the normal Texas Blues set (first one to buy that specific set [ordered first day and got it in days instead of a week or two because nobody got them that early] which is cool). I really liked how it had perfect sounds for all the pickups, and the bridge had a Tele-esque sound. That inspired me to forget the Clapton boost and get a blend pot (which I haven’t done yet, but really want to) so that I could get that great mid pickup sound. My next up mods after that are to replace the Fender tuners with Fender locking tuners, maybe a bone nut, and there’s not much else to do, because it already is really good, and I can’t think of much else. I was just planning on new, but ended up going for a custom, which makes me happier (it’s my own instrument, and nobody else has one like that).
I prefer a used MIM, in fact my Artic White Strat is MIM with the Suhr pickups and Obsidian wiring harness. I love the neck profile and because I bought it used I basically made a custom shop for me. I think buying a new guitar is dollar range for me. I wasn't going to drop $2,000+ without buying new, it's too risky and didn't want one beat already. I wanted to be the guy that wore it out. In the $400 this isn't a concern but I'd probably buy MIM Fender over Squire every time.
I've been playing guitar now for 31 yes. Played all kinds of great and crappy guitars. I recently aquired a squire standard, black body, mirror pick guard, chrome hardwear. Bought it on looks alone lol plus I was liking the 22 frets and knife edge tremolo. I got it super cheap used never think it would be good enough to gig with. Lo and behold after playing around through my rig, I liked it enough to play live with it. Tuning stability aside it did well. Sound was punchy n bright cutting through the mix. I had to tune quickly between every 3 or 4 songs mind you. I have had this stigma attached to "low end" squire guitars being I was "too good for them lol But now I'm proud to play that thing, in fact I get alot of positive comments bout it! I've since upgraded all the usual things, tuners, nut, roller trees n saddles, pickups. It's now one of my favorite guitars lol
All of them sound great. My personal preference is the Daphne Blue. I'd gladly have either one. My first ever guitar is a Squier Affinity Strat HSS. One day I'll mod it because it has sentimental value for me. I also have a Daphne Blue Deluxe with a Fender maple neck. That will be modded with locking tuners, Obsidian switch/knobs and probably Eric Johnson pickups.
I love these comparison videos! I almost always prefer buying used "Open Box as they call it" Imo i prefer the warm sound of the MIM Strat all day long!
A lot of people say, this one sounds more authentic, or more like a tele or strat should etc... I just want the one that feels the best and sounds the best. In the end, that's all the matters. That MIM strat sounded outstanding. I have a squier bullet tele that straight up plays great. I bought it for $129. If you like a guitar, the name on the headstock or pickups doesn't matter.
I've had a squier strat as my go to guitar for a while. Finally bought a 2017 mim standard strat for 700 and I fell in love with the mim strat. really great guitar.
If you do check them out, you'll see I use the CV way more as the strat I keep in the house stored out of my weather issues in camper where I stay most nights. Haha. I am not that good either yet. But I love teaching myself. Practice often and the passion is deep. 30 years in music as keys and mainly drummer.
bought a mim tele for 275.00 then spent another 250.00 on 60's noisless pickups, 250k pots, tuners and setup. 525.00 total for am amazing guitar, I still play it over my well more expensive USA strat and tele, so I believe buying used and then building is a great option. great vid by the way
in Europe this comparison makes very little sense, new squier standard 300€, new squier deluxe 400€, new MiM €500-600 all including taxes. Why are so MIM so expensive up there? I just bought a standard MIM tele for €539 including taxes. Who wouldn't buy a new Mexican? I have to say used market sucks big time tho, you almost can't find anything and stuff's super expensive you're better off buying new anyway. Great video btw, I love this channel
Feels like the MIM has a bit more depth and definition, but all three sound nice. Advantage of the build is you can choose pickups that fit your needs.
I bought a Carvin Strat kit years ago, sanded the whole thing and Tung oiled the whole thing and that was it. All my Strat needs for recording have been fulfilled.
Hey Darrell, I'm new to your channel and I absolutely love your guitar playing. Sounds beautiful at clean parts, and wild at heavier parts. Kinda makes me to learn all of them. Keep it up! By the way I loved the sound of the third, built one. :)
Last year I bought a precision bass from guitar center it said “kimbara” on the headstock but I loved the sound so I bought it for $80 brought it home and took the neck off to do some adjustments and found inside the neck pocket it had a “ESP” logo then I took the pickguard loose and found the pickup wasn’t factory. I’ve since strung it with flats and it’s my favorite bass and one of the best I’ve ever owned. Guess I just got lucky
I used to have the pearl white Squier Deluxe Strat. It's a fantastic little guitar. It played really well and sounded pretty darn good. If anything the neck is a little narrow at the nut (1.65" instead of usual 1.685, and yes you can feel a difference. I sold it as I bought it to take on a deployment and ended up selling it to a guy that was arriving while I was set to leave. Still the Squier deluxe is a great option.
Perfect vid for everyone's dilemma - going in I would say that the closer you get to Fender USA... the closer you get to Fender USA - Mex wins unless the upgraded Squier leapfrogs over it - $400 Mex with good frets beats a $400 NEW Squier - better body + better guts = better tone the hot rodded Squier with locking tuners puts it ahead of the Mex as long as... it sounds good - put $70 tuners into a $150 Squier, and you have $180 for a Fender USA loaded pickguard... that the Mex doesn't have - if it doesn't sound as good... it's the wood... can't be pickups or pots - Ash + Alder are as much of an upgrade from other thick bodies, as anything you could swap into it - Fender is now using poplar - so are Squier Classic Vibes - what if the #1 reason for rave reviews of the early CV Squiers was the Alder + Ash ? not the Mex-ish no logo components
Hi Darrell. I've just got the Strat in red. Really impressed! What did it for me was the 22 frets (playing in covers bands, you sometimes need to go there), the 9.5" radius neck (bends), the truss rod adjustment at the neck end and the wiring of the tone controls. The last item is easy to fix, but I've got a really good Strat which I'm not scared to take out with me. The trem, surprisingly, allows return to pitch, with just the occasional silent dive-bomb after a bend. I love the neck profile, althugh I understand that that's a personal thing. I'm a great believer in trying out a guitar and this one I bought locally. I realised recently that I've only got one guitar I bought unseen. All the others I've sold on. At the moment I'm blown away by this one! Does it sound better thatn my USA and CS Srats? Well, different - but then they're all different. Does it play as well? I would say better!
Darrell, you are the go to guy when it comes to comparisons. With my limited technique, I have chosen the Dean 12-string @ $350 delivered and removed the extra 6 strings so I don't fumble on the arpeggios that I like so much. I replaced the pickups with Gibson's low distortion 490 & 498s. The sound is sweet through my Marshall half stack and TC Electronics G-Major. Now, I have just ordered a bargain 12-string from China @ $260 delivered. I've heard the rave reviews of Virgil Arlo custom wound pickups. So, I've written him to custom design a wide neck pickup for 6-string to make the most of my "small" technique. All the best to you, Darrell.
always consider the pawn shops when buying used guitars...found my squire strat at one...and as an added bonus it was a lefty albeit strung for right hand but that's an easy fix..going to put in serious electronic and hardware upgrades as soon as i can afford them
Great demo. The MIM was better sounding, overall. . I have a mid 90,s MIM Squire Strat that i modded with Fender JB hot noiseless pickups and a greasebucket tone control on bridge. The neck is super sweet and the tone is just what I hoped. Locking tuners not really needed, but a worthwhile mod in the future.
I Build my own KH guitar... Is a LTD KH-202 (Kirk Hammett MetallicA Signature Model) and put EMG KH21 set in there, and a Original Floyd Rose and sounds great
My wife is a beginner player and we had been looking for a Strat for her for a long time. We didn't want to get something that was either junk or too pricey. While in the store, she noticed a "used" (It looked brand new) Mexican Strat for $450. It played great, the neck felt very nice, smooth, no sharpness at the edges of the fretboard, etc. and had the 2-point trem. And the sound... It sounded exactly like what I hear in my head when I think of a Strat. Turns out, the owner only had it for 6 months or less, barely played it, and had put Fender Fat 50s pickups in the neck and middle position, and a Fender Shawbucker in the bridge. At $450, it was one of the best deals I ever got on a guitar.
The build one did not sound as good as the others.. for whatever reason. I get the impression also that it did not respond as well as the others in your hands. (true or not?).. that makes a difference in how you play and I believe effects the tone because your touch is different. On that point I got the impression that the first Squire the green one.. seemed to feel better to you.... the mexican was warmer for sure.. my vote goes to the first squire. But I like the build idea.. cause you can personalize things to your liking.. to do that though you have to have a good feeling/sounding instrument to start with. Great Video.
Darrell Braun Guitar When in a previous video I told you that guitar playing are just walk in a park for you, I'm not kidding then and this video again proved it.
As a Blues and Rock (60s and 70s style) player, I love the sound of the MIM, in fact I'm gonna see about finding some of those pickups for one of my projects. Personally I like to build my guitars because I have a hard time finding many guitars (especially strats) that I like stock because they never sound right to me. There's no telling what you can find to fix up. I picked up an Epiphone strat, yes, you read that correctly, Epiphone. Strat. for around $70 at Guitar Center and put in some $50-60 warehouse-direct "Texas"-style pickups in it and now it's one of my go-to guitars. Hell, I'm working on one now that I technically got for free; let me explain: one of my dad's coworkers found a Lyon strat laying on the side of the road, he gave the guitar to my dad because he didn't play but he knows my brother and I do and basically told him, "here, maybe your boys can use it." Well, I tried to get the thing to actually hold tune and sound good... that failed miserably and I gave up because it was an absolute bitch and a half. Fast forward a year or two, I walk into a pawn shop and see a Van Halen frankenstrat project someone started, I talked to the guy and he let me trade the Lyon for it flat out, so now I just have to realign the neck, string it up, and it'll be ready to go. If anything happens to it: I'm literally only a pack of strings and some time into it. That's why I love builds and if you, reader, have the time and patience for it: I would suggest giving it a try... as long as you know what you're doing, otherwise it'll be a pain in the ass.
The blue Squire Deluxe and red MIM both sound great to me, though a bit different. I love the look of the daphne blue. I hated the the modded guitar. It sounded extremely harsh to me, and I also didn't like the look at all. The thing about modding is, yes, you have the flexibility to make it however you want, but you don't really know how it will sound and feel until you do it, so you might find you need to try something else. It could be endless and expensive. I personally would rather find a guitar that I like.
I agree, however I love modding guitars. My first electric ever has been modded so many times and I changed pretty much everything about that guitar. I still do change something now and then. The thing with modding is, that you've gotta keep trying and tweaking. I used, well over 7 sets of pickups on my first build to make it sound right (read the way I wanted)... The funny thing is that the "build" guitar here has the most expensive pickups. It has Fender American Select Strat Pickups and they go for about $175...
The standard can be agathis or alder, depends on the batch and what woods were available at the time, I happened to get a single piece of alder for my squier standard, and the neck is also flamed and has bird's eye figuring as well. It's like they wanted to make a beautiful guitar that day and sent out a dream squier, I had it refinished in sherwood forest metallic green and put 57/62 strat pickups in it and the obsidian wire solderless electronics upgrade kit and hipshot staggered locking tuners, i also replaced the neck with a maple neck with more flame figuring, sold the old one on ebay for 90$ and got a custom one with stainless frets, 12 inch radius, double action truss rod, and a bone nut. Also shielded the entire insides and I kept the 2 point trem cause its so nice, just upgraded the actual block to a more substantial one, Its gotta be the best squier standard strat on the planet.
IMHO the Blue Deluxe gives me the classic Strat tone. I loved it. The MIM sounds too much like a LP. If you want the LP sound, buy a LP. The "Build" sounds like crap, but I think you need different pups in it. Great job again Darrell - as usual.
That's funny it sounds pretty cheap. However I believe the "build" guitar is loaded with Fender American Select Strat Pickups, which are high end pickups and they go for $175 brand new...
+CreamFreshCream Expensive pickups (almost) always have better clarity than cheap pickups. When played against warmer (cheap) mim pickups, the majority of people prefer the warmer sound. The Select pickups definitely have greater dynamics and are more expressive overall. That being said, I love the blues, so the MIM is great too.
I put humbuckers, a tuneomatic and vibrato delete on all my jaguars.... still doesn’t sound like a LP. Sounds like a Jag with humbuckers that’s strings don’t fall off the bridge
I played the 2017 USA Deluxe ($1700 new) at the shop and took notes... I bought a MIM, swapped the single coils for new Fender Noiseless, installed a bone nut, put in Fender Locking Tuners and set it up with a medium to low action. I think I can honestly say that I have an killer Strat and saved more than a thousand bucks... I go for the build.
I looove the clean tone of the ceramic pickups. I was not a fan of the built clean bridge sound. It had a buzz to it that i wasnt feeling, BUT the dirty bridge pickup sounded the best of the three. Awesome stuff
I just made a strat for my nephew, it's way nicer than anything I have presently & it's beautiful with fender player hss a zebrawood neck, swamp ash body, & I had a blast making it, build!
They all three have their own sound I prefer the warmth of the sound of the MIM. MIM offer a great value in my opinion I have three of them and really enjoy them. Thank you for your video it was very well done I always enjoy your playing.
The MIM sounds great, but I also like the Modified Squire, I own a Squire Strat, paid $110 Canadian brand new, the fun thing is modding your guitar to what you want it to sound like, I thought about a used Mim, but I have this thing that if I was going to go full out on a Stratocaster, I would go American Strat for the investment, I am in the middle stages of life and any guitar I have will be something to pass down, so to answer your question I would go build depending on the initial investment of the Squire, brand new, I would drop a G note (if I had it ) on a brand new American Stratocaster this is for the investment or something that would be wonderful to pass down,
Or if you have the means pickup a high end MIM. I bought a Roadhouse Deluxe Strat and wow.. you get a LOT of guitar for 800 USD. (American body [ I can attest], custom shop pickups [vintage noiseless], 2 point trem with a big steel block and bent saddles, custom electronics [ S1 switch], contoured heel, 12” radius, locking tuning machines with vintage buttons. It’s absolutely amazing!
I just went and checked. I'd have to say you are correct, at least comparing the Squier Deluxe to the Mexican. The Squier Deluxe is also noticeably lighter in weight than the Mexican.
As much as I like the sound of the Squier's including the classic vibe series, I had to go for a mexican. I find having higher frets make it easier to play and bend.
Tough to go wrong with a well taken care of Mexi Strat...especially one built during 2016 when they went to a 2 point big block trem system and also started rounding the corners of the fretboard...2016 was an anniversary year so Fender honored the Mexi Strats with some nice upgrades. Another note is that an original Fender MAY even appreciate over the years...a home built or Squier prob not ...
+Darrell Braun Guitar I like the built one and you inspire me to upgrade my own Squier. However I do wonder if the strength of the neck and the quality of the truss rod make it worth it. Any comment on that?
+Caesar Tjalbo They are rock-solid. The only Squier necks that I felt needed a little more tweaking than average were my classic vibes. Nothing serious to worry about though. ☺
Thank you for your reply. I have a fairly crappy Squier (California series) but it looks gorgeous, I've watched your Squier Strat Makeover video with great interest. I basically have to replace everything that can be replaced but I think it'll be worth the trouble.
Yes, no, maybe. If the neck needs to be replaced on my particular Strat, then I'm basically only keeping the body, the back cover and (hopefully) the scratch plate. The current neck plays nice and has the Squier California logo which is another reason why I'd love to keep the neck.
One of my Strats is a MiM. I agree, Darrell, that the neck feels sticky... a poor choice of varnish or lacquer, I'd say. My solution was obvious... I grabbed some 3M very fine paint & body scuff pad and took the finish on the back of the neck down to, basically, a satin finish. I have to do that a couple of times a year (though the subsequent 'sandings' only need a couple of passes with the pad). I also replaced the front and back pickups for a set of Pearly Gates. It's been my main gigging guitar ever since.
I just bought a brand new MiM standard (the limited seafoam pearl) and love the neck, not sticky at all. Great fretwork as well. I'm ordering a little Pearly Gates for the bridge (and a push-pull 500K tone pot for the bucker to switch between parallel and series), coincidentally enough. How have the Pearly Gates worked out for you?
The Squier Deluxe seems to favor the American Standard in many ways. But with this comparison, the Select pickups seem to capture the best of the Duncan Designed pickups and the Standard ceramics. So in order of preference: (1) modded Squier Standard (2) Squier Deluxe Strat (3) MIM Standard Stratocaster. Of course all three are awesome Strats.
What's a two point trem? What does it mean? Thanks I just got my first ever electric, a Squier affinity, it was cheap and I like it....now gotta learn to play...it's a whole different game than acoustic!
Some also claim the two point stays in tune better. Not sure I agree. but the six point (along with the pressed saddles) has the look that screams vintage fender.
depending on how the groundplate of the trem is fixed onto the bodie of the guitar its either a 2 point trem or a standard traditional one, wich is fixed on to the body, using 6 screws. hope that helped a little.
I modded my SE Squire with SD Alnico2 pro humbuckers CTS 300K POTS GOTOH Locking tuners Oak-grigsby jack Switchcraft 5way Wilkinson tremolo & a new Maple/ Ebony fretboard neck & I love it!!
*+Person* On the other hand, there are used MIM strats on the Guitar Center used site every single day under $300 U.S.. Guitar Center has the 45 day return policy, which is a lot longer than any other place, and their shipping deal caps the cost on a solid body with a hard case (15ish pounds) at about $22.
Depends on the model. A Baja will go for upwards of $700 here in the US. The Brad Paisley model tele is $1200 for MIM. Back in ‘92, I bought my MIM strat for $350 out the door, brand new.
New Baja's are $799- $825 US depending on the color and fretboard. Used they run between $500-$650. You can't really compare that to a MIM strat standard, it's apples and oranges. I bought a new candy apple red MIM strat in early '92 for $269, still have the receipt. That's $479 in 2017 money. I sold it two years later for $225 ($400 in 2017). A new MIM strat standard is definitely not worth $600, not when you can get a used one for $300. I love how people always talk up MIM strats, the market doesn't agree.
Another great video! Nice giving love to that Daphne Blue beauty and I'm very intrigued because of how much you like the neck. Thanks for the advice about my pickup selection for my Daphne Blue Fender MOD Strat, I feel much better about the investment! In this current video, you pinpointed reasons for switching pups on MIM Strats, I switched the pups on my Daphne Blue '50's Classic Series to Seymour Duncan SSL-1's, because the factory pups were very weak. Thanks again for the effort, you put a lot into the production of your videos and it shows!
+evilkingstanley It's weird, music stores are slow to price on par when our dollar is high, but quick to up their prices when our dollar is low - funny that...🙁😰
You can also look for a bargain MIM and setup with used american parts. This is my setup, 2002 standard MIM with American deluxe tuners, electronics, pickups and big block. It was a sub $600 build, but sounds like an American deluxe. I still miss the two point bridge though.
I have a used Squier Tele with P-90s that I got for $125. I bought like 10 minutes after the seller brought it into Guitar Center. It's my "what a steal" guitar. Love it.
BUILD! I LOVE my Player Plus strat but lm building a strat now lm very excited about ( a bit over $400) but it is how l want and what l like, locking Fender tuners, ebony board, 2 peice Alder body, 2 pt trem, Fender custom shop pickups in loaded gaurd, 12" radius, graphtech ptf nut and string tree, brass sustain block, totally blacked out other than the dark vintage maple neck and chrome. Having a blast putting it together, no hurry ( like you lm in no shortage of guitars) many parts l have already so its putting them to use, l did the fret work and neck feels amazing, the body is a brand new MIM Fender Deluxe with the comp heel fresh black gloss poly and is the most $$$ part of the build at $250, an American Elite bridge from my "17" Elite in the parts drawer, the neck is a Fender Lic and was raw so l have added factory Fender decals front and back with a vintage dark nitro finished in satin and its incredible. Sure it was probably around $5-600 total but l think its worth it to do it how l want and l know l could not likely get money back selling it so its a keeper made for me. Just my recent experience... But l would certainly go with a used Player without hesitation all around its a fantastic guitar, and a lot of guitar for the money! Thanks Darrell!
Awesome video as always ! I am making my custom strat ! I love it! But I have a low budget for the pickups, I'm thinking about GFS pickups, do you know them ? That would be a good idea to make a video comparation between some good (cheap) pickups btw , what do you think? Xx
My favorite guitar is a MIM Lonestar. $450, sweet af and seriously hot Texas pups in neck and mid with a Pearly Gates in the bridge/trem. And a hot, slick and Uber-comfortable neck.
For 400 buy for sure. Resale for built guitars is poor. My warmoth has about 2000$ Canadian in parts but I bought it for 600$. Nobody sells a 2000$ fender for 600$. Building has its benefits though. Warmoth necks are the business.
They all definitely look awesome and they all sounded pretty good to me too! Somehow my builds always cost me more than $400. I always prefer to build unless I want to buy a high end guitar.
I like the Mexican Strat the most.
Me2
yes!
Me3! 1love
I just built one, Considerably less money compared to buying - Fender - I just bought the HSH Deluxe body Mex.($250 Pre finished), and the Maple+Maple fret Pau Mex($250 prefinished) he showed, the difference is all my hardware is from the American Standard, sounds amazing TBH, In total I spend alot more because I bought Fender Preassembled pickguards in SSS, HSH, and HSS configs that are just drop ins to my preferred sound as well a couple Duncan Seymore drop ins, all I did was create quick disconnects for the plug. Other than that its around $800 and its basically more something that stratles the Frankenstrat to regular strat depending on what I want it to be.
To me this is a proper strat, American Strats and Gibson's for some reason have been costing an arm and a leg and the defects are bad, When I spend $2500 I shouldn't have to do Fret work, I know shipping and Wood contracting and expanding causes instruments to need to be worked on at POS, but, at that point I my as well build my own or have a Luthier put it together and do what I typically have to do anyways.
Agreed. Good price for good sound.
When it comes to strats, build, build, build.
I’ve owed strats of all kinds...Mexican, American, Squier, the works. My favorite ones have always been the ones I’ve built. Because I’ve made them the way I wanted them. Want a great, 57 soft v? Buy one when you find a deal. Want a specific pickup configuration (which I always do...)? Locking tuners, brass bridge blocks, reverse headstocks, deluxe saddles, roller trees, custom decals, bone or tusq nuts. You can build it all into a guitar for WAY less than the price of a factory job with similar features. You just have to be patient and let the deals come to you. I’ve been sitting on one build for over a year while collecting the various parts and it’s made the cost even easier to absorb.
It's kind of a self custom shop
Build, yes. I'm upgrading 3 of my strat style bodies. A Davidson I bought for $69. Got a pretty good fixed bridge for $20. Bought a Dragonfire humbucker for about $50 (slime green on a black body). Might pick up a new neck I saw on eBay for $33 (like a MM1 or OLP). So altogether that was $83 (not including labor costs). Old Harmony rebuild is also low cost. Had a Floyd Rose type system laying around that originally had costed $40. Dragonfire Zebra bridge and a white Seymour Duncan single at neck (gift from a buddy) and a neck as mentioned above at $33 (not finished and needs electronics and pickguard. Looking for clear). Last is a Fender Starcaster. 3 single Dragonfire, red (red body too) and a gifted Floyd Rose system (same buddy). All 3 (final cost to be determined) still comes under a well made new guitar.
So though I'm not at the finish line, it's better (IMO because I did a mod on my V and sounded great with the 2 Dragonfire Humbuckers, red) to mod because you can create what you truly want and at the same time, learn about your guitar. In some cases you really get what you pay for and buying exactly what you want will give you what you wish about. Cheers and good luck to all on whatever you choose.
But what if you don’t know much about electric guitars, like have no preferences?
Janayah Laurelle go to your local luthier, thats what I did last week and got myself a partcaster strat fender license. Maple body and neck and rosewood fretboard. 60s vibe pickups for neck and middle and a Wilkinson kinda PAF for the bridge and the price was about USD$400
@@2005LOLZ
Bingo...keeps doofuses like me in business...
Everyone seems to forget, that what's really the best about moded guitar is the process of upgrading itself. You learn a lot and it can be so much fun!
That used MIM is just breathtaking
Definitely the Mexican, The modded one sounds very harsh to me.
agreed
As it is supposed to...but I like the mexican a lot too and own one as well. I can highly recommend them.
Mexico’s are better dude.
Yes. It was noticeable.
One piece of advice for people who find themselves "stuck" with a Mexican Fender guitar: Stop complaining, don't believe the critics of Mexican-made instruments, and practice more.
So true!
I'm always surprised that people complain so intensely about the mim strats, I love mine. I'm aware it's not as nice in some ways as more spendy gear, but I still love it.
I learned on a Mexican Strat. I've been chasing that sound since then. Like butter.
The other guitarist in my band had a Mexican strat and we played to crowds of thousands (sometimes) definitely nothing wrong with them
The way i see it the difference in quality and playability between beginner guitars and mid range guitars (mexi strat) is usually pretty significant. But the difference between mid range and expensive or top of the line becomes a little more negligible, at that points its more about being picky about certain things.
For the clean, I preferred the Mexican. For the dirty, I liked the modded Squier the most
+derekjohnsoncovers Agreed!
My exact thoughts.
Yeah I'm on the same page here. That Mexican blew my mind on the cleans, that modded one is exactly what I live with some dirt
the first 2 clips (clean) the built one didn't sound right.. something was off. as soon as dirt was applied, holy smokes that guitar sounded awesome.
Mex wins again :)
+ArtAlienTV - MARS ZOO I don't know if it will ever be dethroned!! 😎😎😎
I agree - I have 2 E series MIJ 1980's Strats, an upgraded Squire Tele and a US Strat with Texas pups and your Mex beats them all on tone. Must get some Mexican ceramic single coils. You do the best and clearest tone comparisons on UA-cam. Many thanks Darrell :)
+ArtAlienTV - MARS ZOO Cool Strats!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy the comparisons 👍
The modded one sounded a little to thin and I kinda liked the MIM and standard squire better because the MIM is classic warm sound and the squire has a more modern spanky sound to it
Darrell, I picked up a used MIM HSS strat and it is DARK, like Zero Dark Thirty Dark. What would be a good sounding, with a minor consideration to budget, set of bright, chimey HSS pups for a Mexican? I'd like to be able to split/tap, forgetting the correct term at the moment, the humbucker for that Strat single coil bridge pickup sound (but would like to also have a ripsaw humbucker when needed!)
Also, would you replace the whole bridge on a MIM or just the saddles? I'm leaning towards just the saddles as they gouge the edge of my hand/pinky area! I'd like to replace the whole bridge, but budget is a real consideration! But I'm open to suggestions @@@DarrellBraunGuitar
In terms of sound, sure there's a difference but I feel like one can take any of the 3 and play onstage and no one would notice the difference, assuming everything else is constant. The comfort of the neck, tuning stability, fretwork, hardware on the other hand would justify the difference in the price though.
Totally agree
MIM all the way, but that modded squire gave it a run for it's money in the bridge position.
Got me a MIM for $220 buckaroos with a 10ft cable, 3 packs of strings and a fender gigbag. Thank god for all the guys/gals that lost interest on learning guitar.
Patience pays off. Keep looking at the used guitars in pawn shops and music stores. If something isn't selling, they'll eventually take a low offer.
As someone who has been playing for 20 + years, I say find the guitar that is the most comfortable to play in your price range. Pickups can be changed, but most of your tone comes from your fingers and your amp, so dont worry about guitars tone so much as how it feels when you play it.
I absolutely support built. For roughly $500, i was able to fit my strat with a telecaster bridge, all new dimarzio humbuckers, all new electronics, 70's vintage tuners, a string through body, and a wireup
I do like the warmer sounds of the MIM.... BUT(everybody's got a big but right) I prefer the build over all.
Gotta love a beater that can shred it with the best that money can buy and last time I checked, you keep the art on the wall and the money maker in the car. Peace!
That has to be one of the best sounding stock MIM strats I’ve ever heard.
Neck pickup: MIM Strat
Middle: Really close but Squier Deluxe for me
Bridge: MIM Strat
Great video, I've been debating this very topic for months.
All sound great and unique, but the MIM's sound was fuller.
I'm all for the cheaper initial investment, and adding to it. I think that's a great way to learn about your guitar and know the ins and outs of the guitar.
far less disappointment when you inevitably make mistakes in the process as well.
I love the warm tones of the Mexican Strat. It wins in my humble opinion.
Actually bought a MIM Strat for..... $400. Great guitar, regardless of price.
I like the blue Squier for clean, the build for dirty...the middle pickup sounded good on the Mexi!
I bought a new Vintage Modified Strat (it’s like a 60’s Classic Vibe with those ceramic Duncan Designed pickups in that MiM) and then eventually wanted to add a Clapton mid boost after listening to that for a long time. I ended up getting Zexcoil pickups first (it’s a genius way of doing noiseless where every magnet has its own wind). I got the Z-Texas Blues set which is a lot like the normal Texas Blues set (first one to buy that specific set [ordered first day and got it in days instead of a week or two because nobody got them that early] which is cool). I really liked how it had perfect sounds for all the pickups, and the bridge had a Tele-esque sound. That inspired me to forget the Clapton boost and get a blend pot (which I haven’t done yet, but really want to) so that I could get that great mid pickup sound. My next up mods after that are to replace the Fender tuners with Fender locking tuners, maybe a bone nut, and there’s not much else to do, because it already is really good, and I can’t think of much else. I was just planning on new, but ended up going for a custom, which makes me happier (it’s my own instrument, and nobody else has one like that).
I prefer used over new, but modding a good used guitar is awesome and really makes the instrument yours!
Quarantine brought me here. 2020 anyone?
Wish i have one of those Mexican fender. Sound so good.
I bought a sunburst MIM strat from a kid for $375 U.S. plus a two hour drive. I love mine.
Yeah, 2020 broght me here.
I prefer a used MIM, in fact my Artic White Strat is MIM with the Suhr pickups and Obsidian wiring harness. I love the neck profile and because I bought it used I basically made a custom shop for me. I think buying a new guitar is dollar range for me. I wasn't going to drop $2,000+ without buying new, it's too risky and didn't want one beat already. I wanted to be the guy that wore it out. In the $400 this isn't a concern but I'd probably buy MIM Fender over Squire every time.
you sure, I think the classic vibes are much better
I've been playing guitar now for 31 yes. Played all kinds of great and crappy guitars.
I recently aquired a squire standard, black body, mirror pick guard, chrome hardwear. Bought it on looks alone lol plus I was liking the 22 frets and knife edge tremolo. I got it super cheap used never think it would be good enough to gig with. Lo and behold after playing around through my rig, I liked it enough to play live with it. Tuning stability aside it did well. Sound was punchy n bright cutting through the mix. I had to tune quickly between every 3 or 4 songs mind you.
I have had this stigma attached to "low end" squire guitars being I was "too good for them lol
But now I'm proud to play that thing, in fact I get alot of positive comments bout it! I've since upgraded all the usual things, tuners, nut, roller trees n saddles, pickups. It's now one of my favorite guitars lol
using a MIJ strat for years.Affordable yet beautiful .Too bad they are discontinued.
All of them sound great. My personal preference is the Daphne Blue. I'd gladly have either one. My first ever guitar is a Squier Affinity Strat HSS. One day I'll mod it because it has sentimental value for me. I also have a Daphne Blue Deluxe with a Fender maple neck. That will be modded with locking tuners, Obsidian switch/knobs and probably Eric Johnson pickups.
+Kimara Woolfolk That sounds like it will be a killer setup! 👍😎
Kimara Woolfolk I'm in an identical situation haha
Damn the Squier Deluxe sounds amazing clean
I love these comparison videos!
I almost always prefer buying used "Open Box as they call it"
Imo i prefer the warm sound of the MIM Strat all day long!
I found one and three extremely similar, two much „darker“/warmer, on good headphones :)
A lot of people say, this one sounds more authentic, or more like a tele or strat should etc... I just want the one that feels the best and sounds the best. In the end, that's all the matters. That MIM strat sounded outstanding. I have a squier bullet tele that straight up plays great. I bought it for $129. If you like a guitar, the name on the headstock or pickups doesn't matter.
I've had a squier strat as my go to guitar for a while. Finally bought a 2017 mim standard strat for 700 and I fell in love with the mim strat. really great guitar.
If you do check them out, you'll see I use the CV way more as the strat I keep in the house stored out of my weather issues in camper where I stay most nights. Haha. I am not that good either yet. But I love teaching myself. Practice often and the passion is deep. 30 years in music as keys and mainly drummer.
bought a mim tele for 275.00 then spent another 250.00 on 60's noisless pickups, 250k pots, tuners and setup. 525.00 total for am amazing guitar, I still play it over my well more expensive USA strat and tele, so I believe buying used and then building is a great option. great vid by the way
+John Sells Nice!!
in Europe this comparison makes very little sense, new squier standard 300€, new squier deluxe 400€, new MiM €500-600 all including taxes. Why are so MIM so expensive up there? I just bought a standard MIM tele for €539 including taxes. Who wouldn't buy a new Mexican?
I have to say used market sucks big time tho, you almost can't find anything and stuff's super expensive you're better off buying new anyway.
Great video btw, I love this channel
Feels like the MIM has a bit more depth and definition, but all three sound nice. Advantage of the build is you can choose pickups that fit your needs.
Those ceramic pickups sound fantastic! So warm and pleasant to listen to.
+Chad Hargis ☺👍
The squire deluxe is my favorite guitar. I modded it to be a replica of Billie joe Armstrong’s blue. It plays super well and never falls out of tune.
The Mexican sounded awesome, that's the one for me .
I bought a Carvin Strat kit years ago, sanded the whole thing and Tung oiled the whole thing and that was it. All my Strat needs for recording have been fulfilled.
Hey Darrell, I'm new to your channel and I absolutely love your guitar playing. Sounds beautiful at clean parts, and wild at heavier parts. Kinda makes me to learn all of them. Keep it up! By the way I loved the sound of the third, built one. :)
+Viktória Jurcsák Hi!
Thanks, I appreciate the kind words ☺
Last year I bought a precision bass from guitar center it said “kimbara” on the headstock but I loved the sound so I bought it for $80 brought it home and took the neck off to do some adjustments and found inside the neck pocket it had a “ESP” logo then I took the pickguard loose and found the pickup wasn’t factory. I’ve since strung it with flats and it’s my favorite bass and one of the best I’ve ever owned. Guess I just got lucky
Loved the warmer tone of the MIM.
I used to have the pearl white Squier Deluxe Strat. It's a fantastic little guitar. It played really well and sounded pretty darn good. If anything the neck is a little narrow at the nut (1.65" instead of usual 1.685, and yes you can feel a difference. I sold it as I bought it to take on a deployment and ended up selling it to a guy that was arriving while I was set to leave. Still the Squier deluxe is a great option.
My god the mexican sounds so well balanced it's amazing.
Perfect vid for everyone's dilemma - going in I would say that the closer you get to Fender USA...
the closer you get to Fender USA - Mex wins unless the upgraded Squier leapfrogs over it
- $400 Mex with good frets beats a $400 NEW Squier - better body + better guts = better tone
the hot rodded Squier with locking tuners puts it ahead of the Mex as long as... it sounds good
- put $70 tuners into a $150 Squier, and you have $180 for a Fender USA loaded pickguard...
that the Mex doesn't have - if it doesn't sound as good... it's the wood... can't be pickups or pots
- Ash + Alder are as much of an upgrade from other thick bodies, as anything you could swap into it
- Fender is now using poplar - so are Squier Classic Vibes
- what if the #1 reason for rave reviews of the early CV Squiers was the Alder + Ash ?
not the Mex-ish no logo components
Defintely loved the build one on the bridge pick up but overall must say I loved the MIM through out
Hi Darrell. I've just got the Strat in red. Really impressed! What did it for me was the 22 frets (playing in covers bands, you sometimes need to go there), the 9.5" radius neck (bends), the truss rod adjustment at the neck end and the wiring of the tone controls. The last item is easy to fix, but I've got a really good Strat which I'm not scared to take out with me. The trem, surprisingly, allows return to pitch, with just the occasional silent dive-bomb after a bend. I love the neck profile, althugh I understand that that's a personal thing. I'm a great believer in trying out a guitar and this one I bought locally. I realised recently that I've only got one guitar I bought unseen. All the others I've sold on. At the moment I'm blown away by this one! Does it sound better thatn my USA and CS Srats? Well, different - but then they're all different. Does it play as well? I would say better!
Darrell, you are the go to guy when it comes to comparisons. With my limited technique, I have chosen the Dean 12-string @ $350 delivered and removed the extra 6 strings so I don't fumble on the arpeggios that I like so much. I replaced the pickups with Gibson's low distortion 490 & 498s. The sound is sweet through my Marshall half stack and TC Electronics G-Major. Now, I have just ordered a bargain 12-string from China @ $260 delivered. I've heard the rave reviews of Virgil Arlo custom wound pickups. So, I've written him to custom design a wide neck pickup for 6-string to make the most of my "small" technique. All the best to you, Darrell.
+Gary McAleer Sounds like you've got a great setup going!
why buy the Dean 12 string only to remove the 6 strings, why not just get the 6 string Dean
always consider the pawn shops when buying used guitars...found my squire strat at one...and as an added bonus it was a lefty albeit strung for right hand but that's an easy fix..going to put in serious electronic and hardware upgrades as soon as i can afford them
Great demo. The MIM was better sounding, overall. . I have a mid 90,s MIM Squire Strat that i modded with Fender JB hot noiseless pickups and a greasebucket tone control on bridge. The neck is super sweet and the tone is just what I hoped. Locking tuners not really needed, but a worthwhile mod in the future.
+Allampedupscxd Nice!
i liked your build on the top two pick-ups, but the mim on the dirty bridge. thanks for all you do!
I Build my own KH guitar... Is a LTD KH-202 (Kirk Hammett MetallicA Signature Model) and put EMG KH21 set in there, and a Original Floyd Rose and sounds great
+Julio Criollo Nice!
My wife is a beginner player and we had been looking for a Strat for her for a long time. We didn't want to get something that was either junk or too pricey. While in the store, she noticed a "used" (It looked brand new) Mexican Strat for $450. It played great, the neck felt very nice, smooth, no sharpness at the edges of the fretboard, etc. and had the 2-point trem. And the sound... It sounded exactly like what I hear in my head when I think of a Strat. Turns out, the owner only had it for 6 months or less, barely played it, and had put Fender Fat 50s pickups in the neck and middle position, and a Fender Shawbucker in the bridge. At $450, it was one of the best deals I ever got on a guitar.
The build one did not sound as good as the others.. for whatever reason. I get the impression also that it did not respond as well as the others in your hands. (true or not?).. that makes a difference in how you play and I believe effects the tone because your touch is different. On that point I got the impression that the first Squire the green one.. seemed to feel better to you.... the mexican was warmer for sure.. my vote goes to the first squire. But I like the build idea.. cause you can personalize things to your liking.. to do that though you have to have a good feeling/sounding instrument to start with. Great Video.
i love the sound of the Fender MM but the sound of that bridge pickup of that Squire Deluxe was beautiful!
Ocelot: Darrell, Quiet just wanted me to tell you...
You're Pretty Good!!!!
+Crooked TV 😄😄😄
Darrell Braun Guitar When in a previous video I told you that guitar playing are just walk in a park for you, I'm not kidding then and this video again proved it.
My first guitar was a mexican strat. Thing still sounds and plays incredible. Cost $240 about 15 years ago.
I thought the deluxe was so nice!! Maybe I’m weird? 😂
I did too.
As a Blues and Rock (60s and 70s style) player, I love the sound of the MIM, in fact I'm gonna see about finding some of those pickups for one of my projects.
Personally I like to build my guitars because I have a hard time finding many guitars (especially strats) that I like stock because they never sound right to me. There's no telling what you can find to fix up. I picked up an Epiphone strat, yes, you read that correctly, Epiphone. Strat. for around $70 at Guitar Center and put in some $50-60 warehouse-direct "Texas"-style pickups in it and now it's one of my go-to guitars. Hell, I'm working on one now that I technically got for free; let me explain: one of my dad's coworkers found a Lyon strat laying on the side of the road, he gave the guitar to my dad because he didn't play but he knows my brother and I do and basically told him, "here, maybe your boys can use it." Well, I tried to get the thing to actually hold tune and sound good... that failed miserably and I gave up because it was an absolute bitch and a half. Fast forward a year or two, I walk into a pawn shop and see a Van Halen frankenstrat project someone started, I talked to the guy and he let me trade the Lyon for it flat out, so now I just have to realign the neck, string it up, and it'll be ready to go. If anything happens to it: I'm literally only a pack of strings and some time into it. That's why I love builds and if you, reader, have the time and patience for it: I would suggest giving it a try... as long as you know what you're doing, otherwise it'll be a pain in the ass.
5:51 he s got his tongue out 😂😂
I have 3 MIM Strats and 1 MIM Tele. For the price, the quality and performance the MIM's are nothing short of amazing.
The blue Squire Deluxe and red MIM both sound great to me, though a bit different. I love the look of the daphne blue. I hated the the modded guitar. It sounded extremely harsh to me, and I also didn't like the look at all. The thing about modding is, yes, you have the flexibility to make it however you want, but you don't really know how it will sound and feel until you do it, so you might find you need to try something else. It could be endless and expensive. I personally would rather find a guitar that I like.
I agree, however I love modding guitars. My first electric ever has been modded so many times and I changed pretty much everything about that guitar. I still do change something now and then. The thing with modding is, that you've gotta keep trying and tweaking. I used, well over 7 sets of pickups on my first build to make it sound right (read the way I wanted)... The funny thing is that the "build" guitar here has the most expensive pickups. It has Fender American Select Strat Pickups and they go for about $175...
The standard can be agathis or alder, depends on the batch and what woods were available at the time, I happened to get a single piece of alder for my squier standard, and the neck is also flamed and has bird's eye figuring as well. It's like they wanted to make a beautiful guitar that day and sent out a dream squier, I had it refinished in sherwood forest metallic green and put 57/62 strat pickups in it and the obsidian wire solderless electronics upgrade kit and hipshot staggered locking tuners, i also replaced the neck with a maple neck with more flame figuring, sold the old one on ebay for 90$ and got a custom one with stainless frets, 12 inch radius, double action truss rod, and a bone nut. Also shielded the entire insides and I kept the 2 point trem cause its so nice, just upgraded the actual block to a more substantial one, Its gotta be the best squier standard strat on the planet.
IMHO the Blue Deluxe gives me the classic Strat tone. I loved it. The MIM sounds too much like a LP. If you want the LP sound, buy a LP. The "Build" sounds like crap, but I think you need different pups in it. Great job again Darrell - as usual.
That's funny it sounds pretty cheap. However I believe the "build" guitar is loaded with Fender American Select Strat Pickups, which are high end pickups and they go for $175 brand new...
+CreamFreshCream Expensive pickups (almost) always have better clarity than cheap pickups. When played against warmer (cheap) mim pickups, the majority of people prefer the warmer sound.
The Select pickups definitely have greater dynamics and are more expressive overall.
That being said, I love the blues, so the MIM is great too.
I put humbuckers, a tuneomatic and vibrato delete on all my jaguars.... still doesn’t sound like a LP. Sounds like a Jag with humbuckers that’s strings don’t fall off the bridge
They all sound great. I’d prefer the mim sound, but 21 frets is a deal breaker for me.
and i thought i was the only one who felt the blue squier sounded best
I played the 2017 USA Deluxe ($1700 new) at the shop and took notes...
I bought a MIM, swapped the single coils for new Fender Noiseless, installed a bone nut, put in Fender Locking Tuners and set it up with a medium to low action. I think I can honestly say that I have an killer Strat and saved more than a thousand bucks... I go for the build.
+Lon D Nicely done!
Michael Kelly guitars, look em up
I am a woodworker, so I watch for build quality...and enjoy your fine finger work. Thanks for your insights!
The modded sounded best for me. Great video. Cheers and God bless
I looove the clean tone of the ceramic pickups. I was not a fan of the built clean bridge sound. It had a buzz to it that i wasnt feeling, BUT the dirty bridge pickup sounded the best of the three. Awesome stuff
Just build the ultimate Epiphone! Cheers!
Guitar Dev He did
I just made a strat for my nephew, it's way nicer than anything I have presently & it's beautiful with fender player hss a zebrawood neck, swamp ash body, & I had a blast making it, build!
MIM for me, except bridge dirty where I prefer the mod with select pick up
+PJ Yim Agreed ☺
They all three have their own sound I prefer the warmth of the sound of the MIM. MIM offer a great value in my opinion I have three of them and really enjoy them. Thank you for your video it was very well done I always enjoy your playing.
+Ruben Saragosa Anytime ☺
Man you make a plank of wood sound good
The MIM sounds great, but I also like the Modified Squire, I own a Squire Strat, paid $110 Canadian brand new, the fun thing is modding your guitar to what you want it to sound like, I thought about a used Mim, but I have this thing that if I was going to go full out on a Stratocaster, I would go American Strat for the investment, I am in the middle stages of life and any guitar I have will be something to pass down, so to answer your question I would go build depending on the initial investment of the Squire, brand new, I would drop a G note (if I had it ) on a brand new American Stratocaster this is for the investment or something that would be wonderful to pass down,
+Brian Marto Good points!
Fantastic playing. Can you explain the thing you do with the plectrum on the neck in the first jam?
Really interesting concept for the vid
+Fluro Flash Thanks FF!
I just use the pick edge to tap a fret (in the same way I would fret it with a finger). It gives a nice bright sound 👍
Or if you have the means pickup a high end MIM. I bought a Roadhouse Deluxe Strat and wow.. you get a LOT of guitar for 800 USD. (American body [ I can attest], custom shop pickups [vintage noiseless], 2 point trem with a big steel block and bent saddles, custom electronics [ S1 switch], contoured heel, 12” radius, locking tuning machines with vintage buttons. It’s absolutely amazing!
Fretwire is smaller on the Squier. Mexican has real medium jumbo frets.
I just went and checked. I'd have to say you are correct, at least comparing the Squier Deluxe to the Mexican. The Squier Deluxe is also noticeably lighter in weight than the Mexican.
As much as I like the sound of the Squier's including the classic vibe series, I had to go for a mexican. I find having higher frets make it easier to play and bend.
Tough to go wrong with a well taken care of Mexi Strat...especially one built during 2016 when they went to a 2 point big block trem system and also started rounding the corners of the fretboard...2016 was an anniversary year so Fender honored the Mexi Strats with some nice upgrades.
Another note is that an original Fender MAY even appreciate over the years...a home built or Squier prob not ...
+Darrell Braun Guitar I like the built one and you inspire me to upgrade my own Squier. However I do wonder if the strength of the neck and the quality of the truss rod make it worth it. Any comment on that?
+Caesar Tjalbo They are rock-solid. The only Squier necks that I felt needed a little more tweaking than average were my classic vibes. Nothing serious to worry about though. ☺
Thank you for your reply. I have a fairly crappy Squier (California series) but it looks gorgeous, I've watched your Squier Strat Makeover video with great interest. I basically have to replace everything that can be replaced but I think it'll be worth the trouble.
You can replace neck as well. They are not that expensive and it's worth the money...
Yes, no, maybe. If the neck needs to be replaced on my particular Strat, then I'm basically only keeping the body, the back cover and (hopefully) the scratch plate. The current neck plays nice and has the Squier California logo which is another reason why I'd love to keep the neck.
I like that warm tone from the MIM. I'd go for that one out of the three.
One of my Strats is a MiM. I agree, Darrell, that the neck feels sticky... a poor choice of varnish or lacquer, I'd say. My solution was obvious... I grabbed some 3M very fine paint & body scuff pad and took the finish on the back of the neck down to, basically, a satin finish. I have to do that a couple of times a year (though the subsequent 'sandings' only need a couple of passes with the pad). I also replaced the front and back pickups for a set of Pearly Gates. It's been my main gigging guitar ever since.
+Marc Cote That sounds like a perfect guitar for gigging - not too expensive, but great sound and playability 👍👍👍
I just bought a brand new MiM standard (the limited seafoam pearl) and love the neck, not sticky at all. Great fretwork as well. I'm ordering a little Pearly Gates for the bridge (and a push-pull 500K tone pot for the bucker to switch between parallel and series), coincidentally enough.
How have the Pearly Gates worked out for you?
The Squier Deluxe seems to favor the American Standard in many ways. But with this comparison, the Select pickups seem to capture the best of the Duncan Designed pickups and the Standard ceramics. So in order of preference: (1) modded Squier Standard (2) Squier Deluxe Strat (3) MIM Standard Stratocaster. Of course all three are awesome Strats.
What's a two point trem? What does it mean? Thanks I just got my first ever electric, a Squier affinity, it was cheap and I like it....now gotta learn to play...it's a whole different game than acoustic!
+Smalltown Joe Hi!
It means the trem is attached to two posts. The Mexican Strat is attached to 6 screws which is Fenders original design. ☺
Cool cheers!
Some also claim the two point stays in tune better. Not sure I agree. but the six point (along with the pressed saddles) has the look that screams vintage fender.
depending on how the groundplate of the trem is fixed onto the bodie of the guitar its either a 2 point trem or a standard traditional one, wich is fixed on to the body, using 6 screws. hope that helped a little.
I modded my SE Squire with SD Alnico2 pro humbuckers CTS 300K POTS GOTOH Locking tuners Oak-grigsby jack Switchcraft 5way Wilkinson tremolo & a new Maple/ Ebony fretboard neck & I love it!!
A MIM strat in the US is $600.
Soooo lucky!
*+Person* On the other hand, there are used MIM strats on the Guitar Center used site every single day under $300 U.S.. Guitar Center has the 45 day return policy, which is a lot longer than any other place, and their shipping deal caps the cost on a solid body with a hard case (15ish pounds) at about $22.
Depends on the model. A Baja will go for upwards of $700 here in the US. The Brad Paisley model tele is $1200 for MIM. Back in ‘92, I bought my MIM strat for $350 out the door, brand new.
aaron hey!!! dallas buddy, whats up!
New Baja's are $799- $825 US depending on the color and fretboard. Used they run between $500-$650. You can't really compare that to a MIM strat standard, it's apples and oranges. I bought a new candy apple red MIM strat in early '92 for $269, still have the receipt. That's $479 in 2017 money. I sold it two years later for $225 ($400 in 2017). A new MIM strat standard is definitely not worth $600, not when you can get a used one for $300. I love how people always talk up MIM strats, the market doesn't agree.
Another great video! Nice giving love to that Daphne Blue beauty and I'm very intrigued because of how much you like the neck. Thanks for the advice about my pickup selection for my Daphne Blue Fender MOD Strat, I feel much better about the investment! In this current video, you pinpointed reasons for switching pups on MIM Strats, I switched the pups on my Daphne Blue '50's Classic Series to Seymour Duncan SSL-1's, because the factory pups were very weak. Thanks again for the effort, you put a lot into the production of your videos and it shows!
I would go with a squier classic vibe!!!! In the USA they are just around 400 bucks.
+Joseph Etherton Lucky!
$500 here... sigh
Darrell Braun Guitar Thats so unfair!!!! We are both in North America. I say same prices for the entire continent!!!!!!! ✌
+Joseph Etherton Agreed!😎😎😎
Is it not due to the difference in value between the American and Canadian dollar?
+evilkingstanley It's weird, music stores are slow to price on par when our dollar is high, but quick to up their prices when our dollar is low - funny that...🙁😰
You can also look for a bargain MIM and setup with used american parts. This is my setup, 2002 standard MIM with American deluxe tuners, electronics, pickups and big block.
It was a sub $600 build, but sounds like an American deluxe. I still miss the two point bridge though.
+Guilherme Breda Nice!
10% tax
Me, a european: WHAT
I have a used Squier Tele with P-90s that I got for $125. I bought like 10 minutes after the seller brought it into Guitar Center. It's my "what a steal" guitar. Love it.
Can you do this for tele?
+MrDirtBaggins I'll add it to my list ☺
MIM
BUILD! I LOVE my Player Plus strat but lm building a strat now lm very excited about ( a bit over $400) but it is how l want and what l like, locking Fender tuners, ebony board, 2 peice Alder body, 2 pt trem, Fender custom shop pickups in loaded gaurd, 12" radius, graphtech ptf nut and string tree, brass sustain block, totally blacked out other than the dark vintage maple neck and chrome. Having a blast putting it together, no hurry ( like you lm in no shortage of guitars) many parts l have already so its putting them to use, l did the fret work and neck feels amazing, the body is a brand new MIM Fender Deluxe with the comp heel fresh black gloss poly and is the most $$$ part of the build at $250, an American Elite bridge from my "17" Elite in the parts drawer, the neck is a Fender Lic and was raw so l have added factory Fender decals front and back with a vintage dark nitro finished in satin and its incredible. Sure it was probably around $5-600 total but l think its worth it to do it how l want and l know l could not likely get money back selling it so its a keeper made for me. Just my recent experience... But l would certainly go with a used Player without hesitation all around its a fantastic guitar, and a lot of guitar for the money! Thanks Darrell!
Awesome video as always ! I am making my custom strat ! I love it! But I have a low budget for the pickups, I'm thinking about GFS pickups, do you know them ? That would be a good idea to make a video comparation between some good (cheap) pickups btw , what do you think? Xx
+Pauline Mancini I'll add it to my list ☺
Irongear pickups is pretty tight too
My favorite guitar is a MIM Lonestar. $450, sweet af and seriously hot Texas pups in neck and mid with a Pearly Gates in the bridge/trem. And a hot, slick and Uber-comfortable neck.
MIM sounds best to me
I am a stickler for Fender but the two Squiers did it for me. the Squier Deluxe more than the modded standard. NEW
For 400 buy for sure. Resale for built guitars is poor. My warmoth has about 2000$ Canadian in parts but I bought it for 600$. Nobody sells a 2000$ fender for 600$. Building has its benefits though. Warmoth necks are the business.
+Wade Wilson Nice!
Agreed!
They all definitely look awesome and they all sounded pretty good to me too! Somehow my builds always cost me more than $400. I always prefer to build unless I want to buy a high end guitar.